9 days and counting!!!!!

[soldlisa04]

Hello all ... first introduced myself way back in September when we purchased our first ever caravan a Swift Challenger 570 (2010) 4 berth fb - I have found this forum absolutely invaluable and at times very funny (Woosie Club!!) and shall continue to read and contribute for sure. Anyway, only 9 days to go until our caravan arrives (massive thanks to Pearman Briggs in Longlevens for towing it to ours as we have not yet purchased a larger towcar). I can honestly say that these last 4 months would not have passed so pleasantly if it weren't for the fact that I have been in my absolute element making list upon list upon list (I am a Virgo) of things we need for the caravan (some completely unnecessary but hey, that's what it's all about!) ... we now have an attic that's full to bursting.

Still waiting to see if we can purchase next door's Kia Sorento which means we can't yet book first week of Easter hols, but I am sure that it will sort itself out! Booked a week at South Lytchett for June holiday (I work in a Primary School) but hope to get away for weekends in between then. Anyone out there ever slept in their van on their drive to see what it's like before going away for first time in it??? (Husband thinks I'm nuts).

Looking forward to our first ever trip. Will keep you posted. Lisa.

 

[dougie201]

Hi Lisa.

All the best with the new caravan, 9 days will pass in a flash. Nothing wrong with sleeping in van when on the drive, i know a couple who do it all the time when they are not away to a site. Enjoy your new purchase.

Dougie....

 

[Mel]

Hi Lisa. All the best with the new caravan, 9 days will pass in a flash. Nothing wrong with sleeping in van when on the drive, i know a couple who do it all the time when they are not away to a site. Enjoy your new purchase. Dougie....

Hi lisa, welcome. A mate of ours recently bought a new van, a lovely little 2 berth. We went around to see it and 6 of us ended up sitting in it, on his drive, having tea. You can only imagine what the neighbours thought.
have fun
mel

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Lisa, sleeping on the drive whatever next, that could qualify you for membership of the Woosie club

Go on girl just go for it then you can pop back indoors and get the cork screw you forgot to take with you

It will also give you more time to check and log any faults you find with it (if any)

See you in the Woosie club section in the chit chat section

 

[soldlisa04]

Oh how I love this forum ... thanks for your replies. Latest news is just taken a call from the Dealer, could they deliver a day earlier? Of course you can I said (thinking even more time for me to 'play' in the caravan then!). Going to put a bucket on drive charging entrance fee the amount of friends and family visiting next weekend to view the caravan. Neighbours on both sides well aware of impending new arrival ... other neighbours been scratching their heads wondering why tonnes of gravel and 'pods' and slabs been moved around on drive - all will become clear. One things for sure, if you fitted 6 into a 2 berth then imagine how many we can fit in a 4 berth for 'tea'!!!! Thanks again. Lisa

 

[birdman101]

Well you have waited for the caravan,and it will be worth waiting for the Sorento,excellant towcar.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Lisa, not long to wait now!
It's surprising how often we see posts from people who have slept in their caravan at home when it's on the drive and it's a sign that you've definitely been bitten by the caravan bug.
I don't want to dampen your eager anticipation in any way but whatever you do please make sure that the new caravan will be totally secure and fully covered by your caravan insurance policy from the day that it arrives because your neighbours may not be the only ones who have noticed the gravel etc.
Having said that, have a great time showing the neighbours around your caravan and don't do what I did when we bought our first ever caravan and put it on the drive.
Our lovely neighbours from both sides and across the road came over to have a look at our Eccles Topaz 2 berth and they all trooped inside with Herself.
It's a shame that I hadn't thought to lower the corner steadies and when Herself was proudly displaying how nice and clean the oven was in the end kitchen the caravan tipped back, the hitch went up into the air and Herself, who is not very big, was sandwiched between the generous matronly figures of the neighbours.
I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, light a fire or run off, all that I can say is that it's a good job that I'd remembered to apply the handbrake

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Lisa
Welcome to this Forum.
A lot of people on here have loads of knowledge so never be scared to ask anything no matter how trivial.
Have you got the Sorento yet.?
An excellent reliable tug. I've had mine from new, now on 101k miles.
Glad you are enjoying the Woosie Club which started purely by accident, well I think Sir Gagakev removed his trousers first. LOL.

 

[soldlisa04]

Splitting my sides laughing (but in a nice way) at the image that has conjured up! I am certain that my other half will have 'all that' sorted as he's ex-Navy and likes to cross all the t's and dot all the i's. Luckily when I got our caravan insured I'd got it covered from the day before the caravan was originally supposed to be delivered so it will be covered when it arrives and we have all the necessary security instruments of torture to put in/in/around it ... fingers crossed it will be OK but if someone wants something bad enough, they'll get it! Good job for new for old insurance I say.

 

[soldlisa04]

Hi Dustydog ... we were all set to go round to neighbours last night with a 'cards on the table' offer for their Sorento but they were out! Leaving to my husband to see them this weekend as we'd like to crack on and get a Sorento ready to go away first week of Easter holidays ... looked at other tow cars but heart set on Sorento. Sadly not a new one, nowhere near but they seem to hold their price and some on net have over 234k miles on clock and still going strong!!! We would like one about 60-70k but will have to see what is out there ...

Certainly been enjoying reading everyones hints and tips on here and everyone is sooo friendly and full of advice which, as first-timers has been useful and will continue to be useful. I just can't wait for next Thursday now and the warmer weather to come so that we can get on and get gone!

 

[Gagakev]

Glad you are enjoying the Woosie Club which started purely by accident, well I think Sir Gagakev removed his trousers first. LOL.

It was'nt me in there guv honest

 

[mealsonwheels]

Hello to both of you - I can feel your excitement at getting your new caravan and all the great holidays that lie ahead. We've got a Swift Challenger as well and one of the best things we've put on it is a 'Powrtouch' motor mover, which is brilliant.
The advice given earlier about putting security features on the 'van applies even more so if it is to be parked on your drive. If the wheel clamp, hitch lock and alarm (if you have one) are not on when you leave the caravan and it was stolen, your insurance company will not cover it. That also applies when you leave the caravan when on a site.
If you are unable to park it on secure caravan storage in your area and the caravan has to be parked on your drive, a good piece of advice is to turn it, so that the hitch lock is facing the house and not the road, which makes things a bit more difficult for a would be thief. When it's loaded up for a trip and you've swung it round ready for the off the next morning, park your tow car across the front. A modern car will have sophisticated alarms and they will go off if anyone tries to move it.
Above all, tell your neighbours that NO ONE has permission to take your caravan away (but tell them if you DO give someone permission anytime)! It is not unknown for thieves to arrive in overalls, telling anyone who asks, that they are taking it for servicing.
Another tip - put your husbands unique service number and a visible mark on your aquaroll, wastemaster and any other equipment, as these have been reported stolen, particularly from some commercial sites. A caravanner once reported that their new electric hook-up cable was taken while they were off site and an old one had been put in it's place!
I really don't want to worry you, or any other new caravanners reading this, but there are scumbags out there. Do what you can to make your lovely caravan as safe as you can and then get out there and enjoy every moment of your caravanning. It's a lovely life and you'll meet lots of friendly folk along the way.

 

[birdman101]

Hi Dustydog ... we were all set to go round to neighbours last night with a 'cards on the table' offer for their Sorento but they were out! Leaving to my husband to see them this weekend as we'd like to crack on and get a Sorento ready to go away first week of Easter holidays ... looked at other tow cars but heart set on Sorento. Sadly not a new one, nowhere near but they seem to hold their price and some on net have over 234k miles on clock and still going strong!!! We would like one about 60-70k but will have to see what is out there ...

Certainly been enjoying reading everyones hints and tips on here and everyone is sooo friendly and full of advice which, as first-timers has been useful and will continue to be useful. I just can't wait for next Thursday now and the warmer weather to come so that we can get on and get gone!

If you are unsuccesful with your neighbours Sorento,take a look at MK KIA web site,they are the largest KIA dealer and have several, if not to far for you.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Lisa welcome to the forum
You not on your own trying the van out on the drive we did it also enjoy yourself when you go away our van has it winter cover on our first trip is at Easter but near the end of march we will have it service to see everything is ok .
Look forward to your posts in the future ............

 

[dougie201]

Hi Lisa.

Just think its 5 days and counting now !!! The big day is nearly here....

Dougie....

 

[kopite]

Nearly there now
We are still excited now as we were 2 years ago when we picked our first van up.Still check her once a week as storage is just across fields from us.I`ve made some silly mistakes but no one hurt or damage done just red faced and herself crying with laughter.I know you will love it good luck

 

[soldlisa04]

Hello - thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply. We are indeed putting the caravan with the hitchlock up against the house, and we will be concreting in a hitchpost at the back of the caravan so as you say, they won't be able to turn the caravan without first ripping out the concreted-in post. Also have the bulldog wheel clamp, hitch lock, alarm and two corner steady locks. I asked my husband when the machine gun nest was being installed ... oh how he laughed! Good idea as we're very close to neighbours, to tell them that no-one is allowed to take it away, didn't think of that one. Getting excited now, especially as we're looking at a Sorento tomorrow night that we may well be in possession of by the end of the week. Who knows, we may be away in it in a few weekends time! The insurance company specified a two hour period when hitched to the car where the clamp does not need to be applied and also, as you say, at all times when on site - security provisions will be in place as if we were at home. I will certainly get him to stamp up or write service number on our items, didn't even think of that one. I hope that nothing horrible ever happens, but realise in this day and age that if people want something, they will do their best to get it so by making things as hard as possible, it may make them think twice. We simply cannot afford a motor mover at the moment so bought a second hand purple hitchline mover, which hopefully will make things a bit easier. In the future, we may be able to afford a second hand motor mover, but not so at the moment. Roll on Thursday pm ... very excited now

Lisa.

 

[soldlisa04]

Thanks for tip about MK Kia - will take a look. Sadly neighbour given notification may lose his job so not willing to sell Kia and saddle himself with loan (don't blame him at all!) - at least we know that we can look to buy as soon as suitable Sorento becomes available.

I'm thinking I may try to persuade my husband John to sleep in the van this Sat night ... but might be a step too far as he "won't have been through everything with a fine toothed comb". Love him, he won't admit it, but he's as excited as I am ...