Advice for a newbie on families first trip

[Guy]

Hi there, I'd love some advice from the old-hands on how to make a success or limit the damage on our first ever caravan trip.

Ok, so we jumped in and bought a van. There's me, my wife and two boys (7 and 2).

We're totally new to caravanning, but stumped up for a new Bailey Pegasus.

Problem is we're picking the van up on our way to the continent. So no time to get it ready etc. Picking up at dealer and driving straight to eurotunnel for trip to france.

Getting a mover fitted at the dealer. Buying the aquaroll, wastemaster and leisure battery.

But we need some tips:

What essentials would you not be without on your first trip? Tools, accessories, bits and pieces.

What advice would you give me?

Help please! we're a bit nervous, but thought it would be a great adventure and a great baptism of fire with our new hobby

Have I over-stretched?

Many thanks for taking the effort to reply, it will be much appreciated.

 

[DarrylFlynn]

I have no doubt that you will receive many replies but here are a few of my suggestions.

Gas Bottles already fitted ?

A GOOD Torch

Dont forget mirror extensions

Heavy hammer if you have bought an awning

A tin of instant tyre repair ( just in case you are unlucky enough to get 2 punctures on same journey )

A small cheap BOXED toolkit for about a tenner.

Spare caravan fuses

Duck tape and cable ties

Breakdown cover

Hope these few help but i am bound to have forgotten something important.

Regards and safe trip Darryl

 

[Parksy]

I don't want to seem discouraging Guy but have you ever towed a caravan before?

Is your towing vehicle capable of towing your new caravan legally and safely?

Does your driving licence meet the requirements for the weight of the unit?

Have you made any provision for caravan insurance or Continental breakdown cover?

The roads and motorways are not really the best place to include your family in a 'baptism of fire' are they?

My personal opinion is that you might be lucky and hopefully nothing will go wrong but you seem at first glance to be leaving quite a lot to chance.

I'd have tried the caravan out, towing etc somewhere not too far away from home for my first ever trip but good luck anyway.

Have a look Here

and here

 

[DarrylFlynn]

I don't want to seem discouraging Guy but have you ever towed a caravan before?

Is your towing vehicle capable of towing your new caravan legally and safely?

Does your driving licence meet the requirements for the weight of the unit?

Have you made any provision for caravan insurance or Continental breakdown cover?

The roads and motorways are not really the best place to include your family in a 'baptism of fire' are they?

My personal opinion is that you might be lucky and hopefully nothing will go wrong but you seem at first glance to be leaving quite a lot to chance.

I'd have tried the caravan out, towing etc somewhere not too far away from home for my first ever trip but good luck anyway.

Have a look Here

and here

Cannot help but agree and i certainly would not want to attempt my first foray into caravanning with such a trip but it looks like the arrangements are already in place.

Darryl

 

[Philspadders]

Im all for folks taking the bull by the horns and setting of on an adventure in to the unknown but if this is the fist van you have owned and the first van you have towed can you delay your trip by a few days and stay somewhare more local to your dealers to get to know the van, how to set it up ?

 

[Guy]

I have no doubt that you will receive many replies but here are a few of my suggestions.

Gas Bottles already fitted ?

A GOOD Torch

Dont forget mirror extensions

Heavy hammer if you have bought an awning

A tin of instant tyre repair ( just in case you are unlucky enough to get 2 punctures on same journey )

A small cheap BOXED toolkit for about a tenner.

Spare caravan fuses

Duck tape and cable ties

Breakdown cover

Hope these few help but i am bound to have forgotten something important.

Regards and safe trip Darryl

Thanks for this Danny...invaluable stuff.

 

[Guy]

Guys, thanks for advice so far...I'll fill in a few blanks to help...

I've booked towing class with local driving instructor, but more of a horsebox than a van

I've insured the van and also joined the camping and caravanning club. I've also taken out full european assistance for car and van.

I checked the weights etc and used a website recommended here to check towcar - it's right on an 85% match. Car's 2009.

As per suggestions, we have built in a day and an overnight in England just to get used to van etc.

But must admit worried about towing on my own for first time.

 

[HenryB1]

Take care when arriving at site in France. We were on a site a few years ago when a family arrived towing a twin axle caravan that they had just purchased (we did not know this at the time). Apparently they told the site owners that they had just bought the van and were offered help in placing the van on the pitch near us. The van arrived towed by the site tractor followed by family in Volvo estate. The site tractor diver left the van on the pitch with steadies up and went away. Excited family jumped into their van which proceeded to wobble up and down as they all walked from back to front. Shortly afterwards a site van appeared and proceeded to level the van for the family. This was done using trolley jacks that were placed under the chassis to jack it up followed by building blocks that were used to support the chassis at each end. It quickly became apparent that the site workers were more used to siting static mobile homes rather than touring caravans. I hate to think what damage was caused to the caravan chassis by this activity. Talking to the owners of the caravan the next day it transpired that they had purchased the caravan and picked it up on their way to France for a holiday without having any experience of caravans or towing before.

I am not trying to frighten you but do as much homework as you can before hand, take things gently and be careful of accepting or asking for help unless you are happy that the persons offering help have the required knowledge.

 

[Guy]

Take care when arriving at site in France. We were on a site a few years ago when a family arrived towing a twin axle caravan that they had just purchased (we did not know this at the time). Apparently they told the site owners that they had just bought the van and were offered help in placing the van on the pitch near us. The van arrived towed by the site tractor followed by family in Volvo estate. The site tractor diver left the van on the pitch with steadies up and went away. Excited family jumped into their van which proceeded to wobble up and down as they all walked from back to front. Shortly afterwards a site van appeared and proceeded to level the van for the family. This was done using trolley jacks that were placed under the chassis to jack it up followed by building blocks that were used to support the chassis at each end. It quickly became apparent that the site workers were more used to siting static mobile homes rather than touring caravans. I hate to think what damage was caused to the caravan chassis by this activity. Talking to the owners of the caravan the next day it transpired that they had purchased the caravan and picked it up on their way to France for a holiday without having any experience of caravans or towing before.

I am not trying to frighten you but do as much homework as you can before hand, take things gently and be careful of accepting or asking for help unless you are happy that the persons offering help have the required knowledge.

Henry, thanks so much for the advice. A little scary, but definitely helps focus the mind.

Manouvering round the sites is probably my biggest fear at the moment.

I've tried to limit that by purchasing a mover to help me do the awkward work etc. But I've also been reading up as much as possible on these forums on how to set up and level van. However, I know that turning in tight site areas will be a struggle no matter what.

If I can get it to the site and pitched safely then I'm hoping to spend a few weeks getting to know the van

 

[ed1]

hello guy,

hope you enjoy your trip, im very jealous we cant go till next year as need pet passports,

but......and its a big one, we picked up our brand new compass 2 years ago on the sunday, set off on the tuesday (i need to point out that everything worked at the hand over)...arrived on site at whitby, everything refused to work.....after several phone calls and cushions and fuse boxes opened and closed and checking wiring via the phone, we gave up...needless to say we set off at 6 am the next morning and went straight to the dealers....ive forgotten what it was that had blown..(totally nothing to do with us and the caravan at fault)...but it was fixed within 2 hours and has been perfect ever since, best van we have had....but wouldnt have liked it to happen on the way to france....so just hope i was a one off.....but im still so very very jealous, let us know how you went on, sounds a good adventure...happy caravanning..(weve been doing it for 20 years....wouldnt do anything else) regards edwina

 

[Chris_374413356]

Hi Guy, take things easy, plan ahead, make sure you have have all the relevent documents, phone numbers for emergency, credit card numbers, copies of passports etc.

Most important, Don't forget the bottle opener

 

[Guy]

hello guy,

hope you enjoy your trip, im very jealous we cant go till next year as need pet passports,

but......and its a big one, we picked up our brand new compass 2 years ago on the sunday, set off on the tuesday (i need to point out that everything worked at the hand over)...arrived on site at whitby, everything refused to work.....after several phone calls and cushions and fuse boxes opened and closed and checking wiring via the phone, we gave up...needless to say we set off at 6 am the next morning and went straight to the dealers....ive forgotten what it was that had blown..(totally nothing to do with us and the caravan at fault)...but it was fixed within 2 hours and has been perfect ever since, best van we have had....but wouldnt have liked it to happen on the way to france....so just hope i was a one off.....but im still so very very jealous, let us know how you went on, sounds a good adventure...happy caravanning..(weve been doing it for 20 years....wouldnt do anything else) regards edwina

Thanks for the kind wishes

I'll be sure to doublecheck the van prior to dispatch. Dealer seems really helpful. Has offered to help me get setup and also to get comfortable towing.

 

[Philspadders]

and dont forget when towing ,think 3 or 4 cars ahead,allow plenty of space to pull out and back in,watch tight corners on narrow lanes... (thats why lots of vans have damage on the sides ).

You will take further to slow down and further to accelerate.

Solo car drivers will take great delight in trying to get in front of you..on the motorway, at roundabouts etc.

I once talked my wife into towing our van back from Cleethorpes to Sheffield. All was well until we hit the roundabout at the start of the a180 at Grimsby. Halfway round she stopped,she refused to go on... in rush hour....

On running round the car to get to the drivers seat you can just imagine the er, hand gestures.

i can look back at laugh ,so you need to keep a sense of humour while towing.

Have you bought an awning ?

When you first put it up could you come back on the forum and tell us how many times you got divorced during its erection?

i no longer let the wife help,its far easier and quicker for me to put up the awning, connect the mains, fetch the water,fill the loo, turn on the gas , set up the tv and i even do the cooking... ive got something wrong here, she's relaxing with a glass of wine and im still working my wotsits off.

 

[Wolfie]

Guy,

good for you - take as much advice from here as you can!

I'm sure you'll all have a great time - welcome to the gang!

PS Don't forget to wave at fellow 'vanners.

 

[Guy]

and dont forget when towing ,think 3 or 4 cars ahead,allow plenty of space to pull out and back in,watch tight corners on narrow lanes... (thats why lots of vans have damage on the sides ).

You will take further to slow down and further to accelerate.

Solo car drivers will take great delight in trying to get in front of you..on the motorway, at roundabouts etc.

I once talked my wife into towing our van back from Cleethorpes to Sheffield. All was well until we hit the roundabout at the start of the a180 at Grimsby. Halfway round she stopped,she refused to go on... in rush hour....

On running round the car to get to the drivers seat you can just imagine the er, hand gestures.

i can look back at laugh ,so you need to keep a sense of humour while towing.

Have you bought an awning ?

When you first put it up could you come back on the forum and tell us how many times you got divorced during its erection?

i no longer let the wife help,its far easier and quicker for me to put up the awning, connect the mains, fetch the water,fill the loo, turn on the gas , set up the tv and i even do the cooking... ive got something wrong here, she's relaxing with a glass of wine and im still working my wotsits off.

Loved this post on solo many levels. I thought it best to give the awning a miss on first trip. Maybe try to pick up one cheap in the sales

I've psyched myself to stay cool calm and collected. Not rushing anywhere, just going to spend two weeks learning the ropes...

Thanks for such a great reply.

 

[Hoits]

Read up all you can before hand so that aren't too many surprises.

As far as driving is concerned take it steady, check out your route beforehand, don't rely on a Sat Nav 10 be 100% correct, but they are a useful guide if you've got one.

You won't believe this but after a few miles towing I tend to forget the van is there and keep thinking what's that big white thing in the mirrors, and I have to keep reminding myself, particularly when turning left.

Above all enjoy your break and your introduction to Caravanning, and ensure your family enjoy it too.

Dave C

PS don't forget to get supplies for the loo.

 

[Chris_374413356]

To Philspadders.... It's a wonder you didn't have the van wheels nicked stopping for a few seconds in Grimsby.

I should know, I was born there.

 

[forestgump]

something a bit fishy about that.

 

[Chris_374413356]

Not now, the EU sorted that!!!

 

[Mick_5116680]

Guy,

First things first - Have fun! After all that is what it is all about.

These are my tips:

1. Make sure you take a pen and paper with you when you pick the van up. Use this to jot down brief notes when the salesman explains how various things work - It is amazing how quickly you will forget what he tells you.

2. Make sure you have all the basics - Plates, cutlery, pot pans etc. (do not forget the bottle opener!)

3. Take some basic food stuffs with you - tea bags, milk, bread. You can use these to prepare quick meal if you arrive at your camp site when the shops are closed.

4. If the campsite has a web site - try to find out what kind of mains connector they use. Some sites still use the old European connectors (I think!) You should be able to buy an adaptor lead from your caravan dealer.

5. Plan your route ahead of time - use one of the web based route planners.

6. Take a break after a couple of hours driving. Even if it is just to stretch your legs. Make a cup of tea - one of the advantages of owning a caravan!

7. Explain to your wife and your eldest child that when a large truck or bus overtakes you, there may be some movement in the caravan. Tell them this is normal and nothig to worry about.

8. Take things slowly - If this is your first time driving abroad, do not worry. You just need to concentrate that little bit harder.

9. I have also just taken delivery of a new Pegasus - tried it out last weekend and there were no real problems. However, make sure that you have the dealers number and the number for Bailey, just in case,

10. Do not worry - And as my old dad used to say "if in doubt, find a safe place and stop" then you can think about what you are doing.

11. Most important Tip - When you arrive at the site - Put the kids to bed, open a bottle of wine and congratulate yourself on a job well done!!

ENJOY ;-)

 

[Philspadders]

i went fishing off the wall at the tioxide mile and at about 3 .am find out what put the grim into grimsby.

 

[Guy]

Guy,

First things first - Have fun! After all that is what it is all about.

These are my tips:

1. Make sure you take a pen and paper with you when you pick the van up. Use this to jot down brief notes when the salesman explains how various things work - It is amazing how quickly you will forget what he tells you.

2. Make sure you have all the basics - Plates, cutlery, pot pans etc. (do not forget the bottle opener!)

3. Take some basic food stuffs with you - tea bags, milk, bread. You can use these to prepare quick meal if you arrive at your camp site when the shops are closed.

4. If the campsite has a web site - try to find out what kind of mains connector they use. Some sites still use the old European connectors (I think!) You should be able to buy an adaptor lead from your caravan dealer.

5. Plan your route ahead of time - use one of the web based route planners.

6. Take a break after a couple of hours driving. Even if it is just to stretch your legs. Make a cup of tea - one of the advantages of owning a caravan!

7. Explain to your wife and your eldest child that when a large truck or bus overtakes you, there may be some movement in the caravan. Tell them this is normal and nothig to worry about.

8. Take things slowly - If this is your first time driving abroad, do not worry. You just need to concentrate that little bit harder.

9. I have also just taken delivery of a new Pegasus - tried it out last weekend and there were no real problems. However, make sure that you have the dealers number and the number for Bailey, just in case,

10. Do not worry - And as my old dad used to say "if in doubt, find a safe place and stop" then you can think about what you are doing.

11. Most important Tip - When you arrive at the site - Put the kids to bed, open a bottle of wine and congratulate yourself on a job well done!!

ENJOY ;-)

Mick, this is stunning advice and exactly the type of thing I was hoping for. I'll definitely add all this to my checklist.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[Guy]

Thanks so much for all help so far.

 

[Michael_5123947]

We were in a similar position in 2006. I was on a training course in Birmingham and my wife rang up and said she wanted to buy a caravn. It must have been a very bad line because when I said I'll be home on Friday we can go and visit a few dealerships and get some advice, she thought I said go and put down a deposit on a caravan and book a ferry crossing to France. Anyway, we did just have time for a weekend in this country to iron out any problems and there really isn't much to add to the excellent advice already given. Just take your time in France and things should go fairly smoothly, we had no serious issues.One thing you might want to check is the indicators. When we left the dealership we duly checked that indicators on the van were working. However, my wife who was following behind noticed that they were wired incorrectly so that when the car was indicating left the van was indicating right. Luckily managed to catch the dealer before he closed and they fixed it.

 

[Guy]

We were in a similar position in 2006. I was on a training course in Birmingham and my wife rang up and said she wanted to buy a caravn. It must have been a very bad line because when I said I'll be home on Friday we can go and visit a few dealerships and get some advice, she thought I said go and put down a deposit on a caravan and book a ferry crossing to France. Anyway, we did just have time for a weekend in this country to iron out any problems and there really isn't much to add to the excellent advice already given. Just take your time in France and things should go fairly smoothly, we had no serious issues.One thing you might want to check is the indicators. When we left the dealership we duly checked that indicators on the van were working. However, my wife who was following behind noticed that they were wired incorrectly so that when the car was indicating left the van was indicating right. Luckily managed to catch the dealer before he closed and they fixed it.

Thanks for the tips Michael, definitely helped my confidence.

Cheers!