Another first-timer!

[Amanda_5109471]

Hi everyone,

I'm Amanda. We are taking delivery of a Lunar Quasar 615 next week. Now call me a worry wart but I read the passage on "snaking" in the CC handbook this morning and scared myself half to death - and I won't even be driving. Husband has experience of towing a trailer but never a van. He's totally confident in his ability (mmmm...aren't they all) but I'm just hoping we haven't bitten off more than we can chew as first-timers!

Come on...someone tell me it'll be a doddle!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Welcome to the forum Amanda. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. If you follow all the advice on loading the van and your tow car, tyre pressures and having a tow car up to the job all will be well. The vast majority of people never experience a snake. We all drive around in the winter, the possibility of black ice doesn't stop us. Drive at sensible speeds, and within the law, for the roads and all will be well, just enjoy yourself. :O) I'm sure other forum members will think of other things I haven't covered to keep you from worrying.

 

[Denise4]

Hi Amanda, We are new to this and have just been out for the first time in our Lunar Quasar 615 over Easter. We have three small children and they loved it, although bedtime was a bit of a nightmare with the 20 month old twins. I used bed guards but they just kept trying to climb out until they fell asleep. Our 4 yr old slept very well in the top bunk with no problems. The van was lovely, the cooker is excellent and the double bed much more comfortable than I thought it would be. My husband is 6'3" and he slept well - nothing to do with running round after the children all day. Any questions about the van please ask, we learnt ALOT on that first trip. Denise.

 

[Denise4]

Bye the way Amanda I too was terrified about towing (my husband towing) but I couldn't even feel that we had the van behind us. We wanted a twin axle as we think they sit on the road better and don't seem to bounce around like some vans. My hubby did go on the 1 1/2 day CC course for beginners and he said it was worth it. I kept saying to him whilst we were away 'are you nervous about towing home' but he feels quite confident about it whereas I am scared and don't want to do it although he says I must in case I need to drive sometime. Denise

 

[Amanda_5109471]

Welcome to the forum Amanda. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. If you follow all the advice on loading the van and your tow car, tyre pressures and having a tow car up to the job all will be well. The vast majority of people never experience a snake. We all drive around in the winter, the possibility of black ice doesn't stop us. Drive at sensible speeds, and within the law, for the roads and all will be well, just enjoy yourself. :O) I'm sure other forum members will think of other things I haven't covered to keep you from worrying.

Thanks lordB,

We have very optimistically booked ourselves a pitch for the night we get the van. I don't think this is realistic but hubbie is determined we can do it (only pick the van up at 1pm)! Have since been told that the site we've booked (The Quiet Site - Cumbria) doesn't have the easiest of access for beginners too. I can just imagine us being the on-site entertainment that evening as we bungle everything...

 

[Amanda_5109471]

Bye the way Amanda I too was terrified about towing (my husband towing) but I couldn't even feel that we had the van behind us. We wanted a twin axle as we think they sit on the road better and don't seem to bounce around like some vans. My hubby did go on the 1 1/2 day CC course for beginners and he said it was worth it. I kept saying to him whilst we were away 'are you nervous about towing home' but he feels quite confident about it whereas I am scared and don't want to do it although he says I must in case I need to drive sometime. Denise

Hi Denise,

Can I ask you how long it took you to stock up the van. We have 2 children age 5 and 8 and I can't help thinking it's a much bigger job than my husband thinks it is!

 

[Denise4]

Hi Denise,

Can I ask you how long it took you to stock up the van. We have 2 children age 5 and 8 and I can't help thinking it's a much bigger job than my husband thinks it is!

We had the van on our drive for a few days to pack up, but I had to do it bit by bit as I am at home with the twins all day and its not easy doing anything with them around. Basically we bought plates cups knices & forks, saucepans, a toaster and kettle and other bits & pieces. These will live in the van all the time. I made the bunk beds up before we left and we just put our duvet and bedding under the front seats. We did fill the fridge as my husband connected to the electric in our garage and then it was already cold when we set off. Just took tea coffee cereals etc, as we decided to eat out on this trip. I would say that packing the van up will get easier and quicker the more we do it and I'm sure that there are other things that we will end up buying to leave in the van. I loved putting all the clothes straight into the wardrobe & drawers and not having to unpack clothes when you arrive. Denise.

 

[NorfolkMike]

DO NOT PANIC. Its do-able Trust Me. It is inevitable that you will forget something. Water for the first cup of tea, bed cloths and somewhere to 'go' in the middle of the night and you have cracked it for the first weekend. The rest is practice.

We have been caravaning for hundreds of years and are about to set off for Italy and my wife is happy to share the driving.

 

[Thanielle]

Hi Amanda, We are new to this and have just been out for the first time in our Lunar Quasar 615 over Easter. We have three small children and they loved it, although bedtime was a bit of a nightmare with the 20 month old twins. I used bed guards but they just kept trying to climb out until they fell asleep. Our 4 yr old slept very well in the top bunk with no problems. The van was lovely, the cooker is excellent and the double bed much more comfortable than I thought it would be. My husband is 6'3" and he slept well - nothing to do with running round after the children all day. Any questions about the van please ask, we learnt ALOT on that first trip. Denise.

Hi Denise

Remember me? we were both going out over easter with brand new awnings never having put one up before?

How did you get on with yours?

We had a few teething problems in as much as the rain was coming down the side of the caravan despite the awning being attached!!! lord knows what we did wrong and the instructions were a complete JOKE!!

 

[Paul_5109754]

If you're new to carvanning and a bit nervous about towing, the best thing you can do is book yourselves on the Caravan Club's 1 and a half day course where they will teach you how to hitch and unhitch, how to load your van safely, how to level it on site, how to manouver it both forwards and backwards and much more besides. The course is excellent, enjoyable and above all, money well spent. You might want to consider joining the club too (or the Camping & Caravanning Club). Check out www.caravanclub.co.uk