First caravan experience

[MckieS1806]

Hi all, just to let you know we've survived our first caravan experience, and it was in France!
We stayed in our first campsite, raining!! The takeaway was closed but luckily I'd thought ahead and bought some pizzas to go in oven, oven wasn't as good as I was expecting I must admit. Second campsite was better, we met a lovely couple who had been caravaning for years so that was very helpful.
Then into our final destination in the dordogne (we've stayed there before several times but in a mobile home), thank goodness for the motormover, we put the new awning up in minutes (our practice attempt took 4 hours and 2 broken backs!!), we had to change pitch half way through holiday as we extended it earlier in the year but yo be honest that was fine.
On journey home back to U.K. Now, having holidayed with Hubble and twin daughters (nearly 20), and I must say I've found it better than I expected.
I think we need: cover for aqua roll, mobile air fan/conditioned unit, also what are people's thoughts on toilet blue and pink, do you think the tablets are any good?
Looking forward to our next journey in September, husband loves carp fishing so recommendations please!
Thank you all in advance for your help x

 

[Jaydug]

Congratulations! That sounds like a success story. Personally I wouldn't bother about an Aquaroll cover. Just something else to carry with you and for the on-site creepy crawlies to live under. As regards the toilet fluid. I carry a litre can of Blue Diamond fluid in the gas locker. Pink fluid I don't bother with. To keep the mouldly black bits out of the water, I fill the tank with plain water and pop in a Sainsbury baby bottle cleaning tablet.

 

[otherclive]

Toilet fluids and dosing, just how long do you have?
People have their likes and dislikes so perhaps it is best for you to try and see, some even use bio washing tablets, others bio washing fluid. Me I use OneChem, sometimes called UnoChem which does top and bottom tank. Can be bought in a 1 litre dosing bottle or larger 2 litre do it yourself dosing. But have also used Elsan Double Blue and Pink, but the OneChem is now our preferred.

 

[Anseo]

So far, I have found that a cardboard box just big enough to squeeze an aquaroll in makes the best container to protect caravan interior fittings if stored on board, one can be extravagant and utilise a bin bag over the aquaroll to keep the cardboard box clean

I find cardboard boxes pretty much the go-to reliable medium for transporting most things in caravan, damned expensive though

 

[Raywood]

Glad you enjoyed the trip.
Personally I do not see the need for an Aquaroll cover unless you are using it in Winter and need an insulated one.
As far as toilet fluid is concerned I just buy the cheapest I can find when I need it and everything I have tried seems to work equally. On some sites though or if you feel it is worthwhile you may need the green ones. The tablets take up less room, will not spill and weigh less, but cost more. It is a matter of opinion as to whether you think the cost is justified. As for the pink stuff I am not convinced you need it.

 

[Martin24]

Glad you enjoyed the trip and all went well. Thank you for the update. :cheer:

Toilet fluid, personally we don't use the pink stuff and I would take some convincing that it's really necessary. As far as the waste tank is concerned I have used Aqua Chem for many years but I think it's just because I grew up on it and like the smell. Makes me think about learning all about the porta pottie as a child. We are going to change over/try the Elsan Double Blue next time following a recentish debate on here. It's almost as much of an issue as nose weight. The tablets are of course lighter and cleaner to use but that's offset by the price. Depends whether weight is an issue.

Aquaroll and Wastemaster covers, handy to pop them in to keep van clean when it's raining as you pack up. We then clean up when we're home. For many years we have used Bags 4 Everything either online, from a show or even their shop just outside of Wakefield. As an aside, we travel with the Aquaroll in the shower.

If you are going to use the van all year, as many of us do, then Bags 4 Everything do a nice easy to use Aquaroll and pump cover to protect from frost. Alternatively just pop the Aquaroll and pump in the awning at night. People sometimes use an old sleeping bag or duvet. People also pop a drop of anti freeze in the grey water container.

 

[jamestaylor18]

Regrading toilet fluid, I tend to go for whatever brand is cheapest for the bottom tank. We used the pink fluid for 12 months, and found that there was a build up of black gunge by spring. I have since read that this can happen with the pink fluid and is quite common. Since Jan this year I have just used plain & simple water. So far so good! I did also find quite a strong chemical smell coming from the toilet, which since ditching the pink liquid has gone, so I am guessing this was the pink liquid!

 

[LizziePope]

Great to hear you've survived your maiden trip!

 

[welshti]

Good afternoon everyone, just bought my first caravan and like everything there are some little things to fix or repair to my standards. Bought a 2008 Elddis Odyssey 482 and wondering if there are any sites where i can buy the bits i need. Many thanks