Well we took our van out on Saturday for the first time. A little nervy on a very big roundabout in Aberdeen, but all went well. The A93 to Banchory is a decent road so we arrived at Silverbank CC site 30 minutes later.
We are not going to be amongst the caravan community who say " I didn't know the van was attached " because I did. The car towed it very well with no problems but, I knew I was pulling a pretty long caravan and, a resonable heavy weight.
As it happened the pitch we had was next to another Bessacarr with a couple from Lincolnshire, who had been caravanning for a good many years. They are on their third Bessacarr and swear by them. So I had a very experienced instructor who showed me the ropes, coupled up the power and away we went. Well almost, I had the remote for the power in my pocket and from what I can gather a lot of people with Bessacarrs have found that when they hook up nothing happens. So after 10 minutes my instructors ( and now my friend )said do you have a remote ?? yes I said passing it to him and hey presto we had light. Everything in the van worked fine tested the heating,hot water etc all ok. The only problem I could find was the curtain rail on the nearside window is loose. The screws have come out and they look a little short for the job. The truma mover only had a little work to do as the pitch was level and it was straight back only no side to side etc. On the Sunday my new friend engaged his truma using a lever to put the drive shaft onto his wheel, and then just took his van forward and right to hook up to his Sedona. He moved it perfect just lowered his jockey wheel and closed his stabiliser. So I am sorry I don't have much feedback on the mover.
One thing that I dislike is the manuals for the Van and fixed equipment. It is 5 times the size it needs to be due to it covering almost every country and language in Europe. It makes what should be an easy reference book, a chore to look for specific points.
The CC site at Banchory was clean with well spaced out pitches. If you ever book the site make sure it's on the opposite side to the road it's quieter. So all for now except to say many thanks to everyone who has helped us on the start of this new chapter in our lives. This forum has be invaluable for picking up tips on van selection and towcar choice. Thanks to Lutz, Rob, Clive Dave and anyone else who I have missed. Wendy and Jo-anne also for helping with encouragement. Norfolk Mike I am still taking the pills but nerves are better.
The couple from Lincoln are off to Alicante for the winter. He told me they are Snowbirds fleeing the English winter weather, and they do it every year !!!!
Frank of Val & Frank
Frank of Val and Frank.
We are not going to be amongst the caravan community who say " I didn't know the van was attached " because I did. The car towed it very well with no problems but, I knew I was pulling a pretty long caravan and, a resonable heavy weight.
As it happened the pitch we had was next to another Bessacarr with a couple from Lincolnshire, who had been caravanning for a good many years. They are on their third Bessacarr and swear by them. So I had a very experienced instructor who showed me the ropes, coupled up the power and away we went. Well almost, I had the remote for the power in my pocket and from what I can gather a lot of people with Bessacarrs have found that when they hook up nothing happens. So after 10 minutes my instructors ( and now my friend )said do you have a remote ?? yes I said passing it to him and hey presto we had light. Everything in the van worked fine tested the heating,hot water etc all ok. The only problem I could find was the curtain rail on the nearside window is loose. The screws have come out and they look a little short for the job. The truma mover only had a little work to do as the pitch was level and it was straight back only no side to side etc. On the Sunday my new friend engaged his truma using a lever to put the drive shaft onto his wheel, and then just took his van forward and right to hook up to his Sedona. He moved it perfect just lowered his jockey wheel and closed his stabiliser. So I am sorry I don't have much feedback on the mover.
One thing that I dislike is the manuals for the Van and fixed equipment. It is 5 times the size it needs to be due to it covering almost every country and language in Europe. It makes what should be an easy reference book, a chore to look for specific points.
The CC site at Banchory was clean with well spaced out pitches. If you ever book the site make sure it's on the opposite side to the road it's quieter. So all for now except to say many thanks to everyone who has helped us on the start of this new chapter in our lives. This forum has be invaluable for picking up tips on van selection and towcar choice. Thanks to Lutz, Rob, Clive Dave and anyone else who I have missed. Wendy and Jo-anne also for helping with encouragement. Norfolk Mike I am still taking the pills but nerves are better.
The couple from Lincoln are off to Alicante for the winter. He told me they are Snowbirds fleeing the English winter weather, and they do it every year !!!!
Frank of Val & Frank
Frank of Val and Frank.
Facebook
Twitter