Newbie to everything

[Jellygirl0]

Hello. Just got a new car to tow our new - well new us anyway - 2012 sterling swift sport 214. Blimey it's been a long journey but we have finally got there and yippee found a site with a forum so we can pick your brains, hopefully, to get us through our first holiday next year. Never owned a caravan and never towed before.

i look forward to hearing from you and posting on this forum.
Jellygirl

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Welcome to the forum Jellygirl.

 

[Parksy]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on buying your first tourer.
I'm not sure if the person who sold the caravan has told you this, but it's vital that all water is drained from the caravan water system during the cold winter frosts to prevent damage to the water heater, cassette toilet and shower.
Locate the yellow drain tap (probably under one of the front seats) open the tap and leave the sing, wash basin and shower taps open to drain any water in the system. Undo the flexible shower pipe from the body of the shower and ensure that both the filler and contents tanks of the cassette toilet are empty.
Happy caravanning!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

... and leave the sing, wash basin and shower taps ...

Is your choir preying on your mind Parksy?? Has there been a lot of performances over the festive period?

 

[brian_c]

Welcome to the Forum JellyGirl
I'm sure you will have many happy short and long breaks in your new caravan.
Best wishes Brian

 

[Parksy]

... and leave the sing, wash basin and shower taps ...

Is your choir preying on your mind Parksy?? Has there been a lot of performances over the festive period?

There certainly have Sir WC and I'm not sorry to begin getting back to normal and looking forward to going off in the caravan in 2015.
In this case my typo arose from not looking at my computer keyboard as I was typing though

 

[Mel]

Hi Jellygirl. Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first van. You'll love it althoughitcanbe a it scary at first. Any questions,just ask.
Mel

 

[Jellygirl0]

Thank you for the warm welcome and the tips so far. I can't believe how complicated it has been from learning all about nose tow and curb weights to fitting on the alko hitch and wheel locks. We managed to tow the caravan for the first time last week just eight miles down the road from the dealer to the storage place. It got a bit scary when it began to get dark and we still had to get the van in place and fathom out the wheel lock. But we got there in the end.

We purchased a solar panel and hopefully have connected it ok to trickle feed the battery. Forgot to take down the moisture absorbing carton to help with damp but we aim to go down to the van which is about one hour and a quarter away to check on things in January. Thanks for the water tip. This was explained and done by the dealer in Herne Bay, Kent where we purchased the van.

Thanks again for the welcome and I look forward to posting in the correct sections soon.

Regards
Jellygirl.

 

[Jellygirl0]

Thank you for the warm welcome and the tips so far. I think I may have meant a 514. See how new I am? Lol. I can't believe how complicated it has been from learning all about nose tow and curb weights to fitting on the alko hitch and wheel locks. We managed to tow the caravan for the first time last week just eight miles down the road from the dealer to the storage place. It got a bit scary when it began to get dark and we still had to get the van in place and fathom out the wheel lock. But we got there in the end.

We purchased a solar panel and hopefully have connected it ok to trickle feed the battery. Forgot to take down the moisture absorbing carton to help with damp but we aim to go down to the van which is about one hour and a quarter away to check on things in January. Thanks for the water tip. This was explained and done by the dealer in Herne Bay, Kent where we purchased the van. We are towing with a Ford Mondeo Estate

Thanks again for the welcome and I look forward to posting in the correct sections soon.

Regards
Jellygirl.

 

[Dustydog]

Welcome to the forum Jellygirl.

Ask away about anything.
I assume you have insured the caravan and also told you car insurers you have a towbar and will be towing.

Also a good idea to check the terms of your breakdown cover as they don't all cover the caravan!!

Enjoy .

 

[LizziePope]

Welcome to the Practical Caravan forum, Jellygirl. There are lots of experienced caravanners on here, so we are sure you'll find answers to your questions. Happy touring!

 

[Beachball]

Welcome to the forum Jellygirl lol