Newbies

[hdv]

Have just become the owners of a 2009 Swift Challenger 480. Have never had a caravan before, had 3 motorhomes. Have yet to go out in it, but soon. Bit scared really, so much to remember.

 

[Parksy]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting your caravan.
If there's anything that you're not sure about, just ask.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello hdv,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sure your motorhoming experience will have given you an insight into many of the typical caravanning topics.

But one in particular that you will need to be particularly aware of is caravan loading and weight limits. it's far more important to get the weights sorted as not only are you probably more limited on payload, but also load distribution throughout the caravan and tow vehicle has a major effect on towing safety.

The other point about weights is do you have the correct licence entitlements. I'm guessing that you passed your driving test before the 1st Jan 1997, in which case your driving licence will automatically have entitlement Be. This covers all normal car and road legal trailer combinations. If per chance you passed after that date, you wont have entitlement Be, but just B. This limits the driver to an outfit of combined Maximum Authorised Mass of 3500kg. That is tow vehicles GVW + caravans MTPLM not exceeding 3500kg.

Post 1997 drivers can take a towing test to increase their driving entitlements to include B+E which increases your combined MAM limit to cover any practical car and caravan combination.

 

[Anseo]

Welcome hdv

 

[Raywood]

Welcome to the forum. If you have any problems there is plenty of help here and on site you will find most people only too happy to help also so do not be afraid to ask..

 

[Dustydog]

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your first trip.

 

[WinnieSophie]

Hi hdv, don't worry, I knew nothing, but you'll soon realise it sounds more complicated than it is. Also I've asked no end of usually daft questions, and met with nothing but kind replies

 

[hdv]

Thank you all so much for your replies. My husband will be pulling the caravan with his Vauxhall Vivaro LWB. He has towed trailers before. Bit unsure what to put in the upper cupboards ( because of weight) so consequently they are all empty. We will have to relearn a lot of things, in the motor home it just all went in

 

[Anseo]

Thank you all so much for your replies. My husband will be pulling the caravan with his Vauxhall Vivaro LWB. He has towed trailers before. Bit unsure what to put in the upper cupboards ( because of weight) so consequently they are all empty. We will have to relearn a lot of things, in the motor home it just all went in

Hi hdv,

I try to keep all of the high level cupboards empty except for the lightest of items, I don't keep crockery or anything else up there, maybe a kitchen roll or that sort of thing.

Keep all goods at the lowest level in the caravan as possible when towing, it's quite easy and becomes second nature after a very short time.

I find that cardboard boxes from the supermarket are ideal for storing stuff in what will be kept on the floor of the caravan, the cardboard box prevents the cabin furniture from being scratched and they can be wedged in using a cushion or towel or similar, even plastic boxes can scratch your lovely furniture.

I put the aquaroll in the shower tray, but always in a cardboard box to prevent the shower cubicle walls being scratched, a black bin liner inside the box keeps it clean and helps if you have any spillages from whatever items, toilet fluid etc.

I even taped up the corners etc. of the cardboard box that goes into the shower cubicle to make it more durable, cause when I find the right size of box I cba'd looking for an ideal replacement if it fails

Everything will come together pretty soon for you, enjoy.

 

[Raywood]

Yes you do need to keep weighty items as low down as possible. I do not go as far as keeping the lockers empty but do try to keep their contents down to lighter items. Heavier items should be as near the centre as possible for balance and as we have a fixed bed near the centre then most things do go in there but you may not be able to do that. Before that I kept the water carriers in the front lounge where they would not move if I braked hard.
We tend t pack clothing and other things brought out from the house in Tesco Big Green bags or other firms similar bags as they are more flexible than boxes and if emptied can be stored more easily

 

[waffler]

One difference I thought of is not carry unnecessary water. So empty the boiler and top tank in the loo. These can add 18 kgs to your weight and are generally at the ends of the caravan.

 

[Hutch]

One difference I thought of is not carry unnecessary water. So empty the boiler and top tank in the loo. These can add 18 kgs to your weight and are generally at the ends of the caravan.

I will empty the water heater if we are on the way home, but if changing to another site the same day, leave it full and always have a litre of fluid in the toilet header, for emergency toilet breaks.