Procedure

[Smith21]

Would kind members give me a rundown on the procedure when arriving at your pitch

Firstly level van both ways, then put steadying legs down, now do I connect electrics and gas and water then awning? Which way do other members do it?

 

[earlyriser]

level steady legs electric kettle tea other jobs

 

[JTQ]

Level across axle first whilst car is there to get up any levelling block, then unhitch and level front to back. Put steadies down connect 'leccy', get water, make and savour tea, have G&T then think about the awning!

 

[Gareth111278]

Agreed, level across the axle first, remember if using a ramp reverse the caravan up it, this way the brake will hold it there, if you drive up the wheel will turn 1/2 a turn back before it locks! I'm going to use a plank under the oposite side to the ramp to stop the wheel that side sinking in.
when leveling 'front to back' use the jockey wheel to adjust the angle DO NOT try to lift it on the corner stedies. if you are on an extreme slope you can rest the van on the front stedies whilst you drop the jockey wheel more to get more lift out of it.

Then I go for the power next, if you have slaves, sorry, kids you can send them off to get water whilst you level up!!
One last thing, if in doubt, check the power cable will reach your chosen spot before you level etc!!

 

[Smith21]

have G&T then think about the awning!

Like this idea JTQ the only thing is it mite end up being more than one G&T then it would be a case of sod the awning.

 

[Mikey_74]

As the others have said, get the van level across the axle before un hitching it from the car, then front to back, legs down, after this we send the kids off to explore the new sight or find friends if returning to one of the regular sites, then I switch on gas,get water, connect the electric, sort out waste water containers, by this point Ems will have a brew waiting for me, then she gets in the van, I close the door, pinch the step and whilst she's unpacking everthing inside the van I'm putting the awning up, we have a large porch so I can manage it on my own, by the time I'm pegging out Ems will be finished inside the van and either making something to eat or pointing me towards the nearset bakery or pasty shop!!!!!

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi again Kevin,
I do things a little differently "but then I would woudn't I" first job on arrival ask her indoors which view she would like as there is no point spending two weeks looking at a hedge

cos it will be her view while i'm out fishing,
then I level the van axels first then for and aft.
next water and waste, purge the water and fill the tank.
ignore the EHU and put everything on gas for the first few hrs as most things like water heater and fridge seem to work better on gas.
while she is making the tea I put up the awning.
next set up the TV so she can watch her soaps while I get the fishing tackle out,
then just before it gets dark plug in the EHU turn off the gas to the heater so the 240v can keep it hot but leave the fridge on gas for 24 hrs.
ps I dont worry where the EHU is as I carry 2 cables if it is more than 50mts away I wouldn't have chosen that pitch anyway.
colin

 

[Martin24]

Firstly we decide which bit of the muddy field we are aiming for whilst closely watching the van doesn't sink in the mud while we're plodding around.
Next get peeps' wellies out and send them off with the dowgs, while they're gone aim in the general direction of landing plot.
Then we get the alko receiver in the right place and unhook, moving the car to the rear of the van or off side depending on pitch.
Get van level, we unhook first as don't use ramps and blocks. Then of course legs down using a variety of blocks depending on slope of the pitch.
Peeps normally arrive back by then so they're then sent off with aquaroll, gerry can and fire bucket while we set up the gnome, solar lights, waste container, solar panel and gas on.
Fill header tank for toilet first, then get water running before sending peeps off to top up aqua roll.
Then peeps un pack their crates of books and toys etc while we pop the awning up.
All set up chairs tables fruit bowl, flowers etc in the awning before putting the windsock up (just got a new one for the jubillee/wedding holiday!
All have a pootle with the dowgs before finding the local shop for provisions and the pub for lunch/tea
Back to van take dowgs out again and then BED!!!!!!

 

[Smith21]

Looks like people do things differently, so it all depends on what works best for you. Tanks for all the replies its helped a lot.

 

[plotter]

Same as everyone else except DO NOT reverse up the ramp as this will disengage the brakes and the van could run away.
Always pull it up the ramp.

 

[Surfer]

Same as everyone else except DO NOT reverse up the ramp as this will disengage the brakes and the van could run away.
Always pull it up the ramp.

I thought that is why they invented chocks as we always reverse up the ramp. Our motor mover is at the rear and if we accidentally go over the top, the ramp will smash into the motor mover. I guess a lot depends on where the motor mover is located and whether it is a single or twin axle.

 

[DaveA1]

Same as everyone else except DO NOT reverse up the ramp as this will disengage the brakes and the van could run away.
Always pull it up the ramp.

Surely you reverse up the ramp, it's the same pitching on a slope, best way is to reverse up the slope, van will NOT run down a slope facing forwards when the brakes have been applied. If you pull up a slope, with the rear facing down the slope, you will need chocks to stop it rolling backwards, if the auto reverse brakes release. Think what happens when you are reversing your outfit.