Total Novice to caravanning saying Hi

[JanBn]

Hi I've just joined, haven't taken delivery of our caravan yet, but doing lots of research on the best equipment to buy as my husband and I are 'older' caravaners (children grown up). It will be me who will be doing all the work as unfortunately husband is disabled, so I am looking for advice and equipment recommendation for someone caravanning without the help of a partner. Will probably be posting lots of questions over the coming weeks :lol:

 

[geordiegirl]

Welcome to the forum Jan and happy caravanning, you`ll love it.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Jan, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your decision to buy a caravan.
I've moved your query about leveling the caravan to the Technical message board where hopefully it will attract more replies.

 

[Mel]

Hi Jan welcome to the forum.
mel

 

[Hutch]

Hello Jan, welcome, I am sure our Very Good Friend Martin24 will pop up soon and will be able to give lots of help,
Hutch.

 

[JanBn]

Hi Jan, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your decision to buy a caravan.
I've moved your query about leveling the caravan to the Technical message board where hopefully it will attract more replies.

Thank you for doing that, I think my dilemma has now been answered . Just wondered if you can tell me how I change the forum section where I have entered a question? I have just asked a question about awnings and posted it on General and now realise it perhaps should have gone on the Equipment & Accessories?

 

[Parksy]

When a post had been submitted to a message board you won't be able to change the destination Jan.
Not to worry though, I'm able to move it for you.

 

[Raywood]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure all the help you might need will be available here.

 

[Beachball]

A Belated Welcome to the Practical Caravan Forum Jan

 

[JanBn]

Thank you to everyone for the support. since taking delivery of our van at the end of May, we have been away 7 times! Having the time of our lives, why didn't we do this earlier Nearly every site we have stayed at has been so helpful and friendly. Planning one more trip before winter B)

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi and very belated hi !
you mention one more trip before the Winter , why one more trip ? would you's not caravan through the winter ? It's hard enough for us to put ours back in the yard and and then can't wait to get back out never mind putting it away for a few months !!

 

[JanBn]

Hi and very belated hi !
you mention one more trip before the Winter , why one more trip ? would you's not caravan through the winter ? It's hard enough for us to put ours back in the yard and and then can't wait to get back out never mind putting it away for a few months !!

I would like to continue throughout the winter, but there are a few factors that make me hesitant, as I am still a relative novice I don't think I have gained enough experience to tow if the road conditions are 'iffy' and as my husband is disabled, if I run into any difficulty it's all down to me
I keep my caravan at home, so if the weather doesn't look too bad we can always go last minute, if I feel brave enough :lol: :lol:

 

[Martin24]

It's very rare that the roads are really iffy in the winter so you should be fine. If you're on site and the weather changes when you plan to go home just stay a bit longer until the weather improves. Mrs B also does nearly all of everything because of my disabilities and honestly there is very little difference between winter and summer touring. Give it a go.

 

[Lynnybobs]

Lovely to hear that you have been enjoying your adventures. One thing I have found is that there are always people around who are happy to help - whether its an extra pair of hands to put up an awning or some advice on the best place for a meal out - such a friendly bunch

 

[Anseo]

Just catching up on this thread.

Welcome Jan

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi again , yeah like martin says 99% off the roads are well maintained now for the bad weather , its only when you go into the country roads when it gets a bit dodgy , all the sites are well gritted , so if you's are good to go , go !!

Enjoy

Craig

 

[JanBn]

Thank you for your replies and encouragement, I think you are all right, we shouldn't be put off. After all we have alde central heating, and I agree the majority of people we have met on sites so far have been more than wiling to offer help and I suppose if I stick to the sites that are not too 'off road' all should be good. I suppose it's hard to get away from the way of thinking that half an inch of snow and the country comes to a halt! :lol: :lol:
But one quick question, if I am to go away throughout the winter, will that mean I don't have to 'winterise' the caravan, as long as I empty the boiler water out of the tank and tap pipes each time we return??

 

[Martin24]

You'll need to drain the water out of the system and leave all the taps open, make sure your toilet is empty. Make sure you are using propane not butane gas. Your aqua roll and pump are vulnerable to freezing so a cover for them, we use the one from bags for everything. You could just use your in board tank of course which negates the last advise. Some people have been known to use a little anti freeze in their wastemaster's. That's about it so enjoy.

 

[Craigyoung]

Like Martin says, during the winter is easy , on the day you leave your site drain your tank , open all your taps & all the water will trickle out as you're driving home so there shouldn't be any worry for anything freezing as there should be nothing in the pipes to freeze !
Enjoy

 

[welshti]

Make sure you are using propane not butane gas.

does butane freeze then ?

 

[Anseo]

Make sure you are using propane not butane gas.

does butane freeze then ?

Quote taken from elsewhere:

"The important difference between the gases is that propane will not freeze. It can be used in temperature down to minus 43 degrees centigrade. Butane will begin to freeze at about plus three degrees centigrade."

Butane burns hotter than propane, is a cleaner fuel and cost less, for temps above 3C and assuming you have the correct valves it can be well worth considering, having both gives greater versatility, most of the year Butane is all that is needed.

 

[VicMallows]

Technically, Butane will not 'freeze' (in the sense of becoming a solid) at any normal temperature.. It will however fail to vaporise adequately below about +3C. At ,say, -10C it will not vaporise at all and you could literally pour liquid butane out of the cylinder into a glass and it would just sit there as a liquid.