Very new caravanner - any advice?

[Netti_374307085]

Hi all,

Nice to meet you! I a very, very new caravanner. I pick up my very first caravan on Sunday and I am flinging myself in at the deep end here, as I have a fair few miles to tow it back. I will be on motorways most of the time - any tips for dealing with those? I don't intend to be overtaking but lorries and larger cars overtaking me have got me worried. Concerned in case the van snakes and I lose stability. I have bought a Scott leaf spring stabiliser for it.

My car is a 2ltr petrol Ford Mondeo. A MK2 hatchback. It has a kerb weight of 1395kg and the little van I have bought is only 850kg. It is an older Mardon, 12ft long, 4 berth but with hot water, shower, toilet and Carver heater. It is also being sold with full awning. Ideal for a newbie I thought.

Any other tips you can offer also greatly appreciated! Thanks folks!

 

[Rich]

If you keep an eye on your wing mirrors when things feel tight and you have not got much room it does help you adjust to the width of the van. Also as you are going to be on motorways for much of your journey I would not worry too much about lorries as you can be traveling quicker than them if you want so you should be at least going fast enough no larger lorries pass you! Only larger vans will really come past fast enough to let you feel any extra drag you will get. Just take your time and relax. Keep an eye on your wing mirrors and try and keep with the flow of traffic where possible. I am not saying go fast or speed just don't go so slow that larger lorries pass you and give you problems. My wife used to panic when we first started out with our first van and because it was brand new she actually had nightmares about smashing it up as we left the dealer! You do adjust quickly and as long as you do not rush anything or panic you will be OK.

 

[Steve L]

First of all take your time.

I tow a much bigger van behind our Laguna estate (20 footer) and one thing I do on the motorway is to keep an eye on the traffic building up behind. When a lorry or bus start to overtake, I move to the right hand side of my lane, which makes them do simlar. The just as they get to my back door, I move over to the left side of my lane which gives max air gap between us both and reduces the buffeting effect.

Obviously you must not cause others to be alarmed and do not stray into either lane, just use your lane to max affect.

Build your speed gradually and watch the van in your mirrors, if it starts to sway just take your foot off the gas and let it settle naturally. Do not hit the brakes while swaying or dip the clutch as both of these will take away control and even make matters worse.

Loading the van to give about 75Kgs of hitch weight will also help. Take a set of bathroom scales and a 20mm piece of ply wood to spread the load. Place the scales with the wood on top, under the jockey wheel and load the van to get a 75 Kg reading.

Good luck, Steve L.

 

[caroline_374307250]

I am not new to caravanning, but due to circumstances, now find myself been the main driver and now have to tow the caravan for the first time when we go away next week. I appriciate like the other message writer all helpful hints.

 

[chrisn7]

Hi Netti

Without wishing to 'dampen' your enthusiasm, have you checked out this van for damp? Now I realise that this is a very common reminder, but I too nearly bought a Mardon a good few years ago. That is until I discovered that the company was having problems with water ingress. Apparently, the wall finsh was some sort of soft touch vinyl or plastic, so that damp behind it was not easily detected. The company still exists, but they don't make vans any more......

Maybe other Mardon owners will know more?

 

[Netti_374307085]

Well unfortunately due to circumstances outwith my control I will not be getting the little Mardon after all. My car was hit side on, on Thurs evening and will require 2 new doors before my tow bar can even go on. I am gutted as I was really looking forward to caravanning and now will have to wait until the insurance is sorted out. I was driving along a main road when a car exiting from a car park hit me in the side. The driver did not look to check I was there and is claiming I was speeding and I hit her, which is absolute nonsense. Thanks for all the useful tips tho, I hope soon I can put them to good use.

 

[Steve L]

Gee, I'm sorry to hear of your accident.

My wife had a simlar one a few years ago. So long as the damage to your car doesn't start infront of the front wheel then there is clear evidence that your car was beyond the front of the other car proir to impact.

My wife made one mistake herself, she didn't see a doctor soon after the crash about her sore neck assuming it would clear up. What she didn't realise was she had whiplash across her shoulders which lasted for a couple of years. Very painfull to turn her head or lean to one side. But because it was not recorded on her medical file that she saw a doctor, no retrospective claim could be placed.

I'd get a quick check up done with your GP just to cover yourself.

Hope things get sorted soon and you can then join the fun of caravanning.

All the best Steve L.

 

[Netti_374307085]

Thanks Steve. I had a telephone consultation with a doctor, the Friday after it happened. Prescribed strong painkillers and sedatives. Monday still not better so went back in person. Am still in pain and going back to docs tomorrow to see about getting signed off work.

Insurance doesn't seem to be taking too long to sort out. My car has been classes a write off but I am keeping it and am in the process of repairing it. Some slightly better news also that my caravan has not yet been sold and the seller offered it to me again. Unfortunately still don't know when my car will be fixed but will contact the seller again when it is to see if the Mardon is still available.

With regards to damp, I know this can be a serious problem but how difficult would it be to sort out? How would the damp start? Water ingress some where?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Nettie,

Sorry to read of your accident, and I hope that you are soon feeling better.

I hope your prospective caravan is clear of damp, because in the worst cases it can effectively scrap a caravan or at least make it uneconomic to repair.

The major problem with and older caravan that has any damp is you don't know how long it has been damp or how much of the caravan has been affected. a survey can easily be carried out with a meter, and in experienced hands show how far it has spread, but what is doesn't show is how bad the damage is to the internal structure of the walls.

That can only be ascertained by exposing the structure. That is an expensive and time consuming process. Often the act of exposing the structure damages panels.

That is why a caravan dealer will always shy away or offer a much-reduced price for trade in caravans that have any suspicion or history of damp.

It might be worth paying your local caravan dealer to carry out a survey on the caravan before you agree to purchase.

I sincerely hope your prized Mardon is free from damp, and you are soon able to join the ranks of caravanners.