And now for something completely different..

Hi Karen and Tony.  Sorry I have come a little late to the thread, but just a short note to say welcome to Club Together and look forward to hearing how you get on with it all.

David

Good morning David. I will compose a thread when we start our journey (although three months of research seems to be a bit of a journey in itself!) Thank you.

👍👍👍👍  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please ask away on Club Together.  There are plenty who will be able to give advice, and plenty of sections to choose from - just choose the section which more closely fits your question.  Best of luck with it all.

David

Good afternoon Tony and Karen, 

I have been thinking about your trip to pick up your caravan from Chipping Sodbury Caravans re overnight stay on journey home. Talking it over with my husband perhaps it would be better for you to go to the site at Slimbridge as the journey would be easier for you. We are worried Sat Nav would bring you to Ham Farm via country lanes. Sorry to have misled you,but your journey to Slimbridge would be along decent roads and much easier for you. Sat Nav has it's uses but sometimes it can make your journey more difficult. This is probably one of these times. I hope all goes well with your new adventure.

Hi. I was going to look at the route at some stage so thanks for the info. We have a good satnav in the car but it's 2013 version and needs updating but for £100 more I've found a Garmin camper 660LMT-D for a very good price so will see how that goes ( all the satnav's seem to have both good and bad reviews.)

We are expecting a call at the end of the month about the delivery date so not long to wait now. I don't have any fears with regards to towing as I used to have HGV1 (40yrs ago, previous life!) but narrow country lanes on first trip...

I'll take a look at Slimbridge. Thanks.

Tony.

A bit late to the thread, but want to add to the welcomes. How exciting to have it all before you. Caravanning is never boring and often just great, simple fun. I must congratulate you on your research. You seem very well up on safety items like noseweight, kerb weight etc. I truly wonder how many caravans out there are wrongly or over loaded. I too would recommend checking the weight once laden. Our new Bailey claimed a payload of xx kg. but when we took it to the weighbridge with just "essentials", we found it was already slightly over. One chassis upgrade later, and a total rethink on what is essential, I'm convinced that the brochure specs don't include "fitted" items, though they claim it does. I'd say the microwave, solar panel, ATC, and all those extra bolsters, cushions and fitted carpets aren't taken into account.

But now we're sorted, we're back to exploring and enjoying the wonderful experiences caravanning has to offer. I wish you both much of the same. 

Hi! Thanks for your comments. It's not as simple as you think is it? Bailey have the MRO for the Phoenix 640 as 1227kg. The dealer has their special as 1242kg on their website but 1249kg in their brochure. All with MTPLM 155kg above those figures. Some of the extras include ATC, Ext bbq and elec points, solar panel, door window, 2 extra locker doors, USB socket and bolsters/cushions so maybe these are included in the extra weight. Anyway, my max towing weight is 1400kg so I will be careful and we will see when weighed. First time out I'll just have TV, bedding, towels, aquaroll and wastemaster in the van and everything else will fit in the car unless I need to adjust the noseweight. Interesting times but can't wait to get going. Enjoy your exploring and good luck!