Nervous newbie with many questions

Hello everyone,

After 20 years of deliberation my wife and I decided to take the plunge and purchase a new Elddis Xplore 304 following our visit to the NEC show.

My problem is that I am a born worrier and never having done this before i am really apprehensive of the whole experience. We pick the caravan up on Thursday but I don't have the first clue about hitching, unhitching, or how anything works in the caravan. I know I will get a tutorial from the dealer but the thought of arriving on site and pitching up for the first time is literally giving me sleepless nights. 

I know I'm a wuss (personality trait I'm afraid) and as I think through the whole process from leaving home to pitching up so many questions are coming to mind, and I have spent countless hours reading forums & watching videos trying to find answer to some of these questions. However I imagine they are so basic no-one bothers to talk about them!

In order for me to relax a little and get to the point when I can start to enjoy planning our trips away it would be really good if some of my questions could be answered.and I was rather hoping that this may be place to do it. I know this is the 'introduction' section and not the Q&A section but they are the sort of questions I would ask if I was being 'introduced' to an experienced caravanner (that's my excuse anyhow)

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

Mick & Carol

 

1. How many gas bottles would you typically have?

2. Can you connect mains water (if available) to the aqua roll and if so what accessories do you need?

3.  How is water pumped from the aqua roll into the caravan & when you turn the tap on does it come direct from the aqua roll

       o   The hot water tank:-

       §  How & when is it filled.

       §  How is it heated (is the whole tank heated or is it heated as it is used)

       §  How long does it take to heat up

       §  Does the tank need emptying before driving away.

4. I assume the 3 pin sockets can only be used when hooked up to electricity supply.  There is a 12v socket for the TV but if no EHU you can’t use other items such as electric kettle/toaster/microwave – is this correct.

5.  At what point will the fridge work off 12V, ie, when the battery is connected it will always be on, therefore, as the battery is charging whilst driving, the fridge will always be on during the journey?  

6. You add fluid to the cistern and to the cassette, how and when does the cistern fill with water (if it does)  & do you put fluid in after its filled? Will the cistern need emptying before driving? Do you put water into the cassette as well as the fluid?

7. Best way to make it level if no motor mover (push onto ramps, use a jack)?

8. If using a ramp to make it level, how do you use a chock if it is up on a ramp.

9. Is it always necessary to chock a wheel or just when it’s on a ramp.

10. Stupid Question - Do you apply the handbrake when pitched up?

11. Do you keep the jockey wheel down after the steadies are down (all the time whilst on pitch)

12. Is this the sequence when setting up : Reverse/push?Motor move into position. Check level width ways and raise a tyre if necessary. Once level use the jockey wheel to make it level length ways. Once level put down the steadies.  Is that the correct sequence ?

13. Where & how do you store equipment like aqua roll & wastemaster etc, whilst driving. I assume the toilet cassette is located in it’s normal position

14. Both car & caravan noseweights are 75kg, is this a target or is it just the limit? For instance if the actual weight  is  40kg are we better adding more things to the nose to make it nearer 75kg.

15. Do you keep the EHU connected whilst parked up at home, and if so what are the main reasons?