Complete Newbies looking for tips

We were in Scotland last year it was fab.

There is nothing that cannot be fixed or repaired.

My biggest tip is to plan ahead, use google earth and street view, read the Clubs directions on arrival and the reviews for the sites.

Plus always shop about for parts be that ebay or elsewhere.

But just enjoy it :)

orlafer - another thought - do you have the handbook to your van?  If not you can probably find it online and that could be one very handy thing to have.  And if you haven't done the handover yet - tape record it - even with notes it is difficult enough!  Too much information at one time! 

One thing I found helpful when we got our first van (and subsequent vans) before you go, connect everything up including EHU if you can at home, and work out how everything works goes together etc so if something does not work right then you know before hand and can deal with it, also will save frustration once you arrive on-site.

I tend to spend a good few hours in the new van, making a note of the switches, where all the sockets and trip switches are and how the heating works, pour over the manual (if you don't have one most can be downloaded for free) and if there is something you don't understand before you go you can either look it up or come back here and ask.

Most of all don't stress as that defeats the object.

Good luck for your first weekend away, I'm sure you will love it :) just take your time and you'll be fine.

we now double check items on our list first one checks then the other... all windows closed and locked, roof lights all done and locked, all doors and drawers properly closed, table secured, microwave dish removed from microwave and stowed safely, to aerial down.  Steadies fully raised... not that we have ever driven off something not done, oh no 🙄😁

never done this myself, but once you've unhitched make sure your electic cable to the car and the breakaway chain aren't still attached, pulling away while still connected made a right mess of a car and caravan we saw earlier this year

as for tips, if you're stuck just ask for help, people don't like to intrude, but I've found help is only a step away if you needed...  on our first weekend away I managed to knock the plug out of the sink but didn't notice until water started pouring out of the drawer unit... before I knew it I had more kitchen rolls mopping up the mess donated from all sides and two wardens taking the plug out of the shower so I could still use the sink :). As another poster, things going wrong are part of it 😁

No one told me this at first, but when you empty the loo (sorry, lowering the tone!) but there is a little button that you pres when emptying it which allows air in to the tank so it's less... err... spashy 🤢 Oh and don't leave the cap for the loo where you could knock it into the septic tank...

you and your Hb will probably have words... ours are mainly when I'm trying to direct him onto a pitch and he doesn't follow my instructions.  Him saying I'm standing where I can't be seen or has no idea what my gesticulations mean are clearly just an excuse 😝 

Have fun and let us know how you got on

Welcome to your new hobby you might have gone by now and know how pleasurable it can be

Lots of good advice here I like another David’s point about not borrowing from the house we have all done that and forgot something I suspect.

Take time with the towing it is not as hard as it looks, even reversing is not as bad as you think; if you haven’t had a towing course there are lots of advice on Utube for you.

The dogs will enjoy it (we have 2 Springer’s) just remember to keep them in hand as they will be excited.

Lots of good advice here about taking it in your stride so long as you remember to take the dogs and the wife everything else can be dealt with.

In time you might have more exact questions just remember there are no wrong questions and when on site if you’re not sure about anything just ask, most of us are more than willing to help a new camper on site and before you know it you will be the one giving advice to new campers

Relax and enjoy

R

Just a mundane thing but squeeze the tube of your loo roll. Then it won't unravel as you travel along.

Thanks all, we picked her up last night and will be heading off later today with the two dogs, really looking forward to it

Good luck orlafer, I hope you and the dogs enjoy your first trip.

Dogs usually love going away in the caravan as they are so close to their owners 24/7. 

Do let us know how you get on!  Enjoy

Take a tick removal kit for the dogs.