First trip tomorrow! Any must-have advice???

silvervaper replied on 02/03/2016 19:44

Posted on 02/03/2016 19:44

We're new to caravanning and it's our first trip tomorrow!

We toured France last year in a hired motorhome and it was fantastic, but a caravan is just much better suited to our needs - and budget. 

I bought a 1999 Elddis EX2000 Hurricane last December, and in retrospect I've been extremely fortunate. I did a bit of research but was pretty naive. The van looked good for the age and the price was excellent so I took the plunge. First thing I did was get a full service, and the only issue was a little bit of damp in one of the overhead lockers. That turned into me having to strip out the whole top corner of the van, replace the timber frame, seal the full awning rail. Knowing what I know now it could have been a lot worse!

The past couple of months I've been working most evenings doing little touch up jobs (and reading everything I can find) but overall the van is sound. It has been a great way to learn about the van inside out, and lots of great information on here. Who knew noseweight and non-setting mastic and water inlet systems were so importantSurprised

Now we can't wait to get away for a few daysHappy We're not going too far - about 40 miles up to the East bank of Loch Lomond - it's not a CC site, but we booked before we joined. I know the Loch very well and have spent most of my life around there in one way or other (had a few boats), so a perfect first location - I hope!

We're planning a three week trip to France in June - a CC site stopover in UK and CC approved sites in France. Big lesson learned from last year - don't try to cram in too much - keep it simple and don't plan on too much travelling - know your limits!!!

Anyway, for a first trip out what are the golden rules?? The tips that really make a difference, and what are the things I've probably forgotten?

Any help welcomeHappy

KjellNN replied on 09/03/2016 19:57

Posted on 09/03/2016 19:57

We did not regard it as a silly system, we found it rather good, but I suppose it depends on what you are used to.

We never gave any thoughy to the possibility that contamination could occur, I find it difficult to believe that Thetford would market a product that was dangerous to health.

From what BB has said, it seems many MHs have no header tank and use direct from their fresh water tank......how is that any different in terms of contamination risk  to using from an Aquaroll?

Some caravans do the same and it isn't any different which was why I said...

"There is a school of thought that suggests it's possible, although unlikely, for contamination to travel from the toilet back into the flushing system and thence into the water container/tank."

Yes, I read that bit.  Aquaroll or onboard tank, or MH tank, same system so presumably same risk.

My thought was that as so many MHs seem to use the "no toilet flush tank" system, there cannot really be a risk of contamination.

Tinwheeler replied on 09/03/2016 20:02

Posted on 09/03/2016 20:02

We did not regard it as a silly system, we found it rather good, but I suppose it depends on what you are used to.

We never gave any thoughy to the possibility that contamination could occur, I find it difficult to believe that Thetford would market a product that was dangerous to health.

From what BB has said, it seems many MHs have no header tank and use direct from their fresh water tank......how is that any different in terms of contamination risk  to using from an Aquaroll?

Some caravans do the same and it isn't any different which was why I said...

"There is a school of thought that suggests it's possible, although unlikely, for contamination to travel from the toilet back into the flushing system and thence into the water container/tank."

Yes, I read that bit.  Aquaroll or onboard tank, or MH tank, same system so presumably same risk.

My thought was that as so many MHs seem to use the "no toilet flush tank" system, there cannot really be a risk of contamination.

I didn't actually say there was, Kjell.

catherinef replied on 20/03/2016 14:24

Posted on 20/03/2016 14:24

My advice if it already hasn't been suggested, is if you have 13 pin electrics, make sure you have the 13 pin re-set tool, for when you twist the caravan plug and it won't fit into the socket on the car.

Might sound stupid, but for us it would have saved an awaful lot of wasted time this weekend.  We re-started caravanning only last year so although we aren't newbies, we are new to things such as 13 pin sockets.  We have wasted around 4 hours this weekend, when in reality we should according to the dealer have received the tool when we bought the van from them last year.  If I'm being critical of them, this is something that should also have been covered in the handover but alas wasn't.

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