Frozen caravan water problems

Wow - 93 pages!! At least it cleared up one thing - when i typed "biopod" into my search engine it came up with a revolutionary new design of public loo cubicle, which seemed probably larger than you all packed in the back of your cars; I didn't read all 93 pages, I read about 3 and the last two, but realise now you're talking about washing tablet thingies. Interesting and far more practical!

Yes its amazing how a Loo can generate so much interest but of course its really important in the caravan!  Line it with 3 x 2 squares of loo paper (cheap supermarket brand not expensive designer stuff) before using for number twos.  I lift a manhole cover to empty at home - unless it is all liquid.  The liquid pods most of us use come from Lidl or Aldi but any brand will do as long as its Bio.  My neighbours and friends think I am bonkers too but I am very snug in the caravan at night the view is wonderful in the morning and I don't use so much heatng in the house! 

Wow - 93 pages!! At least it cleared up one thing - when i typed "biopod" into my search engine it came up with a revolutionary new design of public loo cubicle, which seemed probably larger than you all packed in the back of your cars; I didn't read all 93 pages, I read about 3 and the last two, but realise now you're talking about washing tablet thingies. Interesting and far more practical!

 

That's the way to do it with a long posting. You soon get a gist of what's being talked about. There's a habit on here to keep on going round and round the houses on specific subjects.

Possible Nice Dealer alert!
We went to see the 'van again today for a thorough inspection. Subject to our independent engineer's inspection being even nearly as good as the written report from his own visiting man, the deal's firmly going ahead.
When I mentioned our plans to give it a trial run, even if it was only to tow it round a bit then sleep on our own drive, and commented on it not being ideal weather for such games for first timers, the dealer offered that he was prepared to start the 3 month warranty a couple of months in the future, from when we start actually using the 'van. That seems unusually helpful of him - I'm impressed. Presumably he's worked out that we're people who won't be taking advantage of this by touring sunny Spain meanwhile, but it does mean we'll be able to give it a decent trial run in early 2017 and still have 3 months' warranty alive.

Thanks at the same time for all this useful advice on looking after the plumbing - much valuable advice!

Best wishes to all.

Hope your inspector's report is satisfactory and that you get the caravan home soon. Good of the dealer to postpone the start of the warrenty till you actuall get out on the road. He's obvious sure of the quality of the van and hopes that you will use him again.

He's a young guy whose Dad has been in the business for a lot longer, and both seem quite straight. While this is the job of any 2nd hand car/caravan/whatever dealer, so far they do seem genuinely pleasant. I think he's still relatively new in the business and hoping for recommendations. If the van passes its test tomorrow, he'll be very likely getting one from us!

He's a young guy whose Dad has been in the business for a lot longer, and both seem quite straight. While this is the job of any 2nd hand car/caravan/whatever dealer, so far they do seem genuinely pleasant. I think he's still relatively new in the business and hoping for recommendations. If the van passes its test tomorrow, he'll be very likely getting one from us!

Fingers crossed.

What did the report say? I hope no further postings here isn't a bad sign? It all seemed very promising!

What did the report say? I hope no further postings here isn't a bad sign? It all seemed very promising!

Sorry to keep you dangling thus! (Sudden arrival of other stuff needing even more urgent attention.)
We got it    Delighted to say that we're now the proud owners of one  Rapido Club32T Evolution, only 16 years old.

The engineer's report hignlighted the need for replacement tyres - they were in excellent condition, just old: the dealer replaced all three. It mentioned wear on the pads in the Alko hitch - he replaced those too. By now the engineer's paid for himself! (Excellent friendly man called Dale Leach, in the CC scheme, in Bedworth. ) [Moderators: while naming and shaming isn't done lightly, I take it naming and praising here is OK?!]
He highlighted three small areas of damp which the dealer's own engineer hadn't remarked on, but our engineer phoned me and said that these were so small, and the test had been done following that most torrentially wet couple of days, that he felt the van was still a very good buy, and all that was needed for now was to check them again next year.

So we shook hands, paid, and collected it, and it's now sitting on our drive, waiting for our first trip together.

There are two small matters of accessories promised still to be sorted, but I'm confident they will be. And the dealer voluntarily extended the warranty, so that it gives us a chance to test things out in Spring and early summer still under its cover. (Once he's sorted those, I'm quite happy to name him here, too.)
Meanwhile, following my OP here, I have drained all the fluids I can from the van!

And we're grateful indeed for all the help given here and in a couple of similar forums - it made a real difference in what we knew, which gave us confidence when talking to the dealer, almost as if we really knew what we were talking about!!

Now I've got new batteries for my camera I'll try & get a photo or two to post, though still sorting out the other matters which distracted me earlier.

Best wishes to all,

Richard

Great news congratulations. Sad to hear you've drained it down, it's not too late to refill and try on your drive.