New caravan, novice caravanners - now what?

Make sure you have a winder for the corner steadies.  When we bought our first used caravan it came with one, however when we traded it in for a newer (although still used) model it didn’t.  We’d let one go with the old van and had to ask the dealer for a replacement.  Luckily I’d noticed its absence as it could have been awkward, to say the least, arriving on a site and having no way to wind the steadies down.

Our current van came has a corner steady winder with a foldable handle, which is now in my caravan store, never having been used- it will go with the van...  I still use my old tried and trusted corner steady handle I've had for years...   😀😀

David

oh, one ting i forgot is check your caravan specs, can google search it if you dont have the book and check its maximum allowable weight, then check what your cars curb weight is as best to try to keep it under 85% but need to check that your car curb weight isnt less than that of the caravans maximum weight (it dont matter if you dont fully load the caravan) still its maximum weight is important also an idea to purchase a Calibrated Nose Weight Gauge Caravan Trailer and check the weight at the tow hook of the caravan 

Dammit,  I never knew caravans wore specs  

ABM

       All Caravans when bought have a Specs sheet, but the owners don't usually keep them. That is why people go to..................... SPECSAVERS  

Well, thanks for all these ideas. We've just booked our first weekend away - end of June. I'm on half term next week so my holiday will be spent getting stuff for the van. I'm leaving the techy stuff for my husband and I'm going to sort the water carriers, pots and soft furnishings, and possible a new TV - any recommendations?  Hopefully we will have some lovely neighbours on the site to assist us when (not if) we have forgotten how to do things! Once again thanks for all your input. Rach. 

Depending on site you go to the amps can affect what you can use all at once. I use low voltage kettle and toaster, check the guidance in the advice section as some sites can be as low as 6amps. A spirit level is handy as you need water to drain out of the caravan sinks and shower. What ever you do enjoy,

That’s low Wattage. The volts will always be 230/240 on mains hook up. 👍🏻

We picked her up yesterday and the handover was, errr, rushed! The guy doing it didn't want to be videoed, so we tried to jot down as much as we could. One thing we didn't go through was jacking the van up and where the jacking points are. We didn't get a jack with her either.

Anyhow, we have got pipes, aqua roll and waste container. Now off to Go Outdoors for other stuff - chemicals for loo, loo paper, chairs etc. 

We're looking at getting a porch awning - any recommendations?

Thanks for being here, it definitely makes me fell less nervous 

Generally speaking, the jack that might come with some vans is pretty useless, ours has never been unpacked.  Much safer and easier with a trolley jack.  Halfords do a good one.

Don't waste money on the special loo paper, just get supermarket's own brand.

Special chemicals not really essential either.......plain water in flush......Aldi/Lidl bio washing pods in cassette.