Caravan Tips Anyone...

[Guest MATT jr]

welcome fellow galactigan caravan pullers.

 

so, over your years of caravanning, what tips have you learned?

 

i will start off with the water tanks...

 

double ur water capacity - have two full water containers, and syphon one into the other, stick the pump in one, and there you go - and you can keep adding more and more tanks if you want!

 

MJR

[Guest neil_wiles]

Make sure the split charging is installed on the electrics to keep your emergency batteries alive and well.

 

 

 

oh and a wind up LED torch is a wonderful tool.

 

 

 

Make sure you have a well balanced outfit to big is not too smart !

[tim-spam]

Always have a method of measuring caravan nose weight with you (unless, of course, you can remember exactly where you packed everything before).

 

Always take a serviceable spare wheel.

 

Always take a footpump and tyre pressure gauge.

[Guest MATT jr]

When setting up an awning on a slope, thread the awning through the caravans awning rail - and allow it to hang, pull the awning, one way or the other, to make the awning run parallel with the ground, then insert poles and pegs.

 

you should find the awning will go together and look better after its been, hehe, erected.

 

MJR

[anadin]

dont forget to wind the bloody legs up before you pull off :) :16:

[Smilge]

Please buy a damp tester and monitor the damp in your van every year. I wish I had!!! It appears that water has ben entering the nearside front window for a couple of years without showing any obvious signs. I am having to now replace the top and bottom support spars plus the inside ply panels on the whole nearside internal wall. Swift reckon at least

[BIGRUPE01]

Hi

If your caravan is on your drive & you not have an Alarm on it

This is a good tip & IT WORKS caravan alarms

 

Hook one end to back leg of van and other to drive way when the caravan moves off (kicked) it sound and wakes Whole Street

:16: :)

[AndeeeH]

Don't ever break the speed limit :) but if you do don't mention it on here.... :) :) Andy.

[AndeeeH]

Don't use the round plastic covers for your 7 pin sockets, they might look better but they keep the moisture in causing the oft found problem of corroded contacts. :lol: Andy.

 

dont forget to wind the bloody legs up before you pull off :D :lol:

 

......and the jockey wheel!!! ;) Andy.

[Guest MATT]

Always take a small selection of tools with you - you never know what might need repair.

 

MATT :lol:

[anadin]

when other drivers give you one finger for holding them up , always reply with two :lol: :lol:

[Grumpy]

When going away with your caravan, always replace the oil filler cap on your engine after you top it up before setting off!!!!!!!!!!

 

It will save you a trip to the nearest Ford dealer.

 

Oh yes, and after winding up the jockey wheel remember to raise the whole assembly other wise it makes funny noises as you go over bumps and dips.

[Guest MATT jr]

...not forgetting to hook on 1st, and disconnect electrical and water connections.

 

you may have to remind BMW drivers about that ^_^

 

MJR

[Grumpy]

I once forgot to disconnect the breakaway cable after unhitching an old caravan. It certainly breaks away with a bang when you pull away.

[Guest HairyPlateEater]

Always take a small selection of tools with you.

 

An excellent way to refer to the kids ... must use that one more often lol :D :D

[johnb80]

If you see me behind you in my Black Gal, move over you're driving too slow / taking up too much road.

 

If you see me in front of you, ease off, you're going too bl@@dy fast towing a caravan :D

 

Regards - J

[tim-spam]

Ah, but the only sure way to make sure we never see you in front of us is to take up enough road to keep you behind.

[tdi90]

Always increase you car tyre pressures, and check the caravan tyre pressures before the start of ya journey.

 

If you have an Alko stabilizer fitted to ya van, always clean any rust and muck off the towball or it will knacker ya pads up.

 

Check ALL windows, skylights and doors are shut on the van before setting off.

[steve2007]

"close skylights before moving off" the ones on my old van used to pop open as i got onto the open road.

[mikes]

The best tip I have is , start your holiday when you pull off your drive not when you arrive at the caravan site( less stress no rush to get there)

[Peter N]

Sorry if I'm posting this in wrong area but new to forum. Am looking for recommendation on a suitable make of towing mirror that fits well on the bulky side mirrors of my new Gal?

Hope someone has experience they can share.

 

Ta. Peter N

[bogjam]

You can pick up mirrors quite cheap, try googling for caravan accessories. If you are worried about what fits- I use a pair of 'milenco' mirrors that I picked up for around a tenner. I seem to need a new set every other year because the straps break but at a tenner that's no real worry.

They are prone to vibration but to be honest with our van we could get away without them with the towing mirrors only really being handy for the blackspots and reversing.

 

There are also caravanning forums out there where I am sure you would get a detailed breakdown of every aspect of towing mirrors, and if I dared mention not using mirrors on them there would then be a flurry of links to legislations etc....

 

Actually that may be quite fun.

 

I'm off :)

[jkspoff]

Don't forget, whatever you do in the chemical toilet has to be emptied out ! With kids using it daily, its not a pleasant experience ! Even though the adults avoid number 2's in it ! :)

[Sher]

Buy a German built Caravan in Germany and save a bundle.

 

(Not so much now since the VAT is 19% now was 16%)

Expect 10 or 11% discount on the price

 

Differences:-

 

(1) No Battery and auto charging system (does have mains and 12v Systems,usually two. One 12V DC and one 12V AC. Don't ask me why)

Most use 12 V leisure battery wired into the 12V DC system and a small intelligent charger available sometimes from Lidl at 14

[28vr6]

And the door is on the wrong side - not much of a good deal really ;)