Newbie caravanner
Discussion
My wife has just bought us a caravan! I've done a lot of camping in my youth and some for weekends away with friends in my late teens/early twenties so I'm not a complete novice when it comes to roughing it. However, my wife and I are novices when it comes to caravanning.
She's bought a 2016 Bailey Unicorn Vigo from the local Bailey dealer after we'd had a bit of a look at other similar aged makes and models. The Bailey seemed a much better spec and better built than the others we'd looked at.
The 'van will be delivered to our chosen storage yard (I don't have a tow bar fitted as yet) on 7th March and we're planning to take it out for our first night over the weekend of 25th March. We're rather excited!
It comes with a hitch lock, wheel lock, stabiliser lock, battery, rolly water tanks, loo chemicals, step, etc. so think we're pretty good to go but...
Any hints/tips/things to pack that a newbie wouldn't think of?
She's bought a 2016 Bailey Unicorn Vigo from the local Bailey dealer after we'd had a bit of a look at other similar aged makes and models. The Bailey seemed a much better spec and better built than the others we'd looked at.
The 'van will be delivered to our chosen storage yard (I don't have a tow bar fitted as yet) on 7th March and we're planning to take it out for our first night over the weekend of 25th March. We're rather excited!
It comes with a hitch lock, wheel lock, stabiliser lock, battery, rolly water tanks, loo chemicals, step, etc. so think we're pretty good to go but...
Any hints/tips/things to pack that a newbie wouldn't think of?
You might need some crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, bedding, tea, coffee, sauces, etc.
Then you might want a TV, freesat box, towels, tea towels, paisley socks, open toe sandals, peaked cap with an anchor on the front, refer to wife as first mate, and insist she calls you Cap'n.
Crocs to wear to the toilet block in the morning, along with a T shirt that is too small and some 'gym' shorts from Primark.
Be excessively cheerful and say 'good morning' to everyone on the way for your morning piss.
Lastly, and this isn't tongue in cheek, no solids in the onboard loo!
Then you might want a TV, freesat box, towels, tea towels, paisley socks, open toe sandals, peaked cap with an anchor on the front, refer to wife as first mate, and insist she calls you Cap'n.
Crocs to wear to the toilet block in the morning, along with a T shirt that is too small and some 'gym' shorts from Primark.
Be excessively cheerful and say 'good morning' to everyone on the way for your morning piss.
Lastly, and this isn't tongue in cheek, no solids in the onboard loo!
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Familiarity with speed limits & licence requirements?
And insurance?
Since the govt changed the law, I'm OK to tow up to 3,500kg MAM. The car is rated at 2,200kg so I'm all good there. I'll have to double check speed limits though, thank you. Insurance is sorted too.And insurance?
Lincsls1 said:
Learn how to load it up correctly so that you don't have too much weight on the tow bar. Usually this is somewhere between 50-75kg only. See too many cars pointing up at the sky when towing. 
If you find the caravan starting to 'snake' just gently ease off the gas, don't brake hard.
Is it worth buying a nose weight gauge? I expect us to travel pretty light as we're mostly planning a couple of nights at a time to various motor racing events.If you find the caravan starting to 'snake' just gently ease off the gas, don't brake hard.
I've seen so many arguements about how to deal with a 'snake' but your solution is the one I'd settled on - better to be heading towards a complete stop than away from it, surely!? Apparently the 'van has ATC which should help.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
You might need some crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, bedding, tea, coffee, sauces, etc.
Then you might want a TV, freesat box, towels, tea towels, paisley socks, open toe sandals, peaked cap with an anchor on the front, refer to wife as first mate, and insist she calls you Cap'n.
Crocs to wear to the toilet block in the morning, along with a T shirt that is too small and some 'gym' shorts from Primark.
Be excessively cheerful and say 'good morning' to everyone on the way for your morning piss.
Lastly, and this isn't tongue in cheek, no solids in the onboard loo!
Ha! Duly noted. I noticed when flicking through a copy of a colleague's (yes, honestly) Camping and Caravan magazine that there's plenty of adverts for drawstring jeans, wide fit velcro shoes and mobility scooters! I like the idea of "Cap'n" though Then you might want a TV, freesat box, towels, tea towels, paisley socks, open toe sandals, peaked cap with an anchor on the front, refer to wife as first mate, and insist she calls you Cap'n.
Crocs to wear to the toilet block in the morning, along with a T shirt that is too small and some 'gym' shorts from Primark.
Be excessively cheerful and say 'good morning' to everyone on the way for your morning piss.
Lastly, and this isn't tongue in cheek, no solids in the onboard loo!
And the no solids rule is one we've already settled on.
Thank you
You could do your own nose weight gauge. Presumably you have a bathroom scales? Short length of stick, from level van to the ground or just shorter. Load van, stick in ball cup, and on scales.
As others have said, anything heavy (awning for example) put in rhe centre of the van on the floor over the axle. Aquarolls we keep in the loo. Empty of course.
As others have said, anything heavy (awning for example) put in rhe centre of the van on the floor over the axle. Aquarolls we keep in the loo. Empty of course.
Away in ours at the minute!
10mph below limits 50 and above. Make sure you've got some towing mirrors on.
Check your car is suitable to tow the van of choice. www.towcar.info will help you check. Your van will have 13 pin electrics, make sure your towbar has the same.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the caravan before you go, check everything works if you can. You'll need toilet 'blue' or 'green' to sanitise the toilet and 'pink' for the flushing system.
Personally I take bottled water for drinking when away as I don't know what condition the lines are in, even though I sterilise the system at least once a year.
Take the caravan out before you go. It'll give you an idea of what it's like to tow, and then check your route to the site before you go. Early on, I found myself booking some sites which were really tight for access when I wasn't that experienced and another time I inadvertently went along a rural road which wasn't for caravans. Fortunately the car had plenty power to get up the bank and there wasn't anything coming the other way.
Emptying the toilet isn't a pleasant experience but you get used to it. Make sure it isn't full at 10pm at night.....
Once you get your first one under your belt you'll see what you need to take. You could even make your first trip local, just in case.
Enjoy it, nothing better than waking up in your own bed in a field listening to the birds on a morning.
10mph below limits 50 and above. Make sure you've got some towing mirrors on.
Check your car is suitable to tow the van of choice. www.towcar.info will help you check. Your van will have 13 pin electrics, make sure your towbar has the same.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the caravan before you go, check everything works if you can. You'll need toilet 'blue' or 'green' to sanitise the toilet and 'pink' for the flushing system.
Personally I take bottled water for drinking when away as I don't know what condition the lines are in, even though I sterilise the system at least once a year.
Take the caravan out before you go. It'll give you an idea of what it's like to tow, and then check your route to the site before you go. Early on, I found myself booking some sites which were really tight for access when I wasn't that experienced and another time I inadvertently went along a rural road which wasn't for caravans. Fortunately the car had plenty power to get up the bank and there wasn't anything coming the other way.
Emptying the toilet isn't a pleasant experience but you get used to it. Make sure it isn't full at 10pm at night.....
Once you get your first one under your belt you'll see what you need to take. You could even make your first trip local, just in case.
Enjoy it, nothing better than waking up in your own bed in a field listening to the birds on a morning.
Shut the bloody skylight before you drive off or it f's off. Last seen in my rear view mirror going up over the embankment to the left thank god.
Join the camping and caravaning club.
Don't use a powerful drill on your steadies as they are hollow tubes and will twist and snap. It was knackered when I bought the caravan, honest.
Explain to the co-pilot when reversing,
if they can't see you in the mirror/s then you can't see them.
Check the dates on the tyres and sidewalls for cracking if in doubt replace them.
Have fun and enjoy.
Join the camping and caravaning club.
Don't use a powerful drill on your steadies as they are hollow tubes and will twist and snap. It was knackered when I bought the caravan, honest.
Explain to the co-pilot when reversing,
if they can't see you in the mirror/s then you can't see them.
Check the dates on the tyres and sidewalls for cracking if in doubt replace them.
Have fun and enjoy.
jjaack said:
Shut the bloody skylight before you drive off or it f's off. Last seen in my rear view mirror going up over the embankment to the left thank god.
Join the camping and caravaning club.
Don't use a powerful drill on your steadies as they are hollow tubes and will twist and snap. It was knackered when I bought the caravan, honest.
Explain to the co-pilot when reversing,
if they can't see you in the mirror/s then you can't see them.
Check the dates on the tyres and sidewalls for cracking if in doubt replace them.
Have fun and enjoy.
Skylight open whilst driving = bye bye skylightJoin the camping and caravaning club.
Don't use a powerful drill on your steadies as they are hollow tubes and will twist and snap. It was knackered when I bought the caravan, honest.
Explain to the co-pilot when reversing,
if they can't see you in the mirror/s then you can't see them.
Check the dates on the tyres and sidewalls for cracking if in doubt replace them.
Have fun and enjoy.
Caravan club membership obtained
Drill driver clutch setting low
First mate must be able to see Cap'n in mirrors (I've got towing mirrors)
Dealership said if the tyres are >4 years old then they'll be replaced. They're 5!
Got all that, thank you
Tow bar fitting booked for next week.
And don't forget to tune the car radio to Radio 2.
Might be an idea to get a 'We've seen the lions at Longleat' sticker so you are not ostracised when enjoying your chicken in the basket in the clubhouse.
Eta: Don't forget your 'Adventure before Dementia' bumper sticker!
Howling wolf fleece from Matalan optional.
Might be an idea to get a 'We've seen the lions at Longleat' sticker so you are not ostracised when enjoying your chicken in the basket in the clubhouse.
Eta: Don't forget your 'Adventure before Dementia' bumper sticker!
Howling wolf fleece from Matalan optional.
Edited by Jordie Barretts sock on Wednesday 22 February 12:23
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