I've bought a caravan! What do I do now?

[PH5121]

At the weekend I put a deposit down on a 2006 Swift Challenger 530, which will be ready for collection in a couple of weeks. This leaves me time to get stuff sorted. This is where I could do with some advice from people who know what they are on about.

The things that I have thought of so far are:
1)Get insurance for the caravan
2)Get breakdown recovery that will include a caravan
3)Get a tow bar fitted - but don't know which is best the tow car between my Vito or my wifes Freelander 2. At the minute I am favoring the Freelander as the Vito has poor traction if on grass or mud.

The choice of tow bar options has thrown me, I assumed a tow bar was a tow bar but now I know it isn't. So have to decide between fixed, removable or swan neck, and whether to have a bumper protector, and choose from the Witter, Bosal, Westfalia brands.
I'll be getting it installed through a friends garage. He said look at the PF Jones (www.pfjones.co.uk), website and choose one as that is where he will get it from.
Any advice on which is best type of tow bar would be appreciated, but whatever I choose apparently I need an Alco one due to my friction pads.

The caravan dealer will do the CRIS registration transfer.

The 'van will be serviced, have new tires, a 12 month warranty, and will come with a full awning, and 'starter' pack of water and waste containers, power lead, gas bottle and step.

Is there anything obvious to a caravanner that I have not considered? Is it worthwhile joining the Caravan and Camping Club?

Thanks

[Rosscow]

I had a Westfalia detachable fitted to our Audi. If possible get the Land Rover dedicated wiring kit.

I paid around £590 fitted (Audi wanted over £1700 for the exact same tow bar and wiring kit!).

Detachable/non detachable - up to you.

[GAjon]

Buy a gas BBQ
Get some BBQ food
Get some beer and wine
Go to a campsite relax and enjoy the spring & summer

C&CC is worth it in my opinion.

[PH5121]

Bloomin heck, didn't think tow bars would cost that much - I should have checked!

Couple of things more. Any recommendations for caravan insurers or brokers? Mirrors, I had forgotten about mirrors, are these much of a muchness or are some better than others?

[Leicester Loyal]

Don't forget a stabiliser!

[PH5121]

Could the stabilizer be built into the hitch assembly? When I asked the salesman he said I didn't need one but I couldn't see anything (not that I know what one would look like). He said I needed an Alko tow ball so it would grip?

Edited by PH5121 on Monday 21st March 14:18

[Rosscow]

Leicester Loyal said:

Don't forget a stabiliser!

Don't tend to bother these days - the new style of hitch (e.g. Al-Ko) have the stabiliser built in.

I remember my Mum and Dad's old Swift challenger in the early 90's - with a whopping great lump of stabiliser attached

[Rosscow]

PH5121 said:

Could the stabilizer be built into the hitch assembly? When I asked the salesman he said I didn't need one but I couldn't see anything (not that I know what one would look like). He said I needed an Alko tow ball so it would grip?

Edited by PH5121 on Monday 21st March 14:18

Yes, you need to make sure you have a tow ball that accepts Al-Ko hitches. Most of them do now anyway, (and you can also use a swan neck type) they look like this:



Read this as well:

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpand...

[PH5121]

Rosscow said:

I remember my Mum and Dad's old Swift challenger in the early 90's - with a whopping great lump of stabiliser attached

That is what I expected to see as a stabiliser.

[Deerfoot]

I use Milenco Aero mirrors. They're great.

I'd also get a hitch lock and a wheel clamp, depending on where you're storing it.

[Bobhon]

Welcome to the fold, hope you have some great holidays.
Mirrors are compulsory when towing, but must be removed when not towing.
A CC or C&CC towing course doesn't cost much and will cover all of the basics.
Caravan Guard or CC do insurance, I guess that C&CC do as well but I'm not a member.
CC have lots of sites at reasonable costs, C&CC probably do as well.
Book a weekend at a local site to shake down the outfit and get used to setting up before you go on a long trip.
Awnings can be easy to set up, porch type, or a pain, full type. See if the manufacturer of yours has a video on their website of how to put it up. Do read the instructions as it cuts down on the amount of swearing.
Always connect the electric hook up cable to the caravan first, otherwise you will have a live lead on the wet grass. Similarly always disconnect from the post first.
Get the right towing electrics fitted to your car to match your van. I would say 2 X 12 pin plugs on that age of van. New vans have a single 13 pin plug and they aren't interchangeable.

Etc, etc, etc. Lots of safety things before you set off and as you set up. Worth buying a beginners guide.

HTC

Bob

[Huffy]

No wish to state the obvious but a number plate for the van..............and I have always found a supply of assorted cable ties and gaffer tape can be useful...just in case!!!

You might want to check your starter pack includes a pump to for getting the water from the container into the van as well

[Rosscow]

Huffy said:

No wish to state the obvious but a number plate for the van..............and I have always found a supply of assorted cable ties and gaffer tape can be useful...just in case!!!

You might want to check your starter pack includes a pump to for getting the water from the container into the van as well

I'd imagine the caravan will have an on board water pump! Normally you just have the hose that attaches to the water inlet on the outside of the van (these hoses normally have a water filter on the end that goes into the aquaroll).

[PH5121]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I have just got a magazine called 'Caravan' which included a supplementary magazine about choosing your first caravan.
It looks to be full of useful information for a newbie, so I will be studying it later.

[Chrisgr31]

Rosscow said:

I'd imagine the caravan will have an on board water pump! Normally you just have the hose that attaches to the water inlet on the outside of the van (these hoses normally have a water filter on the end that goes into the aquaroll).

On a point of accuracy isnt the bit that drops in the aquaroll actually the pump? Fairly sure it is on ours.

[Deerfoot]

Chrisgr31 said:

On a point of accuracy isnt the bit that drops in the aquaroll actually the pump? Fairly sure it is on ours.

Yup, same on mine.

[Rosscow]

No, mine has an on board pump. We just have a tube that connects to the inlet on the side of the caravan, which has a water filter on the end. Like this:

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/wha...

[Huffy]

I was meaning one of these

http://unipartautostore.com/whale-watermaster-pump...

either way something to get the water into the caravan appropriate for the system you have!!

[GreatGranny]

Sounds like a nice first time van.

Freelander would be my choice mainly because its not a van and also the Freelander will be more than capable for towing.

Towbar shouldn't cost that much, detatchable are generally more expensive but worth it IMO as most of the time you won't be towing.

Detatchable Witter on my XC90 a few years ago was approx. £340 fitted. That was a mobile fitter who came to my works.

As has been mentioned, go somewhere local for your first trip.
Preferably CC site, they are generally very clean with large pitches and well planned.
They also have wardens who now their stuff and are very helpful.

Practice reversing if you can.
Try to reverse drivers side rather than passengers. Much easier.

Good luck

[Rosscow]

My tow bar cost did include the OEM Audi wiring loom at £200.

I didn't fancy someone chopping into my wiring (not when we have reverse sensors, self levelling suspension and the Audi towing system to contend with!).