Caravan!

[Bellybellybelly]

We've just bought a touring caravan - I'm so excited!!
Totally new to this, so I'm looking for top tips from experienced caravanners......

What do I need?
It's 2nd hand so comes with an awning already.

have a look at this website. It has a good checklist x
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/gettingstarted/newtocaravans/

That list is a good start.
I would add headphones - so you can listen to music/tv etc without the entire caravan site having to listen too 😳
A bucket - so much easier to take across to the washbasins when doing the dishes.
Lots of t towels.
A cordless drill and some quality rock pegs make putting up the awning and winding down the legs much easier (you will need a drill attachment specific for the legs)

Stabiliser bar...
Not a legal requirement but many times I have seen an upturned van and contents across a motorway....

Congratulations.
ive had lots of holiday homes in this country and abroad but I think my favourites have been my caravans.
We have a big static now and won’t be changing any time soon.
Enjoy, there’s nothing like the great outdoors from the comfort of your caravan
We will probably go to ours again on Saturday

The sticky pads that go on the bottom of drawers and shelves to stop things moving.
A low power kettle so you don't trip the power on some of the wilder sites.

Rugs and Mats to put down instead of the fitted ones that come with it. They cost a fortune to replace.
A cadac BBQ.
A TV with a DVD slot for sites where there is no TV signal
Milton to clean the water system.
A cordless Hoover to pick up all the crap you will tread in.
Lots of extension cables and usb ports.

I have a pair of slippers just for the van.

We also have a comfy seat each for outside. Sam extra wastebin that seals so we can pop outside the door without worrying about wildlife getting into it.

Crocs to slip on to walk to and from the shower block.

We have a set of pans with removable handles - much easier to store and they double as baking trays for the oven.
First aid kit.
Fire safety stuff. Co2 detector and smoke detector.
We have a log book when we tried where we've stayed.

Some extra self adhesive hooks.

Same! Well almost, picking up next week. Following with interest....

Oh thank you!! Some brilliant ideas. I will write a list 😁😁

I am so excited - picking up tonight so we might sleep in the garden tonight.

The lady who had it has kept it immaculate so I really want to look after it properly.

Start with the link to the club posted above... you'll be able to sort insurance etc via them... and becoming a member gets you member rates on sites as well as access to member only sites, plus you can go out on meets and temporary sites once they start running again (nine till at least August due to Covid)

I assume your towbar etc all sorted and car is legal to tow and you have the right driving license ?

Next... does it come with hook up cable? And leisure battery? If not you'll need both unless you always use hook up - preferably 110 amp battery.

And gas... propane if you are going to use it between September and April as butane can't cope with lower temperatures.

Then... water and waste containers plus connecting pipe for the waste.... get the roll along type!

Then you get to the fun stuff... most people keep their caravan equipped with kitchen stuff, bedding etc rather than constantly taking stuff from home so good excuse to shop!

If you want to go on smaller sites or meets without hook up, you might want solar panels etc too, possibly generator, inverter etc...

One other thing... if it has stood and not moved for a long while, check the tyres, they may need replacing... and should be replaced every 5 years in any case.

caravans need truck rated tyres. Tyres on the drive will do them so nit hard to sort out...

Any tips on how you manage when one of you (age 2 in our case) goes to bed earlier than the rest? I read about putting up a blackout curtain to make a pod of sorts. Any other good ideas?

@Random63638

We had a light in the awning and used to go in there and play cards. We later upgraded to a van with a separate bedroom area that you could screen off

I’m currently lying in bed in mine. I love it!

I’m not sure what’s other parts are doing but in NI we were allowed to use caravan sites as of yesterday.

My advice - have a trial weekend not too far from home, as it is the best way to find out what you need.

If you can, have stuff that lives in the caravan rather than constantly taking it in and out of the house.