Virgin caravanner -Any tips for our maiden voyage

[Beauregard]

We went halves with my parents on a 1998 caravan last year and have yet to actually go anywhere.Dp is quite nervous of towing.
Is it possible to caravan without awning?
Any tips or things we should know?

DH was v nervous of towing at first despite being a very enthusiastic driver. He got used to it after a few outings.

We often do weekends without an awning but a porch does give you somewhere to put bikes, shoes and we put a picnic table out there to reduce food mess inside.

I would do a weekend or single night close to home first to make sure everything is on working order and give you a chance to go home for forgotten essentials. Then afterwards write yourself a caravan packing list. This is not a normal type of activity for me but is well worth it.

Don't try any ambitious meals - pasta and sauce is best to start with.

It can be chilly at night so make sure you have some extra blankets.

Take lots of carrier bags for the bin.

We use bottled water for drinking although you can use the aquaroll water I don't like the taste of the additive.

If your children are old enough put them in charge of water and waste water. They'll use less for a start.

We love the Caravan Club. Great facilities and always clean.

Allow 2 hours more than you think you need for packing and hitching up.

Put ice packs in the fridge for the journey there to keep the food cool. Our caravan is 1997 and the fridge doesn't keep things very cool so be very careful with things like ham which could go off.

I could go on for ages but I won't .

ooh thanks some very good tips
please feel free to go on

Ok. Finishing off a uni assignment just now but when my brain is fried in a bit I'll have another think.

I'd second a porch awning, much quicker and easier to put up than a full awning, but you still have somewhere to leave shoes etc and to eat in if it's nice.

I would also not go very far for your first weekend. We went about 5 miles down the road for our first weekend in our folding camper. It's a good idea in case you forget anything. I would keep a list and add to/subtract from it the things you needed, but didn't have or took but didn't need.

I think you just need to decide on a weekend and go for it. Don't put it off any longer! Get out there and have fun.

I would also add that if you have children, don't let the first night put you off. Our DCs are still so excited about going away in the caravan, they don't go to sleep until really late on the first night. On the 2nd night though they are shattered!!!

We have a motorhome but the one thing I notice when caravanners move off the site is to check lthat lights and indicators are working.

Thanks for the posts

We will definately be going local for our 1st night and have a few places in mind.

Will we be eyed suspiciously by experienced campers?
Will they laugh at our hooking up attempts?

To throw another problem in,dp snores so i can't say that the idea of going excites me.I think maybe we will need an awning to throw him in

Have a takeaway on the first night. Either that or take food with you that's prepared, but takeaways are clearly preferable.

Take cards (or similar age appropriate games) to play in case it rains.

Make sure you research the area before you go - you may not have easy access to internet to find local attractions.

Some sites will sell bread/milk/eggs/newspapers, but it's best to check first rather than relying on this.

This may go without saying, but meal plan and take all the food with you. Remember things like breakfast cereals and coffee, also salt, pepper, ketchup - anything that is essential at home.

Keep drinks outside under the caravan, but discreetly.

Learn how to hook up the water and electric before you leave.

Reversing is very difficult. If you have to stop on the way to the site, try to avoid reversing as it's not fun. Nobody will laugh at your reversing on site, they've all been there.

Slow and steady when towing, we've only had ours for 1 year, hubby says it's like driving with a lorry up your bum.

when in doubt unhook and push, hopefully it's a nice light caravan!? Lots of people generally help to manoeuvre if you tell them it's your first time.

My sister happily caravans for up to 2 weeks without an awning. she has a shallow lidded box that shoes go and it's pushed under the van. Bikes just get rained on I think. We use a full awning for over 3 days, and a porch awning for 2 or 3 days, nothing for 1 night.

Have you got spirit level, ramps, etc? otherwise your pipes won't drain properly if you're not on a level pitch. Basic tool kit, with gaffer tape, superglue, spanners, screwdriver, etc?

We use a jug for drinking water straight from the standpipe, don't like to drink the water after it's been through the caravan pipes.

Looking forward to our impending trips aways, yippee. Enjoy.

Look at the site on Google Earth before you go so you can keep away from railway lines, busy roads if you're not used to them - caravans are not very soundproof.

On holidays we usually take a coolbox for wine and beer and buy a couple of bags of ice from the supermarket every couple of days to chuck over it - works a treat at keeping the booze cool.

Crocs are great for slipping on and off for trips to the toilet/shower block. Trainers can get wet quickly on grass pitches.

Don't forget scissors, tin opener, sharp knife, cooking oil, ketchup and a fold-up basket to carry your washing up in.

You have to have bacon for breakfast otherwise the smell of everyone else's will drive you bonkers.

Glowsticks make a nice gentle nightlight for children. You can buy them quite cheaply from Ebay shops.

Most people on caravan sites are friendly and chatty and say good morning/evening as they walk past you.

Most importantly relax, have a lovely time and a giggle when things go wrong.

How big is the caravan and long has your Dp held a driving license for remember there are limits about towing if you passed your test after 1st January 1997.the license you need to tow a caravan

try again

Dp passed his test around 1994
The caravan is 5 berth can't remember the length but we purchased it from a dealer who checked our towing capacity etc and as long as the caravan isn't filled we are ok to tow it on our car.

Some great ideas thankyou

We had first outing in caravan when ds was 5 weeks old. He's now 9 and still loves it. He's moved on from keeping his cars and trains in the oven. He likes to help hook-up, check lights, wind down legs etc 14 year old dd now prefers her own space in annexe of awning - looks just like her bedroom after a few days!

We stick to caravan and camping club smaller sites - farms and holiday meets et. Much cheaper, nice people, no large gangs of children out late at night, no noisy swimming pool or bars. Don't be afraid of sites with no electric hookups, they're often the best. A solar panel keeps battery topped up for lights, phone charging etc. Virtually any caravanner will be pleased to help you but you may need to ask.

I never tow but had to pack up and come home when dh taken ill. People next to us on site helped pack awning etc, and couldn't have helped more. I was terrified at first but we got home safely - mirrors are apparently the key. It's a good idea to do a course - I will one day!

We find weight the biggest challenge. Work out what is essential and leave the rest at home. TV never. 2 aqua rolls essential - one in use, one full ready - being half way through a shower with no water is no fun. To avoid frequent shopping trips on longer stays, we use a gas fridge in the awning as the caravan fridge is very small. Have to fight for space for salad as it mysteriously fills with beer. We've even taken breadmaker to site with hookup, the smell drove our neighbours mad!

Enjoy your caravanning. Opening the door in the morning and letting the dcs go off to make friends and play gives them the freedoom they can't always have at home. We've had many bad first nights but now smile to ourselves as new caravan families struggle at bedtime whilst our dcs sleep. We take our bikes (transported on back of car and inside caravan) and cycle instead of driving when possible - adult bikes now replace babyseat and tag!

Caravanners have lots of advice to pass on!

Thankyou 24hourtaxi

my advice is to keep things as simple as possible. don't pack to much, you can buy most things that you may have forgotten! keep meals really simple, even a fry up in the morning can be a bit much if you're all in the van and far too much washing up. we just have one every few days, and instead have things we don't usually have at home like croissants, muffins, pancakes etc, chocolate spread, yummy! awning in my opinion is a must, porch for weekends and standard size for anything more. shoes, table and chairs, coats, bags with our clothes, extra fridge all stay in the awning. tv is good to have if weather bad or you have an early riser? will other caravanners watch whilst you set up? definately! but you will do the same and no one is being horrible, just sort of nosey. Also, its interesting watching couples get umpy with each other whilst setting up, lol. The next day you can do the same as we all relate to exactly what goes on whilst setting up. when you arrive, put the legs down, make a brew before properly unpacking, or a large glass of wine. if you are away for longer than a weekend and you have a fair drive then dont put the awning up until the next day when you're a bit more refreshed and can face it. most of all, have lots of fun!