caravan

NEDDY · 01-01-2009, 17:30

hi cath & I bought a caravan ,our first tourer the water was drained when we got it ,so i was wondering what else I should do. ie should the battery be put in the garage ,do i leave the gas connected or do l leave it all alone with the cable connected any advice would be great many thanks

zippy656 · 01-01-2009, 18:07

also leave the taps turned ON. ant water in there can frezzes and the presure wont pop a joint or spilt a pipe.

handbrake off is good, ive got mine LOCKED to a bulldog post.

its also leve so can be used for friends who need to stop over.

gas is turned off on teh bottle and the main. also all taps under the sink

battery is ok, only chage befor we go ( short trip ) long trip car charges it enought, then on hook up.

zippy

(RIP) PLANK · 01-01-2009, 21:50

When you are completely hooked, it wont stand still ,long enough to worry about any of this advice as you will be away in it all the time!

Propane, (red bottles) is you best bet for gas as it keeps working when the weather gets very cold, you can leave it conected just turn the tap off on the top of the bottle,

As for you battery, i would trickle charge it, or just plug thre caravan into a scoket and leave the zig unit charging it for a while, but I think it would be bette of in the carvan as it would be out of the way of the frost etc, and cant get left behind!

Though if vandals, or security is a risk, of course take the battery and gass bottles out! We keep a caravan at home and leave the mains plugged in all the time, then i flock the charger on from time to time, and use a littel £20 dehumidifier to keep it dry and fresh.

I dont think the tyres mind much standing now they are modern radials but it can hurt to cover them, I never do but mine, but they dont stand for long, though it will be worth checking that they are all the right tyres for the caravan, not just car tyres (unless a very small light caravan) and that you have a spare etc.

SO what make and model have you bought then?

jims-terrano · 01-01-2009, 22:00

If you have a water heater and you probably do if it's a modern van. Ensure that the water is drained out of it, there is usually a drain plug on the outside with the gas flu. Remove the plug and let any water out before replacing the plug. I agree if at all possible leave the battery in place and the van hooked up to the mains via an RCD where you plug in to the supply. Also speaking of the gas, NEVER travel with it turned on!!! Allways turn the gas off when not in use. Also as mentioned don't leave the handbrake on as it will stick on. I used to check the tension on the corner steadies from time to time.

Jim T

(RIP) PLANK · 01-01-2009, 22:10

Oddly, I have an old caravan manual, fomr the 1960's full of advice for first time caravaners, it recomends not only leaving the gas on and connected, but leaving your fridge on gas while you travel!

Sounds just the job for petrol stations

I agree theough leave the handbarke off and the gas bottles turned off!

I try to leave the handbrake off on site too, as it wont roll once the steadies are down, i htnk they are at the worst risk of sticking on when they are applied while the shoes are still hot.

zippy656 · 01-01-2009, 22:26

when we got our new vanin nov 2004 we were aways in the feb, was great watching it snowing over looking the sea.

lovely and warm till the wind got up and i could keep the hearter on gas!.

red bottle. some one had told me not to bother with the bule ones.

kids love it. only trouble it the wife worries when we tow. but its ok.

first towed with an 806. but the T2 is so much better.

Bibio · 01-01-2009, 22:31

We lift the seat cushions ,and put them on end to let the air circulate under the seats !
(hope this helps)

JOHN

01-01-2009, 17:30	#1
NEDDY Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Vehicle: Maverick Posts: 200	caravan hi cath & I bought a caravan ,our first tourer the water was drained when we got it ,so i was wondering what else I should do. ie should the battery be put in the garage ,do i leave the gas connected or do l leave it all alone with the cable connected any advice would be great many thanks

01-01-2009, 18:07	#2
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	also leave the taps turned ON. ant water in there can frezzes and the presure wont pop a joint or spilt a pipe. handbrake off is good, ive got mine LOCKED to a bulldog post. its also leve so can be used for friends who need to stop over. gas is turned off on teh bottle and the main. also all taps under the sink battery is ok, only chage befor we go ( short trip ) long trip car charges it enought, then on hook up. zippy

01-01-2009, 21:50	#3
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	When you are completely hooked, it wont stand still ,long enough to worry about any of this advice as you will be away in it all the time! Propane, (red bottles) is you best bet for gas as it keeps working when the weather gets very cold, you can leave it conected just turn the tap off on the top of the bottle, As for you battery, i would trickle charge it, or just plug thre caravan into a scoket and leave the zig unit charging it for a while, but I think it would be bette of in the carvan as it would be out of the way of the frost etc, and cant get left behind! Though if vandals, or security is a risk, of course take the battery and gass bottles out! We keep a caravan at home and leave the mains plugged in all the time, then i flock the charger on from time to time, and use a littel £20 dehumidifier to keep it dry and fresh. I dont think the tyres mind much standing now they are modern radials but it can hurt to cover them, I never do but mine, but they dont stand for long, though it will be worth checking that they are all the right tyres for the caravan, not just car tyres (unless a very small light caravan) and that you have a spare etc. SO what make and model have you bought then?

01-01-2009, 22:00	#4
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	If you have a water heater and you probably do if it's a modern van. Ensure that the water is drained out of it, there is usually a drain plug on the outside with the gas flu. Remove the plug and let any water out before replacing the plug. I agree if at all possible leave the battery in place and the van hooked up to the mains via an RCD where you plug in to the supply. Also speaking of the gas, NEVER travel with it turned on!!! Allways turn the gas off when not in use. Also as mentioned don't leave the handbrake on as it will stick on. I used to check the tension on the corner steadies from time to time. Jim T

01-01-2009, 22:10	#5
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	Oddly, I have an old caravan manual, fomr the 1960's full of advice for first time caravaners, it recomends not only leaving the gas on and connected, but leaving your fridge on gas while you travel! Sounds just the job for petrol stations I agree theough leave the handbarke off and the gas bottles turned off! I try to leave the handbrake off on site too, as it wont roll once the steadies are down, i htnk they are at the worst risk of sticking on when they are applied while the shoes are still hot.

01-01-2009, 22:26	#6
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	when we got our new vanin nov 2004 we were aways in the feb, was great watching it snowing over looking the sea. lovely and warm till the wind got up and i could keep the hearter on gas!. red bottle. some one had told me not to bother with the bule ones. kids love it. only trouble it the wife worries when we tow. but its ok. first towed with an 806. but the T2 is so much better.

01-01-2009, 22:31	#7
Bibio Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Glasgow Scotland Vehicle: Mistral Posts: 262	We lift the seat cushions ,and put them on end to let the air circulate under the seats ! (hope this helps) JOHN