[Closed] We've gone and bought a caravan, but don't worry...

Kippford ?

So holidays in one place? Never got the idea of having a holiday place, prefer variety

Yep, we know the area well and the anchor is my favourite pub.

[i]So holidays in one place[/i]

No, not at all. We'll still go abroad for a couple of holidays a year. This is a weekend retreat as its only 70ish miles from home.

What do you need?

Cardigan, preferably a few and one as a favourite
Box of tissues on parcel shelf in car
Driving gloves

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Hook up? If so, no need but otherwise a solar panel to keep the batteries topped up.

If on a hook up, a dehumidifier on a timer is no bad thing.

Most of the seasonally pitched ones seem to have an awning strapped to it full time, picket fences, a couple of gnomes and boarders of pansies.

Yeh it'll be on a hook up but has a solar panel fitted.

[i]If on a hook up, a dehumidified on a timer is no bad thing.[/i]

Why would we need a dehumidifier? Can't we just open the windows?

Why would we need a dehumidifier? Can't we just open the windows?

Caravans, a bit like yachts, have a tendency to get a bit mouldy and damp whilst unoccupied for periods of time especially in the winter. They are not bricks and mortar houses. If unused in the winter a lot of owners take all the cushions and soft furnishing etc home to minimise the damage. The alternative is to use a dehumidifier.

Some random thoughts....EHU cable, levelling chocks if the pitch isn't flat, gas bottle, kettle which won't trip the electrics, some chairs to sit outside the van in the event it's not hammering down, Cadac BBQ if you like fryup breakfasts, small toolkit, mobile phone charger(s) to leave in the van, Some decent pillows / bedding, tea towels.

Comes with a cable, got wheel chocks, thinking a kettle on the hob may be a good idea.

We've gone camping for years so know what we need for outdoor living so it's really the caravan specific stuff we need pointers on.

apart from a leisure battery, water containers for fresh and waste what do I need?

Giant Satellite TV
Disused Swing-Ball set
Dog
Barely-flickering solar garden lights, (inserted into the ground at about 73 degrees.)
Micro-library of Mills and Boon classics
Benson and Hedges
Some sharp clobber to wear at the site club, or when square dancing. 😀

I used to think going to the same place for hols would be boring but we found a cottage in Wales which was a good price, had a bike store and was perfectly central to all the places we liked to go, we've been a few times now and I love it!

Good quality hitch lock and wheel lock, don't skimp on this. Possibly fit a tracker too.
Get an awning as well, even a small one is really useful.

Comes with an alko wheel lock and tracker fitted. Any recommendations for a hitch lock?

And a recomendation for an all season awning would be good too.

I'd second the dehumidifier if it's on a permanent hookup.

If you look underneath you'll see there's all sorts of vents - it doesn't take much for rising warm damp air to get in the 'van and condense on any cold surfaces inside.

If you're using the chemikarzi then a supply of chemicals would be good.

Leave the handbrake off when it's parked up.

Make sure the fridge is thoroughly cleaned and left with the door ajar when it's not in use.

[i]I'd second the dehumidifier if it's on a permanent hookup.[/i]

So leave on a timer when we're not there? I thought we would have had to power the van down when we're not there?

If your site asks you to do that, then go for those chemical water traps instead.

What size awning do you need? I've got a good quality awning for sale that will suit all seasons.

If on hookup: Electric kettle, electric toaster. Also dustbuster vacuum cleaner type thing.

If you aren't going to tow it anywhere (but you should) then you don't need a leisure battery.

[i]What size awning do you need?[/i]

10.02m according to the spec sheet. But as its a 2016 model I'm a bit wary about buying an awning until the vans built.

What awning are you selling?

[i]If you aren't going to tow it anywhere (but you should) then you don't need a leisure battery.[/i]

Well we may do at some point but does the system not need a leisure battery?

Also re the hitchlock, a neighbour recently had his caravan almost stolen (from a storage site) one guy on his own managed to remove the wheel lock and the hitch lock quite easily. Not sure what make the wheel lock was but the hitch lock was an alko one. The theif just put a pry bar in a gap and peeled it off. Not good.
I use 2 locks on the hitch, the alko one which I didn't realise was rubbish when I bought it and a bulldog one (I had spare) over the top that stops it from being peeled off.

It's a quest Blenheim elite.
Very good awning.

If you're going to leave it on site permanently, i'd fit a set of these...

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Stops it getting nicked and means that the tyres are not ruined by sitting in the same place under load the whole time. I've seen a few people who've decided to move their caravan after its been in the same place for a few years and their tyres are no longer round but are flat on one side.

You'll definitely want an awning. It increases the usability massively.

We had a touring van on a seasonal pitch for 8 years. The best upgrade we ever bought for it was one of these ....
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Worth getting an external plug socket and light fitted on the awning side,

It's got external socket, external gas point and external shower point, not sure I'll use that much ??

and external shower point, not sure I'll use that much

You'll be surprised. Caravan/camper plumbing is quite narrow and doesn't handle mud too well. Coming back from a muddy ride always a good thing to shower your legs off first outside (unless using the shower block 'I guess).

Ah never thought of that.

Don't use the shower. Ever.
It'll be the shittest shower you've ever had and It'll most likely leak somewhere due to the seal being racked the movement of the van as it's being towed and you don't want the humidity it'll create even if it doesn't leak.
It's really not worth the hassle. Go to the shower block.

Also... Liquids only in the chemical toilet. Emergency solids in extreme circumstances. Again, not worth the hassle.

Basically, it's a plush, solid tent. If you wouldn't do something in a tent, then don't do it in a caravan 😀

Oh... and invest in a decent wide step. You'll be in and out the door way more than you imagine and a solid secure step will be a blessing.

+1 on the winter wheels and some blocks/slabs to level.

Don't leave the window ajar, gusty winds can crack plastic windows, spares may be not be available.

Gas bottle and regulator. - if your staying put might as well extend the gas Hose and put a big bottle of propane outside the van. Illd also get an insulated cover for the water carrier to stop it freezing if you are going to use it over winter. - having said that I know some of the seasonal pitches also let you 'plumb in' directly to the water supply and waste. If you can, I think you need some sort of pressure reducer and some bits and bobs.

Yeh kippford is plumbed in water and waste. Not sure how it works but we'll be going for a look before we get the van

You'll need one of these.
They seem to be obligatory for seasonal pitches / statics. You'll need somewhare to store the barbeque / garden furniture / wellies / other assorted outdoor crap.

NOT bikes.

I've got three! 😳

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dog

I think you will find it is a [i]dag[/i]

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Well we may do at some point but does the system not need a leisure battery?

No. Unless it's changed on s****y new vans. Mains powers a transformer which supplies a battery charger , which also supplies the 12V circuit in the van. If it needed it, it would've come with one.

Don't use the shower. Ever.
It'll be the shittest shower you've ever had

I disagree with this. Ok so it's a piddling amount of water, but it's hot, and the small space gets warm quickly too. I bloody hate shitty muddy concrete campsite showers where you have to try and keep your clothes off the soaking wet muddy floor and there's freezing wind blowing into your cubicle from the tiny cracked cobwebby window etc etc.

Plus showers in new vans are a lot nicer than old ones (like mine).

Tbf – it depends on the shower blocks.

Regularly use a relatives static caravan and the block there is simple but well run as it’s next to the camping fields –the shower in the caravan is tiny and you have to traipse through ¾ of the place to get to it – not good when covered in sand with the kids (an outdoor shower sounds awesome btw).

Much prefer to use the shower block to get 95% clean with no bother (soles of feet are not pristine, but we are back on the beach next day).

Other stuff that might be handy compared to camping are:

Small tool set – stuff you would never take camping (hammer, pliers, saw, tape measure, screw driver plus nails and screws etc), the amount of times I think I’ll just do a little job and there is nothing to fix things with (I have learnt and take tool kit with me).
Cheap telly with hdmi/usb connection for watching stuff on.
Board games (+pack of cards) as you’ll have a proper table to use.

Tbf – it depends on the shower blocks.

Yeah but you still have to get stuff together and walk over there. You might prefer it, fair enough, but don't tell people not to use the van shower as some people like it.

Plus, I like staying at tiny sites in the middle of nowhere, and they often don't have showers.

but don't tell people not to use the van shower as some people like it.

Not really my point. If you like it then fill yer boots.
The point was that i know loads of people ( including me) who have had major problems with damp / rot / mould and or water penetration by using the showers in touring vans. They have a tendency to leak in places where it's not apparent and the repeated use of them in such an enclosed space can cause damp / mould issues. In my experience - YMMV. Also I have been going to the same site for 25 years and the showers are excellent and not like you describe at all despite being in a 16th century Scottish castle. Again - YMMV

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[i]Small tool set – stuff you would never take camping (hammer, pliers, saw, tape measure, screw driver plus nails and screws etc), the amount of times I think I’ll just do a little job and there is nothing to fix things with (I have learnt and take tool kit with me).[/i]

I get the pliers and screwdriver but I really can't see me doing anything with nails, screws, a hammer & a saw on a brand new caravan

Gary M
Ive been thinking about doing something similar in that area.
Out of interest what does the site cost per year? You can pm if you want.
Cheers

I had this on my old 'van http://www.amazon.co.uk/AL-KO-2004-3004-Safety-Device/dp/B001GYVFPS/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1444074637&sr=8-23&keywords=tow+hitch+locks

Current 'van has http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saracen-Hitch-Lock-AL-KO-purpleline/dp/B002EDGNLQ/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1444074885&sr=8-19&keywords=tow+hitch+locks
Some insurance companies like a ground anchor, check if site allow that or can help provide it.
From above suggestions I would adopt the wheel support/locks. Saves tyres and may stop van overturning in high winds although Kipford is probably pretty well sheltered.
Put blocks as high as possible on f/r stabilisers.
Shower, we don't use ours, always find a site with good shower block as I'm sure Kipford will have. Basically it is too cramped and by not using it I reckon we cut down on any dampness problems/issues.
I would get a medium sized awning which is easy to put up and take down, have seen too many damaged permanently erected awnings. I have 3, large, medium and small and the large has rarely been used. If it rains large ones tend to trap water in the corners. Having said that I spotted a better designed version the other week. I have a 6 berth Bailey btw.
When you leave the van set your cushions on end to allow air to circulate around/through everything.
Being a Dumfries resident Dalbeattie is obviously one of my local trails. 😆

Out of interest what does the site cost per year? You can pm if you want.

We have a seasonal pitch at Glenmore (Cairngorms) which cost us £1,800 this year from 1st April to 31st October. Its not cheap, but worth every penny.

Weirdly, it was a flyer for seasonal pitches at Kippford that made me look into it at Glenmore - we're on our 3rd year now and I can't see us not doing it for the next few years.

Best change we made to our caravan was to switch to propane, sod all difference in summer but still works through the winter.
Thinking of getting a solar panel once i'm sure it will have the power to run what I need, i'm fed up paying tree fiddy for a hook up and probably using about fourpence worth of leccy. Theres some nice sites with no power too.

http://www.kippfordholidaypark.co.uk

robbie - Member
Gary M
Ive been thinking about doing something similar in that area.
Out of interest what does the site cost per year? You can pm if you want.
Cheers

[i]Ive been thinking about doing something similar in that area.
Out of interest what does the site cost per year? You can pm if you want.[/i]

It's £2010 for the full year Robbie for the pitch with waste and water plumbed in and you can use the site year round.

We've gone for propane as that's what the sales guy recommended.

[i]We have a seasonal pitch at Glenmore (Cairngorms) which cost us £1,800 this year from 1st April to 31st October. Its not cheap, but worth every penny.[/i]

Our neighbours have a caravan there on a seasonal pitch, they love it. Bit too far away for us I think plus we want year round use.

On leisure batteries -

If you have a mover it won't work without one.
If the power goes down, you'll have none without one.

Awnings are a PITA to put up whatever kind you get but are worth it once they are up as they double the usable space (temperature dependant).

Showers fine in my folks Bailey, proper shower tray and wet walls though as opposed to the older kinds you used to get. It's a proper walk in with curtain and ventilation.

Make sure the propane works before you go anywhere, first time we took the van the regulator had just been replaced. The new one didn't work. Yay. Always have a spare bottle, I got one from the tip for nowt. Calor is most convenient.

If you don't have a level a bottle of water will do to set it by eye. Not sure how folk get those wheel replacements on if the ground isn't level tbh as the steadys aren't supposed to hold the whole weight and I'm not sure how you would chock out the braced wheels. If you have an integrated wheel lock (Alco) make sure you get it aligned so that when it's chocked you can just slam it in rather than having to mess about back and forth or jacking it up and spinning the wheel.

My old man did the whole static thing before. Never again. The word extortion springs to mind. At least tourers can easily pack up and bog off.

Oh and be warned, all the cheap naff electronics inside the van (the extractor fan for instance) will be packed with proprietary parts with prices that would rival a ships chandlers. My old man had to pay out about £160 for a new extractor and skylight after the old one got torn off in storms last year.

Don't forget your James Bond videos and Flavia frothy coffee machine.

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It's £2010 for the full year Robbie for the pitch with waste and water plumbed in and you can use the site year round.

That is very good value. The Camping in the Forest Sites (e.g. Glenmore) are at the edge of reason with their pricing policy IMHO, but the location just about makes it worthwhile.

I get the pliers and screwdriver but I really can't see me doing anything with nails, screws, a hammer & a saw on a brand new caravan

Aye - wasn't thinking there, I use a relatives static, it has decking, fence, steps etc - owner is an older lady so I fix everything up when I do the first trip down of the season for her.

perchypanther

despite being in a 16th century Scottish castle.