Hi from Stroud

AndyJF replied on 26/10/2021 18:03

AndyJF

Posted on 26/10/2021 18:03

Hi folks. We just bought a new caravan (Adria Altea Tyne) and are looking forward to touring around the UK, and even into Europe. The kids want to visit Paris at some point.

I know very little, but gradually picking things up, with the help of kind people here. Certainly have a lot of reading material to absorb over the winter, and some essential purchases for the van.

Must say though, towing the van home was slightly nerve wracking as I've never towed before. The very first move was pulling out on to a fast moving dual carriageway! But I got it home in one piece. And I've decided that the motor mover is one of the greatest inventions ever!

13 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 26/10/2021 18:59

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 26/10/2021 18:59

Hi Andy and welcome.

You'll soon get the hang of things. Keep asking if you don’t know👍🏻

1 person likes this

nelliethehooker replied on 26/10/2021 20:23

Member

nelliethehooker

Caravanner from Cumberland

Posted on 26/10/2021 20:23

Welcome. Hope everything goes smoothly from now on, Andy. Plenty of members on here have extensive experience so don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind as we were all new to this game once.

Would suggest for your first trip out in the van you use one close to home so that it is easy to dash back if you have forgotten anything essential.

1 person likes this

AndyJF replied on 26/10/2021 21:05

Member

AndyJF

Posted on 26/10/2021 21:05

One thing is clear, I need a lot more practice at reversing. I got home and thought, I'll just back this on to the drive. Nope. Nearly burnt the clutch out :( I need a very large space to practice, starting with going backwards in a straight line. That is hard enough.

redface replied on 26/10/2021 22:20

redface

Caravanner from Kent

Posted on 26/10/2021 22:20

Hi Andy, the best thing I ever came across was the club's practical towing course.

Not only towing but all things connected like reversing, straight and around corners, safety re gas and electrics , hooking up properly etc.

After many years touring, UK and abroad, I am grateful for the initial burst of basic info. those many years ago.

2 people like this

replied on 27/10/2021 08:24

Posted on 26/10/2021 21:05 by AndyJF

One thing is clear, I need a lot more practice at reversing. I got home and thought, I'll just back this on to the drive. Nope. Nearly burnt the clutch out :( I need a very large space to practice, starting with going backwards in a straight line. That is hard enough.

Posted on 27/10/2021 08:24

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

2 people like this

replied on 27/10/2021 08:42

Posted on 26/10/2021 22:20 by redface

Hi Andy, the best thing I ever came across was the club's practical towing course.

Not only towing but all things connected like reversing, straight and around corners, safety re gas and electrics , hooking up properly etc.

After many years touring, UK and abroad, I am grateful for the initial burst of basic info. those many years ago.

Posted on 27/10/2021 08:42

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

AndyJF replied on 27/10/2021 08:47

Member

AndyJF

Posted on 27/10/2021 08:24 by

Andy

The number one extra I would recommended is get a mover. Even with excellent reversing skills (which I dont have) there will be lots of site situations and pitches laid out where its impossible to deal with by reversing and modern vans are just too heavy for manhandling. If you can reverse in a straight line that will deal with 90% of situations and for anything else a mover will get you out of it.

My other advice is dont drive yourself mad worrying about noseweights and the weights everything you carry, if its heavy try to carry it in the car load the van sensibly with weight down low and towards the middle or front. Finally speed just because it's legal to tow at 60mph it's not compulsory, I mostly drive abroad with lower limits and dont always get up to them especially if its windy or downhill

Posted on 27/10/2021 08:47

Oh I do have a mover fitted, and thank god I did. Best money ever spent. So after I knackered the car trying to reverse the van I engaged the mover. What I didn't realise is how powerful they are, and can even push the caravan up quite a steep incline. Absolutely magic, and I think I impressed my neighbours with it. That's after they stopped laughing at my reversing attempts

AndyJF replied on 27/10/2021 08:51

Member

AndyJF

Posted on 26/10/2021 22:20 by redface

Hi Andy, the best thing I ever came across was the club's practical towing course.

Not only towing but all things connected like reversing, straight and around corners, safety re gas and electrics , hooking up properly etc.

After many years touring, UK and abroad, I am grateful for the initial burst of basic info. those many years ago.

Posted on 27/10/2021 08:51

I may well look at doing a towing course. But I know the technique for reversing, so I think I'd benefit from having some serious one on one time just with me and the caravan. And nobody watching ;)

DSB replied on 27/10/2021 16:44

Moderator

DSB

Caravanner from Staffordshire

Posted on 27/10/2021 16:44

Hi Andy. Welcome to the Caravan & Motorhome Club and particularly to Club Together. Look forward to hearing how you get on with the caravan.

David

1 person likes this

EmilysDad replied on 27/10/2021 18:36

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 26/10/2021 21:05 by AndyJF

One thing is clear, I need a lot more practice at reversing. I got home and thought, I'll just back this on to the drive. Nope. Nearly burnt the clutch out :( I need a very large space to practice, starting with going backwards in a straight line. That is hard enough.

Posted on 27/10/2021 18:36

.... Nearly burnt the clutch out :(

Get a (proper) slush box auto ... 2 pedals are the future. 😉😉

1 person likes this