How we set up our caravan on site
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- Longleat Caravan and motorhome club site is one of our favourites, however, the country lane entrance always generates a little extra excitement/stress!
In this video we show you how we set up our Swift touring caravan on site for a weekend stay, will there be arguments or will it go to plan?
Our awning is a Dometic Leggera 260S, here is a link to it.
bigwhitebox.co.uk/product/kam...
Here is the kit we use to film including affiliate links
GoPro Hero 11
The Hero 11 is a great bit of kit, especially since the stabilisation is insane.
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GoPro Volta
Not only is the Volta an excellent grip it has a built-in battery so it is great for extending filming time.
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GoPro Accessory Pack
This kit includes loads of different connectors and mounts for all occasions.
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iPhone 12 Mini
All the greatness of an iPhone but in a smaller form factor.
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DJI MIC
Improves sound quality significantly, especially if you are moving around away from the camera, we use this with both the iPhone and GoPro
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#caravan #longleat #caravanlife
Music by David Cutter
www.davidcuttermusic.com/
Some great stuff in there, just a couple of things for any newbies using this video as a guide.
1) He skipped over the side to side levelling, but always do this first.
2) Always choke the wheels
3) It is important to plug the EHU cable into the caravan then the post. Otherwise you are walking around with a piece of wire (the cable) which is connected to 230v which is not a good idea
4) When connection the water aways put the pump into the container before connecting to the van (he did it wrong) a) This means that the pump isn’t on the ground which may have been a dog’s toilet. b) the pump is primed with water and isn’t running dry to start with.
5) When filling he water system first run each cold tap in turn, then run each hot tap. This ensures that all pipes and the boiler are full.
Thanks Arthur
Me, my wife and our 1 year old are taking our first caravan, on our first trip in 2 days. Thanks for the tips!
I hope it went to plan!
Brill video. Plain and simple showing complete novices, like me, it's not as difficult as we think.
Very helpful.
Many thanks.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
We always use a electric pump for our awning , what a god send x
They definitely make life easier!
I like that you don't take yourselves too seriously. Oh and we use "drivers side" and "passenger side" rather than the your right, my right thing. ..but we all know that "she's right", yes dear, you're right dear.. love you long time dear...
Thanks for watching, you made me chuckle!
Thanks. I like the fact you got the caravan fully installed before setting up the awning. I'll be mindful to do that next time. 👍
You guys are hilarious but you still get the job done! Awesome.
Looked good to me... I've been caravanning for 3 decades now!!.♥️🇬🇧
Fantastic video, spot on sensible info delivered in a non anorak way with a smile or two.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good effort with the reversing, not many of us left that only use mover as a last resort. Brilliant video.
Really enjoyed it , well done Guys 😊
Great video, very informative (and funny). Will be putting my awing up as per your instructions in future. Cheers Terry
Good teamwork, rollon the next video
You two are a great team and a lovely couple. I'm pleased I stumbled across your channel. Now for some binge watching. Thanks for your helpful tips.
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the video
Love that you guys share the set up.
I’m so nervous about ours arriving & getting the set up sorted
I was too on the 1st trip with our 1st caravan 4 years ago. Arranged to stay at a site 8 miles from home incase I forgot anything or any "mishaps" and my HGV lorry driver and caravanner brother drove 3 hours from where he lives to pitch up his caravan nearby for the wrekend.
Went well.
Pretty sure you can print off a checklist to go through point by point when you're hitching/unhitching/packing.
Wish I'd got into caravanning so much sooner than I did.
@@M..R.... I’m sure we will smash it (Altho I’m sure there will be plenty of disagreements!)
We can’t wait for it to arrive
Good to see someone setting up so we can pick up a few tips. When levelling the van put the level on the floor for better results also we use 40 shot toilet fluid & rinse. It's the best we have used and it's a bubblegum smell. ' Re the awning we use the dometic Rally Pro 390 poled and it's up in 40 mins. Seen to many air awnings collapsed on one side.
what a great video, one of the best set up videos I've seen. I too just guess the measurements of the pink & blue. We've been to that site and it is tight getting in, but its lovely hearing the lions roar in the distance whilst sitting having a drink at night.
Thank you enjoyed the video.
Glad to join your channel, you guys! Cheers from Barcelona 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻, byeeee 😀
Welcome aboard!
Love the way you make it so easy. I'm new to touring so your video helps. Going to the Isle of Wight without a motor mover, can't get fitted in time. Anyway excellent.
You’re not a caravaner if you’ve not backed it in, at least once, with the car!
Brilliant video i think will help lots of people.
You two are so funny too 😊x
You know what I loved the splash of pink and glug of water and same flippant attitude to the rest esp the CAMC stasi made me laugh it’s brilliant, who cares about exact measurements as long as it suits you! Followed 😊
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
A few things that we do...
We fill a 5 litre plastic petrol/diesel container and mix the pink loo flush with water in that and use the plastic neck to fill the loo cistern. The container then stores away in the front locker.
I always use nitrile gloves when filling and emptying the cassette.
I bought a bare 20v air inflator/deflator from Aldi for under £15 and it has loads of nozzles and use that set to 7 PSI to inflate the awning in seconds as well as the car and caravan tyres. Also use the same 20v battery on the cheap but very effective Aldi Ferrex 20v drill to get the awning ground pegs in and also used to use the drill for quickly raising and lowering the legs on the last caravan before we got one with self levelling. (The 20v/40v battery is also used on the lawn mower/angle grinder/impact wrench etc).
Also re electric cable I fully unwind it when connected..
Re Aqua rolls we tend not to use them with the Whale system connected directly to a tap but when we did use Aqua rolls (the cheaper one from Aldi which holds 51 ltrs so less refilling) I always had 2..one in use and another full one beside it to quickly swap to the full one when the one in use emptied...you can imagine the picture fully soaped up in the shower and the Aqua roll runs out of water..much easier if a spare full one ready to connect up then you can fill the empty one at your leisure.
Also we fit a dedicated front towing cover when towing to a clean front of caravan as was sick of getting to sites and the front covered in bugs and dirt.
Good video too thanks 👍
We too use a petrol can. We’ve had some funny looks 😂
Great video, very informative and fun. Love the mobile phone idea. ATB, Dave & Helen 👍
@@BigWhiteBox we use Walkie talkies have done for a long time, useful for chatting across site battery lasts ages, saves on phone battery 👍
Nice set up guys 👍🏻
Thanks! 👍
Hi all i have been towing caravans since i was 19 i'm now in my 60s never had a motor mover till the caravan i have now i have only used i once on site in the past 2 years yes they are good but for me too much faff and not every one has them great vid thanks.
Thanks for watching
Brilliant video, and as you rightly say..its team work, as long as us guys know from the start who is really in charge - take a bow ladies 😄
Whilst I have owned caravans before and had many caravan holidays, the one thing that you do which has enlightened me is to use an inflatable awning for short breaks 👍
I will watch out for more vlogs from you both
Best Wishes
Thanks for watching
Helpful video
Loved the video, definitely stealing the phone idea cant believe I never thought of it before! Those hook up cables are designed so you cant electrocute yourself. The connectors at the carvan end are hidden inside so you cant touch them when you're plugged into the electric on site
Also an awning rail stopper left in the rail makes sure the awning is positioned correctly every time with no messing around
I've also found an old dog lead helps to pull it round. Most awnings have a ring for this too next to the bead
Brilliant
Thank you!
if you had a good time why doe it matter what anyone else thinks.
Nice one guys
Enjoyed this guys ,,, all we do differently is full cap of blue and full cap of pink… I think your tiny measure might be a problem when emptying the cassette 😳😂 also don’t peg out until blown the awing up first is our way
Every thing looked good to me, we have to put up are Awning for first time in a couple of weeks, I was dreading it, but after watching you guys I feel much more confident, slide into awning rail, peg four corners and then pump away, cheers guys 👍👍.
Hi Both new subscriber enjoyed your video awaiting the next one 😁👍
You have made me laugh. Great video!!!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Good Job 😁😁😁
The only thing what we are not using anymore are tent pegs, I switched over to plate head screws. If you have the cordless screwdriver in your equipment they are much better and easier to use, and do not cost the world
Interesting on the screws. Can you tell me where you bought them? I reckon they’d be much better at staying in the ground when it’s windy.
Hi enjoyed your video but here's a little snippet of information for you the reason for connecting the power lead, caravan end first is that in the event of a there being any mains electric device being active you could potentially have current arcing during connection / disconnection and as the socket is usually in or near the battery compartment, gas from the battery could ignite. So on arrival caravan end first and on departure disconnect from the post first. This dates back to the earlier lead acid batteries which produced hydrogen I don't actually know what gas most modern batterie emit or if they are still explosive. I hope you find this helpful. Regards Garry Johnson
Such a great vlog. Lol
Good job guys, no arguments 😅
All OK with me !!
Funny as video. I never knew that caravanning in the UK could be so different to here in Australia. No inbuilt water tanks or grey water tanks, totally different awnings and I’ve never seen anything like the aqua roll thing. It was an interesting and well put together vid.
Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it, yes they are quite different, I don't think a UK caravan would survive the Gibb River Road!
@@BigWhiteBox I’m impressed you know about the GRR, we have done the Gib. Very impressive. Love the look of your van although I think you’re right about it not surviving the Gibb. It looks super comfy and we’ll set up.
You used to drive through the park to get it in to the site and drive out along this lane. It was much better than it is now.
That would be so much easier
Nit measuring pink stuff means you get black bits!. We just use plain water fir the flush - as you do at home! Have a spray bottle of diluted pink stuff to spray around d the bowl to freshen it.
Put a twist in those big yellow guy lines. They won't rattle in the wind then!
Running water through taps is part of setting up
Great video 😊 just subscribed to you 😊 you make it look easy 😅😊
Thanks and welcome
Don't bother with the pink in the flush, it'll block your impeller and will not flush. Don't bother with the blue in the flush go for the green, smells a lot better. Perfect with the awning. Always plug into the caravan first then the post. Plus you need to shake the water pump as you put into the aquaroll get rid of any airlocks. Great video 👍🏻
I always use the pink fluid in the top tank. It keeps toilet smelling nice and stops waste from sticking to the toilet bowl. When I’ve finished camping I drain it out so it prevents algae build up in your top tank over a period of time.
I was mud off the front and back of the van on the basis the CAMC won't want a dirty van spoiling their spotless caravan site.
The rule about EHU cables is for vans with the plug next to the battery, so any spark is at the bollard end away from any explosive battery fumes.
Thanks for watching
Set up your toilet as you are leaving, ready for the next trip. I use any water left in the header to charge cassette for next time, just saves a job when you arrive. Really enjoyed the video and the way you edit. Great idea using phones.
@Big White Box never travel with water in toilet cassette or flush tank!
Linda, I always empty the flush tank and use any excess water to charge the cassette with about 1/2 litre of water. Don't see any issue with having the water in a fully sealed cassette whilst travelling
@@craigsimpson3347 we almost always travel between sites with water in the flush tank and a bit in the cassette, done see any issue with it as long as your below your weight limit, which we always are
Incredibly true about the CAMC police, we went to Chester a couple of weeks ago and got the van on the pitch but was probably 3ft over to the right and they came over as soon as I had stopped to unhitch making sure I wasn’t leaving it like that 😂
@@BigWhiteBox I just moved the marker on one sitem 10" never been back.
I've grown tired of the CAMC sites, we go to France every year and nobody cares which way round you have your caravan as long as it's on your pitch, it's too regimented for my liking
I've heard rumour that the CMC are soon to have four white marker pegs, two at the rear and another two at front 😂
Good vid nothing wrong with your Ida's everone dose it differently...... me I level the van allways put the back legs down first then front as iv found that stops you lifting jocky wheel of the ground ... I use rock pegs with drill and peg to point closest to caravan first then blow up then adjust finish pegging I might be wrong as well but that my method and works for me
Thanks ye everyone I watch all have there own system but we all end up with same finish
The way you present your video’s is highly amusing and so tongue-in-cheek, brill.I have a Twywell and regarding the aerial inlet if you have 2 outlets in the van you might have an inlet in the battery box area, mine is above the power inlet but on the side, it is hard to see.
New sub here 👍
Thanks for the sub!
To stop the water pump pipe from curling get a piece of 40mm waste pipe the same measurement as the inside of the barrel, cut a slot the complete length and then push the pump pipe into it.
I done this with mine and it helps massively. You dont need to cut a slot in pipe though as the end piece on the pipe pulls off, its actually just a filter. Then slide the pipe down the solid pipe and pop the filter back on... jobs a good un
Tell a lie... the solid bit of pipe i used was about 20mm not 40mm as i remember it being a perfect fit for it width wise.
Regards
Great idea!
I put a pull cable round one of the key so I know which fits which on my nemesis
Sympathic.
Thanks for watching
Ok so best to keep tap open that’s furthest away so to allow air to escape then other taps afterwards
😂 I was busted by the 5-0 for cleaning my solar panel once. He went on to lecture me, you are only allowed to clean your transparents (windows), as required. - I was properly put on the naughty step. #shame #guilt
I've was in trouble for positioning but could see no alternative due to the size of the pitch, outfit etc. But since then we have moved to The Camping and Caravan Club because we hardly used C&MH sites. No trouble since.
I'm new to this. Why are you not allowed to wipe down your van on site?
@@stevecarmo548 - Because, they, them the laws! 🤪.
I've not researched it anymore than that; I took the wardens word as gospel, but you could understand the why's of it. All those hundreds and thousands of holidaying visitors would be a massive increase in water bills; at a time when domestic commodities charging for water, gas and electricity are already very high. The absolute irony, was the neighbors were on a seasonal pitch and were actively encouraged to clean their van. The bloke proudly went on to show me his battery pressure washer.... It's up to you, if you want to antagonize the wardens and then likely be invited to leave. There's often no parity in application of the rules. Just try and be a good, 'bed fellow..... '.
Yes, one! 🤗 When leveling. First over the length axis Then the width axis. When putting the feet down, then first the back.
@Campingtrend... ??
Dont understand your reply
Thanks for sharing your set up methods. I'm a caravan newbie so this is all very new to me. How long does a typical set up like this take?
@@BigWhiteBox Thank you for your reply. Another question on your awning. Does this model have loops / hooks for hanging up jackets? We'd mainly be using it for boots / shoes / jackets and other outdoor things. Thanks again
Thank you for the video.
I could & would not to go caravaning, it looks a lot of messing & a lot of patients,
Thanks for watching, yes there is a lot of faffing!
If you twist your hi vis storm cables on your awning a few times before pegging them down, you will stop that awful bouncy thing that they tend to do
Good tip!
On the B&E trailer course the instructor stated you should never use the spotter to give instruction. They are only there to stop you from crashing into something
Which campsite is that and where about in the uk is it? Look lovely
The site is at Longleat Safari park
If you had a motor mover engaged, what was all reversing back about?
I leave the valves open every time I pump my awning up 😂
I must admit I have done it multiple times!
If it's awning on (UK) nearside and car on (UK) offside, then what if you have a European van with the door on the (UK) offside? Are you expected to have your towbar at the back of the pitch, ie drive in forwards?
Thanks for watching, I think the Caravan Club are starting to relax the rules, the last couple of sites we have been to allow you change position of the car, caravan & awning
Putting the awning up was always the worst thing for us. So many arguments lol
I feel your pain! thanks for watching
We find that its easier to put our 390 air up by just pegging the 2 pegs nearest the van first then blow it up and peg the rest down, Each to his own i suppose.
We put ours up by inflating first and then pegging out,have tried pegging all four corners, pegging the two near the van but have found it much easier to just inflate first then move it into position, then peg out.
Another reason for this is we always take the door panels off our awning when we take it down, which makes packing away much easier, then when arriving at a site, we put awning on rail (which is lighter because the door panels aren't on it) then we inflate awning, zip door panels back on and then peg out
I think the only thing you done wrong there setting up was at the very beginning at step 1... you didnt open a beer 🍺🍻
Top Tip! I will correct this next time!
That approach looks an absolute nightmare, afraid i won’t be attempting that with an 8 ft wide van
I've also been there with an 8ft wide caravan, just take your time and all will be fine.
Thank you
I go to Longleat a lot in the caravan (kids love it!) The video makes that road look a lot worse than it actually is. Definitely worth a visit, I wouldn't let that put you off.
How fastidious are sites about which side you put the awning on? We’re newbies and have just bought an Eriba, where the door is on the other side 🤷♂️
They normally do not have an issue with European vans, you will be fine!
Great vid, get a 5lb lump hammer for pigging out just abit more oomph.
Thanks for watching
I always clean the van on sites, I just use water
Number one insurance claims are reversing the caravan my advice is pull level to your pitch unhook and use your motor mover. Easy to position and you have removed the number one insurance claim. That being said you must learn to man over your caravan.
Get a towing cover, it will keep front end clean 😂
P.s. do toilet b 4 u leave home. If u get stuck in motorway chaos, u have a loo. 🤷
@@BigWhiteBox Just be mindful that some c/vans you have to travel with the water tank empty. But generally I put ithe "stuff" in before we leave home and put the water in on site..Good light hearted vid.
Awning skirt the tiers are useless as they slacken all the time a couple of bungee cords keep it taught in the lower rail
instead of tv ariel just use a phone with unlimited internet and laptop lol, can watch / do whatever you want then
Good tip! Thanks for watching
Easier still to use a motor mover😀
The motor mover is my new favourite!
Think you used the mover 😂😂
Your pink and blue fluids need to be measured and always plug you van into electric first utter than that all good 😁😁😁😁😁
👮🏻♀️👮🏻😂🤣
Thanks for watching
That narrow road upto the campsite is a joke. I can’t believe they put sites down roads like that loads around the uk are so poorly planned out for access
First time looking at this and it reminds me of caravan 20 plus years ago, snobby site, up there own, living in a small space, damp, wet , work, work, empty our shit, fill your water, get the toilet set up, o ya my van is losing money all the time im doing this, im staying at home in my lovely warm, air condensation home
Surely you must've realised that this video is made for caravan enthusiast....not miserable bastards 🙂
Wow. If you didn't like caravaning . Why the heck are you watching caravan vlogs and leaving negative comments. You sound like a entitled miserable git.
Excuse me, you have a motor mover and need somebody to guide you on the pitch?? Why.
Not aloud to clean your caravan on site Really!!! you paid for your pitch clean your pride and joy ide be doing my car as well and tell who ever say otherwise you can’t to jog on ,, next they be saying your wife can’t use a hair dryer
How boring!!!
Thanks Tony, your feedback is noted!