COMMON CARAVAN MISTAKES|Caravanning Australia

This week we concentrate on common caravan mistakes when caravanning around Australia.
These mistakes happen often and we thought we would share these with you as they may help you even if you them, they might just refresh your memory. We have done many of these but we are getting the hang of it through learning by our mistakes.
We hope you enjoy and take something from this episode. Please leave a comment if you have done any of these and if you know of ways to prevent any of these, please let us know in the comment section.
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#mistakes #caravanning #rv

[@adamrobert7352]

Slide a cut piece of pool noodle over your handbrake once it is in the on position, stands out so very easy to see and you need to take it off when you release the handbrake.

[@stephlin7149]

You know what the best part about watching your videos? Seeing what you dress your clock in every week. This week was the best so far. The rest of your video was great as well. Keep them coming - Stephen and Linda (StephLin)

[@davidmilledge221]

The clock dosnt work anymore , therse a happy face on it this time 🙂

[@MySprike]

Somebody did a self portrait 😅

[@deirdrefisher2773]

Hi guys, we don’t disconnect hose from fitting. Get use to unscrewing and screwing tap fitting as a rule. Pretend they are one. Also maybe a bit Velcro to table and Van we help secure table up when it doesn’t lock. Thanks again, have fun watching you guys 😂

[@marktulaexploringoz]

Lovely smiles faces even on the clock

[@sgbou1]

Great idea with the arial inside tag!

[@VykingBoy]

Sue talking about getting interrupted and Derych interrupts her ! 😂

[@janiceatkinson5112]

Great episode. Love the clever clock coverage. Enjoy your week.

[@rickyclarke8657]

I may have missed and have only done this one once forgot the jockey wheel had raised it but not removed it. Only done it once ....Have also done lots of the ones you have done thankfully only the tap fittings has been a repeat item... So glad for others caravan and non carvan people pointing it out before damage....... Community is great

[@PetaMarieS]

Love your clock haha! Great episode again.

[@lorraineweatherby-6195]

Smily face clock tonight 😂 no on has time for that 🤣🤣🤣

[@user-hk3ue3kr8r]

Love the clock each wk.

[@philstephens03]

Another great video. Unscrew the water filler caps and put them in your pocket.

[@TaylorsOnTour067]

Just catching up ! 😂😂 loving "Clock Gate" Oh yes I feel i will have a few oopsie moments ! It's about the journey ! Stay safe !

[@JayWilFo]

Please release a bloopers and edits reel. You’re both amazing people and I’d so very much love to se what gets cut out ❤

[@doddy03gu79]

Yes those tap connectors, I just got in habit of unscrewing that little bugger as soon as I unclip the hose off it. Then just shove it straight back in the end of the hose, THEN roll the hose up.

[@grahamrichter572]

Hi guys, love your videos. The clock, it's becoming a talking point. So what about a trivia question each week instead of looking at a blank piece of paper. Just a thought. Keep doing what you are doing with your videos, great stuff. Cheers Graham

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Morning 😊Awesome video once again 👍🏼 Seeing the clock got a new cover 😂 Thanks for the tips and advice Greetings and Cheers 🍻 From South Africa 🇿🇦

[@chrisb3939]

Gold!!!...so true!!

[@garypocock5091]

I made up 2 documents, one for outside and one for inside. I named the documents outside walk around and inside walk around. I keep the outside document in the car and the inside one in the magazine pocket closest to the caravan door. Listed are all the items that need to be done in the order as if you walked from the tow hitch clock wise back to the start, outside one has the handbrake as the last item. The inside starts at the fridge and finishes at roof hatch nearest the exit. Its our law that these duty’s are done each and every time before we depart.😊

[@suegillon433]

😀😀😀 Clock decoration. Been watching you guys since day 1. Enjoy your episodes. Hope we meet you guys somewhere sometime.

[@marnibarratt8805]

you guys need to take a photo of the 3 of you, get it made to the size of the clock & use that to cover the clock face! that is hilarious 😂 😂

[@joaneykelly9068]

That clock I just wanted to draw a face on it, I dare you ha ha great as always guys ! The water caps we don’t put them on our tyres anymore as u can guess we run over them ! 😂oh and our broom went for a long ride too on top of the tyres, no more of anything goes on the wheels😊

[@user-jv7om3ii8y]

Hi It may sound super simple but we use a checklist for both inside and outside which covers pretty much everything you have covered and the last thing we do is a final walkaround

[@user-xq3vj8bw5k]

great episode guys but what i do with the hose tap connection is when i pack up camp is disconnect the hose from the tap then unscrew the connection from the tap straight away and plug it straight in the end of the hose then store the hose in the van you will never leave the hose behind

[@Mrbullet1952]

Here's a tip from WA road train drivers. If you have an UHF radio then switch it on an put it on channel 40 when driving on the highways . If you don't have a radio, go and buy one. RT Drivers are getting annoyed by inconsiderate caravanners. Pilot vehicles for overwidth trucks aren't happy with idiots either.

[@stuartcooper3470]

With the water filler cap I leave the key in the cap because I need the key for other things before take off. With my bat wing doors I have fitted a switch to a light on the dash that will flash when the ign is switch on if the door is open.

[@user-fd3rf2qh4w]

Instead of pulling your hose off the tap. Screw the connector off with the hose still connected and you'll never forget it

[@jasonchilds]

We've done a few of these. My tips are : Unscrew the tap fitting with the hose still connected. I walk around the van and and check every hatch/table before I hop in to drive off. I count off my hitch connections every time I hitch (7- chain, chain, trailer plug, Andersen plug, breakaway cable, camera cable, break off). We also cross check. 👍

[@howardmiddleton2670]

Hi guys, love it your take on mistakes we make. \We have one i'll call it the Snake. Its when you leave the 240v lead thats plugged into the van as well as the tow car. We where staying in Adelaide and decided to go for a short drive down to the Port, I was on the phone in the car and wife joined me and off we took, heard a crash but thought nothing of it, got to the boom gate and we couldn't remember the code, so wife goes to reception to get it and comes back and off we go, 10ks later we arrive at the port. I get out of car and first thing i see is our 15m power lead trailing behind car, mate we went through 5 roundabouts, around corners and even through the caravan park, I said to the wife hey look at the power lead and she says I saw that and thought some fool has left his lead at the caravan park reception. Best of all it still works just a bit road beaten.

[@ThornyTravels]

😂😂😂, the handbreak. I drove with ours on for the 2.5hrs to get home 🙈🙈. New break shoes for us! Will never forget again! 😂 First time I'd towed with our 79 and our van is a hybrid so not a huge weight one the back. I told my husband I was just making sure I learnt something new. 1 was how not to tow the van & 2, how to change break shoes 😂

[@luckycountrytravellers6488]

I have a pack up check list that I follow religiously, it helps on move on days with the pack up. The happy face on the clock is a winner it definitely needs to stay although I’d give him blue eyes 😂

[@suziklucso1954]

Hi guys, for the tap thing, I put a thick wide rubber band around the spout then attached to the handle holding it together. That way nothing can knock the tap up. I’m one of those paranoid people about leaving the pump on.😂

[@user-iv3lw6oo7l]

love your vids we have made a few of these mistakes, the arial left up. the leg has dropped down. The toilet door not latched and the hand break on. thank for your videos have inspired us we leave at the on a 13 month trip at the end of the year keep them coming

[@user-jf8ru6mr5x]

Tape the hose connection to hose so you only unscrew with the hose connected.

[@juliesmith8011]

Another one which happened to me was to pull out and forget to wind up the jocky wheel up

[@user-uo2xl8yk7p]

I fill the water tanks from the bottom to the top so I don’t remove my caps I fill through the drain taps I have them both connected to a y piece then to one hose with hose fitting

[@debbiepirie1980]

Again a great video and it showed we are not the only ones. I keep not looking the fridge properly and we entered to find it on the floor with lots of it content open or smashed. Now we have used Velcro that wind around the handles and I must put on each time before leaving

[@alansynnott2913]

We do the pre leaving check each walking around the rig in opposite directions. We use our OurGroceries approach as a checklist. So far this process has held up for us. SWMBO is responsible for checking inside and I everything else.

[@robertgrayson3394]

Thanks for sharing guys, and yes no one is immune to making these mistakes, sometimes we just have a brain fart and forget :) Some things we use or have done are; installed kiddy locks on sliding door, fridge doors and oven and grill doors (bunnings have big range and come in black or white), Fitted lanyards to all watertank caps (just nylon coated fishing trace held on van using one of the screws from the filler surround and the other attached to key ring fitted to water cap by drilling a hole through the cap handle (camec); have also modified tanks so can fill through bottom with no need to remove cap; use a small pool noodle tp fit over edge of oven shelf between shelf and door so the shelf doesn't smash the glass door on corrugated roads (replaced 2 before this), also fixed he heat shield glass in oven door in place using hi-temp silicon so it can't rattle around an shatter. Our routine is wifey looks after inside and hubby looks after outside and we work from top to bottom, then do a quick cross check walk around. We still occasionally miss something but not too often these days. I have been known to cover a lot of kms with the step down, but luckily no damage and seem to have it sorted lately :)

[@lucysoutdoors]

Your right about the towing mirrors ,there is a fine for towing without them.I don't know about leaving them on?

[@chrisb3939]

I've also let the jockey wheel on...bent the bracket and destroyed the jockey wheel...expensive mistake requiring welding and new jockey wheel

[@leannechurches5227]

We have just ordered 2 composite gas bottles and used your 15% discount. Thanyou for that😂😊

[@keithchad661]

wine corks fit in the water filling point , you just have to trim them to close the door on a jayco

[@greghoward6305]

Great episode. I'm guilty of a few but now we double check each other. We walk around both ways to triple check. Keep up the great work.

[@baheerahwhiteley89]

Thank you for the tips, looking forward to your next video in the Pilbara 😊 hometown area ❤

[@marktulaexploringoz]

We have been travelling for 2 and a half years. Days tend to blend together when setting up and packing up. We each do our own jobs and then i use a check list on my phone and physically check everything again. Even my own jobs.Tula

[@suelandolt6840]

Great system to use! I think a check list is the best way to go!

[@geoffhunt6439]

Another very good video, been guilty of some of these plus one you didn’t mention was putting the jockey wheel up completely. Keep these vids coming.

[@tanyabergeest8149]

.Have done some of these mistaskes ourselves.. Luv watching your videos though. Keep up the great work.

[@debthornton8164]

Guilty of forgetting 3 things when we got the new van, now have a checklist to mark off as I go from inside to outside…great video…

[@paultabone2010]

You 2 are a breath of sunshine 🌸🌈🦋 i love the clock 😅😂 thank you for sharing this with us 🌸🦋🦘🦘🌈

[@philc5364]

luv the clock , years ago i was with a group who did stuff like that to the point of putting doorbells on their tents. I have a canopy on my ute and have fitted switches to the doors .. the wiring goes thru a waterproof plug socket to the back of the ute to door switch of the ute ( 4door ) and splices into the door indication on the dash so if any doors are open it shows up on the dash. think the parts were abt $20 all up plus cupla hrs of free time.

[@andydavetouringoz]

We took our ensuite door off, just replaced with a curtain. No more worrying about making sure it is latched and gives you more room if you choose to close the curtain. Also less weight 😀

[@brentonl1746]

Yep, check recheck then recheck again then another walk around then wait a minute for my wife to say have you checked everything then panic sets in so I check again.

[@crab445Hornet]

Love your work .........

[@stewartclark1847]

TV on the bed under the pillows is best. We have a check off sheet with all items that need attention before we drive off. So far it worked. Great videos guys.

[@vickidavis1645]

We are in Broome ATM and saw you car at the shops today! I asked my hubby just to sit and wait til you came back lol just so I could say hi and tell you we watch you every week ! And think your down to earth people !! Please don’t think we are stalkers 😂 but left after 5mins it’s hot up here atm !! Thank you again for keeping it real Vicki n Rob !! Ps I did take a pic of your car in the car park lol

[@travelling_kelpies]

You could start selling billboard space on your clock 😂 I think I've only scored 2 of those. Definitely the bathroom door running loose. Thankfully it came off the runner and wedged itself so probably stopped it from doing damage. And forgot to lock a drawer opposite the door, so as soon as we opened the door, things poured out onto the ground. Think that's all I've done 🤔

[@susiedj8981]

In regards to tap attachment....maybe complete the whole task at the same time.....dont put hose away and then think "i'll come back to get that attachment". Do it at the same time. Just an idea. Great video! Always love your sense of humour! 🤣

[@jacquihunt7946]

Gosh l enjoy your Wednesday info session. Sue's banter is hilarious, Deryck's expression when he looks at the camera is always the same, too funny PLUS tonight we had a "clock face"

[@wheretheroadtakesus523]

The water pump reminded me of my son who travelled with us a few years ago with his family. We pull up and all setting up. One of the kids goes to the toilet in the caravan turns on tap no water walks out. Mum comes in turns pump on comes back out gets chatting goes back in a bit later caravan has water everywhere because tap was on when pump was turned on. The funniest one though was when my son goes and empties the toilet whilst he is gone one of the kids go in and goes to the toilet. 💩🤦‍♀️My son comes back and is sliding the cartridge in before he realises the dump in the cavity. Oh my I couldn't stop laughing but so glad I wasn't the person who had to clean the mess up. 😂😂 joy of travelling with kids. Lol

[@campingaustralia6698]

Love the smiling face on the clock add a bit of colour. Love 💕 your content. Cheers Tim and Trish.❤❤

[@palominojoy1899]

Great advice guys, new here. We’re about to start travelling in November

[@kpoint1267]

Thanks for another great episode. We have experienced some of the situations that you described. lol. Now we always use a checklist from our phone. If it's raining or you're in a rush, more reason to do the checklist. The modern vans have so many more fixtures in them, which is great but adds to the complexity of packing up. Checking the tap adaptors is on the list!

[@tim18118]

Great vid. Best advice I can give anyone: run your van like a pilot flies a plane. Checklists are key, and be anal about checking them off in the same order, every single time. Many of these are critical safety items and you can’t afford to mess up.

[@craigtomkinson2837]

Lovely Ep Guys and funny tips, Love the smiley face on the wall.

[@fleurneumann8430]

A great video again . One thing to remember is to put your step up before you take off . Hasn’t happened to us but we tried to contact a fellow traveller recently who left Minilya Rest area with his step down . We tried to radio them but they obviously didn’t have a radio . Also glass microwave plate .. put in a safer place than in the microwave . Love the “she does inside and he does outside “ which we follow and then check each other and 1 more thing .Suggest that when the outside table is up , it is always locked so only unlocked if down . We drove off the other day and suddenly ours flopped down …….. had put it up out of the way and presumed it was locked and didn’t check it.

[@trishfrench617]

Great episode Sue and Derek Love the smiley on the clock. Keep up the great work. 😁

[@intentionally-lost]

Sue, Love the self portrait on the clock this week 😃

[@JustcruznRob-AlanaBuick]

😂😂, luv the clock face this week. Luv the names Sue gave them all 😅. Tap connectors, I use the Navigator storage bags they have a separate small bag which I keep the connectors in, this needs to be put away & always reminds me to check the tap and retrieve the connector when packing up. Luv your Ep’s, lots of laughs, safe travels, cheers 🍻🥂

[@stephenwilson4432]

I only recently got into your channel a few months ago , absolute love it !!!!!! Going back through all your back catalogue has been amazing, keep it up , I now wait weekly to watch , love it love you love Bobby 👍👍👍👍👍

[@geraldfrench3287]

Great videos. I fold a sheet of A4 paper into 3, write a reminder on one side then place the A4 paper between the steering wheel and the dash directly in front of you before you drive. When i drive i put the paper in the door pocket.

[@carlregan5154]

Another great one! I have also been guilty to a few of those especially the tap connector, Cheers Guys

[@paulgray4676]

Love the new clock. Looks like it can keep time very accurately. I have lost a few hose connections over the years.

[@placestosea]

thanks for posting, our new Millard van came with a retaining wire/clip on each stabiliser leg. that act to hold the leg up, just in case the leg falls down while travelling. simple idea, that works.

[@oldmangolf4209]

Another great episode folks. Last time we had a van I was guilty of the handbrake, the escape artist and my own one The fountain of doom. I managed to reverse my van over my water meter at home in such a way that I couldn’t turn the water off. Very embarrassing and the whole street was without water.

[@mandidittloff4500]

Fantastic….again! Lovin’ your great helpful suggestions! ❤

[@damiant5876]

Great session. Lots of things we all forget. We've forgotten to latch windows. Fortunately they're on a wind out but I've seen broken windows. We keep thinking about doing check-list. For your water caps you might be able to retro fit a fine chain which would screw into the centre of the cap on the inside on a free spinning bolt and the attach the other end just inside the filler.

[@RPCaravan-Bella]

We downloaded an app called checklist and we have an inside and outside checklist that you mark off as you do each one. We find it really useful to not forget to do these things when you are packing up and setting up

[@Bazanddeb63]

Derych & Sue both Deb and I love your Wednesday episodes, full of great information with a bit of wit and a tongue firmly planted in your cheek. Happy travels and enjoy the Peninsula and the Gibb

[@michaelmcfarlane2820]

Call me Batman. I once left my 2 canopy doors on the passenger side of my truck up without realising and proceeded to drive out of my garage. I took out the garage door frame and all the brick work on that side front of our house. Ooops. Ripped the 2 doors completely off the truck including all the wiring for the central locking and lights. This happened right in the middle of the floods up here on the mid north coast and finding a bricklayer to repair the house took forever.

[@MegaAussieMick]

Looks like the clock is happy about this weeks video😀 Great content mid week again, keep it up guys👍

[@jeanettegris899]

We have done nearly all of these except the tv. We leave it on the bracket with a strap around it. Been doing ok for 20 years. The worst mishap was after being interrupted during hookup, we turned a corner and the van bounced off the hitch. Needed a new handbrake and hitch on our first trip. Lesson learnt.

[@suesclater8099]

I forgot to latch our large pullout pantry and after the first roundabout it shot out with so much force it ripped out the top bracket and the whole bottom bracket must have gently twisted and the whole unit ended up on the van floor. By some miracle nothing in the shelves broke or spilt.

[@diannehavelberg5875]

Always double check everything love the wednesday videos but need more imagination with the clock face mate❤

[@tonirex01]

GREAT EPISODE GUYS AS USUAL In terms of forgetting something! I have laminated a checklist and attached a white board marker, never fails. Thought i share that with you take care and safe travels

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Biggest mistake we EVER made was to tie a clothes line rope from the awning to the roof rack on the 4x4. I bet you can guess what happened. Worse still we were at the start of the season up at Cleaverville so we had no awning for about 3 months...

[@beesncheese]

Oh no

[@anddoh]

Love the smiley face clock Hate when people decide to have a chat when packing up As i have forgotten things when interupted We have scored and lost many tap fittings Remember to close roof hatches Love these episodes and the names you have for things.😂

[@4x4vanintow48]

Hi Guys thank you for the helpful tips, as we will be new caravan owners soon. We found them useful especially the latching of the batroom door. Much different to the combo bathroom in our hybrid. Safe travels looking forward to your next ep.

[@eugenegiesberts2924]

I have taken the ensuite door off.Went to Bunnings bought a consatina door approximately 20 kilo lighter

[@outbackozvanners6967]

Great chat and we agree on these things can check off 7 thing on your list We agree I do the inside & hubby does the outside Then we will swap sound a good plan for us from now on

[@paultemminghoff6805]

Great midweek vid, I stuffed up the D035 three times when we first got our van. What works for us is no distractions or help , I check it all before we go, checklists are a good idea , I have been guilty of the table down, grr . Your advice is spot on slow down.😊

[@marnibarratt8805]

another classic guys!! you are both a delight to watch, I bloody love it xxx will you guys be in Airlie beach between September & October? id absolutely love to meet you guys over a bevvy or 2!! the daughter lives there & she is getting married.

[@ronwilliams3249]

Hi Sue and Derek really appreciate your videos,great content and am enjoying your journey.it’s the best thing to be able to go places,see all the things in our great country through you guys thank you so much for sharing.I have learned over the years as most people about your water connections and losing them,so have found that most people pack up the hoses and filters first forgetting the tap connections because visually and time wise that’s the untidy expensive and cumbersome job hence then leaving your fittings behind,so several years ago I tried the pack up after use in reverse with the fittings first,after turning off the taps and supply and disconnecting hoses filters from taps and leaving where they are I Remove fittings from taps and pack in the van or vehicle and then hoses and filters wind up and pack away ,I can honestly say the I have not forgot a tap fitting in the last 2 and a half years .hope you can give it a go and works for you too thanks Ron👍👍👍

[@erolmunur5879]

Great video, I thought I make the mistakes when travelling. Great ideas. Thanks again.

[@zoezoe610]

When we hook up we have 10 things to count. 2x chains, 2 plugs, DO35, breakaway, camera plug. jack clamps, hand brake and gas off. When hooked up I just count through the 10 things are done 1-10.

[@regan_adventures]

Great episode as always. Lots of fun. Have been guilty of a few of these, particularly the hose connector we now 4 spare lol !! 😆

[@user-uo2xl8yk7p]

My wife and I have our own list of jobs to do written down and go through the list before we drive off

[@securedsystems9407]

Yes we can relate to all of those but I try to think of ways to reduce my faults but the toilet roll had me beat .I read somewhere that just squeeze the roll making it an egg shape solves the problem .Like to say its my idea but came from someone smarter than myself .Common sense ay!

[@sea.nest.]

I'd love to be the person on the other end of your work call if you said out the blue "old mates got his aerial up" 🤣. We've done a few of those but our most common would be the escape artist. We've had to replace quite a few screws.

[@debradavidson7627]

You guys are great. I love your content.