My two biggest mistakes yet while owning our first second hand caravan |Caravan vlogs

After doing 2 test runs in our caravan thinking we had a fridge that was broken and not working we finally found the problem! I also made a big mistake when putting up the awning for the first time which resulted in it getting damaged.

[@jerryrollinson8216]

Get 2 or 3 bits of timber decking about a foot long, and put what you need under the wheel to level up that’s what we use and it works every time. Leave them in front locker if not needed 👍

[@margaretbritton7080]

Absolutely don’t waste your money on expensive ramps 👍

[@Bessie66]

Read somewhere to put the awning up on the left hand side (near front of caravan) as going round the track at the back is a sharper curve

[@CaravanTrails]

That is a very good point thanks for the info I will try that next time 👍

[@davidgamble800]

​@@CaravanTrails I have a Kampa rally 390 for sale if interested

[@Gregory_Chesworth]

DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER please choose your prize from the top shelf :)

[@rhinogooner]

It depends on the van. We have a Bailey which has this silly marker light sticking out from the side at the front which our canopy always catches it so we do find putting it on from the rear easier. I would say that the awning ripped because it had aged.

[@livingthedreambuildingthedream]

The seals you can get of Amazon they are universal and come in a pack. Just get used to taking the cover of your water heater otherwise it won’t work.

[@rebeccaarmstrong-fw9hq]

We just found you guys - loving your vlogs! Highly recommend getting a Lock and Level to help with your side to side levelling. Light, easy to use and store! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos 😊

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you glad you’re enjoying the videos. I did go out and buy a levelling ramps after this video haven’t had to use them yet though ☺️

[@andylinder132]

Another great video guys. Love em. Genuine people. Great set up. 👍

[@RobAlsFamilycaravanadventures]

Welcome to the caravan club lol, you will have so many great times

[@1988rats]

Really enjoying your videos. We are new to caravanning too. Learning how things work and how to make things easier or better for next time/trip. Our mistake was after our first trip we were struggling to get it back on the drive with the motor movers, thought it was because we had put new jockey wheel on as that was all we could work out had changed but turns out we had left the handbrake on, on the caravan. Worse was that someone stopped to try and help us push it. Didn’t realise until after we let them go. Had to laugh at ourselves.

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you glad you’re enjoying the videos, this made me laugh but it’s easily done, the good thing is your never make that same mistake again. I hope you enjoy your first season caravanning just remember making mistakes, laughing about it and learning from it is the best way, that is what we have found anyway. 😊

[@jasonlowes223]

who washes soup down with fanta😂 great vid again I even subscribed.🥳

[@CaravanTrails]

😂 now I think about it that is a bit strange, thank you for subscribing 😊

[@LJ_EightySix]

Everyone has to start somewhere so fair play for putting the bit in about the awning getting torn it’s easy done we all make mistakes to start with. Even easier if it’s been out in the sun for a while. Keep an eye on fb market place I managed to grab the similar one as you but air not poles for £60 a couple of weeks back. I’d also suggest just putting some awning rail lube or silicone spray on the rails as it will slide a lot easier and also put it on from the front as it will be a bit easier. Have a good first trip away! 👊🏻

[@CaravanTrails]

I was quite embarrassed putting it in the video 😂, I think that awning has gone weak from the elements/sun i’m going to repair it with some awning tape. Use it a few times just to practice with and like you said keep eye out and get myself an air awning, I have some silicone spray thanks for the tip on that and yeah should of done it from the front I didn’t even think 😂

[@bazelk]

I do like your videos guy's keep it up. Just a couple of bit's of help/advise if you don't mind me saying, I would upgrade your wheel clamp to a good secure wheel lock type as the one in your video is literally only 30 second's of deterrent to a would be thief. When putting the awning up do it from the front of the van as it's a curve rather than a bend as the rear is and so much easier to pull it along the rail, also I think you'll probably find the awning you put up is probably past it's usable life as clearly perished from the sun/elements hence why it ripped so easily, just don't want you to wake up one morning after a windy night to find the awning shredded on the floor. We are 35+ years caravanning and still learning LOL, best of luck and enjoy 👍

[@CaravanTrails]

Thanks we are glad you enjoy the videos, we always like as much help and advice as possible especially if it makes my life easier 😂 , that wheel clamp was a cheap one just off Amazon old van didn’t think it was worth spending a lot yet it does have a tow hitch lock as well. I wish I had known this before that the awning should go on from the front first lol like you said I think it’s passed its time I am looking at an air awning for when I get other one thanks for your helpful comment ☺️

[@MacSarah]

Hey guys, enjoyed the video 👍 Subscribed also 🙂 Now the fridge not being plugged in is totally something we'd do too 😂 Glad the service went ok! Looking forward to the next installment 👍

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you! feel honoured you subscribed 😂 we have been watching your videos for a while and we enjoy them keep up the good work! Thanks again 👍

[@user-zw3bg9vr5g]

Keep it as a fixed bed the kids will be fine in the lounge area.😂Done that with the fridge before well done. Turn the cold water tap of when the but is full until you get that leak sorted, then turn it back on when water goes down, you don’t want to flood inside your van.Awnings are stressful things to erect, I think that awning is goosed. You are both doing well. Remember don’t over fill your caravan. Happy Holidays.

[@CaravanTrails]

Thanks for the tips! sorted the leak it was just the O ring on the filter. yes the awning went in the bin not long after this video 😂we have now got a 400 pro air awning soooo much easier

[@andrewwright9916]

Great video guys i been caravanning since a kid n now with my wife n own kids it helps make great memories we all made mistakes, ur soon be buying an air awning so easy to put up n saves arguments lol.

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you! Yeah that is the plan to get an air awning your the second person to say it saves arguments 😂

[@raymondporter2094]

It's a good spectator sport - watching the newbie couples putting up an awning the first time, then wandering over to help out. I agree you'll soon be getting an air awning. We once had our previous Kampa 390 air awning up in a 61mph wind. It stood up well because air poles/beams/legs have flexibility and can bounce back whereas metal poles can bend + break!

[@raymondporter2094]

Can I just add: 1. We had a 2006 Elddis Odyssey with exactly that upholstery and fridge but a different layout (we had the side dinette). Good van. 2. You said you didn't want to replace the gas burner in the fridge as you don't plan visiting "off grid sites". We returned yesterday from an off grid site (ie a farmer's field) just outside Masham, North Yorkshire where there are TWO breweries. The facilities were simply a grass field near the River Ure, a water tap for drinking water and a pit into which to dump the contents of a cassette toilet. So no electricity to run the fridge. BUT IT WAS £10 PER UNIT PER NIGHT! Gas powered the fridge and hot water. 12v for the electrics with solar panels on the roof. I take the view if you have a toilet/shower/bathroom on board, you might as well use them. At least you know who used the loo before you! So my 3 nights cost £30. How much would that be with an awning on a commercial site...?

[@drbdrb113]

Hey you two your doing everything correctly. You’ll love caravaning.

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you ☺️ its nice to know we are on the right path

[@lyndapotter8591]

Best of luck with everything..❤❤❤

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you ☺️

[@user-zf5fe7ft7n]

Hi You two Suggest for levelling look for an old worktop and saw to 2ft by 2ft and use this to jack up one or both sides of caravan to level! we have never used ramps as most sites you will visit will be fairly level anyway! all the best

[@CaravanTrails]

Thanks for the tip I have just bought some cheap ramps from Amazon to give them ago I have cut up some little blocks for the legs just in case I need them

[@rhinogooner]

I would be with you and think the fridge would be hard wired in. Normally the microwave is plugged in but the sockets we have come across are normally unswitched. I would recommend when you can get an air awning. Slide on the rail, pump it up, peg down 20 or so minutes job done. Poled awnings are called ‘Divorce in a Bag’.😂

[@CaravanTrails]

Think I might keep the poled awning now 😂. No but seriously that is the plan to get an air one in the near future 👍

[@katjake2011]

Another great vlog 😊

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you!! 😊

[@andylinder132]

I live just outside Great Yarmouth, and know of most of the caravan sites around here. Not sure what one your visiting but Hope you do a video and have a great time. 👍

[@CaravanTrails]

We are going to vauxhall holiday Park as that way we can keep the kids entertained lol and yes we will be doing a video ☺️

[@andylinder132]

@@CaravanTrails just down the road from ware I live. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it there. Another good recommendation is broad farm in filby to put on your touring list. Happy caravaning guys and keep the videos rolling out. 👍

[@NeilM1]

you can get Kampa repair tape - I've got a 330 and a 200 that have both needed a repair in the same place where the pole that goes across the middle of the awning rubbed in the wind.....

[@CaravanTrails]

I did see a awning repair kit on Amazon, I will have a look for the kampa repair tape thanks for the info 👍

[@adiwilson42]

Under the black strip. There a u gutter to feed the skirting. There KZbin videos to show you

[@CaravanTrails]

Thanks I have a little look on KZbin

[@dw6549]

loving your vlogs, my wife would like to know where you got the little plant pots that you can see on the side when you are looking at the temperature of the fridge.

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you, I believe we got them from our local Asda hope that helps

[@lyndapotter8591]

Don't forget to take outside fridge vent covers off when your running fridge

[@CaravanTrails]

Yes I was told you can run them with them on if the outside temperature is below 8c

[@gordonbarclay6106]

Good video, I have the exact same awning..

[@CaravanTrails]

Thanks! 👍

[@craiground3299]

We are going to vauxhall campsite from 23rd March to 30th. For Easter are you at the same site.

[@CaravanTrails]

Hi yeah we are there over the Easter weekend

[@David-ws6zr]

welcome to caravanning, when we started out,we had such a laugh ,trust me your problem with the fridge is nothing, how about arriving to your pitch everyone watching, unhooked the caravan wound the legs down leveled it ,went to plug the electric hook up in and 6 inches short 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CaravanTrails]

😂 we did the same I only had a 10 meter cable,.We have just come back from our 1st proper trip away and everything went surprisingly good 👍

[@David-ws6zr]

Glad it went well for you, the one thing i will say, the caravan community is fantastic, and are quite happy to help.@@CaravanTrails

[@Tugga74]

There is a company round the side of Tesco in Baldock (the name escapes me at the moment) who could repair your awning if Clair cannot do it.

[@CaravanTrails]

After looking in to it a bit more I think the awning had has its day so we decided to get a 400 air to replace it but thank you for letting us know 👍

[@mattbaker3797]

Don’t take the rubber out of the rail as that’s there for a reason and the awning skirt won’t fit in there anyway. There should be a groove at the bottom of that metal track that the awning skirt runs through. Also the rear poles don’t attract to the side of the van. You adjust the length so they are tight and tie them inside those spongey flaps using the ties attached to the awning.

[@CaravanTrails]

Oh ok thank you I did think it be a bit strange taking that rubber off all the time we are going away at the weekend so I will have other look then thanks again 👍

[@mattbaker3797]

@@CaravanTrails no problem. One thing you learn when caravanning is you will never stop learning. We’ve been caravanning for 25 years. Started when vans didn’t have electric hook ups, you ran the fridge off the gas and your lights from either the leisure battery or gas (yes you read that right gas lights).

[@fenland_paddler]

🤣🤣 we did that (or didn’t) with the fridge plug in our Vendee a few years ago🙈

[@CaravanTrails]

I am so glad I am not the only one 😂 I was embarrassed but relieved that I didn’t have to get a new fridge

[@fenland_paddler]

@@CaravanTrails yeah but I dragged the fridge out and replaced the bloody element ffs. 🙈. Only when it didn’t work again did I realise

[@CaravanTrails]

@@fenland_paddler ok you win 😂

[@michaelsmith6668]

Hi you have winter vents on your caravan for your fridge you need to replace them with standard vents

[@CaravanTrails]

Yeah we will be taking them off when we go away it was cold -1 at night and 3c in the day when this was filmed

[@paulhunt1836]

When you put awning in the rail peg the two sides next to van in first then you pull the rest of outwards then peg it will keep it square an taunt as for the poles the padded bit of leg sits against the van then pole pushes against it to act as a seal

[@CaravanTrails]

Thank you that’s very helpful I wouldn’t of thought of doing it that way. going give it ago that way next time 👍

[@paulhunt1836]

@CaravanTrails once all four corners are pegged first then you can do rest

[@matthewnorthway1970]

Great video but you need more colour in that cup of tea 😂😂

[@CaravanTrails]

I was waiting for all the hate comments about me ripping the awning, not the colour of the tea 😂

[@matthewnorthway1970]

@@CaravanTrails were all learning we have been at it 2 years now make mistakes and learn by them but at the end of the day laugh about it and have fun But ….. make better tea 😝🤣🤣

[@paulwatt5227]

If awning has ripped that easy the fabric is done! It is too much UV damage to fabric 😢

[@CaravanTrails]

Yes I think it has it did feel very brittle, we have just got other one but this time we went for a 400 air awning

[@lyndapotter8591]

The skirt goes underneath not on the black rubber rails

[@CaravanTrails]

Do you not have to remove the black rubber then?

[@billytheghillie]

@@CaravanTrails No, leave rubber on, run your fingers along the bottom and you will feel the channel, its the same as the channel for the awning.

[@stevenhunter3928]

Why do they sell tow bars with the paint on?!

[@CaravanTrails]

The layer of paint protects the metal towbar from the elements, making it less liable to rust but if you use a hitch head stabaliser you should remove the paint from the ball 👍

[@geoffclarke9157]

Ha e you had a da.p check done? Ot normally done in a service .

[@CaravanTrails]

Yes all have been done now all it needed was a new burner for the fridge to work on gas