Q & A Wednesday #4

[@andyr5029]

It's always an exciting adventure (with some trepidation) when embarking on your first caravan trip. As you say, take things slowly and enjoy it - you'll learn more each time and before you know it you're very efficient at setting up. My wife and I can set up in about 20 minutes or so. The only thing I would suggest is leaving the awning at home at least for your first trip as they can be tricky and frustrating to erect on your first attempt - they're not called 'a divorce in a bag' for nothing! Best to get the basics nailed then move on to the extras like awnings. After all, there's only one thing more amusing than watching some people reversing into a pitch and that's watching them trying to put up and awning! 😁 The air can turn blue sometimes and we've all been there.....

[@susanashurst7206]

Hi Dan, just caught up with your Q&As. With regard to Angela towing, please encourage her to do more towing. I have 2 female friends, who enjoyed caravanning with heir husbands (we are all in our 60s btw) now because of various medical reasons, (1 gentleman is no no longer with us), their husbands and mine are no longer capable of going away in the caravan. So we, us ladies now caravan on our own, or be it with our respective clubs and each other. We have all downsize to 2 berths but are still enjoying our caravans. As I enjoy caravanning with my granddaughter who loves going away with her grandma, as much as I love her company. So please encourage Angela to tow more, as we never know what lies ahead for us all . Loving your videos on behalf of the Caravanning Grannies.

[@twistagain1964]

Good advice which we totally ignored Bought a brand new van and our first trip was three weeks in Cornwall during storm Agnes! 😂 Remember, Amazon deliver anywhere! Top tip if you’re new, try erecting your awning before you go away for your first long trip. We did and everything else was fine.😊

[@paulmostyn6901]

Love the Q&A Wednesdays. Just got back from 4 days away which is our first of this year. We had to use some green sachets on our first CL and loved the smell. When we have used all this blue then we are going to swap to green. Agree with the front cover, its a godsend. Keep up the good work Dan. Mossy & JM.

[@mpersad]

Your experience, and preparations for taking your cat(s) away with you, was a really wonderful story. I'm sure that will give confidence to others, a great boon on holiday and no cattery fees (which are now beyond exhorbitant). Loving these Wednesday Q&As.

[@andrewwilkinson664]

Many thanks Dan for answering my question about taking cats away. Really made me think about having a go and hope to save lots on cattery bills! My wife (the real cat lover in the household) particularly appreciated the cute cat clips! Thank you

[@SimonHance-bz9vy]

Ive now bought Zoflora on your recommendation. We use green bio since I had to at one site. Best advice is take your time. It took me ages to get my head around the jockey wheel. The caravan I released the jockey wheel in a rush thus breaking the open electric compartment door.

[@Coffeevaners]

With you on the zoflora for the flush to stop the black bits. We are 40shot green in the cassette. Best thing is the tow cover, definitely best money ever invested. We had a stone flicked up by a lorry, cracked the car tow car wing mirror indicator lense but cover saved the caravan window. Dont leave home without a tow cover. We have Issabella Thor chairs with foot stools. Highly recommended 👌. Just fantastic levels of comfort and durability. Not cheap but worth every penny. Great video Dan 👍👍

[@theonlywoody2shoes]

We use SolBio as the green, and mostly water in the flush - with an occasional dash of pink the first time we go away after a break. Fully agree with the “don’t go too far” on your first time away. We returned to caravaning last year after a 15 year break (kids, now grown and left home) and we loved it so much we extended our original 4 night stay to 9 nights.

[@mailbox1016]

Hi Dan Another good selection of questions. After trying different toilet chemicals we now use 40 shot which tbh works better than the well known makes and can be used for top & bottom. Regarding the dash cam I agree that the mentality of some when the van is on the back makes them so aggressive . I do pull over though if there's a large queue behind me and I'm quite surprised how many give a toot on the horn as they pass.

[@barry1615]

In common with many, started with Aquakem Blue & Pink fluids, carefully measured out! After a few years, changed to Green & Pink fluids. However, when Thetford brought out the Green sachets we changed to them. We now use the Green Power Pods, plus the concentrated Pink fluid.

[@davidbotterill7549]

Hi Dan. Interesting questions this time round. We still use blue and pink - but use a local caravan accessories’ own make. Cheaper and works just fine. Catch you on the next one. Dave Birmingham

[@michaelgray1351]

Hi Dan when we started caravanning 4 years ago, we used Thetford Pink and Blue then when that ran out I bought the Elsan Blue for the bottom and the Pink stuff from Aldi to try and don't get as much Black bits which I'm still using at the moment. However when they run out, I will be using the Elsan Green (Ithink it says Organic on it) which according to the instructions can be used for both Flush and Bottom tanks (although not sure). Great questions and answers once again 😀 I can concur with the outdoor furniture, my wife has gone through 3 different chairs before she finally settled on her current one.

[@lindakirk698]

Excellent Q&A. Wish we had taken our cat too. He always sat in tge van when it was on tge drive for washjing, packing etc. Just werent brave enough! We use plain water in the flush, so much better. But have a spray bottle of diluted pink - couple of squirts to use to refresh bowl. Leaves a nicer smell. Have some green tabs if necessary for the site that can go in either flush or container, but not convinced on smell. They are not your green ones. Have the blue & normally use this but not really keen on smell. Might try washing pod next time.Have to buy some for ease of doing laundry (use liquid at home normally) Happy vanning!

[@pauldunham4336]

I still use the blue and pink but my caravan draws water for the flush direct from the aqua roll so I use the spray bottle of pink which works wonderfully. Regarding the chair like you Dan tried loads, I have finally settled on the Outwell Grand Canyon, I’ve had it about two years and like you I’m a fat lad, but it is still just as good as the day I bought it and unbelievably comfortable. Great content as always please keep up the good work.

[@davidsbrookes9462]

Dan, with regard to outside furniture... I feel you pain!!! 😂 our best chair is our current one.... the Westfield Advancer. It is a high backed recliner, but the top bit of the back (the headrest bit) folds down to make it easy to fit in the boot of the Discovery. (I think there are various models - ours is the older one which I think is far better than the less substantial more 'modern one) - we've had it gor 4 years and still going strong...

[@pathepaparslow2068]

Totally agree with the dash cam, have been towing trailers for years before caravan, crazy how aggressive people are when you have a caravan

[@richardmiles6826]

We use Solbio which we use in both cistern and cassette. I wouldn’t mind a towing cover but we only have one awning rail on the N/S as it’s a 2009 Bailey Pegasus. Great Q&A as usual Dan.

[@robforrest12739]

No separate flush tank for us so no pink. We currently use the 40Shot which is ‘green’ so far as use in septic tanks goes. I’m with you on a front cover - got ours after trying to get dried cow manure off after going down track to site that had obviously had a lot of cows down there!

[@ashhammond]

My interaction and contributions. Q1: Find and open space with some cones or similar and practice reversing with the caravan attached making it progressively harder. Q2: Blue and water only. Q3: Best Ford Ranger tow car, pulls the 1900KG van with easy and enough space to take everything with ease. Worst: Universal towing cover. Q4: Sadly we dont have our cat any more but i agree, the costs of the cattery was a significant factor when going away for a decent amount of time.

[@johnbogie547]

Hi Dan I use Elsan green organic. For the wast tank . You can put it in the rinse but I don't. Have a good season

[@mitsi_overland_adventures2691]

Enjoying this addition to the channel well done pal

[@sandrapearson728]

Thanks Dan. We inherited pink and blue chemicals with our first caravan but switched to green Thetford when they ran out. It seemed to make sense.

[@PaulaAdams-d9g]

Good afternoon Dan , we are thinking of upgrading our caravan, the only thing that puts us of looking at a Bailey is that there is no front locker, can you show/tell us what you do with the bits that would normally go in this locker, i.e pegs, levelling blocks, steady winder etc, many thanks Peter and Paula

[@dshave62]

For years and years now we have used blue cistern blocks dissolved in an old 2 litre container with water. We then use this as a concentrate for the flush water. Remove the outer cover that is on the blue blocks whilst wearing disposable gloves or you will get blue fingers! Cheap as chips and never had any issues with black bits etc.

[@DavidToms-tk2wp]

Hi Dan thanks for all your useful tips , I only use the green in my cassette as I know a lot of sites insist on it, have you ever considered fitting the Thetford toilet extractor kit or the SOG as these are supposed to stop any chemical smell in the toilet.

[@BrianWatts-kl6wq]

Totally agree with not travelling too far for first time(s) away, we live in Swindon too but we went further than Cirencester, we went all the way to Minchinhampton! Also agree with Isabella furniture, not the cheapest but so comfortable and very hardwearing. Enjoying the Vlogs.

[@Mamazeta]

We switched to using Elsan Organic green liquid when we needed to use it at a CL and then continued using it thereafter. Much easier than two bottles and nicer smell.

[@rstorrie11]

We have used washing tablets in the tank when we ran out of green. To tell you the truth using two tabs it worked perfectly. Always keep a box in the van.

[@pradolover]

That's a great tip, thank you!

[@johnrobertson-nd2jy]

For the toilet, use fabric softener, it works as well as any chemicals on the shelf.

[@rogermcnair4234]

We use SolBio in both the cassette and the flush tank. Works really well even in high temperatures - no smells (35C in south of France last summer)

[@anthonyregan5008]

Only use green, I stopped using the pink as I was didn't like the black bits. My best bit of kit was a birthday present a front towing cover. Also a folding solar panel.

[@nick10018]

Thanks for another great video Dan. As a newbie (still waiting on Elddis delivery date from Oct 23.........) I would file the toilet chemicals under that too and am curious to see what comments appear below. I loved the cat segment, we did something similar to get a reluctant dog used to the car many years ago and laughed and commiserated with the cats running around and annoying the dog.

[@MacSarah]

Another great Q&A Weds! I'm embarrassed about my typos though 😅 sorry about that! The toilet chemicals debate is an interesting one, we're currently on pink and blue because we ran out while on site and that's all the little shop had. But before that we had an all in one which did flush and cassette and it lasted ages. For the life of me though I can't remember the brand. Really interesting to hear you mention about the pink flush stuff leaving black bits in the flush tank, that's something we experienced with our first van but didn't know that was a possible cause. Thanks again, love to Angela, Chops and the kitties 👍

[@Thwoorp]

Hi Dan, I submitted this question a few years ago on your website/blog, and I don't think it's been asked or answered before. One of your earlier videos with the Lunar featured the purchase and fitting of a Quest roll-away awning. Could you update us on how you got on with it, if you still have it, and your preference compared to traditional awnings? RE: Toilet chemicals. Switched to Elsan Organic Green fluid after visiting a site that mandated non-formaldehyde based chemicals. Kept using it as it is much nicer to handle and just use water in the flush tank. Thanks Dan!

[@ianbrown3183]

We use Elsan green and it is great. Also got a speeding ticket on our first outing. 38mph in a 30 location just going into Bala, Wales.

[@GordonWhitelaw-zq9jy]

Dan Looking for guidance on towing in windy conditions. Have you ever towed in high winds or do you avoid or even have a limit

[@carolejenkin454]

Hi Dan we use elsan organic green fluid in toilet and flush tank works a treat

[@colinbell9336]

We have always used elsan organic with no problem 😊

[@SarahPearson2205]

I’m enjoying your Q&A vlogs! We have been using Solbio but looking into changing as we find the smell overpowering. I have a question, not sure if you can answer it! We’re just about to get our new caravan, our second one (we’re fairly newbies!) and bought a new tow cover and new awning. Is there a place or website where we could sell the tow cover and awning that fit our first caravan (they are fairly brand new … we only went away with our first caravan twice for one week each time!), or is e-bay the best bet?

[@davidsbrookes9462]

These days we always use toilet sachets rather than fluid (always keep blue & green in the caravan). Sachets tend to be lighter than carrying fluid and, of course, no spills. Always used to put the fluid in the cassette outside the 'van' (several reasons why)... these days it's easier to pop in a sachet from inside the van....

[@paulmorgan464]

Hi Dan we have 3 dogs and they are so different from home behaving to staying in the caravan

[@user-vy3tr8ik2p]

Is that better behaved or worse? Just curious. We used to motorhome a few years back with Finlay our Old English Sheepdog and Chip our Mini Smooth Dachy. We've still got those two but now have Bertie Standard Wirehaired Dachy and Hettie our Mini Longhaired Dachy. Just bought our first caravan and just about to have our first local trip away....if I can find a site that accepts 4 dogs though!!

[@paulmorgan464]

@@user-vy3tr8ik2p they behave so much better in the caravan if we take them out they lie down and sleep until it time for their dinners.or they ready to go out again at night we don’t hear a pep until the morning outing two sleep by our bed and the old one sleeps on one of the seat .At home they constantly up and down want to be let out begging for food or treats you would not believe they are the same dogs

[@hhobson100]

Funnily enough dpd have just delivered some loo chemical to us this morning. We use Elsan green organic in both the flush and cassette. And for those that travel to France on holiday it is readily available over here.

[@cameronstevenson7138]

Dan can you recommend a decent set of towing mirror as the same ones i bought twice keep coming off even though they are secured tightly

[@rhinogooner]

Never had a cat but we take our dog with us and he has a tracker on his collar. You can get trackers small enough for a cat and I would recommend people getting one if they take their cat with them. We were on Anglesey beach with friends and our respective dogs and getting ready to pack up our collie had wandered off and I will never forget that feeling thinking he was missing. Had luck had it he just wandered back to where the car was parked. You can imagine the relief and since then all our dogs have trackers on them.

[@SimonHance-bz9vy]

Got a question for you. Our Truma inlet pipe curls up to the top of the water in the Aqua Roll thus getting air in the pipes. Any advice on how to hold down or weigh down the inlet pipe to the bottom of the aqua roll?????

[@arimington-is7gv]

Hi Dan, another great video, totally agree about other road users while you are towing, as you say they all want to be in front, I always have a dashcam. Regarding the towing cover, again, wouldn’t be without it but how do you dry yours off in the winter when on site? Suddenly it becomes a pain in the you know what. Thanks.

[@peterdavies-el1jx]

We have always used green in the cassette and the flush

[@Lee-zg3gx]

We always use the Thetford Pink and Blue, but I’ve been hearing more and more about these so called ‘black bits’. We have a new caravan from 2023 so still fresh, is it toilets which have been using the pink for many years, or is this happening in new caravans also? What is causing the blackness and has Thetford been asked about it?

[@iphonedevelopmentuk]

Hi Dan, quick question, when using a serviced pitch can you hook the water up directly to the caravan and does that mean you don’t use the pump? If so do you need to worry about the pressure? Thanks.

[@murmoyles]

Hi Dan, our Bailey pursuit bathroom has a pull cord on/off switch. Using the bathroom in the middle of the night, the light switch is quite loud and the light too bright. Is there a quieter switch solution out there with a dimmer function. Reds, Andrew Murphy

[@emmastevens9242]

Hi Dan, just caught up with the QnA, quick question regarding the towing covers we have an Elite Specialised Covers too but not sure if you can use it when the caravan is wet? I get clearing the debris off to avoid nasty scratches but don't want to risk any road debris damaging the infinity front window on the Alicanto Grande. Do you have any insight on this?

[@paulfuller7409]

Hi Dan I have a c262 thetford cassette do you know if this model has a separate fuse and where it is. I have looked in the cassette locker but cannot see a fuse. My pump has suddenly stopped working. Can you help please. Thanks. Paul.

[@davidsbrookes9462]

...a little bit off topic, but related. Do you find the caravan table in the Evora a bit of a pain!!! We've taken ours out and have replaced it with a smaller slatted table (we use a wipeable table cloth), which now will 'double' an an outside table. With just two of us, we don't need such a large table. Saves on weight, and means we now only take one table. I've fitted it inside the wardrobe secured with straps.... easier to get at...

[@andyhurd3270]

On site in Wales I kept hearing a phone ringing only to discover that the caravan opposite had a parrot and a dog with them 😂 Got chatting and they always travel with them 👍

[@Mickeywrx1]

Question for your next Q&A, would you ever broaden out and take a trip to Scotland or northern England?

[@thegodsonuk]

Great Q and As …. Slightly off topic but it is a question .. You recently hinted at doing some electronic projects either here or on the Coldest Moon … any idea of timescale ?

[@iancruickshank6142]

Hi Dan, Did you leave the cats in the van during the summer. Did it not get too hot inside for them. We would like to take our cat, but worried that he would get distressed shut inside. Blue and pink, but will change to green when we next need new ones.

[@twogoonsonanadventure]

Our seven month old Cocker Spaniel is coming away with us for the first time tomorrow, I am expecting a blissfully quiet weekend …hold on, no who am I kidding, she is nuts and will be a proper handful! 😖. Oh and we have a Swift Basecamp 2 so there is nowhere to escape to either!! 🤦‍♂️

[@Julie-g3u]

What's your advice for women on their own. Security, going out on their own etc. Driving on their own etc with caravan

[@dwsimon1]

Don't advertise the fact you're alone, spare coat on the passenger seat etc. shout back a blokes name etc when leaving the van appear as if you are with someone else

[@retro423]

If you haven't got a dog leave a couple of big dog bowls outside the door

[@daveandow2809]

@@retro423 I've never considered a caravan sites to be dangerous places. ???

[@cameronstevenson7138]

Hi can anybody recommend a decent set of towing mirrors as the ones i got have rubbish fixings 1 came off twice thats been expensive was eyrie both times was on the same stretch of road

[@William64641]

Have you thought about getting a lithium battery?

[@bobmckayfreedom]

Elsan organic green only …it’s kinder for all environments

[@olliebodman9771]

I have double hate being a caravanner and a cyclist 😂😂

[@dwsimon1]

Not a fan of Thetford chemicals at all, much prefer the Elsan ones