Just reading on that other forum a list of things needing to be done before you leave.
We have often discussed some of the pro's and con's with driving a motorhome as compared to towing a caravan.
One of the things that I now see as a pro is :-
No need to make a flask of tea or pack sandwiches to take in the tug to have along the way. lol
outlaw40 said
10:03 AM Oct 8, 2020
Not sure what the difference between a caravan and a motorhome would be . Step 1 stop
Step 2 put kettle on
Step 3 make sandwich
Step 4 make tea when kettle boils ....
SIMPLES .
TheHeaths said
11:45 AM Oct 8, 2020
As with you Steve, we always stop and have a break in the van for morning tea and lunch.
Perhaps a bit more of a walk to do that (going out and around, rather than step through) but not onerous.
gandk said
12:45 PM Oct 8, 2020
Yep, stop, open van and prepare whatever. I have been towing my caravan for a about 10 years now and now that I am a single lady travelling often with our beautiful group of ladies to many places, I do find the benefit of a van opposed to a motorhome is when we are stopped for 5 days upward we all pile into the tow vehicles instead of packing up the motorhomes to sightsee.
Mobi Condo said
12:49 PM Oct 8, 2020
Wot! Do some (on other forums) now want to prescribe the steps they deem to be followed in order to live our lives as we travel???????
Love to see the list of procedures put forward!
This what I love about this forum, every body has an opinion (or 2 or 3) and it seem that we are all individuals and we just enjoy sharing.
We have done the rounds of 3-4 caravan clubs and 3 or 4 4WD clubs since the mid 1990's and been so dismayed with the overt micro management of all and have thus quietly slid away.
My wife and I now wish we could find a "Loners Club" where we simply go and travel with the others of similar mind and cut in and out of the route we take and meet up else where when our paths cross.
Seems to us that this forum is the nearest to that and we thoroughly enjoy all, even the fantastic repartee which breaks out along the way.
Have I ranted enough yet. If so throw all those eggs and stuff so we can collect them for the pantry.
Oh! Drat! Just how do I get to use those emoticons to show????
Onedodger said
01:23 PM Oct 8, 2020
TheHeaths wrote:
As with you Steve, we always stop and have a break in the van for morning tea and lunch.
Perhaps a bit more of a walk to do that (going out and around, rather than step through) but not onerous.
This is exactly what we do. Stop for morning tea and lunch, gives us a break as well and the tug can have a spell cool down plus each time we stop whilst the wife puts the billy on etc I do a walk around and give the whole rig a check over visually. Then sit in the sun and enjoy.
Tony Bev said
02:16 PM Oct 8, 2020
Would be good for the rest of us, who do not go on other forums, for someone to copy and paste the rules of leaving a campsite
Some of us may learn something of interest
One of my joys of travelling, (regardless of type of RV, I was using), is to just stop for a cuppa, whenever you want
TheHeaths said
06:27 PM Oct 8, 2020
I dont think MSG was referring to rules per se Tony.
I think MSG was referring to a thread that had started concerning the sort of checklist people use when packing up, not actual rules for leaving a site.
Tony Bev said
06:48 PM Oct 8, 2020
Thanks for that, Ian (The Heaths)
Mobi Condo said
08:36 PM Oct 8, 2020
Welllll, despite my pseudo "rant" this post has made me think real hard about the way we go about such stuff as we travel.
'Specially after our last 1 weeker to Point Lowly and Whyalla.
Seeing it was nearly a year since our last jaunt, I was a bit out of practice (read Brain Dead) with a couple of items of clothing, fishing tackle and so on. Mind you there was some adaptation of other items to make do!
So when we got home I started a check list to type out, laminate and stow in the van, coz my dear old brain must need some help.
We now have a check sheet of our own procedure for 'Arrival" at a spot and for when we leave a spot.
I wont bore you with it detail though! That would make me like those that I was complaining about wouldn't it!
Whenarewethere said
03:28 PM Oct 9, 2020
We mostly free camp. Pack, move the car 10 metres, look around thoroughly for gear & rubbish, it none, go!
Meredith said
06:25 PM Oct 9, 2020
Since you still have to stop to get a cup of tea and sandwich with a motorhome (unless you like breaking the law and risking your life) then I can't really see the difference except that maybe we walk a few extras steps with the caravan.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:45 PM Oct 9, 2020
Stabilisers up, TV areal down, Sat disc down , awning folded away, chair & tables stored, all doors, cupboards shut and locked , door step folded away , elect cable, water hoses folded away , All shoes, clothing, including smalls bought inside . Pay any extra on way out ? I left a $1.50 in showers once at Cooper Pedi. Didnt realise till I got to next town !!! Lol
iana said
11:36 AM Oct 10, 2020
Procedure for leaving camp ground. Hook up, begin to pull away, stop after hearing noises. Pick up and put in the rubbish bin the flattened chocks, try to fold up the bent stays. Carry on down the road, stop and ask other GPS, where we are going. You note the step is still down, so slide it in, might as well put the TV aerial down at the same time. Oh dear is that what's left of our water hose. Ah well this is one of our better starts.
DMaxer said
02:48 PM Oct 10, 2020
Yes Iana and also make sure you leave the caravan brake on in case you have to pull up quickly later in the day.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 10th of October 2020 05:11:18 PM
Mike Harding said
04:10 PM Oct 10, 2020
I'm still trying to figure out what this thread is about but here is my checklist before hooking up the van and moving - it's printed and taped to the inside of a cupboard door next to the van door and nothing moves until every item has been done and checked:
Caravan departure checklist - last update 28th January 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------
Shower head, secure & ensure pipe is not rubbing wall Shower, remove shampoo etc Shower door, lock with bolt Loo paper, place in cupboard Toilet water jug, empty En suite door, latch
TV, remove from wall Crockery cupboard, empty Kettle, relocate Microwave platter, remove Roof vents, close - bed, kitchen, toilet & shower Windows, close and check latches Blinds/screens, all open Fridge, set to auto or battery Fridge, secure contents Water pump, off Water heater, gas, off TV antenna down Items on benches/table, move to bed Night stick, secure
Awning, stow & secure Outside cupboards & table, lock Gas, turn off Water heater, electric, off Front window cover, down, secured & arms secured Retrieve weather station sensor Door step, raised
Stabilizers, up Safety chains, connect Break-away cable, connect 12 pin caravan to car lead, connect Jockey wheel, remove Towball coupling, lock Handbrake, off Caravan door, lock
Aus-Kiwi said
07:15 PM Oct 10, 2020
Theres ALWAYS one draw or catch you miss !
Snippy said
10:17 AM Oct 11, 2020
Mike Harding wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out what this thread is about but here is my checklist before hooking up the van and moving - it's printed and taped to the inside of a cupboard door next to the van door and nothing moves until every item has been done and checked:
Caravan departure checklist - last update 28th January 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------
Shower head, secure & ensure pipe is not rubbing wall Shower, remove shampoo etc Shower door, lock with bolt Loo paper, place in cupboard Toilet water jug, empty En suite door, latch
TV, remove from wall Crockery cupboard, empty Kettle, relocate Microwave platter, remove Roof vents, close - bed, kitchen, toilet & shower Windows, close and check latches Blinds/screens, all open Fridge, set to auto or battery Fridge, secure contents Water pump, off Water heater, gas, off TV antenna down Items on benches/table, move to bed Night stick, secure
Awning, stow & secure Outside cupboards & table, lock Gas, turn off Water heater, electric, off Front window cover, down, secured & arms secured Retrieve weather station sensor Door step, raised
Stabilizers, up Safety chains, connect Break-away cable, connect 12 pin caravan to car lead, connect Jockey wheel, remove Towball coupling, lock Handbrake, off Caravan door, lock
Thanks Mike, I've been planning to do one of these for a long time.
Just what the Doctor ordered.
Cheers
DMaxer said
10:50 AM Oct 11, 2020
As I travel mostly by myself I find the procedure that works for me is to start inside and work towards the door of the van and lock, wind down, turn off put away everything as i move along. I then give it the last look and then go outside and after hooking up the van then start at one end and move towards the other. I then give it the walk around and take off. After about 100 metres I stop and give it one more look around.
So far, so good.
msg said
10:57 AM Oct 11, 2020
Nothing dark and unknowable Mike. Just on the other caravan website there was a thread discussing the lists of things to do before leaving.
This just put a thought into my rather empty head of a thread we have had on a few occasions discussions about the pro's & cons of Motorhomes v Caravans.
One of the items listed on the things to do was about preparing thermos flask of coffee and cutting some sandwiches for lunch to take in the tug before they left.
My odd sense of humour thought about doing this when driving away in a motorhome and how unnecessary this would be. Therefore it had to be a pro.
The idea of having to pack up the M/H just to pop into town to get a carton of milk is always thrown up as a con. When really, for experienced M/Homers it never becomes an issue.
Incidentally, my list is
1. put everything away (you mostly do this as an ongoing thing anyway because there is only so much space. Everything in its place and a place for everything. Helps with not losing things too
2. shut all cupboards and lock by pushing in button
3. turn off water pump
4. turn off gas (inside and outside)
5. shut all doors & Windows.
6. check all 4 wheels are there and inflated (Flat tyres are a bugger and likely to delay departure for quite a while) and....Go
Dick0 said
12:05 PM Oct 11, 2020
Good checklist Mike.
Then have a short travel break at least every two hours and have another quick check inside and out.
Just reading on that other forum a list of things needing to be done before you leave.
We have often discussed some of the pro's and con's with driving a motorhome as compared to towing a caravan.
One of the things that I now see as a pro is :-
No need to make a flask of tea or pack sandwiches to take in the tug to have along the way. lol
Perhaps a bit more of a walk to do that (going out and around, rather than step through) but not onerous.
Wot! Do some (on other forums) now want to prescribe the steps they deem to be followed in order to live our lives as we travel???????
Love to see the list of procedures put forward!
This what I love about this forum, every body has an opinion (or 2 or 3) and it seem that we are all individuals and we just enjoy sharing.
We have done the rounds of 3-4 caravan clubs and 3 or 4 4WD clubs since the mid 1990's and been so dismayed with the overt micro management of all and have thus quietly slid away.
My wife and I now wish we could find a "Loners Club" where we simply go and travel with the others of similar mind and cut in and out of the route we take and meet up else where when our paths cross.
Seems to us that this forum is the nearest to that and we thoroughly enjoy all, even the fantastic repartee which breaks out along the way.
Have I ranted enough yet. If so throw all those eggs and stuff so we can collect them for the pantry.
Oh! Drat! Just how do I get to use those emoticons to show????
This is exactly what we do. Stop for morning tea and lunch, gives us a break as well and the tug can have a spell cool down plus each time we stop whilst the wife puts the billy on etc I do a walk around and give the whole rig a check over visually. Then sit in the sun and enjoy.
Some of us may learn something of interest
One of my joys of travelling, (regardless of type of RV, I was using), is to just stop for a cuppa, whenever you want
I think MSG was referring to a thread that had started concerning the sort of checklist people use when packing up, not actual rules for leaving a site.
'Specially after our last 1 weeker to Point Lowly and Whyalla.
Seeing it was nearly a year since our last jaunt, I was a bit out of practice (read Brain Dead) with a couple of items of clothing, fishing tackle and so on. Mind you there was some adaptation of other items to make do!
So when we got home I started a check list to type out, laminate and stow in the van, coz my dear old brain must need some help.
We now have a check sheet of our own procedure for 'Arrival" at a spot and for when we leave a spot.
I wont bore you with it detail though! That would make me like those that I was complaining about wouldn't it!
We mostly free camp. Pack, move the car 10 metres, look around thoroughly for gear & rubbish, it none, go!
Since you still have to stop to get a cup of tea and sandwich with a motorhome (unless you like breaking the law and risking your life) then I can't really see the difference except that maybe we walk a few extras steps with the caravan.
Yes Iana and also make sure you leave the caravan brake on in case you have to pull up quickly later in the day.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 10th of October 2020 05:11:18 PM
I'm still trying to figure out what this thread is about but here is my checklist before hooking up the van and moving - it's printed and taped to the inside of a cupboard door next to the van door and nothing moves until every item has been done and checked:
Caravan departure checklist - last update 28th January 2020
------------------------------------------------------------
Shower head, secure & ensure pipe is not rubbing wall
Shower, remove shampoo etc
Shower door, lock with bolt
Loo paper, place in cupboard
Toilet water jug, empty
En suite door, latch
TV, remove from wall
Crockery cupboard, empty
Kettle, relocate
Microwave platter, remove
Roof vents, close - bed, kitchen, toilet & shower
Windows, close and check latches
Blinds/screens, all open
Fridge, set to auto or battery
Fridge, secure contents
Water pump, off
Water heater, gas, off
TV antenna down
Items on benches/table, move to bed
Night stick, secure
Awning, stow & secure
Outside cupboards & table, lock
Gas, turn off
Water heater, electric, off
Front window cover, down, secured & arms secured
Retrieve weather station sensor
Door step, raised
Stabilizers, up
Safety chains, connect
Break-away cable, connect
12 pin caravan to car lead, connect
Jockey wheel, remove
Towball coupling, lock
Handbrake, off
Caravan door, lock
Thanks Mike, I've been planning to do one of these for a long time.
Just what the Doctor ordered.
Cheers
As I travel mostly by myself I find the procedure that works for me is to start inside and work towards the door of the van and lock, wind down, turn off put away everything as i move along. I then give it the last look and then go outside and after hooking up the van then start at one end and move towards the other. I then give it the walk around and take off. After about 100 metres I stop and give it one more look around.
So far, so good.
This just put a thought into my rather empty head of a thread we have had on a few occasions discussions about the pro's & cons of Motorhomes v Caravans.
One of the items listed on the things to do was about preparing thermos flask of coffee and cutting some sandwiches for lunch to take in the tug before they left.
My odd sense of humour thought about doing this when driving away in a motorhome and how unnecessary this would be. Therefore it had to be a pro.
The idea of having to pack up the M/H just to pop into town to get a carton of milk is always thrown up as a con. When really, for experienced M/Homers it never becomes an issue.
Incidentally, my list is
1. put everything away (you mostly do this as an ongoing thing anyway because there is only so much space. Everything in its place and a place for everything. Helps with not losing things too
2. shut all cupboards and lock by pushing in button
3. turn off water pump
4. turn off gas (inside and outside)
5. shut all doors & Windows.
6. check all 4 wheels are there and inflated (Flat tyres are a bugger and likely to delay departure for quite a while) and....Go
Good checklist Mike.
Then have a short travel break at least every two hours and have another quick check inside and out.