Good tip about draining down before leaving the site. Last year during the really sub zero spell before Xmas, we packed up and drove home in sub zero temperatures, got back to our storage and did the drain down as usual not realising that the trip back had allowed the pipework to freeze. Then when the temp went way lower it destroyed our Alde boiler. We never found out until the week after Xmas when we went on a trip and the caravan had water running along the floor and water pouring out of the Alde top up tank. It cost us nearly £4000 for new pipe work (contaminated with heating fluid), new taps all over and a repaired boiler. Very expensive lesson and I will always drain down on site now.
Tip regarding the gas pig tail with rubber seal. I had one and didn’t realise when I unscrewed it to change the bottle, the rubber seal must have become stuck to the connector on the bottle and came away from the pig tail. I turned the new bottle on, and it leaked all the gas out because it no longer had the seal. I didn’t smell it or hear it. Went back to a brass seal after that.
Another great video thanks Mark. Another tip regarding draining down and opening the taps in the caravan. Don't forget the shower, we always place it on the shower tray while travelling, and make sure when you open the taps put them in the middle position so both hot and cold pipes drain down. If you don't, some water may remain in the closed circuit. Remember also that the rubber pigtails have a life of around five years and are date stamped. Stainless steel ones have a life of around twenty years. Wire braided hoses aren't stainless steel though. The braiding is just a protective covering for a standard rubber hose and the life is still around 5 years. Stainless steel pigtails are a lot more expensive. Regarding cooking in the caravan. I love cooking outside but when it's freezing cold, pouring with rain or pitch dark we have to cook inside and have always done so. The gas oven in the caravan is remarkably efficient and we've cooked up some veritable feasts. We do have an Actifry too. Not cooking inside the caravan is like not using the shower for showering or the toilet for number two's. We often stay on CLs throughout the year where there are no showers or loos. Why spend a small fortune on a caravan and not use the equipment you've paid for. Beats me.
I wouldn't leave the shower hose and head in the shower tray when travelling as it is free to slide about and could mark/damage/scratch the tray/door..I unscrew the shower hose and drain any water from it into the shower tray and put the hose seal into the toothbrush holder. Then the shower head and hose get wrapped in a towel and put onto the bathroom carpet so no chance of any damage.
Yes sorry, I forgot to mention that my wife wraps the shower head in a towel too before putting it in the shower tray and there's been no damage caused to date. No need to go to the bother of removing it from the mixer.
Whether we cook in the caravan? Of course we do! What else is the kitchen for? I don’t understand why people opt for a stylish kitchen and then decide not to use it. Makes no sense to me, but I’m not going to tell anybody off for doing it differently.
I have always drained down on leaving the site and don’t forget to drain down the loo is it is fed from your aqua role and when we arrive at storage we use the floe system to empty the last bit of water and sometimes not that little. As with the cooking we always makes meals in the caravan with the BBQ point and a new Tammy to use the electric.
I always drain the van’s water down when leaving site, reduces towing weight and drains system enroute. I’ve not had any trouble over winter with water drained this way. I always leave the taps open in storage. Van is 2009 and had it from new.
Like the idea you think summer is over - up here in the North East we had a nice week in June and two good days in September - the rest was cold wet and windy
I noticed the TV bracket in the swift 645....does the mounting need to be, for want of a better phrase, "reinforced" to accommodate the bracket...I've always found this slightly baffling Please advise....great viewing by the way 👌
Hi, Enjoyed the video as always. I'm looking to hopefully get a caravan for next season. I'm thinking a Bailey Phoenix 642 This will be a first time purchase, am i aiming to high, should i look at something a bit older etc. To be honest, i haven't got a clue. Regards Grant.
Thanks Grant, it's all down to what you want and like. Sometimes if you have found something you feel will work, it will then be difficult to settle for anything else. Have a good look around and spend time in different layouts etc. Then you will sort of know when you walk back into a 642. Hope this helps. 👍
We are going to PX our motorhome Autosleeper Broadway EB 2013 38000 mile for a caravan twin axel coachman 2020-21 what are the dealers thoughts on PX motorhomes to caravans? Are they keen or better to sell & buy a caravan for cash?
Depends on the Dealer, most will have other dealers that will underwrite the Motorhome. But then it's what they see the value as. If u find a dealer that does both then shouldn't make a difference, but try WeBuyanymotorcaravan.Com and we buy any camper. Com this will give u an idea of value. Hope this helps.
Good tip about draining down before leaving the site. Last year during the really sub zero spell before Xmas, we packed up and drove home in sub zero temperatures, got back to our storage and did the drain down as usual not realising that the trip back had allowed the pipework to freeze. Then when the temp went way lower it destroyed our Alde boiler. We never found out until the week after Xmas when we went on a trip and the caravan had water running along the floor and water pouring out of the Alde top up tank. It cost us nearly £4000 for new pipe work (contaminated with heating fluid), new taps all over and a repaired boiler. Very expensive lesson and I will always drain down on site now.
Ouch. It's a easy thing to do. 👍
Tip regarding the gas pig tail with rubber seal.
I had one and didn’t realise when I unscrewed it to change the bottle, the rubber seal must have become stuck to the connector on the bottle and came away from the pig tail.
I turned the new bottle on, and it leaked all the gas out because it no longer had the seal. I didn’t smell it or hear it. Went back to a brass seal after that.
Thanks Mike great tip 👍
Another great video thanks Mark.
Another tip regarding draining down and opening the taps in the caravan. Don't forget the shower, we always place it on the shower tray while travelling, and make sure when you open the taps put them in the middle position so both hot and cold pipes drain down. If you don't, some water may remain in the closed circuit.
Remember also that the rubber pigtails have a life of around five years and are date stamped. Stainless steel ones have a life of around twenty years. Wire braided hoses aren't stainless steel though. The braiding is just a protective covering for a standard rubber hose and the life is still around 5 years. Stainless steel pigtails are a lot more expensive.
Regarding cooking in the caravan. I love cooking outside but when it's freezing cold, pouring with rain or pitch dark we have to cook inside and have always done so. The gas oven in the caravan is remarkably efficient and we've cooked up some veritable feasts. We do have an Actifry too.
Not cooking inside the caravan is like not using the shower for showering or the toilet for number two's. We often stay on CLs throughout the year where there are no showers or loos.
Why spend a small fortune on a caravan and not use the equipment you've paid for. Beats me.
Super thanks Steve. 👍
I wouldn't leave the shower hose and head in the shower tray when travelling as it is free to slide about and could mark/damage/scratch the tray/door..I unscrew the shower hose and drain any water from it into the shower tray and put the hose seal into the toothbrush holder. Then the shower head and hose get wrapped in a towel and put onto the bathroom carpet so no chance of any damage.
Yes sorry, I forgot to mention that my wife wraps the shower head in a towel too before putting it in the shower tray and there's been no damage caused to date. No need to go to the bother of removing it from the mixer.
Got into the habit of opening water valves and taps, before leaving a site.. it’s remembering to close them when on our next visit. 😝
Always helps to close them on the next trip 🤣🤣🤣👍
Whether we cook in the caravan? Of course we do! What else is the kitchen for? I don’t understand why people opt for a stylish kitchen and then decide not to use it. Makes no sense to me, but I’m not going to tell anybody off for doing it differently.
Thanks Tom 👍
I mostly cook in the caravan, and also something you didn't't mention, I do the dishes in the caravan as well. Richard in East Yorkshire.
Washing up??? What's that??? 🙈🤣🤣🤣
I have always drained down on leaving the site and don’t forget to drain down the loo is it is fed from your aqua role and when we arrive at storage we use the floe system to empty the last bit of water and sometimes not that little.
As with the cooking we always makes meals in the caravan with the BBQ point and a new Tammy to use the electric.
Thanks James
I always drain the van’s water down when leaving site, reduces towing weight and drains system enroute. I’ve not had any trouble over winter with water drained this way. I always leave the taps open in storage. Van is 2009 and had it from new.
Thanks Colin
Like the idea you think summer is over - up here in the North East we had a nice week in June and two good days in September - the rest was cold wet and windy
🤣🤣🤣 It wasn't the best summer, I have high hopes for next year lol
I noticed the TV bracket in the swift 645....does the mounting need to be, for want of a better phrase, "reinforced" to accommodate the bracket...I've always found this slightly baffling
Please advise....great viewing by the way 👌
The ideal way is to remove the fridge and pull the bolts from behind, if not then a bigger plate is a better way to secure it. 👍
OMG....how big a job removing the fridge....might just get a stand@@thecaravanplace
We tend to cook full meals in the van and on the teppanyaki. But having said that we also go to the pub if there is one we can walk to 😂
🤣 Thanks Trevor
We going skiing ⛷️⛷️⛷️⛷️⛷️😂😂😂😂😂😂
🤣🤣👍
Ref the gas pigtail: I got the stainless steel covered hose ... longer life
Thanks Philip 👍
Hi,
Enjoyed the video as always.
I'm looking to hopefully get a caravan for next season. I'm thinking a Bailey Phoenix 642
This will be a first time purchase, am i aiming to high, should i look at something a bit older etc.
To be honest, i haven't got a clue.
Regards
Grant.
Thanks Grant, it's all down to what you want and like. Sometimes if you have found something you feel will work, it will then be difficult to settle for anything else. Have a good look around and spend time in different layouts etc. Then you will sort of know when you walk back into a 642. Hope this helps. 👍
We are going to PX our motorhome Autosleeper Broadway EB 2013 38000 mile for a caravan twin axel coachman 2020-21 what are the dealers thoughts on PX motorhomes to caravans? Are they keen or better to sell & buy a caravan for cash?
Depends on the Dealer, most will have other dealers that will underwrite the Motorhome. But then it's what they see the value as. If u find a dealer that does both then shouldn't make a difference, but try WeBuyanymotorcaravan.Com and we buy any camper. Com this will give u an idea of value. Hope this helps.
I cook inside
Thanks Ann
Always cook main meals in the caravan and cook breakfast outside because of the fat spitting everywhere
Thanks for your comments 👍