tips/tricks for newbies

Hi,
we have finally collected our MH - our first entry into the world of coachbuilts after 3 years of campervanning (AS Trident).

Our new baby is an AS suffolk on a Sprinter base 2010.

Our old Trident was easy to fill with fresh water - you just got a hosepipe and filled it up. This new one has a filler pipe that attaches to an aquaroll. this wont be practical for us as we mostly wild camp. The dealer did say we could use other methods but there was so much to take in that i cannot remember what he said now.

We have also very quickly learnt not to leave the keys in the MH whilst we are popping in and out getting to know it - luckily we have a spare set so we werent locked out! We also didnt know there was a drop down cocktail cabinet until the dealer pointed it out to us - just as well he did as i do wonder how long it would have taken us to spot it otherwise

so are there any other hints/tips/tricks for a newbie? i am guessing i will become a pain on here as i start asking what must seem like dumb questions to you experienced folks. But having never had the luxury of shower, hot water, wind out awning.......before, i am wary of doing anything wrong.

Re  aquaroll, This will just part fill your on board tank, presumably you have the Truma filler hose with trigger end and submersible pump http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Truma-Ultraflow-Maxi-Water-Pump-Assembly-Caravan-46040-01-/350832010231?hash=item51af37a3f7. Do you have a hose with the Truma Trigger fitting on one end http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Water-Adaptor-Hose-Truma-/121762428568?hash=item1c599b3698. This is used to connect to mains tap and fill on board tank. The Aquaroll can then be used to top up to save moving van to a tap location.

http://www.truma.com/uk/en/water-systems/overview-ultraflow-range.php

Re being locked out,provided you always open a cab door when you unlock, it will not autolock on you.

You will find tips for newbies in the factsheet section. Tbey were started by Murph who is no longer with us and modern systems such as Whale water fillers will not be covered. Even so you may find some useful bits there.

lovely, thankyou i will go and have a read there.

I have had a rummage around in the lockers and found a reel of hose with the Truma trigger end and some diffferent hose fittings so im happy now that we can use both methods. Im just glad the dealers left everything that the original owners had bought for it.

ive noticed there is no spare wheel on it - have any of you retro fitted one and if so where as it wont fit in the locker?

You will find it an advantage to learn the 30 second shower routine. Works for me but the Home Secretary needs 500 gallons and I only have 12.. RedT.

LOL 30 second shower!
 I usually shower first (my wife wouldn't survive the initial cold blast!), and I take about 20 seconds. However when it's her turn it can be over a minute, at which point I usually flick the pump switch to off.. Yes, the air does turn blue, and if I'm not watchful I find salt is added to my morning cuppa...

Re the spare wheel - have you checked underneath?  The spare on our Pollensa resides in a drop-down cage underneath the chassis at the rear.

Good luck and enjoy the learning curve.

cheers
Roger

PS Here's my tip re the wind out awning - NEVER leave it out unattended or overnight!  Even if you have tie-down straps or whatever, if a strong gusty wind gets up there's a chance it may at best rip the awning or at worst blow it up and over the roof with potential for very expensive damage. And when it is out, leave one end higher than the other, so that any rain doesn't collect on it, unless you want a cold shower when you retract it   
                  

Paulmold wrote:You will find tips for newbies in the factsheet section. Tbey were started by Murph who is no longer with us and modern systems such as Whale water fillers will not be covered. Even so you may find some useful bits there.

Sorry the tips are not in the Factsheets section but are a 'sticky' in the All Models/Miscellaneous section.

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t5403-tips-for-newbies

Welcome Hel999.  I'm a recent convert to motorhoming as well and learning as I go along.  If you have a manual (I know, I know  ) spend some time going through it, you may well end up with more questions but it gives you somewhere to start from.  Using the search function on here is always worth trying, there is a mine of great information that others have posted on all sorts of subjects.

Paulmold wrote:

Paulmold wrote:You will find tips for newbies in the factsheet section. Tbey were started by Murph who is no longer with us and modern systems such as Whale water fillers will not be covered. Even so you may find some useful bits there.

Sorry the tips are not in the Factsheets section but are a 'sticky' in the All Models/Miscellaneous section.

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t5403-tips-for-newbies

just had a read through this - excellent info. what a shame it stopped. I am sure there must be some regulars on here who could add to it for us newbies.

Don't bother to carry an Aquaroll. We have managed very well with the Whale system for over a year now with just a bucket.  

Your new van will be, I guess, heavier than your old one. Before you pitch on grass walk over it and check that even with heavy rain you will be able to get off the pitch.

( Written from the centre of a lake in a VERY wet field in Norwich, which was fine before the storm we had an hour ago .....   Here speaks the voice of bitter experience. We might have to take up residence in Norwich)

Oh dear! we had a few black clouds earlier but must have dodged the worst of it. Must remember to add wellies to the list of must haves in case we end up in the middle of a wet field!

I think i'll get a collapsible type bucket to keep with us then for when i cant get near enough to a tap, so that i can use the whale system. I have so much to learn and these tips are invaluable, thankyou all.

I normally leave my awning out if the weather is decent when we turn in. However, I always lower one corner to make sure it sheds any water if it rains. The result of seeing a 5 mtr awning absolutely wrecked during overnight rain. It must have been supporting half a ton of water.....

bikeralw wrote:LOL 30 second shower!
 I usually shower first (my wife wouldn't survive the initial cold blast!), and I take about 20 seconds. However when it's her turn it can be over a minute, at which point I usually flick the pump switch to off.. Yes, the air does turn blue, and if I'm not watchful I find salt is added to my morning cuppa...

I have fitted a trigger type shower head and the taps are pre set to the right temp for showering.. Squirt the first pipe full fown the plug hole and then warm water on me. Hate cold water.....