SETTING UP CAMP TIPS

The idea of packing, pitching up and packing down for many camping beginners can be a little daunting - but it really is a breeze when you get used to it! Especially if you manage to get the whole family involved - each with their own specific tasks! 

let's start with a caravan...

The great thing about the caravan - and campervans/motorhomes - is that you can leave a lot of the gear 'packed' and ready to go. Making the packing process SO much quicker and easier! In fact, you could almost think of it as being very similar to a hotel/self catering cottage stay - mugs, glasses, kettle, toothbrush, hairbrush, toothpaste, hand soap, loo roll, some long-life food items and of course a minibar - all packed and ready to use. Except the minibar is prepaid and the rest of the items are all yours and no one else has used it prior - very handy in our current state of being in the middle of a pandemic! Which then just leaves the packing of fresh food, so bread, milk, etc and the clothes you require for the length of time away, the weather conditions and the activities you have planned to do. If you require tips/inspiration for this - then keep an eye out for future posts!

Pitch up is relatively straightforward with a caravan also.. 

ARRIVE

Dependent on where you are you may get shown to your pitch or have a choice. If you have a choice think about ground levelness, wind shelter/sun blockers etc. We personally always park away as far away as possible so Wander won't bark at all the children, dogs and passers-by.

CHECK LEVEL AND LEGS DOWN

This bit is possibly the most complex - but unless you want blood rushing to your head / your partner rolling on top of you and squishing you in the night - very important! So, with a spirit level - which you can get an app for nowadays - check how level you are before unhitching - this is because to adjust left to right you may need to use 'level blocks'. These blocks come in various sizes and are blocks that you drive onto to lift the necessary side of the van to the height required. You could try pushing the van - but I don't think you'll get very far! If it's severely unlevel, and you have the option, it may be best to look for another spot.

After unhitching, you will be able to adjust the height of the jockey wheel for levelling front to back and then wind the legs down. In some un level areas you may find that the legs don't actually meet the ground - don't panic - you just need to use 'blocks' /'chocks' under them.

TOP TIP: It was always mine and my brother's job to do the legs when we were younger - this got us out of the way and helping at the same time.

BONUS TIP: We loved it when dad got an electric drill adaption instead of the manual leg winder.

A few campsites have rules as to where to park your vehicle after unhitching. This is for fire safety reasons, and also to ensure space is used most effectively around the site.

WATER AND OTHER FINISHING TOUCHES

Once you're level and the legs are down, you can fetch the water - this is another great task for the kids to do, whilst you're levelling and adjusting legs/finding a beer.

NB: Caravans have an outdoor water tank called an 'aquaroll' - this is the brand name of the water barrels well known and used with caravans - it has two openings, one on the side and one on the top - and is built so it can be rolled to transport but stood up to 'feed' when a pump is inserted. More keywords for camping items can be found here. 

Then there's connecting the 'waste water' barrel if yours isn't inbuilt, filling the porta loo with the required water and toilet blue for its size and turning on the gas (you can't travel with the gas on - this is dangerous and voids insurance).

If you have dogs, I either recommend leaving them in the car if they're settled whilst you set up - or alternatively attaching them to a ground spike (lead no longer than 3M). We personally have had to take our Wander for a little walk around the field before she'll settle for us (You can read more of our camping with dogs tips here). So again, if there's a few of you be sure to delegate various tasks, as it may all sound like a lot - but when everyone has their own 'job' to do and look after it runs like a well-oiled machine.

Besides - the fun starts when you want to start putting up the awning/tents! And this really is where the kids come in handy, my brother and I used to have a designated 'pole' or 'leg' each. However if there is just the two of you, just start by raising the height gradually, one side at a time.