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Caravanning

More Labour of Love

Several people have contacted me asking how I installed my own Vent Boards in the caravan.  It was really quite simple.  What I did was measure the backs of the seating for the length and height of the boards required. I then popped down to our local wood yard who cut two pieces of plywood to size for me. (I'm sure B&Q would do this too but if you have a Timber Merchants close by, they would be cheaper) I then covered the plywood in Fablon which matches the existing wood perfectly. I then glued half inch square batons to the caravan wall with No More Nails about 18" apart, 5 batons on each wall, wait 24 hours for the batons to dry then screw the vent board to the batons. I didn't have a clue how to go about it myself but I was told how to do it by the caravan dealer I bought the caravan from. He explained that this is exactly how they do it themselves.

Since adding photos of the modifications on this website that I did to the caravan prior to starting the website, there's been quite a few more changes, some which I can't really take photos of.  For example, I already had Tyron Bands fitted to the caravan wheels when I took delivery of the caravan but these don't prevent flat tyres but merely help prevent the tyres coming off the rims.  After speaking to several people "in the know", I instilled the tyres with Flat Free, a tyre sealant which helps prevent punctures as they happen.  After all, prevention is better than cure!  Flat Free is also much cheaper than Tyrons, I ordered mine from Netparts. I'll be using Flat Free always from now on and won't be bothering with Tyrons again in future.  I also have Flat Free in all 4 car tyres.  Because of using Flat Free and because of our own personal circumstances, I therefore decided to do away with the spare wheel in the locker of the caravan, freeing up more locker space and weight.  The spare is now in the shed at home.
Another is that we no longer use messy chemicals for the loo!  KemDirect Powdered Toilet Additive for us!!  Always.  So much cleaner, no pongy smells and easier to use.  Breaks down solids and toilet paper far more efficiently and quicker, even Kleenex Puppies on a Roll too!

We often pitch on some lovely sites with lovely views, but the views have always been behind us!  Why?  Well, because the TV sits on the cabinet by the wardrobe and so we sit or lay with our backs to the main front window so we face the TV.  This means we face the small end kitchen window which we can hardly see anything out of and is usually pitched up against a hedge or trees anyway.  So we decided to relocate the TV and Satellite, using the front middle cabinet for the TV/Satellite.

We also used to take duvet and sheets/blankets when we first started, always making up the seating to a double bed.  Not only was this a tedious task, having to turn the seats over and make up the bed every night, it also meant I had to climb over my wife when I wanted to get out, disturbing her in the process. We soon wondered, since we lay one each on each seat during the say and sleep in this way when we have a "siesta", why we don't sleep in this way at night too.  So we did away with the duvet, sheets and blankets and bought two single sleeping bags.  They can be zipped together when we feel like getting cosy, making up a double sleeping bag. Singles mean we are both able to get in and out of bed without disturbing the other. The sleeping bags are packed away in their own storage bags during the day and make extra cushions.

During one trip away, we arrived home to find that the overhead kitchen lockers had popped open and a few items of crockery and kitchen utensils on the floor.  One cup had bounced off the glass cooker top and smashed!  The cup that is, not the glass cooker top! Thankfully!  So to prevent this happening again, I made a plate rack and screwed this to the floor of the locker together with some plastic baskets.  Now nothing moves!!  As an extra precaution, I also fitted some nice thin bolt-locks and screwed some picture frame plates to the inside edge of the locker doors.  Now the doors can be locked shut too!

Our caravan starting groaning.  No, it wasn't the wife!  The problem, I eventually discovered, was the stabiliser pads had become dirty, oil-impregnated or worn.  After much searching and help from a friend, I managed to order some new pads from Bulldog, the people who have taken over the Westfalia hitch which was fitted to our caravan.  I decided to give it a new lease of life while awaiting delivery of the new pads.

 

Here are a few more photos of various changes and additions we've made or added since we started.

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