David,

Welcome to MHF and I hope a long enjoyment of the motorhoming lifestyle.

I would recommend joing the Caravan Club. Its "regimentation" can sometimes grate, although it is a lot better than it was, but in its favour you KNOW exactly what to expect when arriving at one of their sites, even if you've never even seen a picture of it. It is a safe bet for quality and cleanliness of facilities and standards.

Why not try the site in Brockenhurst and enjoy the simple pleasure of morning and evening walks in the New Forest directly from your home away from home, parked up close to excellent washing/toilet facilities, knowledgeable staff and peaceful nights? During the day pop down to Lymington market on a Saturday morning, have crab baguette and ice cream for lunch watching the sailing boat activity, visit Lepe foreshore in the afternoon, or "do" Bealieu or Bournemouth.

Just remember the wine and corkscrew for the evening

I would get a local caravan dealer to do a habitation check until you are familiar with everything, which takes time.

The Duetto is a good choice, I considered it very carefully myself and would be content with one, but if your wife hasn't camped you might want to manage her expectations in that until the two of you get into a routine, both of where things are kept tidily, and how to avoid getting under each other's feet, it may feel on the small side. But when you do get through those early days of having to think about these things, just revel in being able to park up where cars park, height barriers apart. That in itself contributes to freedom and spontaneity.

Enjoy and I hope she's a convert. If it's any comfort I was in that situation many years ago when I started with a new pegless tent camper "at risk", as Alison had never camped before and enjoyed her home comforts and space.

We have since enjoyed 20 years of the camping lifestyle, with that tent, a caravan and now a motorhome for just the two of us.

Dave
Edit - Oops! Changed Brighton which is what my fingers said to Bournemouth which was in my head

 

David

Welcome to the site and I am sure you will enjoy your new motorhome.

On the question of sites I am sure you will have loads of replies. If this is all new to you I would suggest joining the caravan club as their own club sites are usually very good.

Regards


Lampie

 

Hi David, a very warm welcome to MHF......

As far as your questions go, there are more knowledgable people on here to answer them, but I'll get the ball rolling.........

Firts of all the question of your wife.......... :roll: ........all I can say is if she's used to 4 star hotels, gormet meals and waiter service..........you're in deep s***......... :?

All I can suggest is leave nothing to chance, take the wine, make sure you have good food available or start by camping near a good resteraunt. Make sure you know how to make up the beds (even after a couple of vino's) and generally make the experience as comfortable as possible.

There will be a list of sites, on MHF or the internet or shop bought books, and recomendations will be forthcoming from the membership (watch this space)

I'm troubled by the Ford dealer bit. Is there a warentee for the habitation area, even if they have to send it elsewhere? I would find out somehow if everything works, and if not get the dealers assurance that they will get it corrected.

All I can say is.....enjoy it, and keep it as stress free as you can (and that includes making sure the wife enjoys it too...............Good luck.

 

Welcome, David. It's really good here. You'll be able to find out so much about your new hobby.

As a fairly new convert to MH-ing (although we had a narrowboat for over 5 years), I'm in the same situation as you. It takes a little getting used to.

One thing I'm trying to do is to take things s-l-o-w-l-y. This goes for packing up to preparing the bed to moving around the van. There's just not enough room to move around at my normal, fairly busy pace. And actually, it's quite nice having to take things a little bit easy :wink:

Gerald

 

Oh, and Badger's idea for camping near to good facilities is the best, so you don't have to worry about showers or toilets or cooking.

Gerald

 

www.whitemeadcaravanpark.co.uk

Hi David have a look at the above site it's near to Lulworth cove has 5 star toilets & showers and a very good pub a short walk away oh by the way welcome to MHF.

Dave

 

tp://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/dorset/whitemead.htm

Oops - missed a bit off the start. Try:

http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/dorset/whitemead.htm

Gerald

Edit: P.S. I see you eidted it! :wink:

 

Sorry David I forgot to say...........

....on the subject of the roll out awning..........I had the very same problem with my fiamma after a while. Following some great advice on this very forum, its fixed.......try winding out just an inch our two and ease the "sticking side out to match, then see if the two sides wind out together, if so, spray both sides and all the joints with WD40. It worked for me.

 

Hi David, Welcome to the world of motorhoming. If you would like someone to talk to face to face email me on ian.driver@ntlworld.com. I live in Lee on Solent and am happy to talk to you about anything I know about motorhomes in general.
Enjoy the experience.
Ian

 

! Another sensible couple joining the "WWM" . . Wonderful World of Motorhomi ng :lol: we were in exactly the same position as you not knowing much about anything but a couple of 'shakedown' weekends sorted that out ok & now we fel quite comfortable with all the workings & we have no fears now.
Get out & enjoy it, my 'other half had never done motorhoming & her only experience of camping was well over 20 years ago in a soggy tent . . by comparison she loves the motorhome + all the new friends we've made.
Get along to one [or more] of the rallys & 'meets' and you will not look back !

 

This Caravan club site might be worth trying. Not too far from you, and decent facilities, plenty to see not too far away,

Hunter's Moon
Caravan Club Site
Cold Harbour
Wareham
BH20 7PA
England


On the warranty side, assuming you bought the vehicle from the Ford dealer, they are more than morally liable - they are legally liable. Not much consolation, if they are not qualified or capable, but they should then make arrangements with somebody who is, to look after that side of things on their behalf. Depends on the small print in your documentation of course

Cheers, and welcome

 

Welcome David,

From one newbie to another, don't worry. My wife would never go camping as she always said that unless she had her own loo, she didn't want to know. I think she let me buy the Concorde to keep me happy. On our first weekend away, we forgot the crockery, ran out of water before we even got to the site and to cap it all, the 12v supply packed up (luckily we had a mains hookup!!).

I thought after that we would never go anywhere again but when we got home she surprised the living daylights out of me by saying that she had really enjoyed it and when was our next trip. So you may be surprised !!