Well after my youth being spent in a caravan on every holiday, today I’ve bought my first. A 2007 Elddis super scirocco, bit daunted by the size , good lord it’s huge, but in for a penny! Any hints, tips , greatly appreciated. Last time I was in a van was the 1980’s, we were lucky to have electrical hook up!

Have a look at Caravan talk forum, lots of good advice on there.

When towing with the RR watch your speed, it is so easy to creep up way above the limits.

Enjoy the van.

Ian

If it’s your first time towing, build your speed up slowly, don’t just charge to 60+, it will help you judge if it is balanced alright. Use the cruise control, and if you have the Speed limit warning setting that can come in handy as well, as stated, it can be easy to get well above 60 without thinking (tend to set the warning to 65ish when towing). Try not to overtake going down hills, yes it’s a heavy car, but can still cause issues if going too fast. Stay relaxed and enjoy the trip.

Great tips from all the other replies. From your description, your Elldis will be a twin axle. Don't be drawn in to it being a big caravan so therefore "I can fill it with all the home comforts". Load it correctly (heavy items over the axles) too much weight after the axles will cause major problems when towing (caravan "Wagging"). I usually travel with my awning in the back of the RR, it puts a bit more weight over the back axle and makes my outfit more stable. Your caravan will have a towing weight limit, probably under what your RR can legally tow, it's there for a reason. There will not be many places you can't take your outfit, but do your research before you go, especially Cornwall /Devon. Some site are down very narrow lanes. What ever you do and where ever you go make the drive there part of the holiday, you have the tow car and caravan to make that happen. ENJOY.

Very much appreciate the sage advice, my old man still caravans so he’s coming with me to collect it. Had a panic yesterday as the swan neck would not engage the receiver. Took a while to get the crap out of the neck end, completely removed the receiver to clean properly, works a treat now. Just checked the electrics and thankfully they work too. Booked a couple of nights next weekend , somewhere not too far for a shakedown run then away for a week mid July. Really rather excited!

Join the Caravan (and motorhome) Club, they have some brilliant sites, and the wardens are very helpful, especially with beginners.
It won't take you long to crack the case, take your time, and as the chaps have already said, enjoy 👍
Coz you will make some cock ups along the way.
And get an inflatable awning, saves getting a divorce

I've been caravanning for almost 30 years and I always surprise myself by how much I forget between November and February!

Huwrhys wrote:

I've been caravanning for almost 30 years and I always surprise myself by how much I forget between November and February!

One day Ian, one day.

Just back from a couple of nights in the bush checking everything is in order for a 8000klm 3 week, mostly off grid trip planned for the end of Sept

Ready for a one week trip to Oberhausen am der Nahe

I was looking through some pictures taken last summer and found the images of my rig at the Eurotunnel terminal. What was interesting was the difference in perspective between pictures taken from the front and rear giving a distorted impression of size.
I'll explain this to my wife when she asks the "does my bum looks big in this" question.

First time out with FF with caravan in 2019. 10 days in the Lake District. Fine weather to start, bit of snow to finish. Superb. Coming back down the M6 on Tuesday 22/01/19 saw a late FFRR closely followed by a Buccaneer or Elldis. clocked them somewhere around junc 27 Warrington heading North, lunchtime ish. Was it any of you guys??If so you had probably just come through a cracking storm.

Which site if you don't mind me asking? Love the lakes but tend to go to Coniston.