Mike_Hammond
Member Since: 09 Mar 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 148
  
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| New Van and need some advice |
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Picked up my 1st caravan today, it's a 2005 Elddis Avante 556, 6 berth single axle, 24ft long, very clean and just over 1100kgs unladen. The Disco towed it really easily and it sat very stable on the motorway so really happy with it, although the fuel gauge took a hit even on the short trip home 
I need to find some tow mirrors that'll fit, we're off to Stowford Farm in north devon next Thursday to christen it. I tried the elastic strap on things but straps were too short ! Is there a recommended one out there that suits the disco best ?
Also any general tips for storing and looking after a van in general, I've got the use of an open sided hay barn to store it so intend to buy a cover, take off the wheels and put it up on blocks over winter but any other things I should consider ?
Cheers, Mike
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 14th Aug 2013 9:19 pm |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
 
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| Re: New Van and need some advice |
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Mike_Hammond wrote:
I need to find some tow mirrors that'll fit, we're off to Stowford Farm in north devon next Thursday to christen it. I tried the elastic strap on things but straps were too short ! Is there a recommended one out there that suits the disco best ?
Milenco grand aero 
Mike_Hammond wrote:
Also any general tips for storing and looking after a van in general, I've got the use of an open sided hay barn to store it so intend to buy a cover, take off the wheels and put it up on blocks over winter but any other things I should consider ?
Cheers, Mike
I don't take the wheels off.
Obviously make sure anything containing water is emptied and dried before winter.
Give the water tank a thorough cleaning before storing.
Oh and keep the nose weight over 100 kg when towing.
Happy camping!
Wiljo D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
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| 14th Aug 2013 9:35 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Milenco Grand Aero's, nothing else comes close. Also fit the Milenco V Pads and remove any polish on the mirror backs ,
Check your insurance if you do take the wheels off, they usually insist on a wheel lock.
You could remove one wheel and fit a JSB Hublock, it has not been known to have one removed by unauthorised persons.
Last edited by Washwipe on 14th Aug 2013 9:43 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 14th Aug 2013 9:40 pm |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
 
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I also use Milenco grand aeros, they do the job just fine.
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| 14th Aug 2013 9:41 pm |
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Mike_Hammond
Member Since: 09 Mar 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 148
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Grand Aeros seems to be the winner then. Thanks gents, I'll get shopping 
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| 14th Aug 2013 9:44 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Just be careful of putting to much weight on the nose, you've got a 100kg limit on that hitch.
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| 14th Aug 2013 9:46 pm |
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Mike_Hammond
Member Since: 09 Mar 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 148
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Washwipe wrote:Check your insurance if you do take the wheels off, they usually insist on a wheel lock. You could remove one wheel and fit a JSB Hublock, it has not been known to have one removed by unauthorised persons.
I was more thinking of keeping the tyres in good nick rather than security although removing them would make life more difficult for an opportunist !
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| 14th Aug 2013 10:04 pm |
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Beretta
Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Rochdale
Posts: 1180
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but with removing the wheels the thief hasn't got the wheel clamp to worry about, my trailer insurance says that a wheel clamp must always be fitted (when left un-attended)
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| 15th Aug 2013 10:33 am |
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Mike_Hammond
Member Since: 09 Mar 2013
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 148
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I think the JSB hub lock linked to earlier in the thread would sort that out but I know what you're getting at.
I've not got the insurance sorted yet, that's next on the list ! more money to spend 
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| 15th Aug 2013 10:47 am |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
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I always jack up the caravan for the winter. ALKO used to recommend doing so as it "rested" the suspension. Insurance companies can be sticklers and mine still insists on wheel locks (mine fits on the brake drum and other security devices. I also deflate the tyres and store them in the dark. You have to consider any risks that might mean that the caravan needs to be moved. No wheels = no movement. Having said that some years ago a twin wheeler with all wheels removed was stolen about 10 miles from me.
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| 15th Aug 2013 2:04 pm |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
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Something else worth considering (particularly on a 2005 van) is the actual age of the tyres. Because most vans do not do many miles you will see vans with tyres that have loads of tread and look in good condition but are actually 10 years old or more. Caravan Club recommend changing tyres at 7 years old latest I think, regardless of how much tread or how good condition they look in (or how they have been stored).
All tyres should have a date of manufacture code on them. It will be a 4 digit number usually in an small embossed oval on the sidewall e.g. 2408 which means they were manufactured in week 24 of 2008.
I have just changed both tyres on my van even though they had 5mm tread and looked fine because the date code was 4806 (week 48 2006). They were the original tyres and had obviously been in stock somewhere for a while because the van was manufactured mid 2007. I.e. they were already over 6 months old when I purchased the van new. 
Annoyingly the date code on mine was on the inside rim of the tyre not the outside so had to get under the van with a torch to find it.
I got new tyres for about £65 each. Very small price to pay in my opinion to minimise the risk of a van blow out at speed on the motorway - not something I would wish on any tintenter.
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| 15th Aug 2013 2:35 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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I thought the recommendation was to change tyres every 5 years and never let them go over 7.
I recall hearing/reading somewhere that the 5 year rule for ALL tyres was to become law soon.
Perhaps AJS4x4 or someone with insider tyre knowledge can confirm ? Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
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| 15th Aug 2013 2:53 pm |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
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Not sure whether it is 5 or 7 Dunc, but one thing I am sure of is that there are a lot of vans out there with tyres on that will be much older. Some peeps just don't think that it is important
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| 15th Aug 2013 3:00 pm |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
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Washwipe wrote:Milenco Grand Aero's, nothing else comes close. Also fit the Milenco V Pads and remove any polish on the mirror backs ,
Do the V Pads make a difference? I've used the standard fastenings on the Grand Aeros for a few years now without a problem, but if they can be improved............. What do they do?
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| 15th Aug 2013 3:10 pm |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
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discoteca wrote:Not sure whether it is 5 or 7 Dunc, but one thing I am sure of is that there are a lot of vans out there with tyres on that will be much older. Some peeps just don't think that it is important
If this is of interest: the German 'tempo 100' approval will allow you to drive 100 kph in Germany, but tyres must not exceed 5 years of age.
Wiljo D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
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| 15th Aug 2013 7:05 pm |
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