3 adults, 1 toddler and 1 small dog, we excitedly hit the road towing our new eriba triton, all was going well until just over half way to our stop over, I realised I had no indication working, pulled over to check and found we had lost the grey connector, it was there when we started out lol but now just bare wires, panic! Do we go on or not? Phoned the son inlaw who informed us we only needed the black one for lights, and this too had worked loose, with a ball of string we did some macramé and was on the road again all light working. Made it to our destination setting up, popped the top a whoosh a whopping hail storm, never mind though it soon passed, thank god we took the wellies. Treated our selves to a fish and chip tea, note to self: never leave left overs in the awning over night as the local wildlife also enjoys fish & chips, also watch out for tent pegs whilst walking the dog in the dark (instead of gazing at the moon and stars) we encountered one eriba kiss, which was luckily dulled by the intake of red wine before hand. When it came to our sleep, it turned out that one of our party thought this would be a great time to play, I.e. 12 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock and again at 5:30 and between time grannies bed seemed to be favourite lol. A lovely sunrise was seen by all, and breakfast saw the loss of one cutlery draw front. On leaving the site I commented on how the car seemed to be struggling, and even skidding, so before venturing onto the main road I stopped at the end of the lane, to check, and yes I was right the car was struggling "who left the handbrake on, on the eriba"? But all said we had a great time, loads of laughs, learnt a lot and can't wait to go again.
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Yes it was a learning curve and great fun, can't wait to go again. We basically had the site to ourselves, and the misty early morning was lovely.

I don't think the spring hinges are very strong on the car so mite have to change them, also the weight of the 13 pin connecter seemed to be pulling the other two connecters out, we tried securing it a bit but then after we got going again when ever we turned a corner the black connecter got pulled out again, so we had to limp to the caravan site, stopping to check it every now and then. For the return trip I got some gorilla tape and taped it in, also taped up the bare ends of the grey one, and we got home fine with no un-scheduled stops.

On our first outing we got stuck in the mud on a campsite, on leaving we didn’t secure the Poptop properly and found it half up when we stopped for a wee break... and also found the Alco lever up. We have had further mishaps but nothing serious. We have also had the time of our lives with our T5 and Triton :) Glad you had a lovely time!

Lovely words of your experience Paul and don't worry, we've all been there and done whatever. Where is the site?

Hi, it's the Church House Farm at Crossgates near Llandrindod Wells Powys.
http://www.churchhousefarm.net/index.html

Ok thanks

Have a search for the pre departure check list aaron (Brian) did.............. print it and take it with you saves a lot of those oooppps moments

You can find it here

Pre-departure Checklist

Hi, nice photo. I have also had the same problem with the electrics to the car luckily it was intact and dangling as I pulled in to check everything was as it should be a few mins into my journey. I have found that I was missing pushing it in and twisting so the locators are firm then snapping the cap over it. I am getting better at hitching up each time although my mistake on the flimsy connection was not spotted until my third trip.

Luckily I have only gone to use the mover with he handbrake on, and touch wood, not towed with it on. But as everyone else said, we all have to start somewhere and we have all had plenty of mistakes. So enjoy your travels.

Yeah we have the pre-departure list printed and laminated lol. Must say that we was very pleased to see that our Vango Drivaway Awning that we bought for our transit autosleeper Duetto fits to the eriba great, and give some extra living space and so easy to erect, there are more photos of this awning on our duetto website:
http://www.our-duetto.com/lilac_house__amp__vango.html

The pre-departure list is great - you've just got to remember to read it! (Saves driving down the M11 with the back window open and the curtains streaming in the wind!)

Wonderful photo's very evocative of the time of year

Can you add them to the wish you were here gallery please? if not let me know and I will have a go at doing it from this end