Hello all,
We'll be picking up our newly refurbed (hopefully) Triton 420 in early December from AL. On advice from AL, we'll be staying at a site overnight nearby to test the systems. This will be our first foray into caravanning (though not camping!) and we're desperate to make it as enjoyable as possible - given the weather!

We've got heating in the van, plus we're taking a small low wattage electric heater.

Question is, what would you take / do / prepare given what you now know about your Eriba / caravanning in general?

All suggestions (within reason!) gratefully received!

Congratulations on the Eriba.
Which sites are open near AL in December?

We like the comfort of a hot water bottle

South Lytchett Manor has been recommended. It is open, it seems!

Good choice of site. If taking wine remember the corkscrew and glasses, you can drink it out of a mug but a glass is nicer. For just the one night I would say so long as you've got what it takes to keep warm you can sort the rest out once you've had a chance to work out what YOU need, we're all different.

Hi Eribascot - this all sounds exciting and I'm sure you will enjoy.

We got our Troll in summer 2016 from AL and in September we had to put it into store for a couple of months whilst we had some work done on our drive. We chose to make it an adventure so we booked four nights on York Caravan Park and then left it with them in store until the work was finished, which was late November, when we again stayed for four nights.

The difference in temperature between the two stays was telling as it was freezing at night when we went back. We had loads of blankets, warm clothes, chocolate and wine - which were essential. we used it as a chance to try various heating. We had a small oil-filled radiator which gave good background warmth. We used the gas heater which warmed the van quickly. We also played with using a small halogen heater which wasn't that effective as it just seemed to warm up a narrow channel of air.

It got really cold and i was woken up by condensation dripping off the aluminium inside of pop top onto to my head. Good paper towel needed to wipe dry. Some of the experienced "guru's"on the Forum suggested that using the gas heater may have built up the moisture in the van making the condensation worse and someone suggested getting the quietest fan heater we could which would give out dryer warm air.

We bought said fan heater and swapped it for the halogen one. The proof of the pudding was a couple of weeks ago we went back to York and again had some really cold nights. I have to say the fan heater worked a treat and moved the warm air effectively to the end of the van. OK it was a bit noisy but we could still hear the radio clearly. We put the fan heater on for a good 10 minute blast before we went to bed and left the little radiator on in the middle of the van. Thankfully I wasn't awoken by condensation.which possibly says something.

So in my long-winded way I am saying make sure you are warm & comfortable and think seriously about getting a decent fan heater with a thermostat. Also some nice warm rugs to put on the floor for that early morning first step out of bed. Have a great time. MikeT

Yes. Warm floor. I have a couple of nice bath mats that I can put down for nipping to the bathroom in the night and underfoot, warmth at brekkie.
Just think about what pleases you at home and make sure you've got the same in the van. For us, it's loo chemicals, food, wine, radio and films, tea and coffee. At first, I made extensive checklists...... It gets easier lol

Thanks all for great advice, particularly the comfy chair and wood burning stove, which we'll make sure are packed!

Also good thought on the the fan heater Mike - I've just ordered one (we already have the oil filled radiator)

Seems wine and chocolate are the common element - I wondered what I'd use all the spare space next to the gas bottles for - now I know!

Ron

You will be quite toasty with the fan heater (make sure you can switch it on in the morning without getting out of bed). However we have always found wet weather more challenging. I suggest a large umbrella near the caravan door, and clogs or wellies you can easily slip on and off when going out. Think about where you can put wet outer clothing to dry in the caravan. You may want to take a couple of hangars or hooks so you can remove your coat etc. and leave them hanging up on the inside of the door. If all else fails a large plastic bag is handy to store wet gear until you get home or the sun shines!

A small groundsheet or door mat is also useful to leave outside the caravan door

As you have been camping I guess you will remember things like a torch -----handy for trips to the toilet block etc.

Hope you have a great time.

Firstly enjoy your trip. In cold and freezing weather our Troll’s standard equipment is supplemented by an oil filled rad (under the table -so warms legs and heat drifts up past us) and on the bed an electric blanket. We also wear hats. It works for us. Though we’ve not resorted to it recently sitting in sleeping bags is a good one. Not to everybody’s taste is a dog which can snuggle up and be a nice ‘n’ cosy friend. On a first trip, if you have the time consider staying a couple of nights to really work out how the van operates. Until well practiced hitching, checking indicator lights, unhitching and levelling for first timers can take a disproportionately long time.

Hi Ron
Another thought has popped into my head about being in your Troll in really cold weather.

Deeps started a thread on October 11th Roof up/ Roof down in which there was a lot of different viewpoints on putting the roof down in freezing weather. I made a comment about the draft that came up from the two conical vents under the beds at the rear of the van. Kath and I felt a chill from these around our feet and Frantone contributed that they put a large plastic wine glass over each of these vents in freezing weather to cut down the draft. These large plastic wine glasses are now part of our over winter kit. If you've not read this thread it is worth a look.MikeT