Help with 1st trip plans!

[RubyOptics]

Hello again all! Seems like a long time since I last begged you all for your help, but that time has been well spent! We've managed to increase our original 5-10k budget quite significantly and also realised that a small 5m-ish van just won't be enough for our needs. We've travelled hundreds of kilometres looking at various vans and layouts but before taking the plunge on anything, we've decided to rent this summer to make sure that this is really what we want (also several dealers have advised that prices have risen this year due to both people wanting their own van for a "safe" holiday and also many are buying, at leaqst here in Poland, to rent out and make a profit!)
We're renting a 7m alcove family van with rear bunk beds, and although it's more modern than we can afford and slightly longer than we want, it's the closest we can rent to what we maybe want to buy. We're now onto planning the trip and I wanted to ask your advice. We're thinking of wild-camping our very first night. Is that insane? I know a lot "in theory" about all this, largely thanks to this forum, so think that we could manage at least a night without mains etc. Also, my thinking is that if we get it out the way, then it won't be this big scary "thing" in the future. Also, the batteries would be fully charged, the waste tank empty, the fresh tank full and the cassette empty, so ideal for a night wild camping.
What do you think? Should we take the plunge? The place we are looking to camp for the night is on park4night, has many positive reviews stretching back several years along with good quality photographs showing vans of our size parked there. Any advice gratefully received!!!

 

[RubyOptics]

Sorry, should add that this is where we are thinking of going.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just do it, if you don't like the place or feel uncomfortable, move on to somewhere else. Enjoy your motorhome.

 

[Two on Tour]

Had a look on Google maps and it looks a nice enough place to pitch up for your first night, enjoy.

 

[Chipster]

Looks a grand spot!!

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[RubyOptics]

So..."Man up" seems to be the consensus so far...thanks...no pressure then!!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Had a look on Google maps and it looks a nice enough place to pitch up for your first night, enjoy.

Yes, I was going to say check it out on google maps and street view. One reviewer says can be rutted so just be careful and it looks ideal. Certainly not mad to make first night wild camping.

 

[Two on Tour]

So..."Man up" seems to be the consensus so far...thanks...no pressure then!!

Human nature to be apprehensive and wanting reassurance with things that are alien or new to us, so perfectly rational.

 

[RubyOptics]

Yes, I was going to say check it out on google maps and street view. One reviewer says can be rutted so just be careful and it looks ideal. Certainly not mad to make first night wild camping.

Thanks Annie, the weather here has been far from ideal, so the ruts are a big consideration, thanks for that. Just hoping it doesn't have electronic dump valves so I don't dump the grey tank instead of turning off the lights at night!!!

 

[RubyOptics]

Two on Tour Being 100% honest, now that the deposit is paid, I'm equal parts excited and terrified at the thought of driving around in someone else's 60k pride and joy!

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[Riverbankannie]

It’s not unmanly to ask your partner to get out and check for overhead branches and when reversing etc.
When you leave a pitch or park up, walk around the outside and check for forgotten belongings (especially if you have children ), open windows especially the lift up type on the roof and raised TV aerials.
You can pretend you are a pilot doing pre-flight checks.
Pre move off checks also worth doing every time. There is nothing worse than the sound of the fridge door flying open and the milk falling out

 

[RubyOptics]

It’s not unmanly to ask your partner to get out and check for overhead branches and when reversing etc.
When you leave a pitch or park up, walk around the outside and check for forgotten belongings (especially if you have children ), open windows especially the lift up type on the roof and raised TV aerials.
You can pretend you are a pilot doing pre-flight checks.
Pre move off checks also worth doing every time. There is nothing worse than the sound of the fridge door flying open and the milk falling out

Oh I'm certainly not going to put balls before brain and not ask for help!!! On your second point, would anyone happen to have a "pre-departure checklist" or similar that I could use to prevent any brain-farts?!!

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

When you leave a pitch or park up, walk around the outside and check for forgotten belongings (especially if you have children ),

Have you ever left children behind Riverbankannie?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Have you ever left children behind Riverbankannie?

Let me think........
No

 

[irnbru]

All good advice already given. Just take your time and enjoy...be aware of rear overhang when turning.

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[RubyOptics]

Jimbohorlicks

 

[Riverbankannie]

Oh I'm certainly not going to put balls before brain and not ask for help!!! On your second point, would anyone happen to have a "pre-departure checklist" or similar that I could use to prevent any brain-farts?!!

There must be one in here somewhere!

Motorhome Checklists

Motorhome Checklists for every occasion Every Motorhomer can benefit from a checklist. Some of the most experienced among us use them all the time. A good checklist will ensure you do not forget to pack an important item or remind you about an...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[RubyOptics]

There must be one in here somewhere!

Motorhome Checklists

Motorhome Checklists for every occasion Every Motorhomer can benefit from a checklist. Some of the most experienced among us use them all the time. A good checklist will ensure you do not forget to pack an important item or remind you about an...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

DOH!!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Sorry to add something else, but we find it very useful to have card to hand when driving with the height and width of the van written in bold easy to see numbers.
I don’t know how common narrow or low bridges are in Poland but of you suddenly come across a restriction sign it’s amazing how difficult it can be to remember whether you can get through say, 2 metres or under 3 metres. (And in the UK still see them in feet and inches!)

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You can have all the checklists you like, when you get to where your going you will have forgotten something. It's part of motorhoming. Cork screw, tin opener that works, dog lead, spare torch batteries, tomato ketchup. There will always be something,, but you can always buy whatever it is.

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[Two on Tour]

You can have all the checklists you like, when you get to where your going you will have forgotten something. It's part of motorhoming. Cork screw, tin opener that works, dog lead, spare torch batteries, tomato ketchup. There will always be something,, but you can always buy whatever it is.

You can't get Branston pickle in France, and the bloody French have got the audacity to call themselves food connoisseurs.

 

[MisterB]

Have you ever left children behind Riverbankannie?

We tried a couple of times ...

 

[RubyOptics]

You can have all the checklists you like, when you get to where your going you will have forgotten something. It's part of motorhoming. Cork screw, tin opener that works, dog lead, spare torch batteries, tomato ketchup. There will always be something,, but you can always buy whatever it is.

I don't mind that type of thing, I'm more worried about the type of thing that Annie mentioned....that as a complete novice I might forget to lock the fridge, or shut a window or similar and do damage to someone else's van and ruin their pride and joy.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just walk around the outside to check all is closed and especially all outside lockers locked etc, gas turned off at the bottle, check all the cupboards inside are shut and catches engaged. Push fridge door to recheck.. Nothing loose inside on tables or kitchen.
We all do it, it's part of the routine just enjoy the experience and relax.

 

[Rosemary1]

Have you ever left children behind Riverbankannie?

My mum told me about that she once left her near new born first child (my eldest brother) in a pram parked outside the local post office in the 50’s. She said she walked home and made herself a cup of tea with a strange feeling she had forgotten something! When she realised she ran back and found him still sound asleep there.

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[Snoopy]

My mum told me about that she once left her near new born first child (my eldest brother) in a pram parked outside the local post office in the 50’s. She said she walked home and made herself a cup of tea with a strange feeling she had forgotten something! When she realised she ran back and found him still sound asleep there.

my first day starting back to work, little one ( now 31) went from school playground, to after school, I finished work, drove home parked on the drive, popped my head over to the back seat, nearly had a heart failure raised up to the school, ran in panting and apologising, only to be greeted with one happy child playing and the staff saying you won't be the last parent to do this, and they never charged me.