Pecksniff Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Ok, we've never done a rally before but I'm really tempted to do one next weekend. Mr P is a bit reluctant but it sounds like a really good set up for the children and is only £9 pupn. It would only be for three or four nights and only an hour from home, but we've always had EHU before and I'm wanting to make sure we all enjoy it and don't end up cold and in the dark :-) We need to change our gas bottle anyway because of the recall, which means we should have a full bottle so the heating and fridge will be fine. If we charge the battery fully before we go, I guess we just need to be careful with lights, forget that we have a microwave and stick with the gas kettle not electric? Anything else I need to think about (other than extra loo pink and blue ;-))? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbroker Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 You sound pretty prepared, assume you dont have a solar panel? We have done nearly 700 rallies of various sorts and would recommend them to anyone,especially with kids. ..as it is usually through them that you meet others and make your own friends. ....it used to be our daughter who would say "can we go to suchandsuch rally next month?,as my friends are going" Enjoy Geoff Quote Kia Sorento KX-1 CRDI 4WD towing an Elddis Affinity 530 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Grouse Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 It's easy! After 3 decades only ever using EHU, we stopped 3 nights at a music festival - our antique car battery lasted 48 hours of that and then the regular leisure battery took over, which would probably have lasted another week - but our caravan has all-LED lighting so little current draw there. Quote 2015 VW Touareg 3. 0 V6 TDI + 2013 Lunar Clubman ES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screenman Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Never had a battery go flat on us, even on a 10 day rally with no hook up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecksniff Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Thanks all. No, no solar panel - and do you know, I've no idea what sort of lighting our caravan has (in fact I'm not sure I could reliably tell you the difference between LED and normal - will pass that one across to Mr P to see if that translates to there being a forbidden lightswitch :-) We are members of both the CC and the C&CC - for reasons that are completely illogical I'm thinking a C&CC one will be somehow less intimidating to cut our teeth on :-) It's strange to discover the images that both Clubs have in my head, without any real justification for it! Screenman - that must be with a solar panel, surely? I can't imagine a normal leisure battery could last so long?! Edited October 23, 2014 by Pecksniff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screenman Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 No solar panel. We only use a couple of lights and the water pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecksniff Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Wow - that's impressive, and something I suspect we won't be able to emulate! I hadn't thought about the water pump for battery usage - I figure showering every day might not be ideal . .....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunarloopy Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 If you're taking the telly, use sparingly if plugging into the 'van battery, or get a 12v cigarette lead 2/3 metres long and plug into your car cig lighter socket 1 Quote Volvo XC60 D5 AWD AUTO. Lunar Lexon 570 We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing 2 x darling grandaughters and her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greasbyite Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Make sure your fridge, heating and hot water work ok on gas before you go away Quote 2018 Hyundai Tucson Premium SE CRDi Auto 2L towing a 2011 Bailey Pegasus Genoa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Grouse Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) Make sure your fridge, heating and hot water work ok on gas before you go away That should be done routinely during the annual service - regardless of whether it's done by dealer workshop, mobile fitter or DIY. Edited October 24, 2014 by Black Grouse Quote 2015 VW Touareg 3. 0 V6 TDI + 2013 Lunar Clubman ES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyMark Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) We've done a few rallies now. My better half was sceptical beforehand but loves it. As do our two youngest kids (3 + 4). Done a bank holiday long weekend and still had approx 80% battery left. Led lights do help. Obviously cooking on gas and love the gas BBQ. Kettle for small amount of water, water heater for more. An awning, even small porch, helps with wet shoes etc as your likely in a field. A torch as often in places that are dark dark at night. Edited October 24, 2014 by MonkeyMark Quote Just beginning our adventure. 95% of my time on CT I use my phone. As a result correct spelling and grammer will be used sparingly. This is due to fat fingers. Please don't let it bother you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbroker Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Broadly speaking most things are covered. ..let us know how you get on please. geoff Quote Kia Sorento KX-1 CRDI 4WD towing an Elddis Affinity 530 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbilly Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Don't forget to let the rally marshals know that it is your first rally ! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techsnap Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) We are members of both the CC and the C&CC - for reasons that are completely illogical I'm thinking a C&CC one will be somehow less intimidating to cut our teeth on :-) It's strange to discover the images that both Clubs have in my head, without any real justification for it We did our first rallies this year, one with each club. I have to say, our experience was the opposite to your expectations - the CC rally was much more friendly and made a lot more effort to welcome us and include us in what was going on. To be fair the C&CC rally was a bigger event, and it was pleasant and enjoyable, but we were left much more to our own devices to get on with it. Based on that experience, I would happily go to another C&CC rally, but would probably recommend a CC one for the first. Edited October 24, 2014 by techsnap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ern Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Rallying is great for young families with kids (and for older people too). We brought our 3 kids up on club rallys and they loved it. The way kids mix (if let) is always amazing, and it's good for them to get some exposure to a variety of different people. We did rallys all year round and never had solar panels. We always had a good strong battery and a lead for the car so that we could use the car battery if we got stuck. Happy days. Quote Ern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyMark Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) One thing from our rallies was very few other kids. In fact I think only two we've been on had other kids there. For next year we're going to try another district I think. Edited October 24, 2014 by MonkeyMark Quote Just beginning our adventure. 95% of my time on CT I use my phone. As a result correct spelling and grammer will be used sparingly. This is due to fat fingers. Please don't let it bother you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBBC Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 One thing from our rallies was very few other kids. In fact I think only two we've been on had other kids there. For next year we're going to try another district I think. One of our neighbours mum & dad have caravanned for years and only every rally. They gave us some advice before we bought our first van. They are an older retired couple. Whenever the Scottish Caravan club posts pictures on Facebook of rallies it tends to be older people and no young children. Even on the occasion I have looked at the West of Scotalnd website page again all the pictures tend to be of older people. . I keep reading on here that rallying is great for kids but from what I see, not in the Scottish clubs. Quote Kia Sorento KX-2 Auto - Bailey Pegasus GT65 Ancona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 We pretty much only rally, with CCCF, most, but not all these rallies have ehu anyway. We have been known to do 3 weeks without ehu on a single leisure battery with less than 30W worth of solar panel keeping it topped up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashgordon Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 We use our van for the music festivals and get 5-6 days without any solar top, and using the van as normal including her ladyships shower regime, from our 115amp battery, that includes messing with the mover on the drive and when we get to our pitch. Do it it's what caravans are meant for! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTQ Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 A lot depends on the health of the battery, probably more so that the "size" label stuck to its side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I would certainly recommend rallying as a way of getting to know people and make new friends. We first met a number of our friends on rallies, and while they don't all own caravans now, we still meet up to socialise when we're in their area. Our daughter, now left home and married, still refers to her "rally friends" she met as she grew up. One thing to be aware of is conservation of the caravan battery; in other words, do not put all of the lights on, leave them on for hours every evening, and expect the battery to last, because it won't! On the other hand considerate use of all things electrical (water pump, lights, TV, heater fan etc), and a 100Ah battery should last a week or more without a recharge. Gordon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david 1220 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Hi, Take extra blankets ! Quote Skoda Scout 4x4 pulling a coachman Amara 520/4 at 93%---- when full! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougie Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 We do C&CC rallies a couple of times a year as well as weekend car shows. This year we have done the Scottish meet at Bridge of Allan, The Montrose Festival, Perth DA at Glendevon and in a couple of weeks the Nov meet at St Andrews. Daughter (6) loves it and always runs herself ragged with her pals. But you do have to get stuck in and put yourself about a bit. A big silver Transit with signwriting certainly helped in my case. Although we only do 3 nights the battery lasts fine and the shower,telly and lights are used every day. Though we have been known to use a 7kg bottle of gas on a colder meet. We do have 2 aquarolls as well. Quote Gem Caravans (Fife) Ltd. ALL MAKES SERVICING AND REPAIRS BAILEY TRANSIENT WARRANTY, LUNAR AND COACHMAN WARRANTY www. gemcaravancare.co.uk 07803 922945 WORKSHOP NOW OPEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefthand Down Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Using a Solar Panel and a Rutland Wind Generator allowed me to stay in a field during August for 14 nights. The battery was still full when we left to come home. Quote Ford C-Max and Coachman Festival 380/2 SE 2006 Motto Carpe Diem Still trying to find the perfect pitch. ..110 amp Battery+ 65 watt roof mounted Solar and 25 watt Wind Turbine. LED lighting. Status Aerial 315. Loose chattels marked with UV,. Safefill Gas Fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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