The Caravan Nut is a channel following a family from Lancashire on their journey with their caravan. There will be reviews, tips and advice, along with any useful information that we have gained whilst on the way.
I am NOT an expert but a fellow caravaner who wants to share experiences and help others, any work undertaken on my van are not necessarily the correct way of doing them, they are MY way of doing them.
All videos and associated content are the sole opinions of the The Caravan Nut and are for entertainment purposes only.
Thanks
Martin & Angela
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How about battery drain, assuming this device is fairly low pull on the battery.
Not noticeable, we have a 100w solar on the roof which tops the battery up. Cheers
Do you really want the van back if it's stolen??.if they want it they'll take it no matter what...
Depends on how long it’s gone for. The more layers of security you can have will hopefully deter. But like I’ve always said, if they want it they will take it.
That’s a bargain tracker Martin 👍. As you say good for checking battery voltage from home and if the caravan is where you left it of course 🤔. I had the Phantom tracker fitted when the caravan was new and I’ve always taken out the five year deal they offer. Works out a lot cheaper than the annual subscription. Cheers, Rob
So far it’s been ok, will see what it’s like when we go out on a trip as what to look at the tracking info. Yep, longer subscriptions always work out better. Thanks for watching Rob 🙂
That Mr Earnshaw is everywhere 😂👍👍.
Took me a while!!! 🤣🤣 yep he’s always watching!
Hi Martin& Angela, once again congratulations on the new van ! We are insured through caravan guard and for our new coachman laser they insisted we had to get an aguri track +. Obviously for insurance we did get it, not cheap and a monthly subscription…. But if our van was ever nicked and 🤞 it will never happen, I don’t know if I would want it back
If someone wants to take a caravan they will, more layers of protection will hopefully help. Like yourselves we would want it back, but again that depends on how long it’s gone for! Thanks for comments and watching 🙂
I hope your both enjoying your new caravan. I have an older (2009) van, so didnt want to spend a lot on a tracker. I decided to purchase an Apple Air Tag. One off payment of £30 and i can always see the location, providing its within 100m of a phone with a bluetooth enabled. Cheap and simple solution. Looking forward to the next video.
I considered the Apple Air Tag but as you know relies on other Bluetooth Apple devices around it. It also alerts people that it’s there, I believe you can disable this function. But a good way to do it though. Cheers
I went to a camhc meeting in scotland earlier this year,2024,members of the club put questions to the panel. one question was about the pricing structure for instance charging per adult and each child £4,the answer was that they had to cover costs each year,it was then put to them they won’t cover costs if people don’t go due to the expensive prices.no answer was given to that one.
Interesting, they also seem to be putting offers on recently. Maybe the penny has dropped! 🤔
I’ve never heard of Donkey Creek before seeing this video which is quite surprising as I store my caravan about five minutes away. Looks a great site though and I can see why you like it.
It’s a lovely area and the site is clean. Worth a visit and you might see some planes if you go during the week. Cheers
Hi Martin great video thanks for sharing that site looks brilliant we go away in 13 days and I can't wait 🤩 hope you had a great time, paul and janet
Thanks for watching Paul & Janet 🙂
Hi sorry to say this love your vlogs as I watch these in bed on my firestick I don't know if anyone has said but your volume when you ho outside is from low to none existent sorry yo tell you this but if no one tells you you don't know
It’s because some of it was recorded on a GoPro with mic and some with an iPhone no mic. Will look at the balance, cheers
Hi Martin. I've had a variety of caravans since the 80s, We have had 2 Bailey Senators, the worst ones we've had, cost us lots of pennies. Got a Swift now and love it. Brother has a 2018 swift, had a few problems but nothing major. Well done buddy. Good luck and enjoy. Thumbs up thumped 👍 Stay safe. ....Pete and Su....
Hi Pete & Su, Yep, this van just feels better all round. Layout is great and so far happy with the build. Just need to get more trips in it! Thanks for the support
Hi martin when ever i unplug the power from the caravan and move on and plug back in on next site the power almost always trips on the board and the control panel and fridge start beeping but as soon as you turn the rcd on, all starts to make sence and you just set fridge and read panel and just correct....really easy mate when you get used to it....lovely van buy the way.wish you both many fantastic holidays in her....steve.
Will see if it does it next time out . We are looking forward to many trips in the new van. Cheers
We found the same issues in the bathroom. We use an over door hook holder for towels and bought a little holder with asuction on thats holds onto the mirror for toothbrushes £1 b&m
Ah yes, over door hook! Didn’t think about that one. Will be looking for one of those. Cheers
Got a great van there, 👍Looking forward to following your journey.
Cheers Colin. 👍🙂
Hi Martin, next time you're in an op shop get yourself an encyclopedia....... to stand on 😂😂😂
Yep!
Love the rush t shirt, I'm a massive fan, been watching them a few times over the years, love the new van.
Yep, my favourite band. Seen them a few times, they don’t make em like Rush anymore! Cheers
Nice Van Angela and Martin..the pumps do work well in the Swifts..have you had any screws drop out yet from around the cooker..seems to be a Swift thing 🤦 A couple we know have always had Swifts and they have had the same. Thread lock them and they stay in 🤞 Great video as always both.. looking forward to the next 😉👍
The water pressure was fantastic. Not noticed any screws dropping out but definitely keep an eye on this. Thanks for comments and support 🙂
Haha, we had all the screws drop out from inside the grill in our 560, we just screwed them back in with a dab of silicon and not fallen out since, the screws in the bedroom door runner fell out as well so did the same with them, the facia from the swift command also fell off!!! In the caravans defence we were travelling back from France and the temperatures were hitting 38c, the tyre pressures were about 76psi and kept alarming the tyrepal
Surely everyone knows it’s free to subscribe to you tube channel’s
They probably do, it’s a tongue in cheek joke to all those who watch and are not subscribed, have you? 🤔
Sorry to hear about your old Bailey but I knew about issues for the early Alu tec body shells. I have a series 3 Cartagena which we bought 2nd hand last year with no issues and a 3 year warranty including water ingress so hopefully should be covered if anything goes wrong. Only van I would change it for is a Swift 635 Grande challenger, which is similar to yours with the mid bathroom but transverse rear bed. Unfortunately I’m too tall for a rear end in line bed like yours even the twin axle version. Hope the new van brings you many happy memories. 😀
It was time for a change and a different layout. Hope your van stays dry. We don’t have an issue with the bed, it’s long enough for us! 🤣 Cheers
Hi there. Power tripping and fridge beeping sounds very familiar. When packaging up the van I now just turn off the main RCD. Then after I’ve arrived at the next location I hook up the power cable, come inside and click the RCD back on and away we go with no issues. Not sure if changing the RCD as one guy suggested will fix this but changing my routine slightly solved it for us. Enjoy!
Sounds like this could be a familiar issue, will try this next time and see what happens. Thanks for comments and watching 🙂
We're busy and your caravaning lol
Ha ha, I put the hours in! 🤔🤣
Hi Martin, Like yourself I previously had a Bailey, and once had a problem with the power keep tripping. Had an electrician take a look and was advised to change all the RCD's as most caravan manufacturers use cheap ones. I did this and never had a problem with tripping again. I have also changed my caravan to a swift conquer, and guess what, every time without fail ,on connecting power on arrival to site or at home the main RCD in the caravan trips, guaranteed 😒. So once again I'm going to swap all the RCD's for more reliable ones. A winter job, as once its reset its fine for the time spent away. 👍
Interesting information, will keep a check on that. It took me a while to realise it had tripped as I wasn’t familiar with the control panel. Thanks again for the info. Cheers
Great vlog, you can’t beat settling in to your new van. Things do find their place in the end. We have the 650L and love the island bed . Re the sliding doors in the bedroom, we never use them. You can set swift command to limit the ampage drawdown on the electrics to stop you tripping the electrics on the post if you use a domestic kettle ! We miss the command on our Elite.
It will take a few trips to get things in the right place. We kept the sliding doors open but I just shut it slightly when going to the toilet. I’ve had another look at the door and should be able to sort it next time out. I worked out how to set the limit on the command, great feature. Thanks for comments and watching 🙂
@@TheCaravanNut a lot of folks moan about commands functionality but once you accept it’s shortcomings it’s great. I Used to love being able to dim the lights remotely or turn them off. The new van you can’t even dim the main lights 🙈
Sounds like they tried to fix something that wasn’t broken! 🤔
@@TheCaravanNut apparently Covid was to blame for parts shortages on our 2023 model so we’ve gone backwards from our 2016 Sterling elite as far as electronics goes. 🥲 I did ask if I could pay to upgrade the control panel but was told it wasn’t an option by the dealer. 🙈
It was lovely seeing you both. Hopefully not to long till next time x
Always great to see you both. Looking forward to next time x
All unicorn vans are nose heavy that’s why they moved the gas locker to the side on newer models
Yep I know. Poor design in my opinion! Cheers
Great video young man 👍 did you lock your bedrooms when travelling ? Our fridge beeped and I took it in to get sorted twice and it turned out I had to much beer in the fridge so the door had dropped and the fridge was thinking the door was open 😂 👍
Yep, doors locked in position for travel. You can never have too much beer in the fridge! 🤣 Cheers
Hi just to let you know, the sound in some parts of the video is very low, and also in your last video,when we picked up our new Lusso they hadn't put the battery strap around the battery so it doesn't matter what you get i don't think they even look at it P.D.I crappie job also had other things not checked 😉 😀
Will check on the sound. Attention to detail needs to be done on PDI’s! Cheers
Hi Martin. Loving the caravan mate. Glad you said the pub name again 😂 I remember when you did the motormover on the old Bailey. Great video that was good to see you both enjoying the caravan. Paul and Sarah
Hi Paul & Sarah, yep, The Ship 🤣 We are loving the van, just need more trips. Cheers
Crap mirror to heavy vibrate all the time absolutely garbage
Really! I don’t have that issue 🤔
I thought my pump had died, but I dropped it down and turned the little wheel to loosen it up with a tiny screwdriver. Saved myself £50.
Nice one! 🙂
Well done Martin, the absolute best layout, you could’ve had a look in ours at donkey creek as we have the same , enjoy 👍
Yes, it’s a great layout. Just need more holidays in it! Cheers
You don’t need to turn the master switch off at all in the Swift caravans, it draws no power whatsoever so ever if the panel is switched off above the door this eliminates the need to get under the sofa cushion. 👍🏼
Thanks for that info. I did read that somewhere but can’t remember where. Cheers
@@TheCaravanNut more than welcome, the pull up extension was in our eyes useless……until we started to use it and now wouldn’t be without it honestly.
Brilliant upgrade, hope it brings you plenty of years happiness. Agree with the other comments about the loo though, poor that the dealer didn’t pick up on that… know what you mean about it’s been cleaned, but not our clean, but now you know it’s of a good standard. Spot on👍🏻
It’s a good upgrade! Yeah, a bit disappointed with the toilet cleaning, they did offer to sort it but we said we would do it. Cheers
There are serious issues across the industry. Take it from me (.i used to make motorhomes at the UK's largest independent motorhome manufacturer) and after the 2008-10 financial crash the ' upstairs staff ' worked tirelessly to source cheaper and vastly inferior raw materials. This had an obvious detrimental effect on quality. BUT all manufacturers did it yet increased their prices and maintained vast profit margins. In fact I asked the MD regarding water ingress and he told me that £2000 had been added to list prices purely because they knew they couldn't keep the water out, thus they all went to plastic framing ( replacing timber) and like bailey did, replaced plywood wallboards for a plastic too. Hence a lot of modern vans that let water in no longer smell fusty and damp. Bailey made their alutech bodyshell simply too rigid and caused numerous issues from the start.
Interesting read 🤔
Can I ask Martin was it the 4 corners and also behind the wheels where the floor is rotting I have the same van as you and we are going to have to fix it. Loving you new van we have been looking around too.
4 corners and behind offside wheel arch. We thought we had sorted it but couldn’t keep it at bay! Seems it’s a common problem. Hope yours is ok. Cheers
Hi Martin. I would try and work around the pop up worktop as you will miss it if you remove it. Top tip with Swift plumbing ,make sure you add jubilee clips to the drain pipes as they have a habit of working free. Re the consumer unit power switch I just put my hand underneath the cushion and switch it on. Also dont store the aqua roll in the shower as it can jam in and damage the shower tray. Enjoy Phil.🙂👍
Hi Phil, we’ve had our first trip away in it and utilised the pop up worktop so will be leaving it. Will check the drain pipes. Cheers
That is so weird...we have just traded our 2018 challenger 560 in for a new Bailey Madrid. We loved the fixed bed but felt it took up too much space. Yes we now make up the 2 sofas into single beds and it literally only takes minutes. I am hoping it doesn't come back to bite us with it being a Bailey. We got it in March and have had 4 weeks and so far are loving it. Wishing you lots of fabulous holidays in your caravan you will love it
The 560 so far is a great van. We are looking forward to many trips away. We did consider single beds but we like the separate areas in the van. Glad you are enjoying the Bailey, keep checking the floor! Cheers
@@TheCaravanNut will do 😁
@@TheCaravanNut also forgot to say we have just bought a "draught stopper" after watching your video last year. Got fed up with limpets coming off. This new van has the fridge grill plate in the wrong place near the wheel as well 🙄
@@jillcurtis8910 yes, the Draught stoppa was a good product.
Beautiful van, good luck with her. 😊
Cheers
Hi. I have the same van albeit the Corniche version. Here are a few of the mods I have made that you may like to try. 1) Add USB's next to the bed on both sides. Flush fit to the upstand under the wardrobe doors. Use C-line sockets/chrome trim and tie into 12v wires already in the wardrobe. 2) Cupboard above oven, fit a shelf and double the space. 3) Swap your Sargent solar controller for Sargent MTTP controller. Straight swap plug and play. This will increase your solar panel efficiency by 30%+.
Some good mods there, I’ll be doing the USB’s at some point. Will look up the solar controller. Cheers
No worries mate. Good channel 👍
Welcome to the Swift family. Now you have a proper caravan we can take you seriously🤣 (joking btw) You’ll never have blown air heating ever again after having Alde. The awning rail protectors are a must on both sides top and bottom. I put it the full length of the rail as it blows out if it’s cut just to go in the top. Look forward to seeing you on your travels. You’ll love the ATC.
Oh and the kitchen extension leave it on you’ll need it. I just lift the cushion out at the front if I need to lift for consumer unit access. Enjoy your new van ❤
I never take anything seriously! Our last van had Alde and ATC, would never go back to air blown. Will monitor the awning rail protectors and maybe get some more. Cheers
@@TheCaravanNut ours is on seasonal and would fine them blown around the rail. They are a must for any caravan though 😍
Hi Martin & Angela, congratulations on your new van it looks great ! Sounds as if your Bailey was starting to have a few issues 🫣 You’ll have no problems now your both with the Swifty Gang. Did you get to sort the tow bar issue? Regards Jerry
Hi Jerry, hopefully it will all be plain sailing from now on. The tow bar is still beeping, I’ve taken the fuse out. It’s in the garage next week to get it sorted. Cheers
Hi Martin. We have the same layout as your van. Space and storage is fine for just us two. Though must have another go at taking more stuff out that we don't need. It just seems to mount up. Last trip got rid of 11 bent ground pegs why I kept them I have no idea. Enjoy the new van. Thanks for sharing 👍
Hi Paul, yes shirt just accumulates without noticing. Good to have a sort out every now and then. Cheers
I love your van. We have a Challenger X 880. We love the Swift Vans. 😊
So far so good, just hope it lasts! Cheers
Not a good advert for the dealer ...leaving a richard in cassete for you ....
I would have taken photos and on to dealer what the hell is this.
The dealer were made aware of it on collection and offered to sort it but we wanted to do it ourselves then we knew it would be up to our standard. Cheers
We have the same issue with the extending flap over the seat but have found it’s really useful to use as extra worktop space. We just lift it up to get to the main switch.
Yeah, we definitely saw the use of the flap on our first trip, will just do the same as you and lift it up. Cheers
I reckon your off to donkey creek farm in Preston 😊
I reckon you could be right! 🤣 cheers
Exciting times, toilet sounded a bit errrrr! 🥂 here’s to some fab hols.
Really don’t think the previous owners knew what they were doing, having said that, I make it up as I go along! 🤣 cheers Colin 🙂
How nice it would be to have the drain down switch easy to get to, would only be an extra couple feet of pipe as well. wh had a series 2 Valencia easy to get to the switch, went to a series 3 Vigo, and like your swift you have to lift up the cushions and twist your arm to get to it....
Yep, not the easiest drain down to get to but we’ll live with it. Don’t think the people that design these things are caravanners! Cheers
Beautiful van that Mart 😍. Seem to lose a bit of cupboard space at the front having the window, but it lets so much light in. The worktop extender that folds down - could you reverse the hinge and have it folding and locking in an upright position instead?
Eh up Mart, the loss of cupboard space was my part of my cunning plan to take less stuff with us, the view is better though. As for the worktop extender idea…that’s hurting my brain trying to work out how that would work!! 🤣 See ya tomorrow.
Its a gorgeous van. We are so happy for you both ❤️ ❤x
Cheers Deb, great to catch up with you both at the weekend. Speak soon x