Hi folks, I'm Martin. Actually Mothy54 on here. Just joined myself and not got a van as yet. I'm hoping years of experience from lots of nice people? Will help me decide. Excuse the grammar.

:welcome1: Dennis and Steve!

You're right about there being so much to remember after the hand over...... It does all come together with practice and you certainly learn quickly from making mistakes - we all have :roll:

If you need any specific advise please ask away and folks on here will help I'm sure.

Hi dennis and steve and :welcome2: :welcome3: exciting times ahead for you ,don,t worry you'll be fine just take things easy,no rushing about in a motorhome,live life in the slow lane.

Welcome ,most important thing to pack on first trip ,is the hand book for all the workings inside the van .Check were you turn the electric from 12 volt to 240 volt .As check that water tank taps are in closed position.First trip away we had we pour the water in and found it went straight through.

Thank you all for your comments - useful stuff already! We're on the verge of our first outing -I've sussed preparing the loo! Could do with some advice on where to go for an awning though - any ideas please? We live in the south of England.

If you mean site to that you can use awning on ,in this weather!!!!! don't bother it will get wrecked :pinch: .Personally I would have first trip away then decided if you need to buy awning if that's what you do mean.Do you have wind out awning on van ,we have and in UK rarely get it out due to weather,but enough when weather is good,on first van we had a safari room by Fiamma. It was nightmare to put up once 2 hours another 30mins another 1.30 hours,flapped in wind as well .Second van we borrowed a drive away awning reasonable easy to put up still a lot of flapping in wind.
The one thing I think everyone we agree with ,is think twice do i need this accessory.

:welcome4: :welcome1:

Some say you should spend yor first night on your driveway - then, when you find you have forgotten some essential pice of equipmant - like the bottle opener - you only hav eto pop indoors to get it.

Can't help you on the awning as we don't have one, but as I presume you are not far from us (Dolphin are in our area), you could look at Towsure - they have a store in Southampton. Try Googling camping equipment - you'll come up with some options. You may need to consider if you want 'drive-away' awning or a 'normal' one, as I believe there are the two options for motorhomes.

Good luck - and enjoy you new motorhome

Well, Frank, we think we could do with one as we have two dogs and could do with the extra space, especially at night. But we have taken note of your comments regarding the weather!
HBlewett - thank you for your comments, too. We were told about a company called Campers and Leisure on the A31 at St Leonards near Ringwood, and they had a good range of awnings up and on display. So we are now the proud owners not only of the Nuevo but also a drive-away awning. Just need to do a test putting-up of (trying to avoid saying erection!!) and then hopefully we will be on our way. The driveway is a great idea - had a couple of cuppas out there whilst showing it to friends. Won't go far - we're lucky to have the New Forest on our doorstep.
Thank you both for your responses.