Petromax Lanterns

Wow, at last these great lanterns have arrived all the way from Germany.

Paraffin powered, they give a great light, a little heat and even a nice sound!

They last forever and they look really great.

Have a look here on the Hitch-n-Pitch website and see what I mean.

A really great Christmas present for the camper or caravanner.

Simple Security Tip

If you are leaving you van or motorhome away from home, then try this simple security tip:

When you leave your van, take out all the visible soft furnishings. Have you seen how much they cost to replace? Mr opportunist criminal wont want to steal a van with so seats and pillows!

Flushed away?

OK so how do I say this? I found some really great toilet fluid! Its called OneChem. It comes in a 1 litre bottle, with a measurer on the top that makes it really easy to get the right amount so as not to waste any.

It is bio-degradeable, so no formaldehyde, and its kinder to the environment than those other loo chemicals.

Now I never had an issue with the smell of the other fluids I have used in the past. but this stuff smells great, fresh, in a way that I haven't smelt before.

And probably the best thing, the lable says ....... Manufactured in the UK!

Its in our Poole shop now!

Try it and see what I mean.

What is an RCD or an MCB

What is an RCD / MCB?

All outdoor electrical distribution equipment is required by law to include some form of safety device for anyone using attached equipment. The type of device depends on where and how the distribution system is being used. Here we explain the different types of electrical safety devices as well as what is required by law and is optional.

What is an RCD?

An RCD (Residual Current Device) monitors the volume of electricity (Current/Amps) that flows in through the Live and out through the Neutral. If everything is safe and running as it should do then the Current will be the same on the way in as it is on the way out. If by accident the situation becomes critical and someone or something comes into contact with the flow of electricity, the flow of Current going through the Live and Neutral drops as some of the Current is now travelling through the person/object receiving the electric shock.
It is the RCD's job to see this change and rightly assume that electricity is leaving the circuit in a dangerous manner. The RCD then automatically trips and breaks the electrical circuit completely.

An RCD has a "time" rating. This time rating is generally 30ms (or 0.030 seconds). This is the time it takes the RCD to respond to a problem. The RCD then requires someone to manually reset it so it can continue operation. If the problem is still present then the RCD will trip again instantly. You cannot reset the RCD if the problem still exists. These devices are considered a must for almost all outdoor/environmental power applications.

RCD's required by law to be included in any fixed wiring application.

What is an MCB?

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) is a device that is pre-configured to allow a maximum amount of Current (Amps) to flow. To give an example, every UK plug has a fuse that acts in a similar fashion to an MCB. If you plug in a device that uses too many Amps for that circuit, the MCB will trip.

Some form of MCB is required by law whereby part or whole of the distribution unit is at risk of being exposed to a higher Current rating than it is able to handle. This is typically governed by the plug and lead coming into the unit. These components govern the overall energy that can be accessed and therefore the MCB is rated to match the lead and plug.

Overall, RCD's and MCB's compliment each other nicely. It is an RCD's job to prevent fatal accidents due to electric shock whilst it is the MCB's job to prevent damage to plug/sockets/wiring and connected equipment by being exposed to too many Amps.

I found this on the internet and have out it here for your information. It gives the main things that you need to know and do. It is extracted from the Highways Agency website.

Fit To Tow?

Keep your trailer ready to go.

If you’re taking to the roads with a caravan, trailer or horsebox, don’t set out without a final safety and maintenance check, especially if you leave it standing for most of the year.

Before setting out, make sure your trailer is properly serviced and fit to be on the road. Your trailer should be given a regular service by a reputable dealer.

Fit to Tow Video

To raise awareness of the safety risks involved when towing a caravan or trailer and the importance of ensuring you are towing safely, the Highways Agency has issued a new safety DVD, Fit to Tow, presented by Carol Smillie.

Please select the video file below. Different video file formats will be made available shortly along with a full text transcript of the production. If your PC does not have the necessary plug-in you should be prompted to install it.

High quality MPEG View (48MB)

Here is a simple checklist for you to download and print off: Fit to Tow Checklist (84KB PDF)

Before you set off:

Carry out a final maintenance check before you set off.
Is the load correctly distributed and firmly secured?
Are all the lights undamaged and working correctly?
Are the tyre pressures correct and all tyres in good condition?
Is the trailer correctly coupled to the tow ball or pin?
Is the coupling height correct? It should be level.

On the Road

Driving with a loaded trailer will inevitably affect the vehicle’s performance:
Moving off needs more effort.
It will take longer to slow down and stop.
You need to take extra care when negotiating sharp bends.

You need to check:

That the vehicle and trailer are loaded securely and correctly distributed in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications.
Are you adequately covered for recovery and breakdown?
Most recovery agents won’t cover a trailer unless it’s specified in your contract. Make sure you have specialist breakdown cover. Standard trailer insurance does not automatically include breakdown cover.

Reversing with a Trailer

Make sure the area behind you is clear before reversing.
Be especially aware of children and pedestrians.
Try to get somebody to observe for you.
Practice makes perfect! Try reversing before setting off.

Have you got the Right Licence?

An ordinary category B licence allows you to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes Maximum Gross Weight and to tow a trailer that weighs up to 750 kilograms Maximum Gross Weight, giving a Maximum Combination Weight of up to 4250 kilograms.
Drivers who have got a B category licence are entitled to tow a trailer over 750 kilograms Maximum Gross Weight provided that the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen or kerb weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3.5 tonnes.
If you want to drive a larger vehicle or pull a heavier trailer you will need to take a category B + E driving test.
For more information visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing

Speed Restrictions

Always keep within the legal speed limit.
30mph limit applies on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.
50mph applies on single carriageways unless signs show otherwise.
60mph applies on dual carriageways and motorways.
NOTE: You must not travel in the right-hand lane of a motorway with three lanes or more.
Avoid problems before they happen

Following these 4 simple rules could help you to avoid unnecessary repairs.
Avoid parking your trailer on long grass - moisture could damage it.
When you park up, you must not leave a detached trailer on a public road. If it is hitched up it must always be parked with lights on at night on any public road.
On a level surface if it is safe to do so, avoid parking with the handbrake on.
Grease all the greasing points with a grease gun, plus the brake cables or rods, and handbrake.

What if you break down on a motorway?

Remember it is illegal to stop on a hard shoulder except in an emergency.

If an emergency forces you to stop, then follow these top 5 personal safety tips from the Highways Agency:
Pull onto the hard shoulder and park as far to the left as you can.
Turn on your vehicle’s hazard warning lights.
Leave the vehicle via the doors furthest away from traffic and stand as far away from traffic as is safe.
Contact the Highways Agency using the emergency roadside telephone.
Follow the instructions from Highways Agency staff.

Hitch-n-Pitch attends South West Region Meet

Over the last weekend, we were most lucky to have been invited to the Camping and Caravanning Club's South West Regional meet, organised by the New Forset DA, at Budden's Farm, just outside Wareham.

We set our lovely old Bessacar 550 up on Thursday and then arrived with the stock on the Friday morning. The "Shop" was based under the fantastic Pa Ha Que Sun Shelter, shelves were assembled, the solar radio turned on, and the great new Isabella directors chairs were put out.



Friday was good and the weather not too bad, Saturday was a little different, the wind blew like it hadn't had any exercise for months and the rain fell as only an Atlantic front can drop it!



But spirits were high and everyone had a great time, especially on Saturday night when the party had a space theme. A member of the HNP team was a Space Cowboy!

Sunday arrived and was a little drier, and the sun when it shone was nice and warm, and aided by the breeze, the awnings and tents soon dried out.

Lots of stock was sold to appreciative rally people, and the atmosphere over the weekend was really great.



After the closing ceremony and the awards, all well deserved, peole started making their way home.

We look forward very much to the next one, and thanks to all those who had a hand in organising this great weekend.

Caravan Insurance .... again.

Caravan insurance is like a safety net for any mishap that might occur when out on a touring caravan.

Should the unfortunate happen, the insurance would cover most of the costs incurred, depending on your type of policy, leaving you with not having to pay up everything from your wallet.

Touring caravan insurance is not too expensive. You can get a specialist caravan insurance broker to quote and it is often possible to pay montly, but note there is sometimes interest to pay.

Get a couple of different quotes, I use the Camping and Caravan Insurance Service, Club Care Insurance, as it offered the best cover for me, but you do need to be a member.

You do need to check what level of cover is offered up to all the accessories in your van, ie awning (we have 2 in our van, TV, DVD, kitchen utensils etc can all add up to quite a lump if you need to replace them all!

The insurance premium also depends upon the level of security your caravan has fittted, froom wheel clamps, hitch locks, alarms and where it is kept.