Thinking of useful extras for motorhome
We are thinking of adding some extras to our motorhome. We bought our 2015 Autotrail Tribute 625 last July, after caravanning for the last 15 years. It came with a few extras LPG underslung tank, Reversing Camera supplied in the deal by the dealership, Thule canopy awning, Fiamma bike rack. What we have added so far ourselves, Door Fly Screen dealer fit, Tow Bar Witter fit, TV an Sat connections, extra plug points and spot lights with USB connections, all dealer fit. The last time we were away was the first week of December at Castleton, we had booked York but was cancelled due to the flooding,then of course the lockdown so much so we have spent very little since after Christmas apart from the normal weekly bills and shop, so what we would spend between now and when the lockdown is lifted could be spent on extras We were looking to add a solar panel and had been quoted between £550 to £700 depending on size, we don't often do off grid camping so not sure which size to go for, we are also thinking of fitting the Road Pro Dome at the same time has the Solar panel hoping to do a deal on both. have any one of you got recommendations of companies that could do both. We live in East Cheshire, also any recommendations of useful extras we haven't mentioned, your thoughts greatly appreciated.
Regards Heethers
Wishing all keep safe
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Heethers
Not sure if its still the case but Road Pro used to offer a modest discount for CMC members.
It's difficult to know what extras to add.On our last van we had an automatic satellite dish installed which was handy when we went abroad. Our new motorhome has an aerial so thus far we have not bothered with a new dish as it seems we are more likely to be touring in the UK in future. I do fancy having one of these fans fitted to help cool the van and not too expensive. A freestanding fan gets in the way a bit as we have less worktop space. If I could justify the expense I would really like to have an automatic levelling system fitted but that is serious money!!!
David
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Hydraulic leveling systems are expensive but I wished I had fitted mine from day one. I would not be without it now, money well spent if you intend to keep your van sometime. It makes pitching so much easier with much less concern on how level a site/pitch is. You do need a good payload to accommodate the additional load on the vehicle similarly with a solar panel which is not exactly the lightest thing to fit.
peedee.
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JVB
I am aware of that but I don't usually find it that effective. The fan I mentioned has several uses either as an extractor or as a cooling fan. We used to have a Omni-Vent fan in one of our caravans which I also thought worked quite well. The Maxx Air is much more powerful. There is a video on the Road Pro website for anyone interested.
David
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Boleroboy the fan sounds a good idea, as we never travel abroad the roadpro mini dome seems the best sat for us, l believe road pro fit them for you may try and do deal to have Solar panel, fan and mini dome fitted will try the CMC discount. It's a bit far away as we are in Cheshire but if they can do all at the same time might be worth it. l am also looking at the air suspension but not sure how much this will cost.
Heethers
All keep safe
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When we had our satellite system fitted by Road Pro they had a loan car which we could use whilst it was being fitted. If it takes longer than a day to fit you could ask if you could stay at their premises as they have plenty of space. Its on an industrial estate so not very scenic!!!
David
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The mini dome is only 3 1/2 kilo not sure on the solar panel l had my motorhome weighed at weigh bridge with all our stuff and 1/2 tank of water it came to 3210 kilo leaving about 290 kilo left. hopefully this will be enough but will have it checked before we go ahead with solar panel and mini dome.
Heethers
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I've been banging on for years about having a Solar panel (the biggest you can afford and fit on the roof), a couple of good leisure batteries, own facilities (toilet/shower) and a refillable gas system (I've got two 11 kg bottles) and the World is quite literally your Lobster.
When you've got those you don't need to worry about finding hook up every day, if the site has good or bad toilets, whatever the time of year and temperature you aren't going to worry about sourcing gas bottles when abroad and in the warmer months you can go weeks and weeks without needing to charge the batteries from an external source.
The one item I've recently bought and found useful is a Karcher WV1 Plus Window Vac to remove any moisture on the inside of the windscreen – works a treat.
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The one item I've recently bought and found useful is a Karcher WV1 Plus Window Vac to remove any moisture on the inside of the windscreen – works a treat.
An external screen would do away with the need for that accessory
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We used to have one but decided it wasn't worth the bother of the moisture on the outside on the outside, especially when it was raining as we left the site or in the Winter months, being loaded on board and having to dry it out asap.
Most of you seem to appreciate the screens but I'm quite happy not to use one.
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I don't tend to use my screens in the summer. I find that the blinds plus a curtain that goes round the front of the cab keeps the condensation to a minimum. The other advantage is that I can look out of the side windows of the cab as well. The real secret is to not get up too early in the mornings.
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Boleroboy only l was in it, total weight excluding the tow bar was 3.200 kilo. rear axle was 1.660, front axle was 1540, will need to find what weight the tow bar was, when the lockdown is over l will check it again before l fit the solar and the road pro. l may have to apply for an increase to 3.800 kilo, no idea how to do that at the moment
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David we have the Silver Screens(expensive l know) outside type never get condensation, we were advised to get them as it didn't come with cab blinds, it came with the internal type but they still left condensation, plus sucker marks all over the screen.Sick of cleaning them off.
Heethers
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I don't find external screens a faff at all and they are easy enough to store even when damp. Notice I said damp not wet. Even in the wettest conditions, just give them a quick shake and most of the water just falls off and you just end up with a damp screen which fits into its protective bag for storage. I just throw mine on a bed, after all it comes out again when you stop for the night. Even if you don't use it, it is easy enough to stow on the cab floor.
I find internal cab screens whether built in or not more of a faff. The sat nav, the dash cam and rear view mirror prevent my built in ones closing and I hardly ever use them.
peedee
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