New motorhomers

philipemmo
philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
edited April 2016 in Motorhomes #1

Hi Everybody. Recently bought a 2006 Swift 590RS Lifestyle in excellent condition and are looking forward to our first trip in it next week to Skirlington Leisure Park, Skipsea. If I may ask a few questions of you experienced Motorhomer's I would be grateful
for any advise you could give me. Firstly, do I switch on the Leisure Battery whilst driving the M/home, or does it automatically charge from the Ducato engine whether switched on or not.? Secondly, how do you guys go on when you have a pitch that doesn't
have Grey Waste drainage on it. Surely you don't have to drive the M/home to the waste point every time your waste tank is full. The only solution I can think of is getting one of those Water Hog's and trip back and forth to the disposal point when needed.
I'm sure other things I'll need to know will crop up at Skirlington this weekend, but for now thank you in anticipation of your replies.

«1

Comments

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,742
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #2

    When you drive, some charge will be put in both leisure and vehicle battery.  We've never had to switch on the leisure battery on any of our MHs, but I suppose it depends on the MH what that particular system is.

    As for waste water, that's a bit like how long is a piece of string?  It depends on a few factors, such as: how much water are you likely to use, ie are you going to do all your washing-up and showering in the MH, in which case you'll have more waste water
    to get rid off than if you were using the site's facilities for washing and showering.  Also, it depends on how big the waste water tank is of course.  And of course, it also depends on how long you will be staying on the site.  If just a weekend, then your
    tank should hold the waste water, but if a fortnight, then no!  It's up to you, whether to get a waste container or not.  Personally we find it quicker to empty a waste container every couple of days, but others have different opinions.  It's what suits you
    and works for you.  You'll have to experiment with what you find works best, trial and error.

    Enjoy!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,378
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2016 #3

    We drive to the MH service point on our way to leaving a site. Otherwise, a bucket does the job and saves carrying an extra container as the bucket is also needed for windscreen cleaning, dog washing and so on.

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,828
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2016 #4

    When we had a motorhome we used to take 2 big plastic containers - one for fresh water and one for waste water - if we thought we were going to be on a site for more than a few days to save having to make a trip over to the MH service point.

  • Unknown
    edited April 2016 #5
    This content has been removed.
  • philipemmo
    philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited April 2016 #6

    Thanks everybody for your comments. The van has an 80ltr waste tank, and we are staying for 5 days. We will only use the water system for washing dishes, bathroom washing and teeth cleaning, and kettle for cuppas. The shower will not be used, as we will
    use the onsite facilities. I think we will give it a go and leave it 'til we leave and empty the Grey Waste on our way out of the site. As you have said, it's trial and error getting used to it. Thank you so much for all your advise.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,099
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #7

    We have a 100 lt tank and as we use our own facilities it needs emptying, if not in full, partially, every 2/3 days and we don't make regular trips to the service point whilst on site, only on exit. Our motorhome is quite low profile so I use a folding bucket
    between the drain tap and a Fiamma waster container.

    David


  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #8

    Thanks everybody for your comments. The van has an 80ltr waste tank, and we are staying for 5 days. We will only use the water system for washing dishes, bathroom washing and teeth cleaning, and
    kettle for cuppas. The shower will not be used, as we will use the onsite facilities. I think we will give it a go and leave it 'til we leave and empty the Grey Waste on our way out of the site. As you have said, it's trial and error getting
    used to it. Thank you so much for all your advise.

    An awful lot of people don't use the water from the tank to fill their kettles but choose instead to have a seperate small container for drinking water, us included. Water from the main tank can sometimes have a funny taste. We have a 2ltr container which
    we fill up a couple of times a day straight fromt he site tap.  

    We also have a 100l waste tank so on a 5 day visit like you are doing we would just empty on leaving the site (in UK) when abroad we tend to use a 20l flat waste container and empty it every couple of days if the M/H waste isn't that user friendly, or if
    we are staying longer than 5 days.

  • SELL
    SELL Forum Participant Posts: 398
    edited April 2016 #9

    Hi Everybody. Recently bought a 2006 Swift 590RS Lifestyle in excellent condition and are looking forward to our first trip in it next week to Skirlington Leisure Park, Skipsea. If I may ask a few questions of you experienced Motorhomer's I would be grateful
    for any advise you could give me. Firstly, do I switch on the Leisure Battery whilst driving the M/home, or does it automatically charge from the Ducato engine whether switched on or not.? Secondly, how do you guys go on when you have a pitch that doesn't
    have Grey Waste drainage on it. Surely you don't have to drive the M/home to the waste point every time your waste tank is full. The only solution I can think of is getting one of those Water Hog's and trip back and forth to the disposal point when needed.
    I'm sure other things I'll need to know will crop up at Skirlington this weekend, but for now thank you in anticipation of your replies.

    Write your comments here...Are you on a hard standing its rather wet at Skipsea at the moment.

  • philipemmo
    philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited April 2016 #10

    Hi SELL, yes we have a hard standing Super Pitch with fresh water and Grey Waste drainage.

    I was thinking of Steralising the fresh water tank before we go, and Milton seems to be the fluid of choice. Does anybody know how much to add to a 100ltr tank, and for how long to leave it before flushing out? 

    I will have to do this at the storage compound, so I hope the owner will allow me to fill and drain on the site. It is stood on compressed broken housebricks, so I can't see it being a ptoblem with the water draining away. 

    I am taking fresh bottled water to drink, and will thouroughly flush the tank after Steralising to rid cups of tea of that Milton taste. Thanks

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited April 2016 #11

    We used to use the water from the aquaroll when we had a caravan with no ill effects. 

    Last August we changed to a motorhome and I thoroughly cleaned the fresh water tank and used the water for tea, coffee etc. Despite this every time we were away we always felt dodgy so started using bottle water and have been fine ever since. 

    You will be fine with emptying the waste tank when departing the site with your planned usage. 

    Most important thing is enjoy. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,099
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #12

    When we make tea or coffee we always get fresh water from the site tap. Its no real inconvenience.

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,499
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2016 #13

    As you boil water for tea and coffee, within reason, I don't see it matters where the water comes from. I have not cleaned water tanks for some years and have had no ill effects. However we do use water straight from site taps to refill drinking water bottles.

    peedee

  • JD6620
    JD6620 Forum Participant Posts: 202
    100 Comments
    edited April 2016 #14

    Our waste tank will last just about 2 days and the fresh water about 3 with two of us using all the onboard facilities.  I carry a Fiamma roll tank that stows neatly into one of my lockers to drain the waste and an aquaroll to replenish the fresh for when
    we are staying longer than a couple of days. If it's only a short stay I will use the service point.  We get our drinking water direct from the site taps.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #15
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #16

    Use Milton by all means but don't fill the hot water boiler. I understand it reacts with the copper element.

    I put a couple of capfuls in....fill the tank...leave for half an hour...then drain off. (You could always half fill then drive around for half an hour!)

    Make sure the cold water taps and pipework are filled.

    I sometimes do it as often as once a year!

    PS. The hot water system should clean itself with 'hot water'!!

     

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #17
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #18
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Unknown
    edited April 2016 #19
    This content has been removed.
  • Unknown
    edited April 2016 #20
    This content has been removed.
  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,099
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #21

    Oh, red text for dangerSurprised

    There's never a mod around when you need one but unlike police officers they don't seem to be getting younger Undecided Smile.

    There is no on forum method of editing text size or text colour. I have edited you post content in Word and re-pasted into your post.

    David

  • philipemmo
    philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited April 2016 #22

    Phew! never realised there were so many differing opinions on what to do or use to Steralise the F/W tank.

    Thanks [Deleted User User] for the advise and link, although I have run out of time for getting the products you recommend for Steralising for this trip.

    My plan was to add the Steralising Fluid (Dr. Johnson's Fluid) to the tank, fill it and leave it for 30 mins before emptying. I wasn't going to swithch the pump on, as I don't want the hot water tank to have the fluid in it. Will this way of doing it work.?

    The text on the bottle of Steralising Fluid states the active ingredients as Sodium Hypochlorite 1.3% w/v. Will this do any harm to the sysytem. Thank You.

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited April 2016 #23

    There is also Puriclean to add to the list. 

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,486
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #24

    I used Puriclean for the first time last year and found it very good. This year i forgot aout it and used Milton tablets.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,499
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2016 #25

    I always used to use Puriclean to clean my caravan water containers and the fresh water tank on my first motorhome. The reason I stopped cleaning tanks was due to the suspicion that the cleaning product was damaging the rubber pump seals of the water pump. After the third replacemnent I stopped cleaning tanks and I have not had any problems over the last 5 years or so. If you really do want to clean tanks and how many of you bother to clean out your loft water tanks if you have one,  it would, in my view, be wise not to use the pump.

    peedee

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #26

    If hot water taps are closed...hot water will not run!HappySurprised

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,742
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #27

    We've never bothered cleaning watertanks in our MHs since we started motorhoming in 2000.  We do however, like BB, have a Brita filter jug, and use that for making hot drinks.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #28

    We use Campden tablets for our tank and pipes. We use a tap filled water container for drinks and teeth cleaning.

    Peedee...one of my brothers in law found a dead bird in his loft water tank!! Surprised

  • Unknown
    edited April 2016 #29
    This content has been removed.
  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #30

    "AFAIK,"....Is that your 'get out' clause?SurprisedHappy

  • Unknown
    edited April 2016 #31
    This content has been removed.