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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correct.
not many people know that it can do this and far fewer know how to make it work....it took me a bit of experimenting but heres how...
the control panel must be turned ON.
turn the hot water to OFF
turn the heating to OFF
now the fan settings include and extra one called VENT which doesnt show if either the heating ot water is on...it usually only shows ECO or HIGH.
the vent setting can be set to 1-9 with the blower increasing the flow of cool air as the setting is changed upwards.
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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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despite the increase in ise of internet based TV, we also still ise our satellite system all over europe....we certainly havent written that off yet!
so, for us, still a very useful extra....
a solar panel can keep batteries charged when the ban is not in use (very handy if no ehu access) and can also give you extended time away from ehu sites...THS (temp holiday sites from C&CC) for example where we usually do a couple of weeks at a time..
adding a 2nd leisure battery will also help to extend time without need to plug in...
a small inverter will help you run those mains only accessories....like OH hair drier...
another useful addition might be a refillable has system, not only useful here but negates the the need to consider local bottles when overseas..
good luck.
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goodness me, my typing....
i cant stop typing 'ypu' for 'you'....'has' for 'gas' and 'ise' for 'use'...but you get the picture...
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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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yes, we use 12v for charging ipads , running TV etc.
a small inverter, say 500w with just one trailing socket, weighs virtually nothing....ours is primarily for powering the mains only Sky box which is used even when we dont have a hook up.
we also use it for the ebike chargers...
larger ones (2000w) are a bit more meaty and are often connected dorectly into the van's electrics giving an auto switch to 'generated' 230v when no hook up available.
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air suspension is a pretty expensive extra....arpund £6.5k for a 4 wheel system from VB. Thats a lot of trips/fuel....
before getting into that I'd make sure i was running the tyres at the tyre manufacturers recommended levels (based on axle weights) and NOT those on the pillar of your door...
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were you both in it? what were the two axle weights?
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more about air suspension and hydraulic levelling..
pay perticular attention to the weight of either of these systems...
anywhere between 55-60kg for a full auto system, hence my questions above re state of weighed van (occupants) and axle weights.
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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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im with Keith in that external screens are a faff too far....too bulky, annoying when wet and you need to go outside before you can see throught the cab windows...no fun if persisting down
i made my own internal side window screens (we have a built in internal insulated front screen) but even though these work well, ive decided not to bother unless its very cold but we only tour the uk in summer and our winters away dont require them.
if i was ordering my next van from new, one extra i would definitely have is double glazed side windows (A-class only) as this would help. i may investigate having these retro fitted..
the large front screen does get a bit of condensation and our window vac works a treat, a lot easier than putting away bulky wet screens even with a large garage to chuck 'em.
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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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ive found that the biggest cause of condensation on the inside of windscreens is cold rain on the outside...
the cold rain drags the temperature of the glass down and the warm air inside the van meets it with the usual result....
as i said, our normal warm, dry trips.....winters in Spain, late summer in southern France and just summer in the UK.... means we dont get those conditions too often....
if 'home' we do a short New Year trip in the UK, this is when its most likely for us, but not sufficient incentive to mess about with external screens.....
popping outside at 9am on a cold morning to remove them just to be able to see out of the van, no thanks....brrrr.
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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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ok, looks like you arent going to have and issues regarding axle weights however, i dont know what your OH weighs (nominal 75kg but could be more or less...).
also you havent mentioned water....was the tank empty? a full tank could weigh another 100kg...we always carry plenty of water as wedont always use sites and can then shower in the van.
was a 2nd gas bottle loaded? any bedding on board (this is surprisingly heavy).
consider what else ypu might carry....books/mags, computers/phones/tablets, other electrical kit, food (tinned stiff and bottled drink, water, wine, juice is heavy), clothes/shoes (also weigh far more than youd think), tools, levellers, windbreak, toilet fluids etc, etc
was the fuel tank full?
i see that 300kg 'spare' being eaten up pretty easily and more besides.
you need to load up all the stuff ive just mentioned, incl wife, water, fuel and anything else ypu can think of and return to the weighbridge.
as above, o still think ypull get away with the axle weights (we will see) but that 3500kg mark is looking very iffy.
however, while you cant (easily) upgrade the individual axle weights you can upgrade the MTPLM to 3850kg.....the sum of the two axles 1850kg plus 2000kg which might be enough.
you would need to talk to someone like SV Tech who will need to know axle weights fully loaded and other details like tyre size etc...
they can then check evrything and apply to the dvla on ypur behalf to have the log book changed to 3850 and a new weight plate delivered.
all this is fine provided that you have the required license groups (probably) and are not yet 70 and dont need a medical to keep the C1 (upto 7.5t element).
when you reach 70 ypu will need to undergo a medical every three years to retain this extra group.
good luck, happy to help with other questions.
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oh yes, and the towbar.....25-40kg....and having a towbar, what will you use it for? was it for a bike rack or a trailer or....?
if a bike rack (10kg?) are you adding ebikes...25kg each incl batteries...
another weighbridge visit (when allowed) methinks....
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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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