Advice please

[WillH]

I am just waiting to collect our new Bessacarr E560 this weekend and have begun to wonder about a few things. Having caravanned for many years I know we use about 35-40 litres of water a day. Q.1 Do I need a hose to fill my tank up or do sites usually provide them? We shall initially be staying at CC or C&CC sites until we hit france in June. Q.2 Do I need a hose for discharging the waste, the van has a 1.4 turn valve on the underside?

Any other advice would be appreciated, especially on driving the van, although the unit is shorter than my previous outfit it has quite a long wheelbase. I hit the mate less than a mile from the dealers and then on through Glasgow to the M77!

This will probably be the first of a number of queries so thanking everyone in advance.

Rgds
Bill

 

[Diabalo]

Hi Bill,

Nice choice of Van I have the E435. Some sites do have hoses others don't so you will need your own or do what I do, I have a small water carrier that I put on a trolly and top the tank up every day if not moving, if moving then I fill up at the Tap.
For the waste (grey water) there is usually a drain point that you position the outlet over and open the vave to dump.

Dane

 

[N Luyetund]

Hi Bill
We use a short hose for the grey waste... much easier if you're slightly out of position over the drain

Picked it up from the washing machine stall at the local market... about a metre or so long with a venturi (cone shaped) moulding on one end... around £3

We use a watering can 11ltr <€3 from a French h'mkt and top up as we need... a lot easier than moving the vehicle:thumb:

Edit:
just seen the Q re driving...sit in, set your mirrors, relax and enjoy...

 

[Terry]

Hi we have a hose for both but are not afraid to move the van :thumb: always thought that was the idea:thumb:
terry

 

[N Luyetund]

Very nice terry, I think we all know what thought thought...

It's all about convenience Bill... nice to have all the options

Although many avow the use of hoses for filling fresh water there is a risk, of contamination from bacteria, that we prefer to avoid.

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[JayDee]

Hi Bill,
All the above, :thumb:, but having said that we carry about 20 or so metres of food grade hose (the blue stuff) - one 15 metres length of lay-flat on a wind up cassette the rest in round. This has quite often allowed us to fill up from a tap nearby without having to move the van (which can be a pain if your on ramps and have the awning and windbreak out). We also carry about 5 metres of the crinkly type hose with the right fitting for our van's grey waste pipe, because not all sites have a drive over grey waste dump. Sometimes we drain off a couple of bowls full and carry it to the dump if the hose doesn't reach. If you are using a full site (e.g. C&CC or CC full site) that have showering facilities, your waste tank shouldn't fill up for a few days and 100 litres of water will last quite a while. My missus often keeps a smallish water carrier handy for cups of tea and coffee (sometimes we get that chlorine-y taint from the tank - haven't worked out why yet :Sad
If you are going to be using the van to run around then it's no big deal to dump your tank and loo and fill the FW on your way out - or back.
But whatever you end up doing it is handy to carry the lengths of hose for those occasions when whatever you usually do doesn't work. Oh yes, absolutely vital to carry a couple of those screw onto the tap fittings that will accept the 'hozelock' fitting. It makes it so much easier to attach your hose.

Hope you find some of the above of use.

John

 

[New Rover]

Hi! WillH, judging from your geography instructions I bought my first Motorhome last October from the same place. I familiarised myself with the controls, adjusted seat, mirrors, set the heater controls and set off. By the time I got halfway to Glasgow on the mate, I felt really comfortable driving the vehicle. Just stay in the slow lane on the mate, that will keep you away from the speeders and when on the M77 well you will know that road even better than me.

As to water, I have a watering can too and I use that to top up the fresh water when it is required. It holds approx 10 litres so I usually stick in 20 litres or so before I start driving and fill up when I arrive on site.

As I am new to this then the other guys (and gals) on here will advise you better.

Enjoy!!!

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

Hi, if you check our website, there are water carriers and waste disposal carriers in the Fiamma section, plus loads of other goodies.

Check the 'water' section as well as there are several types available

Theres also a 5% on line discount and free delivery over £100.

www.johnscrossshop.co.uk

Regards

Peter

 

[Supertractorman]

My Bessacarr came with a convuluted hose to put on the waste pipe, but I mostly find I can park over the drain manhole. I have both a short and long water hose, and a long and short electric connection which is also useful to join together if parked on a CL with electric points a distance off.

David

 

[WillH]

Thanks

Big thank you to everyone for their advice, I already have an aquaroll and was hoping to ditch that for a watering can. Also got a few bits and pieces of hose floating around in the garage somewhere.

I'll let you know how I get on. We're off to Melrose thursday week for 3 days then down to Keswick for another 3 days for a shakedown. really looking forward to the trip.

Thanks again.
Bill

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[Road Runner]

With the RV if to far from a water point to top up i use a 40 litre aquaroll with a 12 volt submersible pump (available in most caravan accessory shops) to transfer it from aquaroll to water tank.

Just a little tip

 

[martyn]

I have made a device,it consists of a 6ft. length of 4x2 timber,with a bucket on each end tied on with string.When we run short of water I attach it to the Wife and send her to the nearest tap,after 20 or 30 trips the tank is full,no problem.

 

[N Luyetund]

Some uncaring chauvinists send their wife to get one watering can of water, thoughtless in the extreme when it's kinder and more efficient to have two... it's all about balance.

I like the idea of the yoke but 6 x 2 with a recess for the neck and straps for the wrists would add a little comfort and security

 

[Papa Smurf]

4 x 2?
6 x 2?
You cruel s........








Lightweight plastic would be better less payload on the van!

 

[martyn]

Thanks Graham & Papa, good ideas, looks like it's back to the drawing board.Hope S.W.M.B.O. doesn't read this.:thumb:

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[pappajohn]

Hi Bill,
just like roadrunner i have an aquaroll and sub pump taking up valuable locker space but i have never needed it so it will come out and be left at home this year.
if you're on site you dont use a lot really unless, like me, you cant be bothered to walk to the toilet/shower block :Blush:. i do carry a hose to topup on arrival with if needed.
as for grey water, my tank is bigger than the fresh tank so if i do need to refill i empty at the same time. a bit inconvenient having to move but we manage ok.

its a whole lot easier to drive a large M/H than tug a caravan, as you'll be used to taking wider corners ect but always remember the extra 2ft or so of height.oh:

hope you get loads of pleasure from your motorhome as we all do.:thumb::thumb:

john.

 

[Tony Hunt]

All these tales of watering cans and Bacteria are totally unnecessary if you invest in a Nature pure water filter for the water that you drink in the van. You can purchase a small tap that you install to one side of your sink so that your drinking water is filtered seperately to the rest of the water you use. The main thing with hoses is to buy a good food grade hose for filling your tank, dont be tempted to use the cheap garden hoses that you see in DIY shops. If you get one that makes the water taste you will never get rid off it. We bought our Nature pure at a show about four years ago and I fitted it myself quite easily. They arent cheap but you get what you pay for. Normal household water filters are nowhere near as good. In four years I have never flushed my tank out or had to use sterilizers to clean it, I normally empty it in the winter because of frost but it never entirely empties and in the spring I just fill it up again. We have never had a problem with sickness and the water never tastes. I keep two differnt length hoses on the van for filling or join them together for maximum length. We have never not been able to reach a tap on a site, you just have to suss out where the taps are before you settle on a pitch.
You have to think where your going to stow all these extras like aquarolls and watering cans when not in use. A lay flat hose takes up no room at all in a locker.

 

[Road Runner]

Tony when your in an RV getting near enough to a tap can be a problem however long your hose is, as it happen I carry a few roll flat ones

Got plenty of lockers for the aquarolland hope I rarely need it:Sad:

 

[WillH]

Height

Thanks for reminding me about the extra 2 foot or so.

A few years ago, when driving to work, I passed the entrance to a local car park. About 10 feet passed the height barrier was a car. Hanging over the rear of the car was a bicycle, still loosely attached to the roof rack. Swinging gently in the breeze, hanging from the height barrier, was a second bicycle. The driver was sitting rythmically beating his head against the steering wheel!

We all have our moments.

Bill

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks for reminding me about the extra 2 foot or so.

A few years ago, when driving to work, I passed the entrance to a local car park. About 10 feet passed the height barrier was a car. Hanging over the rear of the car was a bicycle, still loosely attached to the roof rack. Swinging gently in the breeze, hanging from the height barrier, was a second bicycle. The driver was sitting rythmically beating his head against the steering wheel!

We all have our moments.

Bill

Mmmm..........couple of bikes, a roof rack and a few scratches or............ a new motorhome roof !!!!!!

i'll take the cheaper option please. :thumb: