Wild Brambles
Free Member
There seems to be a massive variety in the skills and social attitudes of motor home owners, and I would like to get some reaction to those of us who are converting vans for full time residence. I can appreciate that some people want to maintain their home comforts, but I don't believe that these are essential, for me anyway. So I would like to comment on some of the issues that I have resolved, or I am hoping to resolve this summer.
Toilet facilities - This seems to be an area where many people don't want to compromise. I don't want to give space to a porta potty, and have to dispose of cartridges. so I use public facilities.This has never been a problem, as may supermarkets and travel restaurants are open for 24 hours a day. I do use a sanitary wipe to clean the loo seat though, and maybe that is a bit excessive. I've also got a key to the Tork paper dispensers, as they seem to jam up fairly regularly. I've got a bucket for emergencies, and the "night water", and I use vinegar and water to sanitise that. I don't have a shower either, as van showers seem to be pretty cramped, and the public ones ( when you can find them ) are spacious and hot. The sea is a great source of iodine, so that is a healthy option in the summer, especially if you use a naturist beach.
Van size - I've tried a Berlingo, a Scudo and a Convoy high top, I think the Convoy is probably the smallest that I can handle long term, and it's about the largest that one can fit into regular parking spaces. I love the fact that I can stand up in the back, but the high top stops me getting into many parking and picnic areas.
Too much coffee - I've only got a couple of Mickey Mouse solar panels, and I haven't fitted a splitter for my leisure battery, so I'm spending too much time in McDonalds, KFC and other restaurants. I usually buy at least two coffees to "pay the rent", and I'm adding a pinch of Bicarbonate of Soda to reduce acidity. My problem is the plastic roof on the LDV, and I can find long enough legs to fit a roof rack. I'm going to have to make some custom legs next year.
Trailers - These are great for moving stuff out of the van, and for helping to get rid of rubbish from a past life, but you have to find somewhere to store them, or to drive around with them attached all the time.
Beds - I haven't decided how to handle the installation of a bed. I don't even know if I want it to be longitudinal or lateral. I put together a temporary solution using filled banana boxes and a couple of sofa cushions. It's actually surprisingly comfortable, but I need to upgrade. I'll probably swop the banana boxes for storage trunks in the next few days.
Tools - I like to be self-sufficient, and so I carry quite a range of tools and emergency spares. They are in a variety of boxes at the moment, and I hope to install a professional tool chest that I've got in one of the garages. I don't have a key for it, so I'm going to have to work out a way to stop all the drawers flying open.
Cooking - I'm using a couple of camping burners at the moment, but as I learn more about cooking, I'm starting to feel restricted. Now, I believe that a sink, and a twin burner cooking hob is essential
Heating - I'm not going to mention this here, as I plan to install a wood burner, and that is quite a complex topic.
Safety - again this is a complex topic, and many items are essential - a first aid kit for example, and a carbon monoxide alarm are fire extinguisher.
Please feel free to add your comments advice, and opinions to this thread.
Toilet facilities - This seems to be an area where many people don't want to compromise. I don't want to give space to a porta potty, and have to dispose of cartridges. so I use public facilities.This has never been a problem, as may supermarkets and travel restaurants are open for 24 hours a day. I do use a sanitary wipe to clean the loo seat though, and maybe that is a bit excessive. I've also got a key to the Tork paper dispensers, as they seem to jam up fairly regularly. I've got a bucket for emergencies, and the "night water", and I use vinegar and water to sanitise that. I don't have a shower either, as van showers seem to be pretty cramped, and the public ones ( when you can find them ) are spacious and hot. The sea is a great source of iodine, so that is a healthy option in the summer, especially if you use a naturist beach.
Van size - I've tried a Berlingo, a Scudo and a Convoy high top, I think the Convoy is probably the smallest that I can handle long term, and it's about the largest that one can fit into regular parking spaces. I love the fact that I can stand up in the back, but the high top stops me getting into many parking and picnic areas.
Too much coffee - I've only got a couple of Mickey Mouse solar panels, and I haven't fitted a splitter for my leisure battery, so I'm spending too much time in McDonalds, KFC and other restaurants. I usually buy at least two coffees to "pay the rent", and I'm adding a pinch of Bicarbonate of Soda to reduce acidity. My problem is the plastic roof on the LDV, and I can find long enough legs to fit a roof rack. I'm going to have to make some custom legs next year.
Trailers - These are great for moving stuff out of the van, and for helping to get rid of rubbish from a past life, but you have to find somewhere to store them, or to drive around with them attached all the time.
Beds - I haven't decided how to handle the installation of a bed. I don't even know if I want it to be longitudinal or lateral. I put together a temporary solution using filled banana boxes and a couple of sofa cushions. It's actually surprisingly comfortable, but I need to upgrade. I'll probably swop the banana boxes for storage trunks in the next few days.
Tools - I like to be self-sufficient, and so I carry quite a range of tools and emergency spares. They are in a variety of boxes at the moment, and I hope to install a professional tool chest that I've got in one of the garages. I don't have a key for it, so I'm going to have to work out a way to stop all the drawers flying open.
Cooking - I'm using a couple of camping burners at the moment, but as I learn more about cooking, I'm starting to feel restricted. Now, I believe that a sink, and a twin burner cooking hob is essential
Heating - I'm not going to mention this here, as I plan to install a wood burner, and that is quite a complex topic.
Safety - again this is a complex topic, and many items are essential - a first aid kit for example, and a carbon monoxide alarm are fire extinguisher.
Please feel free to add your comments advice, and opinions to this thread.