HOW ESSENTIAL IS/ARE....? (1 Viewer)

[DiggerJon]

I find it fascinating how many threads I read on here about the "gadgets" and "necessities" that seem to be carried around in Funsters' MHs. Coffee machines, Instant Pots, curling tongs, washing machines, TVs and DVD players, sine wave inverters and huge banks of batteries to power the aforesaid "things". I could go on but you are probably bored already. I naively thought that the idea of a MH was to "get away from it all" and enjoy a more relaxed existence! Now, I do admit to taking my computer with me as I always keep a travel blog, but I used to hand write it (remember handwriting??) long ago and I do have solar panel and battery master to ensure my battery is always topped up. I find an EHU a good convenience but I would hate it to be a necessity when I go away (mere dreams at the moment!) when "encumbered" by my "necessary" electrical items. Each to their own I know, but a good book, a glass of wine and a sunny evening under the awning seems to do me OK and has done for almost ??? years now.

 

[Janine]

I love the ‘differentness’ of life in the van and don’t have a television, preferring to read books and go for long walks.

 

[sallylillian]

This could turn into a comic thread?
Michael Palin: Ahh.. Very passable, this, very passable.

Graham Chapman: Nothing like a good glass of Chateau de Chassilier wine, ay Gessiah?

Terry Jones: You're right there Obediah.

Eric Idle: Who'd a thought thirty years ago we'd all be sittin'here drinking Chateau de Chassilier wine?

MP: Aye. In them days, we'd a' been glad to have the price of a cup o' tea.

GC: A cup ' COLD tea.

EI: Without milk or sugar.

TJ: OR tea!

MP: In a filthy, cracked cup.

EI: We never used to have a cup. We used to have to drink out of a rolled up newspaper.

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[Emmit]

While I concur with the vast majority of what you say, I note you say, " I find an EHU a good convenience "
For that reason we have an inverter. It allows me to utilise other equipment that can be used for maximum convenience and economy.
I fail to see why the lack of AC Electricity should prevent me taking full advantage of equipment already in the vehicle and go to places without an EHU in sight.
Addendum.
I am surprised that 'vans are not already fitted with Inverters. Many come with with solar panels, why not Inverters. It would be an additional selling feature.
Please Note. I appreciate that this would probably not apply to UK manufactured 'vans. It took makers here years to believe that anything bigger than a 6kgs gas bottle could be carried.

 

[Two on Tour]

The gadgets I have added to our van are to enhance and enjoy our pleasure of motorhoming.

 

[Lenny HB]

Some people even take bikes with them that haven't got electric motors, how weird.

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[Silver-Fox]

The op forgot flag pole and chasing led lights

 

[Vanderek]

We borrowed the in laws caravan once, but had to empty all the gadgets and clutter, there were many chairs and tables for various uses, strings of fair ground lights, lamp shades , flag and poles , best of all was the powered ice crusher

 

[ManTheVan]

Ooh, and the generator chugging away to run the attractive blue LED pools of light surrounding the vehicle.

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[funflair]

Well guilty as charged we like our van to be a mini apartment that we can take anywhere with all the mod cons of apartment living, I love being able to do this in the middle of a field without being tied to the National grid, so yes all the toys and the batteries and solar to power it.

Done all the tent camping, cycle camping, sleeping in an estate car, caravans etc etc and now we want spoiling

But to answer the question posed, none of it is essential, it's just nice to have.

Martin

 

[SpeedyDux]

We have our Kindles for the evenings although I still prefer to read a paperback. No TV. A travel kettle is about as gadgetty as we get. To be surrounded by nature is why we go away.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I have all the gadgetry at home but barely get time to use it - always some chores to get in the way...

...so, sometimes, being away in the van allows me [motivates] me to enjoy those pleasures.

It's a very luddite opinion - why stop at electric powered gadgets? Surely getting away from it all should include, the fridge for that wine.
Let's not bother with heating, or hot water, or a cooker. Get a camp fire going for those necessities .

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[busby]

Some people even take bikes with them that haven't got electric motors, how weird.

If i have to struggle so should all the rest.BUSBY

 

[Hellski]

We are very much like funflair. Ours is indeed our luxury holiday home on wheels and contains everything that we would want or expect from a 5 star holiday, no matter whether we are staying in a car park, field or an all singing and dancing fully serviced site.

 

[Rosemary1]

We have our Kindles for the evenings although I still prefer to read a paperback. No TV. A travel kettle is about as gadgetty as we get. To be surrounded by nature is why we go away.

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[Rosemary1]

I was trying to add the quote from SpeedyDux and Funflair which were next to each other but failed miserably.

Just wanted to say that this shows how similar we are and yet how differently we motorhome. Both ways are great, both ways suit and make the participants happy and neither are wrong or right.

Just to confuse, sometimes we go away with just food, drink and a good book, othertimes the motorhome is full of gadgets such as lap top, IPads, hair curlers and yes, the flashing pole lights. All depends on where we are going, who with or just our mood. Vive La Difference!

 

[The Wino]

It,d be pretty boring if we all wanted the same!. It's like cars some see them as just a way of getting from a to b some want more comfort or speed some unashamedly want luxury or a flashy one to show off. Some like getting the best out of an old one others want the latest reg plate to show off but try to justify it to themselves as saving on garage bills although they know the depreciation will dwarf them.

 

[Lynne Roy]

Some people even take bikes with them that haven't got electric motors, how weird.

Very weird Lenny. I have to thank you for keeping Roy busy during lockdown, he has read all your posts on your upgrades and is currently working his way through them, thanks for putting on links to buy everything, just waiting for the deliveries now .

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[bigwood]

I am proud to say we have the minimum tech in our van and locker space to spare.
A sat nav was a big leap forward brought after having one in the work van. A small TV / DVD player was nice for winter trips. The kids bought me an I Pad a couple of years ago, he will never work it was the passing comment. This year I have bought a thing to get the internet when we are away. Not used it yet so I can’t comment on it. The latest toy is a small slow cooker.
I didn’t buy this van for its tech features and modern gizmos. It was the layout we wanted and low mileage at a price we could justify. It was nice to find it had an extra leisure battery and a solar panel fitted. The bike rack has come off and the tow bar is handy as a parking stop.
I feel sorry for the people that have motorhomes that cost more than we have bought houses for and full of gizmos and gadgets that have been out of use during lockdown. Cheaper and simpler is our way of thinking.

 

[Apache]

Very weird Lenny. I have to thank you for keeping Roy busy during lockdown, he has read all your posts on your upgrades and is currently working his way through them, thanks for putting on links to buy everything, just waiting for the deliveries now .

Think Roy has been ‘ Suckered’

 

[Coolcats]

Now the one gadget I would add, is a trailer........well a Sauna to be honest just how decadent would that be to have your own with you

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[Apache]

Our first moho had a bike rack which we never used , didn’t have a bike. Our current one doesn’t have one but now I have a folding death trap which takes up too much room so it lives at home in the shed
I nagged the boss until she let me buy a Huawei mifi unit which came with 12gb data preloaded. We used it up very quickly and never reloaded it because it’s cheaper now to use my iPhone as a hotspot ! Shall I go on ?

Thought not

 

[Apache]

Now the one gadget I would add, is a trailer........well a Sauna to be honest just how decadent would that be to have your own with you

That’s got me thinking

 

[bigwood]

I thought of an I Phone instead of the Huewei thing but I am of the age when phones are for phone calls. I have learnt how to delete text messages. The phone sales people dont like me when I wont buy there clever phones, smart phones because they do to much.
Now I know what he trailer is for, thanks Coolcats.

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[scotzsue]

I find an EHU a good convenience

Well after a few days off grid and with solar we find that we need to top off our electric, would be more than an inconvenience if John's CPAP failed overnight more than occassionally. have yet to test this van in earnest, little room for a second leisure battery, but may well spend the money we have saved, by not being away, on a lithium battery. use a small solar charger for phone and kindle.

 

[Stealaway]

Ignoring the fact that I'm tighter than a ducks arse, I always travel as light as possible so avioding buying any more fuel than is strictly necessary.
But - I have definitely noticed that 'stuff' gets put in the van - but is rarely is ever taken out again.
Vans, like me, seem to gain weight as they get older.

 

[Speve]

I would say I’m probably guilty of having gadgets but I think if you are going to be out in your van for three or four months at a time over wintering it’s quite nice to have a telly for the dark evenings or the option of an inverter instead of hook up. everyone has different needs I don’t read many books but like other things.

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[Smudger55]

This could turn into a comic thread?
Michael Palin: Ahh.. Very passable, this, very passable.

Graham Chapman: Nothing like a good glass of Chateau de Chassilier wine, ay Gessiah?

Terry Jones: You're right there Obediah.

Eric Idle: Who'd a thought thirty years ago we'd all be sittin'here drinking Chateau de Chassilier wine?

MP: Aye. In them days, we'd a' been glad to have the price of a cup o' tea.

GC: A cup ' COLD tea.

EI: Without milk or sugar.

TJ: OR tea!

MP: In a filthy, cracked cup.

EI: We never used to have a cup. We used to have to drink out of a rolled up newspaper.

Then we' d get out of hole in the ground and lick road clean with tongue

 

[Taran_Las]

The only 'over the top' gadget I carry are my Gucci Crocs. Life just wouldn't be the same without them.

To be honest

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[busbuddy]

If you use it then it's a necessity
If you don't then it's just a toy

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