It`s really happening !

S

seesaw

Joined
Aug 7, 2015
Posts
207
Likes collected
13,588
Location
Highlands
Funster No
37,518
MH
Swift Kontiki 784
After years of looking for a motorhome we have finally done the deed. We were looking for an A class. Had our sites set on a Frankia with an end lounge. Looked at the show in October and it just didn`t do it for us. While we were there we looked at lots of others not really thinking they could be in the running.
Got home lots of discussion and research and started looking seriously. We live in Aviemore which is quite far north and trying to find a selection of M/H`s is hard enough. More research and found what we thought we were looking for way down south. Lots of phone calls and arranged viewings for a couple. We had our viewings and returned home. We thought we were certain we had made our minds up and arranged another visit and a test drive, etc. We came to the conclusion that we would get this one. Did they have the model we wanted? Yes it was at the factory getting built. Great we will have it.
What did we order - A Swift Kontiki 784 180hp 9 speed auto - getting it 5th April and then we are off to Off Grid power Solutions to get the Lithium sorted out - they have already been great and managed to fit us in so quickly.
 
I was at offgrid power solutions today, they will undoubtedly do a good job for you, they’re business name is aptly named as it’s a bit of a runaround to find them in the middle of nowhere….😆🤣😎

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Thanks for the kind words.
We are getting the M/H from Lowdhams and getting them to fit some extras.
Air Con
Gaslow refill system.
Phantom Alarm.
Amplo levellers.
Spare Cassette

We are staying at Lowdhams for a couple of nights to get used to the van and then to Off Grid power Solutions to get Lithium sorted.

Is there anything else that we should get for the M/H?
We have all the caravan paraphernalia so not needing hoses, leads. etc.

So looking forward to this change in holidays and breaks as we have been caravanners for years. We are "economically inactive" as the news keeps on saying. Once we get the van we will have some short breaks and then head across the channel. It will seem strange to not have an agenda.
Cheers
Sid
 
Congrats on your new van.
However, without wanting to rain on your parade, I wanted to make you aware of the payload restrictions on this van.
We looked at it 18mths ago and the issue is that although it has a payload of 1060kg, most of that is over the back axle as there is hardly any storage in the front of the van. Very few lockers and virtually no storage under the front seating due to the fold down travel seats. Combined with a 150kg restriction on loading the garage we thought it impossible to use with our requirements. Therefore given the extras you are thinking of I would reccomend reviewing the impact on payload and how you intend using it.
 
If weight is a problem it may be worth reviewing the air con as a great many find it not particularly useful especially if you do want to be off grid. A maxxaire is much lighter and cheaper too. Unless you need the extra travel seats, I know some on here have removed them, giving a weight advantage and more storage up front.
 
We did not transfer tthe air con to our new van. It sits in the garage at home.
So far, we have been happy with the big fans in the roof.
and the extra 30Kg payload has been useful.

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Thanks for all the advice. We intend to take away the seats as there is only the two of us.
The air con is non negotiable as far as my wife is concerned.
We are also considering fitting air suspension which should help with the ride and weight limit.
I assume that would let me uprate if needed.
150kg should be plenty at the moment as we do not have bikes or anything else heavy.
Cheers
Sid
 
seesaw it's not the big heavy things that are the problem, it's all the small stuff that adds up.
150kg is at least 2/3 a tank of water. Please ask for a current weighbridge certificate.
Other than that, enjoy your new van heres to many happy hours travelling.
 
DC4JC said:
Congrats on your new van.
However, without wanting to rain on your parade, I wanted to make you aware of the payload restrictions on this van.
We looked at it 18mths ago and the issue is that although it has a payload of 1060kg, most of that is over the back axle as there is hardly any storage in the front of the van. Very few lockers and virtually no storage under the front seating due to the fold down travel seats. Combined with a 150kg restriction on loading the garage we thought it impossible to use with our requirements. Therefore given the extras you are thinking of I would reccomend reviewing the impact on payload and how you intend using it.
Click to expand...
Could you point me in the direction of the 150kg limit for the garage as can`t find it in the tech manual ?
Thanks
Sid
 
Hi. Do you have a Roller water barrel from your Caravanning days if so does the MH have a power connector next to the water inlet so you can use a Pump to transfer from the barrel to the MH.

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Contacted Lowdhams and one of the sales staff agreed 150kg. He said he would double check with Swift. Got back to me and Swift said 200kg in garage if not towing and 150kg if towing. Having a tow bar attached makes no difference to those figures.
Cheers
Sid
 
DJA said:
Hi. Do you have a Roller water barrel from your Caravanning days if so does the MH have a power connector next to the water inlet so you can use a Pump to transfer from the barrel to the MH.
Click to expand...
Yes still have all that and the pump as well. Thanks for your suggestion.
Cheers
Sid
 
Welcome Seesaw to motorhoming. So exciting.
Just reading the good advice and it reminded me of all the help we've had from the Fun members over the years. Totally invaluable. And all the fun and silliness (in a nice way) too.
Thanks Jim for making this possible
 
After much consideration we have ordered the VB full air suspension for the M/H. Getting it done by Lincoln Towbar Centre who are also fitting the towbar and Amplo levelling system.
Now what else can I buy?
Cheers
Sid
 
seesaw said:
After much consideration we have ordered the VB full air suspension for the M/H. Getting it done by Lincoln Towbar Centre who are also fitting the towbar and Amplo levelling system.
Now what else can I buy?
Cheers
Sid
Click to expand...
360 degree camera system from Camos in Peterborough, great help for manoeuvring and gets rid of blind spots
 
seesaw said:
After years of looking for a motorhome we have finally done the deed. We were looking for an A class. Had our sites set on a Frankia with an end lounge. Looked at the show in October and it just didn`t do it for us. While we were there we looked at lots of others not really thinking they could be in the running.
Got home lots of discussion and research and started looking seriously. We live in Aviemore which is quite far north and trying to find a selection of M/H`s is hard enough. More research and found what we thought we were looking for way down south. Lots of phone calls and arranged viewings for a couple. We had our viewings and returned home. We thought we were certain we had made our minds up and arranged another visit and a test drive, etc. We came to the conclusion that we would get this one. Did they have the model we wanted? Yes it was at the factory getting built. Great we will have it.
What did we order - A Swift Kontiki 784 180hp 9 speed auto - getting it 5th April and then we are off to Off Grid power Solutions to get the Lithium sorted out - they have already been great and managed to fit us in so quickly.
Click to expand...
First thing I would do on receipt of MH is take to a weighbridge. See what's on each axle. Suggestion would be with water to half full and full gas bottles. That will give you idea of what payload left. You also need to add weight of other half and dog. You'll be surprised not a lot left especially over rear axle.
 
seesaw said:
After years of looking for a motorhome we have finally done the deed. We were looking for an A class. Had our sites set on a Frankia with an end lounge. Looked at the show in October and it just didn`t do it for us. While we were there we looked at lots of others not really thinking they could be in the running.
Got home lots of discussion and research and started looking seriously. We live in Aviemore which is quite far north and trying to find a selection of M/H`s is hard enough. More research and found what we thought we were looking for way down south. Lots of phone calls and arranged viewings for a couple. We had our viewings and returned home. We thought we were certain we had made our minds up and arranged another visit and a test drive, etc. We came to the conclusion that we would get this one. Did they have the model we wanted? Yes it was at the factory getting built. Great we will have it.
What did we order - A Swift Kontiki 784 180hp 9 speed auto - getting it 5th April and then we are off to Off Grid power Solutions to get the Lithium sorted out - they have already been great and managed to fit us in so quickly.
Click to expand...
Good to hear, enjoy

Once you've had a few trips, you'll know exactly what you need

We made the mistake of buying lots of paraphernalia for our first van (on various recommendations) only to find that we rarely used half of it

So long as you can eat, sleep and get yourself to somewhere you want to be then you're 90% there

It's also quite interesting as you get to know your MH and what you think you need vs what you actually need

Once again, have fun
 
Thanks for the good wishes and suggestions.
When we pick up the van it will have a weighbridge ticket already with all our additions included.
We have all the paraphernalia from years of caravanning so good on that.
Spoke to the guy from Camos and he said he was booked up until end of April.
Cheers
Sid

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Well I`ve finally got home after picking up the new motorhome and visiting various places, most notably a visit to Off Grid Power Solutions. A big thankyou to nigelivy and RogerIvy for fitting me in. What a splendid job they have done managing to cram extra solar on to the roof and also fitting in the battery, etc so neatly. Once again Thanks.

The handover from Lowdhams was good and it was even better that you can stay on site to get to grips with the new vehicle.

Now begins the job of assigning a place for everything we had in the caravan and seeing if we are carrying any crap extra items.
Cheers
Sid
 
Have a lovely time sid ,i really loved getting a new motorhome ,it was so exciting,hope youve not forgot to get any extra security items like tracker and anything else you can think of , bon voyage pampam 👍
 
DJA said:
Hi. Do you have a Roller water barrel from your Caravanning days if so does the MH have a power connector next to the water inlet so you can use a Pump to transfer from the barrel to the MH.
Click to expand...
Roller water barrel are to clumsy and occupies the same space full or empty and can only really go in the garage 45kg loaded a 3rd of permitted weight if 150kg limit correct.
We have 2 x 20l collapsible bags, we've been on a 56,000 50 US State/State Capitol road trip for the past year so
carry them full, in the shower, moving 40kg forward and collapse for storage when not filled.

Question 1st, have you calculated the additional weight of the "upgrades" and ROI?
It's "camping" not trying to tak your home comforts with you.

Everything listed is extra cost and weight, in my personally view very limited benefit, ROI?.
What is the standard alarm/tracker category?

We've only had a MoHo a little over 2 years but have spent 16 months of that time living in it, 4 months practise
UK/Spain/Portugal, then 12 in USA and have easily survived with.
100w solar - 110 ah lead acid, no issues.
300w 12v to 240v inverter to charge stuff while driving.
Milenco ramps/scaffold boards used a handful of times, as long as the fridge works, that is level enough.
Spare cassette, not used.
Gaslow is the only one I would consider a must.
Stream on Chromebook via mobile phone hotspot. Very occasionally no signal.
For US trip I did install a generator for off grid but only run 35hrs in the year, and that was mostly to use the petrol
we had onboard.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C62JWF9F/
Dropped van of @ docks in Halifax yesterday and currently in San Francisco airport wait for flight to Hawaii,
to much hassle shipping the van out there, but I tried real hard.

This is what 56,000 miles looks like: https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-late-gap-year.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Thanks everybody.
Jez1966 . We have caravanned for years and we want to be as comfortable as we were in that.

ROI doesn`t come into some of the decisions as my wife has to take medication which has to be stored at a particular temperature.
The Aquaroll was mentioned by DJA . I think our style of holiday does not require the use of one - have already got emergency collapsible water carriers.
I reckon my Solar and battery are more usable than the generator and therefore worth there extra weight - which is negligible.

Cheers
Sid

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