sospan
Free Member
I posted a previous thread about using a MH for commercial use. Last weekend we hired a Chausson six birth. I don't remember the model but a 18 plate Ford unit, overcab double bed, combined WC, Shower and rear bunk beds across the back.
The van itself was good, clean and drove very well, even down some twisty roads through the centre of Wales. Whilst it wasn't a disaster we found a lot of negatives and lessons learnt.
Water. Yep drive with a full tank. We picked than van up and was told there was "plenty" of water. However, when we arrived at the event, we discovered that there was limited water in the tank. The event did have a water supply but it was now surrounded by other exhibitors and we could have driven the MH it would have been a nightmare reverse. Instead we did numerous journey in the 4x4 we had filling bottles up.
Toilet Cassette: A Thetford cassette for 4 adults requires more than a daily empty. How six adults would cope ? Then of course where to empty it. On a rural country estate no facilities to empty it apart from the Portaloo's which the owner wasn't pleased about because of the chemicals interacting. So going to need a larger tank
Levelling: Even though we parked on a very level part of the site, it is surprising the difference the slightest tilt makes to cupboards and shower trays. Putting a chunky munkey on top of the cab to sleep at night meant that every time they turned over the MH rocked like someone was getting very intimate. Of course being a hire vehicle there was nothing to easily level the vehicle.
Space: Now that was a real surprise - just how difficult it is to accommodate 4 adults (let alone 6) during the day. Standing and passing room was so limited. If my wife was in the kitchen area and someone wanted to get passed, she had to step into the shower. This was with 4 of us and the dog, not 6 and the dog which would have been a nightmare. Getting from the cab to the inside certainly wasn't the easiest with a narrow gap in the bulkhead.
Beds This was the real surprise. They looked comfortable enough but even after a hard day at the event boy, were they uncomfortable. The only one who slept well was the dog on his new bed.
Water pump It may be just the model we had, but I have installed many water pumps in my time but never came across one as noisy as this! Wash you hand in the toilet at night and everyone will know.
Common Sense The model we had a blue bug zapper as part of one of the light fittings. A great idea, looks good and works well - too well but why fit it directly above the table where you have food ! Something to look out for going forward.
Leisure battery Surprising with just the water pump, lights and a few hours TV. How quick the leisure battery runs down without a mains connection. Maybe it was because it was 3 years old but frustrating having to run the engine to top it up each day.
Garage space Interestingly not as big an issue as we had imagined. We managed to get our trade stand and equipment in the garage and most of the products on the lower bunk bed. The remainder went in the back of the 4x4 which could go into the MH with a little more thought. Although we did pass a MH on the motorway towing a large box trailer
Windows Interesting issue we discovered when parked behind our exhibition stand that the public kept on walking between the MH and car and had to keep ducking or swerving around the open windows. We had to put barrier tape between the MH and car just in case someone caught their head or eye on the open windows.
Profile An odd thing but the journey back through mid Wales and then along the M4 highlighted the problems with the large over cab bump with trees and high winds. Plus I have been told that the A-class style is the one the we are having now.
Well worth the investment in hiring a vehicle for a long weekend as it not only showed the pitfalls but also a lot of the benefits. So it looks like it is going to be an long term proposition. However, it seems that me and the dog will be sleeping outside in a tent inside the awning - for security. Nothing at all to do with the mess we make or that we get in the way!
The van itself was good, clean and drove very well, even down some twisty roads through the centre of Wales. Whilst it wasn't a disaster we found a lot of negatives and lessons learnt.
Water. Yep drive with a full tank. We picked than van up and was told there was "plenty" of water. However, when we arrived at the event, we discovered that there was limited water in the tank. The event did have a water supply but it was now surrounded by other exhibitors and we could have driven the MH it would have been a nightmare reverse. Instead we did numerous journey in the 4x4 we had filling bottles up.
Toilet Cassette: A Thetford cassette for 4 adults requires more than a daily empty. How six adults would cope ? Then of course where to empty it. On a rural country estate no facilities to empty it apart from the Portaloo's which the owner wasn't pleased about because of the chemicals interacting. So going to need a larger tank
Levelling: Even though we parked on a very level part of the site, it is surprising the difference the slightest tilt makes to cupboards and shower trays. Putting a chunky munkey on top of the cab to sleep at night meant that every time they turned over the MH rocked like someone was getting very intimate. Of course being a hire vehicle there was nothing to easily level the vehicle.
Space: Now that was a real surprise - just how difficult it is to accommodate 4 adults (let alone 6) during the day. Standing and passing room was so limited. If my wife was in the kitchen area and someone wanted to get passed, she had to step into the shower. This was with 4 of us and the dog, not 6 and the dog which would have been a nightmare. Getting from the cab to the inside certainly wasn't the easiest with a narrow gap in the bulkhead.
Beds This was the real surprise. They looked comfortable enough but even after a hard day at the event boy, were they uncomfortable. The only one who slept well was the dog on his new bed.
Water pump It may be just the model we had, but I have installed many water pumps in my time but never came across one as noisy as this! Wash you hand in the toilet at night and everyone will know.
Common Sense The model we had a blue bug zapper as part of one of the light fittings. A great idea, looks good and works well - too well but why fit it directly above the table where you have food ! Something to look out for going forward.
Leisure battery Surprising with just the water pump, lights and a few hours TV. How quick the leisure battery runs down without a mains connection. Maybe it was because it was 3 years old but frustrating having to run the engine to top it up each day.
Garage space Interestingly not as big an issue as we had imagined. We managed to get our trade stand and equipment in the garage and most of the products on the lower bunk bed. The remainder went in the back of the 4x4 which could go into the MH with a little more thought. Although we did pass a MH on the motorway towing a large box trailer
Windows Interesting issue we discovered when parked behind our exhibition stand that the public kept on walking between the MH and car and had to keep ducking or swerving around the open windows. We had to put barrier tape between the MH and car just in case someone caught their head or eye on the open windows.
Profile An odd thing but the journey back through mid Wales and then along the M4 highlighted the problems with the large over cab bump with trees and high winds. Plus I have been told that the A-class style is the one the we are having now.
Well worth the investment in hiring a vehicle for a long weekend as it not only showed the pitfalls but also a lot of the benefits. So it looks like it is going to be an long term proposition. However, it seems that me and the dog will be sleeping outside in a tent inside the awning - for security. Nothing at all to do with the mess we make or that we get in the way!
