New Motorhomer (old caravanner) (1 Viewer)

[Rob Su]

Hi! I’m Rob, new to motorhoming (just bought Swift Escape 674). Caravanned for a couple of years, so was still bit of a newbie to that. Off to first rally this weekend (in motorhome instead of caravan) with South Yorkshire Centre of Caravan & Motorhome club.

Van has couple of minor faults, told dealer I’ll take back next week after checking for more teething issues over weekend when ‘used in anger’

Should I fill water tank from garden house before setting off?

 

[Jim]

Hi Rob, It depends on your payload, but if you have plenty to spare then arriving at a rally with full water tanks is my preferred option. A garden hose is fine, as long as it's not a new one, some hoses can impart a rubber smell/taste when new that will make your tea taste awful. Lots of people carry a watering can so they can easily keep a water tank topped up without moving the van. Have a great rally

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Welcome aboard, enjoy the “switch”

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[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[Anthea M]

Hello and welcome.
We only take half a tank and top up with a watering can ( bought and used specifically for that!)
Water is heavy so can affect payload.
Enjoy your first shakedown and the kettle and chairs will be out before a carravanner will have even parked up!!
Enjoy!!

 

[Janine]

Hello and welcome to the Fun

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[Wendo55]

I can't fill up at home but rarely have a problem filling when I get to my destination, even rallies in fields. However as Jim says it's always handy to carry a container or watering can to top up, or someone will lend you one.

 

[M-J]

The payload on a 674 is 600kg which only includes driver @ 75kg, 90% fuel and 1x6kg bottle (lite)

The water tank holds 100 litres (100kg)

Best thing to do would be to pack it to your maximum travelling level (imagine you are away on a 2 week trip and pack for that) then go to a weigh bridge with any passengers you will have and get it weighed.

 

[Rob and Val]

and a warm welcome from us. We travel with the tank half-full but we also carry a full 5 litre water container that we use for coffee/tea.

Have a great weekend!

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[ambulancekidd]

 

[St Ivian]

 

[Rob Su]

The payload on a 674 is 600kg which only includes driver @ 75kg, 90% fuel and 1x6kg bottle (lite)

The water tank holds 100 litres (100kg)

Best thing to do would be to pack it to your maximum travelling level (imagine you are away on a 2 week trip and pack for that) then go to a weigh bridge with any passengers you will have and get it weighed.

Thanks for this - very useful

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[Ivory55]

If weighing your van, check axle weights as it’s easy to overload the rear axle on some vans.

 

[Rob Su]

If weighing your van, check axle weights as it’s easy to overload the rear axle on some vans.

Late wife took everything in caravan - I’ve told kids this is different camping...minimal

Probably sounds stupid, but when you say 600kg includes driver 75kg and 90% fuel (say another 50kg), does that mean I’ve got 475kg left for other passengers and luggage and water?

 

[M-J]

Late wife took everything in caravan - I’ve told kids this is different camping...minimal

Probably sounds stupid, but when you say 600kg includes driver 75kg and 90% fuel (say another 50kg), does that mean I’ve got 475kg left for other passengers and luggage and water?

Sorry that can read either way.... To clear it up according to swift that is already accounted for so its 600kg available in theory. Then there’s any extras it might have fitted and a 5% tolerance either way to consider.

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[buttons]

Hi and Welcome....​

 

[peterc10]

Never trust a manufacturer's or dealer's weight figures. Always take it to a weighbridge and get the real figures.

 

[Rob Su]

Thx - remember first caravan, was barely able to tow it with Toyota Avensis 2.0, we were right on border - hated it. Then increased van and got Land Rover Disvocery, towed like a dream, but Motorhome so much easier it’s almisf a joy to drive

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