What should my initial priorities be ?

[Yorkshire Puds]

So our shiny new Chausson 711 should be with is come spring time, but I’m wondering what I should make a priority and any suggestions re specifications.

I will probably have a budget of around 5k or so and would likely start with security and solar.
we would like to stay away from sites / hook up for as long as possible, ideally up to a week.

any suggestions at all please? What would you spend that sort of budget on if you were in my position? A trip to Vanbitz is on the cards i reckon.

 

[Charlie9038]

Vanbitz should be the first trip, trust me as I had our MH stolen off the drive before it was alarmed BTW, you get a funster discount as well.
Unsure if I would bother with satellite now, unless your abroad a lot, Firestick does enough I think.
If your abroad a lot LPG might be worth it, but my gas seems to last ages, if I was going to do that I would go for an underslung tank to free up a cupboard.
Enjoy

 

[tacr2man]

Vanbitz for the security , and then if you have the payload , and space , big solar and batts . if you want to be off sites for long periods .

 

[TheBig1]

if the chauson is on a ford base, you really do need to change the locks and fit obd port protection. as well as a top of the range alarm immobiliser and tracker from vanbitz

 

[Stealaway]

Definitely 200 watts of solar and 220 amp of batteries. I like inverter because they offer many more options. Not sure about re fillable gas, LPG stations seem to be on the decline. There are many more MoHo alarm companies around Yorkshire with out traveling all that way. Oh and if it's a Ford some big obvious locks. I think the insurance might insist on a tracker too.

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[Charlie9038]

Also fit
And a fan to the fridge if going to warmer climates

 

[Ivory55]

Security yes , the rest I would use the van first and get a feel for it and how you use it. What others put top of needs might not be yours. If you run out of electric it’s not the end of the world you can book in to a site if away at the time and recharge. Don’t rush in to spending your money.

 

[TerryL]

Although I agree with Ivory55 to a point, I know how we use the van and what we'd need. So after the security an extra leisure battery and as much solar as I could get on the roof, together with a Battery Master to keep the engine battery topped up (unless of course the electronics as fitted new covered that). Then refillable LPG, an underslung tank in preference, as big as is feasible.

If there's anything left after that a decent B2B charger then a few extra USB sockets in strategic positions. Then, luxury, a fitted Mifi aerial and router.

I've taken the satellite dish that came with the van off as we hardly ever used it (and anyway it broke!). I've currently got a small inverter but it only gets used for charging the laptop or phones so the extra USB's would render that unnecessary.

But I'll repeat, I know what we would need, otherwise I'd wait until I'd used it a few times before spending any cash.

 

[dna]

Are you new to this or have you been caravaners in the past.
if new then, as others have said get the security sorted and buy a notebook and pen. have a few nights / weekends away and note the things you really need.
keep well away from the “what have I bought” thread on Fun as it is more powerful than tv advertising for persuading you to spend money?

 

[Silver-Fox]

My list in order would be

Alarm

Solar and Batteries

Spare cassette

I’d hang fire on other “bits” and see what you really need after you’ve been out a few times.

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[Yorkshire Puds]

Thanks for the replies folks, the plan is (although not guaranteed) to get the collection date, then get a date booked in with Eddie at Vanbitz before we actually collect it and drive straight down there. Probably looking at Growler rather than Strikeback.

Someone mentioned the outsmart the thief system, and I’m unsure which is the better of the two system wise, as I don’t know anyone who has tried both systems who can give real life experience feedback.

The 711 only comes on the Fiat chassis so no Ford locks to change. Happy days, although if this is something on the Fiat that needs upgrading too it would definitely be looked into along with the obligatory clamps and steering locks etc.

I was considering LPG, but think I’ll wait to see my gas consumption first as we will initially only be touring the UK next year, and this will likely give me a better gauge of the diesel heater consumption too.

weight-wise for solar. I’ve ordered the heavy chassis (4400kg) so hopefully I will have plenty of payload, so advice around this Avenue would be interesting and well received. I’m sure we could find space for extra batteries somewhere appropriate.

also being a Yorkshireman, Ivory is talking sense to me. However my beautiful, extremely young looking, best thing that has ever happened to me wife may disagree.

(she reads this forum every now and again)

 

[robnchris]

For your cooking needs, a remoska and slow cooker, we also fitted two Induction hobs that way when we are on hook-up all cooking is done with electric and if possible done outside the motorhome in the awning, keeping the motorhome free from any cooking smells.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

Are you new to this or have you been caravaners in the past.
if new then, as others have said get the security sorted and buy a notebook and pen. have a few nights / weekends away and note the things you really need.
keep well away from the “what have I bought” thread on Fun as it is more powerful than tv advertising for persuading you to spend money?

not new as such. We had a reliable old Bessacarr on a fiat chassis which we loved, but only ever stayed on sites In the UK and a couple of trips to sites in Spain.
We sold her due to not using her as much as we would like as work took over, and are just returning after almost reaching retirement age.
Were looking forward to spending the next year getting used to it and kitting it out with bits and bobs as we realise we need them, but would definitely look to prioritise the most essential kit from the outset.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

My list in order would be

Alarm

Solar and Batteries

Spare cassette

I’d hang fire on other “bits” and see what you really need after you’ve been out a few times.

spare cassette. That’s a great suggestion. If I tell the wife they’re his and hers, she’d go for it I reckon.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

I was also thinking of installing a SOG system. Are they worth the money? Or is it just as good to buy the parts and make one myself? I see mixed reviews.

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[GMLS]

Depending on the standard spec (assume you'll get a rear view camera) and ignoring things like ramps and chairs;
Alarm, I'd also get a Disklok or wheel clamp (multiple levels of security)
Solar set up to charge both batteries
Awning
Inverter
If serious about off grid, you might want to think about going lithium

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

Depending on the standard spec (assume you'll get a rear view camera) and ignoring things like ramps and chairs;
Alarm, I'd also get a Disklok or wheel clamp (multiple levels of security)
Solar set up to charge both batteries
Awning
Inverter
If serious about off grid, you might want to think about going lithium

We’re definitely looking at solar, does anyone know much about lithium batteries i.e. which ones are best and are they cost effective ? I did think about the EFOY system, but not sure if they are worth the money, but if I was looking at lithium batteries, would EFOY be an alternative?

I reckon a good alarm, tracker and either large solar with lithium batteries or EFOY and the initial 5k would be swallowed.

 

[GMLS]

There is/was a special offer negotiated on here for us somewhere.£500 ish for the battery

BTY forgot refillable gas bottles. A revelation for us

 

[Ivory55]

It would be gutting to pay out for lithium and solar etc and find that you really like being on a site in Benidorm for a few months. Just restrain the the urge to spend till you know for sure.

 

[GMLS]

100AH Lithium Battery £500

We picked up a new site sponsor/advertiser last week, I received the advert today. Look at that, a 100AH battery for £500 when using promo code MHFUN. (y)

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Yorkshire Puds]

There is/was a special offer negotiated on here for us somewhere.£500 ish for the battery

BTY forgot refillable gas bottles. A revelation for us

500 quid sounds good. The ones I’ve seen are around 1000 pound plus.

 

[MikeD]

Book it in to Vanbitz straight away. A decent alarm system and lock protection etc is a must nowadays.

Don't buy any accessories till you have used it for a bit. By then you will have worked out what you want and where your priorities lie for the type of motor homing you enjoy.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

It would be gutting to pay out for lithium and solar etc and find that you really like being on a site in Benidorm for a few months. Just restrain the the urge to spend till you know for sure.

We do love Benidorm but for some reason after 3 days my body is screaming to come home. Lol..

we do plan to spend time abroad, but are thinking of eventually trying Croatia and ultimately Greece and Crete. So we will be spending time off grid Year after next when we finally retire.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

Book it in to Vanbitz straight away. A decent alarm system and lock protection etc is a must nowadays.

Don't buy any accessories till you have used it for a bit. By then you will have worked out what you want and where your priorities lie for the type of motor homing you enjoy.

I would love to call Eddie and get booked in, but until I get my delivery date I can’t.

Apparently with it being on the heavy chassis with all the whistles and bells, rather than the standard Fiat 3500kg, Chausson won’t start the run on production using this until at least January. So any time between March an May and we should take delivery.

 

[thebriars]

if the chauson is on a ford base, you really do need to change the locks and fit obd port protection. as well as a top of the range alarm immobiliser and tracker from vanbitz

Oh come on, Ford changed the locks years ago, they no longer use the Tibbe locks.

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[Blackadder]

Alarm
Levelling Ramps + traction mats
Refillable Gas
Solar + Battery Master
On-board WiFi (if going abroad; useful for finding sites, restaurants, paying tolls etc. and free "onsite" WiFi rarely seems to work)
Firestick (other makes are available) if the above is fitted
Additional Leisure battery if early experience shows it's necessary (which it may be if the diesel heating(?) is used a lot)
SOG? - I've asked the same question before and got such mixed answers (most of which were more concerned with ALDI non-bio sachets than with SOGS) that I'm really no wiser

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I suppose you could always store the spare cassette under the bed, saves a bit of walking.

I'm not sure I'd really want a full cassette sloshing around in the garage.

 

[Ivory55]

I suppose you could always store the spare cassette under the bed, saves a bit of walking.

I'm not sure I'd really want a full cassette sloshing around in the garage.

There is a proper storage holder that you can buy, it bolts underneath the van. A bit like a spare wheel carrier.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

There is a proper storage holder that you can buy, it bolts underneath the van. A bit like a spare wheel carrier.

Nice idea. Under the bed would be a no go as they are 2 x drop down beds in the 711