Camper set up - anyone got anything similar

Run your fridge off gas and don't bother with a sink - take a washing up bowl instead & free up a mass of extra space.

 

For me this was/is a good move as I'm one lazy arse battery wrecker. For the price of one good battery a built in charger is a no brainer (now I've done it!). Carrying a bloody great cable around is the downside of course.

 

I cut my hookup cable in half and made two complete shorter cables. One stays plugged into the garage socket for when the vans at home. This means I don't risk forgetting the van cable as it never comes out unless we're hooked up camping. Also the position of every hookup point on every campsite we've ever been to hasn't needed anywhere near the usual hookup length cable. Having it shorter means not having yards of cable laying around behind the bus. Less wet muddy cable to roll up in the morning and it fits into a smaller package inside the van.

 

agree about fridge but then were into the hole in the side of the bus argument however gas fridge will run for a bloomin long time before your gas runs out... and then yer gonna need a new bottle anyway. I like having a sink cos I like having plumbed in water however and find it very useful, (as a sink) however I think its pretty standard to carry a full size washing up bowl as its probably one of the most useful thinks you can carry with you. Good for washing up, carrying pots to wash up if your on that kind of site and generally good for storing stuff, having a was etc.

I can see the reason for not having a hook up... ie if you don't have one then you don't get blackmailed into going to a site just cos they have hook up and people want to take all manner of electrical gubbinns

 

Yes but if I am only using to charge at home the cable can stay there.

But then again I already leave the camper LB charging on a ctek whilst it is parked up at home. All it will save me from is sticking the extension reel in the engine cupboard and plugging in the charger!

 

If I understand correctly gas fridge will need some form of vents cut in bus so that ain't gonna happen!

Know what you mean about sink but just think it wins with the convenience side of things

 

I have a ctek and was just about to have it all wired in the other week, but life got in the way and I had to spend all my money on something else.
We've done 19 years without hook up, another one isn't going to hurt.

 

In the past ive been away and based on same site for a week or more. Hook up has been very useful. That said it was more the awning that needed it and not the van. If your all set up for 12 volt your independent of sites and can wild camp. if your dependant then.... so - if your going to do it - do it last when everything else has been figured out!

 

I only fitted 230v as I had the kit but if I didn't I would not of bothered and just used a lead and charger
As said by outhers it's not just the box and charger it's the lead and then the temptation to take stuff to plug in to it

We don't tend to take a awning unless it going to be very wet for the same reason

I also have a built in water tank under the van for the tap. On the list is to fit a gas tank under as well i have the tank just got to get round to it

I like the fact we can pull up pop the roof, swivel the seat and put the kettle on and that's it

 

Any details? I like this idea, but I wonder how I'd fill it up when out and about. Don't really fancy lugging a hose about with me.

 

Mmm ...... Water tank underneath as well. Now there's a thought!

I might leave hook up till last and see how I get on. I can always add later as it will only affect under bed rather than flooring and any units we put in.

 

Collapsable water carrier/container.

 

Thinking about it not sure we use enough water to warrant this. Also not sure what litreage (is that a word?) they are but guess 30+ so that is another 30kgs of weight my poor 1600 will have to cart around if we fill up before a trip!

 

So why not cut out the middle man and just use the collapsable container?
At the mo I'm using a container that's too small, but aware that a big enough one would take up a lot of space inside.
I look on the net and the buggers want £80-100 for a plastic one! Strikes me I could probably have a stainless one knocked up for a similar amount.

 

http://www.caktanks.com/
They do alsorts of tanks I got one that's for a t25 but they will custom make one to your size
I had a outlet put in at the lowest corner with 15mm pipe and fitted a plumbing valve to drain it
Then anouther outlet in the opposite corner to act you as a fill point using hose pipe connections
Then a hole in the top for the pump and a filter but I Now see they do lots of better fittings

I will put up some pics when I get home

 

A site curiously devoid of prices. In this day and age they could do better!

 

I decided to use a lift out container, reason - concerns about hygiene and freezing with an external fixed tank but mainly you will either have to carry to much so you don't run out or run the risk of having to drive to the water point. I have two containers actually . One is in the water cupboard under the sink and I keep full, the other I take with me if I think I might be staying for longer. Fill it up and leave under van saving the walk to the tap when inconvenient. Mostly I just live with the one and fill it up as needed. Removeable is easy to clean, plus you can see any nastiness going on ie any sediment of visible algae problem.!

 

they do a Monnraker replacement tank, frame etc. I picked up a tank without frame then bought all the gubbins, filler etc (ah yes that's another issue, where to put the filler!) then never got round to fitting it!

 

Behind the passenger seat fixed to the.... bulkhead. I see the problem.

 

Boat people live with huge stainless or plastic water tanks they can't see. It doesn't seem to be a problem if you use constantly. Or bung some Miltons through it from time to time? No doubt specific products are available.
I admit my interior planning is mainly based on not having to plan so much if I keep as much as possible on the outside. On that score I once restored a bus with a sunken gas canister box for 2x 907 . It had gas fall out built in and 2/3 of the canisters were then techincally not taking up any interior space. Good idea? With hindsight I'd have done this to mine and still might one day. It would be just in front of RR bed right inside my cupboard door. I could have a removeable lid/box on top and carry on using the cupboard.