Fulltiming in a motorhome - a blog
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Hi mate - yes, I'll have passed through already by then. I've just got back from a week in Cornwall in a holiday cottage with my parents and Sister and her kids (and mine) and now setting about today cleaning Harry inside & out.
Set off tomorrow for overnight in Kent, then early ferry from Dover Sunday morning. Down to Honfleur for the night, two further nights somewhere in Normandy and then Cherbourg to Poole overnight on Weds. Looking forward to it.
Pics when I get back!
Set off tomorrow for overnight in Kent, then early ferry from Dover Sunday morning. Down to Honfleur for the night, two further nights somewhere in Normandy and then Cherbourg to Poole overnight on Weds. Looking forward to it.
Pics when I get back!
Thanks KT.
For anyone interested, this is the latest adventure for Harry and myself...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
In the meantime, I've had a nightmare with the new water pump. It's been great, apart from the fact that the pipe keeps slipping off it and I turn on the taps to create only a fountain inside the water tank (when the tank is full, water starts spurting out of the overflow for the fresh water tank!!!) and I get no water through the taps.
Monday was particularly annoying as I must've had to fish out the pump four times and replace the pipe back onto it. I can only assume that the compression joint grip thing can't compress the pipe sufficiently. Additionally, with very warm weather (and thus very warm water), the hose has expanded and popping itself off.
I think I have come up with a solution (certainly nothing has happened since doing it) by securing the pipe with a very tight ziptie used like a jubilee clip. Seems to have done the trick. Otherwise, Harry has performed faultlessly!
For anyone interested, this is the latest adventure for Harry and myself...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
In the meantime, I've had a nightmare with the new water pump. It's been great, apart from the fact that the pipe keeps slipping off it and I turn on the taps to create only a fountain inside the water tank (when the tank is full, water starts spurting out of the overflow for the fresh water tank!!!) and I get no water through the taps.
Monday was particularly annoying as I must've had to fish out the pump four times and replace the pipe back onto it. I can only assume that the compression joint grip thing can't compress the pipe sufficiently. Additionally, with very warm weather (and thus very warm water), the hose has expanded and popping itself off.
I think I have come up with a solution (certainly nothing has happened since doing it) by securing the pipe with a very tight ziptie used like a jubilee clip. Seems to have done the trick. Otherwise, Harry has performed faultlessly!
So a quick update here. Realistically, everything's going fine - Harry continues to (relatively) comfy as a longterm companion but niggles are starting to creap in. Not really anything to do with him, more that the reality of fulltiming is creeping in, as well as the consideration that I am likely to be in the van for at least another 9 months, which means another winter. Harry is superb in so many ways, but living full-time during the depths of winter is tough. The blown air heating is quick to kick in and is comfy - when it's blowing. But when the thermostat kicks it out, it can feel (not necessarily be so) colder quite quickly. He's also quite compact, which means that everything needs to have a place, which is fine, apart from the fact you naturally accumulate things when you're fulltiming and I'm running out of space. All of it is necessary, so there's not really a chance to dump anything.
All of which means I'm getting more claustrophobic and the fear of winter is setting in.
So idle (well, perhaps subconsciously targetted) browsing on Friday night led me to think about upgrading to something bigger and more appropriate to longterming. I came across this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/concorde-charisma-best-w...
And duly headed up to Lincoln yesterday for a nose around. I spent two hours there and was about to buy it, until I found out that although it was advertised as a 3 berth, it is only a 2 berth and therefore completely unsuitable for me and the little'un. Disappointed, I got back and suddenely another cropped up on eBay in Scotland, which is largely perfect.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Concorde-Charisma-880f-M...
A quick call to the owner, a call to my Uncle who is in that neck of the Woods and a viewing has been organised for Wednesday. If it looks good to my Uncle, he'll get a deposit paid and get it bought.
The rationale is it has a lot more space (admittedly it is very long - 8.8m vs. 6.7m of the current one which will limit me from some campsites) and useable living space which will make life a lot more comfortable. Having a separate bedroom which can be closed off will be great for when little'un stays. But will also be good for me pyschologically to have that separation from living and sleeping space. The kitchen is fully equipped with oven (and I believe, microwave) and most importantly of all....................wet central heating. Which means it will be sublimely comfortable in the winter - Radiators positioned around the whole perimeter of the van keep it subtely toasty warm and it has a full double-skin floor which further insulates from the cold. Less necessary but bringing home comforts - satellite dish and TVs.
Those are the benefits that I value now as a full-timer. The ancillary benefits for me as a "wild camper" is 245litre fresh AND grey water tanks. 125litre fuel tank for extended touring. Ducted habitation air conditioning for those super hot days in the South of France. 3000w Inverter for off-grid living, solar panels. A garage big enough for a motorbike (so plenty big enough for 3-4 mountainbikes kept out of sight). All of this on a Mercedes 616Cdi chassis (plated MGW 6.4t) so a good 2t payload.
I'm nervous but excited. In some ways it seems like an extravagance, on the other hand, I keep reminding myself that I LIVE, Fulltime, in a motorhome. Not many people can and do do that. I think I can justify it and even if it turns out to be too big over the longer term, it will be worth it in spades even if it's just 1yr or so to keep me in comfort through my current turmoil.
If it all comes off, I'll get the new van down and back home, give it a deep clean and then move all my stuff into it. Leaving Harry completely empty and allow me to give him a deep clean inside and take a few days to detail him on the exterior for sale. I thankfully have enough room at the back of the house to park both motorhomes end to end, so storage isn't an issue.
So - watch this space......... (y)
All of which means I'm getting more claustrophobic and the fear of winter is setting in.
So idle (well, perhaps subconsciously targetted) browsing on Friday night led me to think about upgrading to something bigger and more appropriate to longterming. I came across this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/concorde-charisma-best-w...
And duly headed up to Lincoln yesterday for a nose around. I spent two hours there and was about to buy it, until I found out that although it was advertised as a 3 berth, it is only a 2 berth and therefore completely unsuitable for me and the little'un. Disappointed, I got back and suddenely another cropped up on eBay in Scotland, which is largely perfect.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Concorde-Charisma-880f-M...
A quick call to the owner, a call to my Uncle who is in that neck of the Woods and a viewing has been organised for Wednesday. If it looks good to my Uncle, he'll get a deposit paid and get it bought.
The rationale is it has a lot more space (admittedly it is very long - 8.8m vs. 6.7m of the current one which will limit me from some campsites) and useable living space which will make life a lot more comfortable. Having a separate bedroom which can be closed off will be great for when little'un stays. But will also be good for me pyschologically to have that separation from living and sleeping space. The kitchen is fully equipped with oven (and I believe, microwave) and most importantly of all....................wet central heating. Which means it will be sublimely comfortable in the winter - Radiators positioned around the whole perimeter of the van keep it subtely toasty warm and it has a full double-skin floor which further insulates from the cold. Less necessary but bringing home comforts - satellite dish and TVs.
Those are the benefits that I value now as a full-timer. The ancillary benefits for me as a "wild camper" is 245litre fresh AND grey water tanks. 125litre fuel tank for extended touring. Ducted habitation air conditioning for those super hot days in the South of France. 3000w Inverter for off-grid living, solar panels. A garage big enough for a motorbike (so plenty big enough for 3-4 mountainbikes kept out of sight). All of this on a Mercedes 616Cdi chassis (plated MGW 6.4t) so a good 2t payload.
I'm nervous but excited. In some ways it seems like an extravagance, on the other hand, I keep reminding myself that I LIVE, Fulltime, in a motorhome. Not many people can and do do that. I think I can justify it and even if it turns out to be too big over the longer term, it will be worth it in spades even if it's just 1yr or so to keep me in comfort through my current turmoil.
If it all comes off, I'll get the new van down and back home, give it a deep clean and then move all my stuff into it. Leaving Harry completely empty and allow me to give him a deep clean inside and take a few days to detail him on the exterior for sale. I thankfully have enough room at the back of the house to park both motorhomes end to end, so storage isn't an issue.
So - watch this space......... (y)
Edited by Spuffington on Monday 24th July 15:36
The links don't work by the way mate. Those Concorde vans do seem nice inside I saw a Laika van at Fairford last week and looked like a yacht inside but OTT for me but the garages on both of these are useful.
Struggling to find a house that I can fit three beds of stuff in for my budget so might have to stick all that in storage and Full time in the caravan soon.
Struggling to find a house that I can fit three beds of stuff in for my budget so might have to stick all that in storage and Full time in the caravan soon.
Well that's it - Aberdeen van bought!
Deposit paid and some work being done (new nsf balljoint being fitted and update to the satnav disk) and happy days. I understand the aircon needs regassing (and a side marker replacing) but otherwise my Uncle and Aunt were really impressed with it. So much so that they would happily have it off me should I ever want to get rid. Evidently stops, goes and rides beautifully and was toastily warm when they were shown around. We did try a FaceTime so I could get a feel for it, but it was a big laggy. I did get a good Impression though and they loved it.
Not sure when I'm going to get to collect. Could be a week or 10 days since funds need to be juggled around to pay the balance and I need an appropriate window at work to take some leave, since although I could fly up and drive it back over a weekend, if I'm going to spend that much on fuel getting it back down south, then I want to at least build some holiday in around it.
Excited doesn't quite cover it!
Also very nervous, getting to know another vehicle. Evidently might need some new boots next year (tyres are coming up five years old) so that's 700quid out of the door. But otherwise I'm sure it will just be maintenance. May even service it myself.
But I'm most excited about having more living space for me and my daughter and warmth during the winter too. Living in the Concorde is unlikely to be a hardship!
Deposit paid and some work being done (new nsf balljoint being fitted and update to the satnav disk) and happy days. I understand the aircon needs regassing (and a side marker replacing) but otherwise my Uncle and Aunt were really impressed with it. So much so that they would happily have it off me should I ever want to get rid. Evidently stops, goes and rides beautifully and was toastily warm when they were shown around. We did try a FaceTime so I could get a feel for it, but it was a big laggy. I did get a good Impression though and they loved it.
Not sure when I'm going to get to collect. Could be a week or 10 days since funds need to be juggled around to pay the balance and I need an appropriate window at work to take some leave, since although I could fly up and drive it back over a weekend, if I'm going to spend that much on fuel getting it back down south, then I want to at least build some holiday in around it.
Excited doesn't quite cover it!
Also very nervous, getting to know another vehicle. Evidently might need some new boots next year (tyres are coming up five years old) so that's 700quid out of the door. But otherwise I'm sure it will just be maintenance. May even service it myself.
But I'm most excited about having more living space for me and my daughter and warmth during the winter too. Living in the Concorde is unlikely to be a hardship!
Thanks chaps.
Fulltiming is right if you have the right vehicle. But it is still challenging. I don't pretend that the Concorde will solve all the issues, but it goes a good way to resolving the ones around space and longterm warmth over winter. It's not that Harry is totally cold, a week or two for a Holiday in the winter is not an issue and something I did many times before fulltiming, but it's extended periods which are wearing (and expensive on gas).
So - once I get the Concorde back, cleaned and moved into, then the process of deep cleaning Harry, rectifying any niggles (I can't think of any immediately) and polishing the exterior will start and will get him marketed.
Anyone looking for a top quality, rare, supremely well looked after van, please get in touch. I'll be marketing around the 30k mark as this is where interest was shown when I dipped my toe in the water in April.
Fulltiming is right if you have the right vehicle. But it is still challenging. I don't pretend that the Concorde will solve all the issues, but it goes a good way to resolving the ones around space and longterm warmth over winter. It's not that Harry is totally cold, a week or two for a Holiday in the winter is not an issue and something I did many times before fulltiming, but it's extended periods which are wearing (and expensive on gas).
So - once I get the Concorde back, cleaned and moved into, then the process of deep cleaning Harry, rectifying any niggles (I can't think of any immediately) and polishing the exterior will start and will get him marketed.
Anyone looking for a top quality, rare, supremely well looked after van, please get in touch. I'll be marketing around the 30k mark as this is where interest was shown when I dipped my toe in the water in April.
As has been said Spuff, congratulations and may you and your Daughter enjoy many many miles together in "Harmony" the Concorde.
Having lived in large motorhomes you will thoroughly enjoy every mile, I've loved every one of mine over the years, and we hope that you manage to sell "Harry" quickly and that the next owner loves him as much as you have.
Well done.
KT
Having lived in large motorhomes you will thoroughly enjoy every mile, I've loved every one of mine over the years, and we hope that you manage to sell "Harry" quickly and that the next owner loves him as much as you have.
Well done.
KT
OP, sorry if I missed this but I feel quite sad on your behalf that you need to sleep in this thing with all the hassle involved RIGHT NEXT to a house which you own half of. Is this just to keep the peace or are you 'not allowed' in the house?
Anyway, you seem to be coping quite well, good job.
Anyway, you seem to be coping quite well, good job.
Spuff
I just checked the link (nice van btw) and it is still showing for sale? Might be worth the seller getting the ad taken down so you don't get gazzumped?
My MH is 8.7m long and there aren't too many places that we can't get into. It is worth mentioning it whenever you book a site mind. Parking is more of an issue...
If it hasn't got them its worth investing in rear parking sensors to go with the camera it has
I just checked the link (nice van btw) and it is still showing for sale? Might be worth the seller getting the ad taken down so you don't get gazzumped?
My MH is 8.7m long and there aren't too many places that we can't get into. It is worth mentioning it whenever you book a site mind. Parking is more of an issue...
If it hasn't got them its worth investing in rear parking sensors to go with the camera it has
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