Buy a Hymer, they said...
Discussion
Thanks for the update and sorry for driving the thread in a different direction. I get frustrated when mine gets dragged off into little cul de sacs so sorry for doing the same to yours.
Good to hear you're beginning to make it your own and also that damp isn't an issue. Rarely tends to be with Hymers of that vintage, but what you've found in terms of the long list of to do's is fairly typical of most motorhome purchases and I'm sure you're aware from my musings on my thread that the start of ownership has a lot of upfront capital expenditure but once you're on top of it, it's a general trickle of cash going out to keep up with an aging vehicle. But worth it since they do age well and more than give back in terms of pleasure and ownership enjoyment. Keep at it and good luck with the C1!
Good to hear you're beginning to make it your own and also that damp isn't an issue. Rarely tends to be with Hymers of that vintage, but what you've found in terms of the long list of to do's is fairly typical of most motorhome purchases and I'm sure you're aware from my musings on my thread that the start of ownership has a lot of upfront capital expenditure but once you're on top of it, it's a general trickle of cash going out to keep up with an aging vehicle. But worth it since they do age well and more than give back in terms of pleasure and ownership enjoyment. Keep at it and good luck with the C1!
Yes, even on our relatively well kept example, there's an awful lot of bits and pieces that need fixing if you want it to be 100%. Put new hinges on a couple of the cabinet doors this week, also fixed a broken window handle.
Iv'e stripped out all the extra 12v lighting as I wasn't too keen on the workmanship. It's not dangerous in any way, just a bit strange in how it's been done, and I'd like to do it properly. I've ordered a load of LED rope light to go above the cupboards all round the lounge and bedroom. I'm surprised how poor the lighting is in this, even with a few added extras.
Got the roof clean today:
(spot the installer who didn't want to cut the satellite cable to length)
Also repainted the satellite dish with some leftover BMW spraypaint:
Tomorrow's task is to clean, polish and wax the whole thing. It's a bit dull and streaky at the moment, plus I'm hoping that a good coat of wax will make it easier to clean while we're away.
Iv'e stripped out all the extra 12v lighting as I wasn't too keen on the workmanship. It's not dangerous in any way, just a bit strange in how it's been done, and I'd like to do it properly. I've ordered a load of LED rope light to go above the cupboards all round the lounge and bedroom. I'm surprised how poor the lighting is in this, even with a few added extras.
Got the roof clean today:
(spot the installer who didn't want to cut the satellite cable to length)
Also repainted the satellite dish with some leftover BMW spraypaint:
Tomorrow's task is to clean, polish and wax the whole thing. It's a bit dull and streaky at the moment, plus I'm hoping that a good coat of wax will make it easier to clean while we're away.
Rewe said:
Wow, good job on the satellite dish!
Mine's the white one. Previous owners got it painted in Morocco, but frankly having a sattelite dish at all is a bit OTT for me, let alone one with a massive bloke painted on it. If it was just the desert scene, I'd've been tempted to keep it but back to standard it went.
So, what's new?
I passed my class C (rigid HGV) license last week. MUCH harder than I expected, but only got 6 minors on the test so I'm happy with that. As usual the hardest thing is just driving "properly" again, rather than actually driving the truck itself.
So that meant that Saturday was roadtrip day. It's not really in a state to go and stay in overnight at the moment, my wife is in the middle of refurbishing all the blinds, so other than the front screen there's no window coverings at all right now.
First off we took it to the local skip hire place to get it weighed. Comes out at 3820KG all in, with 1/3 tank of fuel, 170KG of humans, and no water. That's with a 4500KG maximum. 1740KG of that is on the front axle which leaves us 90KG off the axle limit, so we'll need to keep an eye on that. As we load the garage it should take the weight off the front though.
The rest of the day was a couple of hour round trip to Malvern to a caravan bits shop to get a folding table to replace the ridiculous fitted table in the lounge.
The motorhome drives really nicely. WAY better than I expected, rides OK despite being on standard springs. Surprisingly nippy (there's a mystery "ecu chip" in the history), and handles really quite nicely.
The clutch is a bit elderly though. It's not slipping yet, but it's biting really high and just feels like it's on its last legs. We'll get that done before we go away.
Next up is to refit all the restrung, redyed blinds which are a real surprise. It's taken her ages but my wife's done a great job on them for the price of some new string and a bottle of fabric dye. A couple of them are like new almost, and the others are a lot less knackered than they were.
We're replacing the bedroom skylight with a miniHeki as the existing one is crap and the sealant is shot.
I've fitted a load of LED rope light around the lounge. Daylight in the gap between the top lockers and the ceiling, and warm white under the top lockers. I'll wire these in at the weekend, now I'm acquainted with the bonkers wiring colours (12v live=blue neutral=brown).
Exchanged contracts on the house today. No going back now!
I passed my class C (rigid HGV) license last week. MUCH harder than I expected, but only got 6 minors on the test so I'm happy with that. As usual the hardest thing is just driving "properly" again, rather than actually driving the truck itself.
So that meant that Saturday was roadtrip day. It's not really in a state to go and stay in overnight at the moment, my wife is in the middle of refurbishing all the blinds, so other than the front screen there's no window coverings at all right now.
First off we took it to the local skip hire place to get it weighed. Comes out at 3820KG all in, with 1/3 tank of fuel, 170KG of humans, and no water. That's with a 4500KG maximum. 1740KG of that is on the front axle which leaves us 90KG off the axle limit, so we'll need to keep an eye on that. As we load the garage it should take the weight off the front though.
The rest of the day was a couple of hour round trip to Malvern to a caravan bits shop to get a folding table to replace the ridiculous fitted table in the lounge.
The motorhome drives really nicely. WAY better than I expected, rides OK despite being on standard springs. Surprisingly nippy (there's a mystery "ecu chip" in the history), and handles really quite nicely.
The clutch is a bit elderly though. It's not slipping yet, but it's biting really high and just feels like it's on its last legs. We'll get that done before we go away.
Next up is to refit all the restrung, redyed blinds which are a real surprise. It's taken her ages but my wife's done a great job on them for the price of some new string and a bottle of fabric dye. A couple of them are like new almost, and the others are a lot less knackered than they were.
We're replacing the bedroom skylight with a miniHeki as the existing one is crap and the sealant is shot.
I've fitted a load of LED rope light around the lounge. Daylight in the gap between the top lockers and the ceiling, and warm white under the top lockers. I'll wire these in at the weekend, now I'm acquainted with the bonkers wiring colours (12v live=blue neutral=brown).
Exchanged contracts on the house today. No going back now!
Great stuff - congratulations on the C class test and great to hear the motorhome is coming along nicely - as it sounds is the house. Very exciting!
Look forward to more updates. Great to also hear you're well within limits on the weight side. If it's anything like my Hymer, the fresh water tank was slightly forward of midships so there was a front bias when full. But unlike you I had no ability to heavily influence the rear axle weight as I only had a ski-locker behind the rear axle.
Keep us posted!
Look forward to more updates. Great to also hear you're well within limits on the weight side. If it's anything like my Hymer, the fresh water tank was slightly forward of midships so there was a front bias when full. But unlike you I had no ability to heavily influence the rear axle weight as I only had a ski-locker behind the rear axle.
Keep us posted!
Bit of lighting done this afternoon. The more I work on the 12v electrics, the more I want to just rip out every non-factory piece of electrics. It's all just so badly done. I replaced the internals a strip light with LEDs today, and the cables to the light had red as neutral and black as live. Lots of other nasties around the place, nothing dangerous; but not done properly which seems a shame given how well this thing is made from the factory.
Right then, you want pictures? Here goes.
On the day it arrived, looking oddly dorky sat on the drive:
It is almost as wide as the house...
Some progress shots of converting it from old fogey spec into Bigger-Than-Super-Kingsize spec:
First proper bit of duff Hymer design, heater under the bed. Should make for a nice peaceful time...
We have since finished the bed, but no photos yet as my phone is flat out on strike now. I'll fire up the tablet and get something taken soon.
On the day it arrived, looking oddly dorky sat on the drive:
It is almost as wide as the house...
Some progress shots of converting it from old fogey spec into Bigger-Than-Super-Kingsize spec:
First proper bit of duff Hymer design, heater under the bed. Should make for a nice peaceful time...
We have since finished the bed, but no photos yet as my phone is flat out on strike now. I'll fire up the tablet and get something taken soon.
AND FINALLY!
You know that bodgetastic wiring I mentioned? Well...
As I found it:
Yeah, let's just open the crimp terminal, jam this extra wiring in and put the terminal back in the plug.
Yes, that's brown and earth colours for the 12v feed, white and white-with-red-tape for the lights. Oh and it was all stuck down with silver duct tape which had in no way turned into a slimy manky mess.
You know that bodgetastic wiring I mentioned? Well...
As I found it:
Yeah, let's just open the crimp terminal, jam this extra wiring in and put the terminal back in the plug.
Yes, that's brown and earth colours for the 12v feed, white and white-with-red-tape for the lights. Oh and it was all stuck down with silver duct tape which had in no way turned into a slimy manky mess.
Brown = earth/Neutral normal for Hymer it seems.
Heater under bed I doubt will be an issue they don't make much Noise and normally ours is off at night as the MH retains the heat very well.
Bed base I would recommend some ventilation holes in the Ply to avoid any sweating and damp build up.
Rooflight sealant:
I used this on ours :
Sikaflex 512 Caravan Adhesive & Sealant for Caravans, Motor Homes & Trailers
overall it looks a very Nice buy you have there.
Any Pictures of the Table you chose ?
Heater under bed I doubt will be an issue they don't make much Noise and normally ours is off at night as the MH retains the heat very well.
Bed base I would recommend some ventilation holes in the Ply to avoid any sweating and damp build up.
Rooflight sealant:
I used this on ours :
Sikaflex 512 Caravan Adhesive & Sealant for Caravans, Motor Homes & Trailers
overall it looks a very Nice buy you have there.
Any Pictures of the Table you chose ?
Edited by V40TC on Friday 10th November 08:16
agent006 said:
Got the roof clean today:
(spot the installer who didn't want to cut the satellite cable to length)
Never cut an Oyster cable, and ideally fitted swept back (as they take a lot of abuse in that position).(spot the installer who didn't want to cut the satellite cable to length)
The germans quite often have reversed colours on the wiring, Burstner quite often have black +ve connections!
V40TC said:
Any Pictures of the Table you chose ?
Just a bog standard folding one for now:https://www.caravanstuff4u.co.uk/furnitures/3601-q...
V40TC said:
Bed base I would recommend some ventilation holes in the Ply to avoid any sweating and damp build up.
We've got a layer of space fabric under the mattress, which should hopefully provide some ventilation. If it gets really bad then we'll put some holes in the ply too. http://www.baltex.co.uk/spacerfabrics/
House sale completes on Friday. No going back now.
Not a great deal has changed on the Hymer itself. Had a trip up to Dave Newell for a lot less of the to-do list than I was expecting. Still, it had all the belts, brake fluid, gearbox oil changed; and the AL-KO axles greased and the fridge serviced. Oh, and the dreadful bolt on DRLs taken off too. The air filter was replaced too as it was minging, despite it having had a service before I bought it. A quick insight into the previous maintenance regime there I think.
The only mechanical thing left is the seized bonnet pull cable, but TravelWorld don't stock it and frankly I don't fancy paying £350 or whatever mental price it'll be for a genuine Hymer one anyway. I'll probably end up replacing it with a generic length of something similar.
The rest of the list is mostly 12v electrics so we'll get a local auto electrician round to sort that in the next couple of weeks. Still need to drill a hole for the 4G antenna, but I'm not brave enough so I'll have to find someone for that too.
We're staying on a local campsite from Friday until after Christmas now. Dog needs two vaccines, a month apart, and the first is this Friday; so we'll be leaving properly on something like the 8th of January.
Not a great deal has changed on the Hymer itself. Had a trip up to Dave Newell for a lot less of the to-do list than I was expecting. Still, it had all the belts, brake fluid, gearbox oil changed; and the AL-KO axles greased and the fridge serviced. Oh, and the dreadful bolt on DRLs taken off too. The air filter was replaced too as it was minging, despite it having had a service before I bought it. A quick insight into the previous maintenance regime there I think.
The only mechanical thing left is the seized bonnet pull cable, but TravelWorld don't stock it and frankly I don't fancy paying £350 or whatever mental price it'll be for a genuine Hymer one anyway. I'll probably end up replacing it with a generic length of something similar.
The rest of the list is mostly 12v electrics so we'll get a local auto electrician round to sort that in the next couple of weeks. Still need to drill a hole for the 4G antenna, but I'm not brave enough so I'll have to find someone for that too.
We're staying on a local campsite from Friday until after Christmas now. Dog needs two vaccines, a month apart, and the first is this Friday; so we'll be leaving properly on something like the 8th of January.
Good luck with the move. Exciting and nerve-racking I'm sure.
Your experience with the air filter and the so-called "Full Service History" reminds me of the experience I've had on both of the Hymer and the Concorde; both of which had had just oil services over the years, as opposed to other service items having been replaced (or if they had been, with cheap pattern parts). I'm sure you're happier now knowing everything is tickety-boo. I certainly am.
Good luck with the remaining bits and the move.
Your experience with the air filter and the so-called "Full Service History" reminds me of the experience I've had on both of the Hymer and the Concorde; both of which had had just oil services over the years, as opposed to other service items having been replaced (or if they had been, with cheap pattern parts). I'm sure you're happier now knowing everything is tickety-boo. I certainly am.
Good luck with the remaining bits and the move.
Yes, good to get on top of the things that will get worse if left. I've still got a sticking caliper or two (or six) that need sorting at some point. Everything else on the list is on the hab side of things. A dead kitchen tap microswitch and a leaky bathroom tap being the top two jobs for the weekend.
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