Done it, Bought one, now the Q's start.

[dterry]

VEX said:

WaxOyl / Rust Protection - Worth it, or not for the underside of the MoHo. Obviously it is a massive investment so want to protect our investment?


V.

I am not sure how needed this will be on the Pilote Galaxy..... The very bottom of the floor has a GRP outer shell, so theres no wood to get wet / protect, and I think the chassis is galvanised. Mine is less than a year old and still looks pretty shiny underneath.

[agent006]

I wouldn't worry about waxoyl or similar. Our Hymer has an alko main chassis that is galvanised, only the rear extension section is plain steel. It's a 2004 model and I've just ground the rear chassis back and hammerited it this summer. It only deteriorated as we were on the road all winter this year and I was a bit lax with washing it. Even so it is only surface rust at this point. I imagine a less used or better cared for one wouldn't have an issue at all.

[VEX]

dterry said:

I am not sure how needed this will be on the Pilote Galaxy..... The very bottom of the floor has a GRP outer shell, so theres no wood to get wet / protect, and I think the chassis is galvanised. Mine is less than a year old and still looks pretty shiny underneath.

Thanks dterry.

Very good point on the Alko Chassis and GRP, just need to check the rear tow bar bit.

We got a 740GJ (twin rear, high beds) in almost the identical spec we wanted immaculate just 17month old, so a good chunk of change cheaper.

Really looking forward to getting in the next week or so.

[DP1]

VEX said:

Like that idea, but costly. I was thinking of re-engineering a pair of these, with the little Fiamma cross bar seperators (or even make my own)
https://tinyurl.com/y6vay4z5

Looks good and you get to leave the wheels on

[Wacky Racer]

Never EVER use a power wash to clean it, the water almost certainly will get past the silicone seals, resulting in the dreaded damp (Water ingress).

Don't clean it with even a mild abrasive cleaner, it WILL take the shine off it eventually.

[DirtyHands]

The advice about not using abrasives or pressure washers is sound. To avoid black streaks on the side of the van keep the roof clean! Wash using something like autoglym shampoo and use something like aqua wax to help prevent the streaks. A hose and soft brush is a sound way to clean it but avoid the plastic windows they'll scratch very easily only use a microfibre cloth on those. I wash caravans and motorhomes as one of the services I offer and use a waterfed pole like the window cleaners with a special head on it.

[VEX]

Thanks all,

Collecting on Friday, then maybe first night away on Saturday without the kids.

Any good weblinks for buying stuff like electrical hookup, fresh water fill and grey waste emptying kit?

Many Thanks again.

[Escort3500]

VEX said:

Thanks all,

Collecting on Friday, then maybe first night away on Saturday without the kids.

Any good weblinks for buying stuff like electrical hookup, fresh water fill and grey waste emptying kit?

Many Thanks again.

If you’re purchasing from a dealer I’d expect them to throw in a 10m and 25m long EHU (electric hook up) cables with the deal as well as some toilet fluid for the cassette/tank. If a private sale and you’ve got to buy the cables make sure they’re PVC with three cores, each core being 2.5mm to be able to cope with a typical 16A connection demand.

A 10m long water pipe with a Hozelock connector should be adequate to fill your fresh water tank. We’ve a selection of connectors that we got online in a kit for different applications. As it’s a 2017 A Class you’re buying it’ll have an grey water emptying facility plumbed in. The seller should explain it to you.

Enjoy your maiden voyage

[mike9009]

Hi Vex

I recognised your username from the old vx220.org days. I don't have such a smart, modern motorhome as yours will be - but we probably encounter some of the same issues.

As others have stated, I would not get a cover for your m/h. I find spending a good amount of time cleaning and then waxing the roof prior to winter and then again before the 'season' starts pays dividends in keeping the rest of our van clean - or at least makes the more regular cleaning less of a chore. Our is 2.6M tall so it can be a pain to do properly.

I cant make any recommendations about hook-up cables as ours came with one. I would be surprised if you don't get one supplied. I found it also useful to buy one of these for use at home when cleaning/ vacuuming or checking how stuff works.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neilsen-Caravan-Supply-Ad...

Have fun and put a picture up here when you pick her up!

Mike

[dterry]

VEX said:

Thanks all,

Collecting on Friday, then maybe first night away on Saturday without the kids.

Any good weblinks for buying stuff like electrical hookup, fresh water fill and grey waste emptying kit?

Many Thanks again.

Be aware that the Pilote (being based on a standard Ducato chassis has a slightly "nose down" natural stance. I would highly recommend a set of Milenco Quattro ramps as these give a good range of levelling options even on pitches that slope downwards and the site insists you pitch in a specific direction (See http://www.milenco.com/products/levelling/quattro-... - Also get yourself a mini spirit level (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-Mini-Spirit-Level-Caravan-Motor-Home-Trailer-Leveller-Accessory-Random-2PC-/162516579157) - I hate the van not being level on site! The first few goes are very daunting and it seems really difficult - but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to get level very easily even on ground that slopes in different directions to the van.

Waste water shouldn't be an issue for most sites which have a drive over drain. The Pilote has a 40mm outlet and it drains pretty quickly. I have made up an extension pipe that I can use on those sites which have non drive over drains. Watch out for the water drain tap as it can get sticky and doesn't seem massively sturdy, I put plenty of lubricant on ours regularly (both at the handle and underneath near the tank). Also be aware that on ours the waste water guage is pretty useless, it sits on 0% full for ages, and then once it goes to 25% the waste tank is getting pretty full and then counts 50% / 75% / 100% with very little additional water. I am not sure if this is just a "feature" of the Pilote.

Water Filling - I brought (from ebay) a 15m food quality fill hose and cut it into a 10m, and a 5m and then fitted a hozelock fitting to each. I also carry a 20m fold flat water hose/ In addition I carry a selection of different sized hozelock tap ends (I carry two sets). Some sites have the hozelock fitting in place, some don't and just have a threaded tap. The reason I carry two sets is because I regularly forget to remove mine after using it, turning a campsites threaded tap into one with a fitting.

If going abroad you may also want to get a hozelock joining coupler as some aires have water stations where you need this adapter, they are also useful for joining two waterhoses together to give a longer reach without having to move your motorhome once set up on site.

For electrical cable I've never needed more than 25m in the UK - however for abroad some sites need much longer (I had to borrow an additional 10m extension on one site in Switzerland!). Whilst 99% of sites in UK use the 3 pin "Commando" plug/socket I have stayed on at least one that had a normal (but waterproof) 3 pin socket - its worth having a 3 pin to commando convertor for the few £ they cost, if venturing abroad also get a euro one as a lot of sites have standard sockets.

All of the things I have covered should be sold by most suppliers. I have always rated Towsure, they aren't the cheapest, but when they say something is in stock it really is. Some other suppliers (Leisure Shop Direct are one) appear to be more drop-shippers or only order from their suppliers after you order from them - delivery can take weeks rather than a couple of days.

Didn't realise you were an ex VX220 owner - Same here!

[custardkid]

I have a Thule roof rack in our boot and some aluminium tube to support the chairs and some stackable boxes

Work checking your weight once you are fully loaded

[oblio]

dterry said:

Be aware that the Pilote (being based on a standard Ducato chassis has a slightly "nose down" natural stance. I would highly recommend a set of Milenco Quattro ramps as these give a good range of levelling options even on pitches that slope downwards and the site insists you pitch in a specific direction (See http://www.milenco.com/products/levelling/quattro-... - Also get yourself a mini spirit level (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-Mini-Spirit-Level-Caravan-Motor-Home-Trailer-Leveller-Accessory-Random-2PC-/162516579157) - I hate the van not being level on site! The first few goes are very daunting and it seems really difficult - but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to get level very easily even on ground that slopes in different directions to the van.

Waste water shouldn't be an issue for most sites which have a drive over drain. The Pilote has a 40mm outlet and it drains pretty quickly. I have made up an extension pipe that I can use on those sites which have non drive over drains. Watch out for the water drain tap as it can get sticky and doesn't seem massively sturdy, I put plenty of lubricant on ours regularly (both at the handle and underneath near the tank). Also be aware that on ours the waste water guage is pretty useless, it sits on 0% full for ages, and then once it goes to 25% the waste tank is getting pretty full and then counts 50% / 75% / 100% with very little additional water. I am not sure if this is just a "feature" of the Pilote.

Water Filling - I brought (from ebay) a 15m food quality fill hose and cut it into a 10m, and a 5m and then fitted a hozelock fitting to each. I also carry a 20m fold flat water hose/ In addition I carry a selection of different sized hozelock tap ends (I carry two sets). Some sites have the hozelock fitting in place, some don't and just have a threaded tap. The reason I carry two sets is because I regularly forget to remove mine after using it, turning a campsites threaded tap into one with a fitting.

If going abroad you may also want to get a hozelock joining coupler as some aires have water stations where you need this adapter, they are also useful for joining two waterhoses together to give a longer reach without having to move your motorhome once set up on site.

For electrical cable I've never needed more than 25m in the UK - however for abroad some sites need much longer (I had to borrow an additional 10m extension on one site in Switzerland!). Whilst 99% of sites in UK use the 3 pin "Commando" plug/socket I have stayed on at least one that had a normal (but waterproof) 3 pin socket - its worth having a 3 pin to commando convertor for the few £ they cost, if venturing abroad also get a euro one as a lot of sites have standard sockets.

All of the things I have covered should be sold by most suppliers. I have always rated Towsure, they aren't the cheapest, but when they say something is in stock it really is. Some other suppliers (Leisure Shop Direct are one) appear to be more drop-shippers or only order from their suppliers after you order from them - delivery can take weeks rather than a couple of days.

Didn't realise you were an ex VX220 owner - Same here!

Good info but just some caveats...

If going for ramps I'd personally go for the Milenco Trident ones. We have quattros but if//when they are to be replaced I'll be getting Tridents. The quattros can be an arse to judge when you are on the top level as the steps on them are shallow. I have gone over the top once or twice!!

http://www.milenco.com/products/levelling/trident-...

Re: Switzerland. If/when you go there some sites use a different plug system which appears to be unique to that country! The sites we stayed on would rent one out but we bought our own whilst we were there.

Good idea on having an extra cable to go alongside your standard 25m one. We carry another 15m one and a 'torpedo' to cover the join. We have had to use it on several occasions too

Waste water: I carry 2 x 5m lengths of flexible, corrugated hose (approx 1 inch diameter) and a joiner. To attach this to the MH I use 6 inches of old bicycle inner tube which I stretch over the outlet spout. This then enables me to drain into a drain (if on the pitch) or under nearby trees/buses/flower beds, if allowed.

For fresh water I bought one of those garden hoses that expand when used but pack down into next to nothing. We have the 75 foot one but you can get 100 foot. They are not food grade but tbh unless you cleanse your tanks regularly and/or have a water filter fitted, then I don't see much issue. We don't drink the water from the taps directly in our MH, only using it for boiling and cooking with (as well as showers etc). We use a 5 litre bottled water container which cost around a quid from any supermarket when full, which we then use until the carry handle breaks...and then we buy another!

In terms of connections, I carry any number of threaded connectors/joiners etc as we have found a variety of differing types/sizes on different sites across Europe/UK. If I come across a new type, I buy one to keep ready for the next time.

Lastly, good advice on the UK mains to blue plug converter/adaptor so you can plug in your MH at home. We have recently moved house so are able to do this now, which will be a great benefit before any trips. We can now plug in the day before and get the fridge cool and also perhaps get the heating on early just to take the chill off the unused MH.

Shop around for everything. I have found Ebay generally to be the cheapest on most things as opposed to specific camping/caravanning shops.

[Bill]

We don't use our van that often so I got a battery charger fitted to the main battery and keep the van plugged all the time at home. It also means we're less likely to have a battery died in the cold.

[Spuffington]

Congratulations on your new purchase.

I can't add much more than has already been discussed but happy to pitch in if you've got any questions in due course.

All the best!

[VEX]

Many thanks all of you and hi the the VX220 Gang.

Currently running a modified Mini Cooper S and my weekend & track car. Should be going on a trailer too for longer times away in the van.

Well she is home, just fits on the drive for loading and unloading, which is good.

Off to local camping shops tomorrow for accessories.

Here she is (Martha) before we left the sellers this morning.

[chasingracecars]

Looks nice Vex! I use my caravan when an AV job has a decent site nearby as opposed to expensive hotels.

[cayman-black]

Congratulations VEX looks very nice, Any more pics?

[VEX]

Plenty but would rather not publish them on line, for security.

PM me and I would be happy to share privately. You’re after a 5/6 seat & berth aren’t you.

This one is 4 seats (belts), 6berth.

V.

[Escort3500]

Nice van mate . Do make sure it has a good security system. I’d suggest Vanbitz Growler or Outsmart the Thief. Not cheap, but then neither is your van!

[VEX]

Already fitted with T6 Tracker, Thatcham Alarm/Imobiliser and just picked up a DiskLok for the streering wheel and a wheel clamp.

Going spin seats and padlock them into place as well while in storage.

Its going to a fairly secluded but secure storage location and I am fitting cctv there too.

Even thought about pulling the fuel pump fuse too.

Other than that, if they get past that lot, they deserve it.

V.