Panel Van Converions

rowley

Although I do carry a hose I normally use my watering can for topping up. The exercise does me good, I think.
Russells comment about the Redring type unit makes sense. I only use the Truma for heating hot water when on hook up. To use the gas to heat up 12 litres when I only require 1 does seem to be a waste and so I would rather boil a kettle.

I think that for me the Truma is a bit of a pain. First there is that automatic drain which I override. If you want to use the gas just for heating then it will heat the water too, even if you don't want hot water.. I am not sure if I can use the gas heating if there is no water in the Truma tank. And if you don't intend to use the Truma for hot water on a trip then you still have to fill it and waste 12litres (or is it 10?) of water. That is more than a watering can full! Rolling Eyes

Frantone

I responded to this thread via pm and, like Russell, mentioned the Eriba system. The initial question was about small pvcs and so the separate removable refillable water containers seem to be ideal. I would also question the need for a built in waste tank. Not having to take the van to a tap or dump would seem to be a better option for these smaller motorhomes.
TonyP

Steamdrivenandy

I just knew that Rob would get his 'humble bucket' in somewhere Laughing

Our Propex Gas/240V boiler takes up about 30% of the space under one of our rear seats (the rest of the space is used for bottles of wine wrapped in clean dog towels (a fine example of dual useage) and two bags of dry dog food plus all the electrical gubbins that I don't understand.

On Rowleys point about heating a boiler full compared to a kettle I'm not so sure the kettle is more efficient. Judging by the temperature increase in our van when we boil a kettle (fine in winter but wasted in higher temperatures) a lot of heat is produced that doesn't go into the kettle. The boiler however is highly insulated and gives off virtually no heat inside its cupboard, but does expel it through the exhaust port. That is, of course, only applicable when on 100% gas as there's v little (if any) exhaust when on mains operation and you don't use much precious gas either.

Our most unused piece of kit is a wind up flat hose which you have to completely unwind before you can put water through it. A lot of sites have a goodly length of hose on the drinking water tap already. Although last week at several CC sites there was no hose, just a screw connector on the tap with a push on connector fitted on top. At Morn Hill CC site the MV service point is very awkwardly sited and we had to get our 'short hose' out to take water. Fortunately it was just long enough to reach after I risked demolishing the whole service point by reversing the van as close as I dared.

Mind you I later semi demolished one of the CC 'no entry' signs as I reversed back onto our pitch much to the mirth of a group of tuggers sitting close by taking tea under their awning Embarassed

Andy

PS
Steve, if you want to look over how all the stuff has been crammed into my sub 16ft van AND left room in the back for a 2ft deep 'garage' I'll be happy to drop down to Swinton. Maybe you can clear the car park so I can practice reversing Rolling Eyes

SDA

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

SpeedyDux

Hello Steve,

As a small VW PV conversion owner, here’s my tuppence worth:

1. Whether the cost and space claim of a water heater is justified, especially if vehicle does not have a washroom - is it better to just use the kettle?

A - Better just to use the kettle. We have no washroom, so we mostly use campsite facilities for ablutions and washing up.

2. Is a fitted water tank of 40 to 50 litres better than two x 25 litre water carriers, properly located but easily accessed?

A – Ours has on board 25 litre fresh and 25 litre waste tanks. This gives us enough capacity for 2 adults’ use for up to 3 days, sometimes up to 5 days. By then we generally move on anyway.

A diesel-fired space heater is also perfect for this size of vehicle. If installed properly it is quiet. As a result, we only need a single Campingaz 907 gas cylinder. That saves storage space. It seemingly lasts forever because it only powers 2 gas rings on the hob, and another advantage is that we can buy refills just about anywhere in Europe.

I also prefer a compressor fridge. It’s all but inaudible, and effective even in very hot weather. No need to carry more gas. No need for servicing. No need for ugly, draughty external vents.

SD

ingram

ingram

MikeyB

Some interesting points of view, but I think the main lesson to be learnt here is that no manufacturer, however clever, will be able to make a vehicle that suits everybody. We have owned small pop-top VWs, high-top VWs and are now on our second LWB High-top Transit based PVC. The last 3 vans have been home conversions,each one being sold for a very handsome profit to finance a newer base van each time, simply because we couldn't afford anything else. However the main advantage is that we have a van that suits us perfectly, and despite looking we have yet to find a proprietary conversion to match it. We have a huge double bed (prob the most important feature, considering how long you spend in it) and bags of work surface, loads of storage and a big fridge. We have never had a washroom(back to the original topic at last) as in our humble opinion they are literally a waste of space in a PVC. Used for perhaps 10/15 mins per day, they require you to carry extra water, extra waste,and, if you want a shower, you've got to heat that extra water as well! More fuel used! Most people we know that do have one ,say that they only use them for storing wet clothes etc as they are generally too small to be worthwhile. What's the obsession with a shower? When I was growing up we had a bath once a week, as did most folk. There are plenty of facilities on sites, so if you're desperate you can always book into one occasionally. Some might argue that they prefer to use Aires or wild-camp so need the shower on board, but does the extra weight,fuel and wasted space really justify itself when you could have more cupboards/worktop etc. To heat water we have always used a kettle...boil enough for the cuppa/meal and washing up at once so you only heat what you need. As for the loo, we have always used a Porta Potti. Small and easily stored, this has served us well for many years. It's no hardship to empty it occasionally and it just slides out of a cupboard in an instant.
Having said all that, we appreciate the fact that what suits us wont suit the next person and as I stated earlier, this is what a manufacturer has to try and do . So, it would be a brave decision to produce a conversion without all the bells and whistles because, some buyers,especially perhaps, first-timers must feel that they couldn't possibly cope without them. We think it's all part of the fun, having to do without a few of those things we take for granted at home.but then perhaps we're a bit odd!
Just a final thought. How long will it be before someone decides that they must specify a dishwasher /tumble dryer/washing machine?

MikeyB

Blimey, not him again! Sorry, in all my 'blathering', forgot the point about water storage. We have used both separate 5litre containers, and a built-in tank. Both pros and cons have already been addressed here already, but we have moved to a built-in mainly because it means I don't have to lug containers around any more. It does however have the disadvantage of having to take the van to ( or close to) the tap, necessitating carrying a hose together with a selection of fittings. In practice this has worked fine for the last 2 years. The tank is on-board so no freezing problems, and has a fool-proof ,totally accurate and reliable level gauge by way of a sight tube on the outside of the tank.
That's all folks, sorry to be so long-winded. Mike.