So this is it! We are all set for the weekend
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I have not seen these. The old 12v were 2 flat holes, the latest 12v seem to be the European Din socket which looks a bit like a cigarette lighter socket but works better.Mumoffive said:
The old English mains lighting sockets were small three pin.
A photo may help but unless you are sure they are 12v, I should not use them just yet.
The only other thing that comes to mind would be extension speaker sockets.
Alan
Hi All
With apologies to Mumoffive.
I remember when money was quite short and buying things was thought about. At that time we had five kids and fostered. Fun was had and the kids still talk fondly of it. We had a VW type2 travelling in convoy with a caravan towed by the company car. Later we got a type 25 water cooled and I then towed the caravan with it.
Anyhow I digress. If I remember correctly from mumofive's previous/initial topic they also have to finance their other children most with a disability.
Money may be tight and what can be bought has to be thought about and budgeted for. Ideas and future wants are good but go steady please.
p-c
With apologies to Mumoffive.
I remember when money was quite short and buying things was thought about. At that time we had five kids and fostered. Fun was had and the kids still talk fondly of it. We had a VW type2 travelling in convoy with a caravan towed by the company car. Later we got a type 25 water cooled and I then towed the caravan with it.
Anyhow I digress. If I remember correctly from mumofive's previous/initial topic they also have to finance their other children most with a disability.
Money may be tight and what can be bought has to be thought about and budgeted for. Ideas and future wants are good but go steady please.
p-c
Yes. There are three normal sockets.
I wi photograph the other one. One has a miniature plug in it that has no wire attached.
Thank you PC. Yes money is tight but all ideas welcome. We can eBay and tabl top hunt for bargains. That's how we found Eve's Wagon
I wi photograph the other one. One has a miniature plug in it that has no wire attached.
Thank you PC. Yes money is tight but all ideas welcome. We can eBay and tabl top hunt for bargains. That's how we found Eve's Wagon
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587 Posts
Welcome to the forum :wink:
Had a quick look at the campsite you're heading for - looks fab! Your kids are going to love the animals!
When we were kids and the money was tight, more clothes/blankets/hot water bottle was the answer (well to be honest we didn't have many clothes - hot water bottles were good). My mum took us camping - we were always the worst prepared - didn't matter though. We loved the experience so much.
We were out last weekend and the autumn colours are so beautiful - so fingers crossed you'll be able to go leaf kicking, collecting, smelling, feeling (love crunchy leaves). Such a great thing for everyone to play with.
Enjoy your time - and don't forget if you encounter any problems, get on to this forum -people are phenomenally fast at replying and helping out.
Simone
Had a quick look at the campsite you're heading for - looks fab! Your kids are going to love the animals!
When we were kids and the money was tight, more clothes/blankets/hot water bottle was the answer (well to be honest we didn't have many clothes - hot water bottles were good). My mum took us camping - we were always the worst prepared - didn't matter though. We loved the experience so much.
We were out last weekend and the autumn colours are so beautiful - so fingers crossed you'll be able to go leaf kicking, collecting, smelling, feeling (love crunchy leaves). Such a great thing for everyone to play with.
Enjoy your time - and don't forget if you encounter any problems, get on to this forum -people are phenomenally fast at replying and helping out.
Simone
Hi Mumofive
It should, I would have thought, all vans are a bit different but charging while the engine running is pretty standard. The problem can be that the charge can be quite low especially if the vehicle battery is good and well charged. Also if your alternator, on the vehicle engine, is not producing a good charge that may cause less charge to the leisure battery.
Many vans will charge while on hook up. You may have to make sure a switch(es) is in the right position. A quick check, if you have a testing meter would be to check the voltage across the battery and see if it changes when you flick the switch for the 12v system or unplug EHU.
It could very easily be that your leisure battery has had it, especially as you may not know when it was replaced last or how it was cared for. Sorry but that is expensive to replace, lots of info on here about what to buy.
As you are on hook up you should be OK for this weekend. Try not to buy a battery in a hurry, check what you want first.
p-c
It should, I would have thought, all vans are a bit different but charging while the engine running is pretty standard. The problem can be that the charge can be quite low especially if the vehicle battery is good and well charged. Also if your alternator, on the vehicle engine, is not producing a good charge that may cause less charge to the leisure battery.
Many vans will charge while on hook up. You may have to make sure a switch(es) is in the right position. A quick check, if you have a testing meter would be to check the voltage across the battery and see if it changes when you flick the switch for the 12v system or unplug EHU.
It could very easily be that your leisure battery has had it, especially as you may not know when it was replaced last or how it was cared for. Sorry but that is expensive to replace, lots of info on here about what to buy.
As you are on hook up you should be OK for this weekend. Try not to buy a battery in a hurry, check what you want first.
p-c
Thanks. I'm now slightly confused as the low power went back to normal when I turned it on to show David. I wonder if it was because the water pump was running. That only runs on 12v
I know on Eve's suction the low power light comes on when I switch it off.
And yes it has stood for 4 years so possibly could be done for. But it's worked ok till now
I know on Eve's suction the low power light comes on when I switch it off.
And yes it has stood for 4 years so possibly could be done for. But it's worked ok till now
Well it wasn't quite how I hoped. David got mad just half an hour from home as the van was not going over 40.
I was angry with him and determined not to let Joshua down again. So we went home for me to drive on my own with Eve. We made the decision before getting home that I would drive to Shrewsbury and he would take the car and pick Joshua up and come to meet me there.
It worked. I loved the driving. And we did have a good weekend.
However David now thinks its not big enough, we need a rear lounge. And whilst I agree a slightly longer vehicle with a rear lounge would be nice. We really dont have the money. And in warmer weather with an awning it would be fine.
However David is now obsessed with finding something bigger with a better engine. I just want to make the best of what we've got and enjoy it.
Feeling sad now.
I was angry with him and determined not to let Joshua down again. So we went home for me to drive on my own with Eve. We made the decision before getting home that I would drive to Shrewsbury and he would take the car and pick Joshua up and come to meet me there.
It worked. I loved the driving. And we did have a good weekend.
However David now thinks its not big enough, we need a rear lounge. And whilst I agree a slightly longer vehicle with a rear lounge would be nice. We really dont have the money. And in warmer weather with an awning it would be fine.
However David is now obsessed with finding something bigger with a better engine. I just want to make the best of what we've got and enjoy it.
Feeling sad now.
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Sorry it didn't work out to well. First trips are often a bit fraught. Ours certainly was. Once you get into it though its like putting on an old glove and everything just slips into place and hopefully you start to enjoy it more!
I'm a bit concerned why the van would not do over 40 but that might be one for the more mechanically minded on here to answer.
A rear lounge is nice but as you say, awnings can give you extra space.
Sit back and think how you can improve on what you have and learn from the first adventure
I'm a bit concerned why the van would not do over 40 but that might be one for the more mechanically minded on here to answer.
A rear lounge is nice but as you say, awnings can give you extra space.
Sit back and think how you can improve on what you have and learn from the first adventure
It's going to our friendly local garage tomorrow.
I would like them to do a full service David said to do an oil change and change filters and check the brakes.
I may ring them and ask for their view on anything else.
If we get anything like what we paid back for this we could possibly use every ounce of savings and overdraft and stretch to 10k. However my fear is he would still be unhappy.
So I really want to convert him to make this one work.
I'm happy to drive it. So he doesn't need to stress about that. Then he can drive the car so we could get Eve's proper chair to wherever we go and also be able to use the car for day trips.
With the awning up the space problem will be irradicated.
But it is convincing him that's the problem. He was the one who wanted a Motorhome. I gave in. But now I love it and he is a grumble guts.
Sorry. I am having a bit of a woe is me day. My friends daughter died over the weekend and it just highlighted to me the importance of enjoying what we have.
Thanks for listening xx
I would like them to do a full service David said to do an oil change and change filters and check the brakes.
I may ring them and ask for their view on anything else.
If we get anything like what we paid back for this we could possibly use every ounce of savings and overdraft and stretch to 10k. However my fear is he would still be unhappy.
So I really want to convert him to make this one work.
I'm happy to drive it. So he doesn't need to stress about that. Then he can drive the car so we could get Eve's proper chair to wherever we go and also be able to use the car for day trips.
With the awning up the space problem will be irradicated.
But it is convincing him that's the problem. He was the one who wanted a Motorhome. I gave in. But now I love it and he is a grumble guts.
Sorry. I am having a bit of a woe is me day. My friends daughter died over the weekend and it just highlighted to me the importance of enjoying what we have.
Thanks for listening xx
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mumoffive
take it slowly
Spring and summer so much different
you are prob both right but winter is not the easiest time
He is prob just disappointed
I am a mum of six and we had a trailer tent when the kids were young
It took a bit of practise to make it work
A campsite and awning will put a different slant on it
Sunshine will transform it completely
Don't rush into any change
Aldra (sandra)
take it slowly
Spring and summer so much different
you are prob both right but winter is not the easiest time
He is prob just disappointed
I am a mum of six and we had a trailer tent when the kids were young
It took a bit of practise to make it work
A campsite and awning will put a different slant on it
Sunshine will transform it completely
Don't rush into any change
Aldra (sandra)
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3,500 Posts
aldra said:mumoffive
take it slowly
Spring and summer so much different
you are prob both right but winter is not the easiest time
He is prob just disappointed
I am a mum of six and we had a trailer tent when the kids were young
It took a bit of practise to make it work
A campsite and awning will put a different slant on it
Sunshine will transform it completely
Second Sandra's advice, give it a chance, think a good service and going over would be helpful, problem of power may not be resolved by an oil and filter change.
Wishing you and your family many happy times and memories.
Sue
Don't rush into any change
Aldra (sandra)
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12,963 Posts
Did the children enjoy it ? That's what matters in the end. If they had a relaxing time and gained something from the experience then not much else matters.
Fingers crossed that the problems with the van are small and easily sorted. On the bright side...you see more, use less fuel and are safer if going slowly !
G
Fingers crossed that the problems with the van are small and easily sorted. On the bright side...you see more, use less fuel and are safer if going slowly !
G
you often see pop up tents outside motorhomes for storage and maybe the kids can have a den in there during the day , not to be used for sleeping thou ,and are very cheap to buy and will store the chair frame out of site during the night, hope your next trip is better , jim
Hi Mumoffive, sorry your weekend could have been better but you did seem to make the best of the situation. Don't be sad.
Driving a MH is so different to driving a car and can get a bit of getting used to. 40mph is a bit on the slow side and needs looking at, but MHs are not designed for speed. In my experience the journey is as much part of the weekend as the stationary bit.
Hope all works out for you and try not to rush into changes until you have a good bit of experience of what you would really like (and need). Apart from a back lounge, there may be other even more important changes you realise you want once you have spent a bit more time in the MH.
Sue
Driving a MH is so different to driving a car and can get a bit of getting used to. 40mph is a bit on the slow side and needs looking at, but MHs are not designed for speed. In my experience the journey is as much part of the weekend as the stationary bit.
Hope all works out for you and try not to rush into changes until you have a good bit of experience of what you would really like (and need). Apart from a back lounge, there may be other even more important changes you realise you want once you have spent a bit more time in the MH.
Sue
Su. That is exactly what I have said. And as I love driving it and he could then take his car I don't want to rush to change it. From 32 years of marriage I know he will never be satisfied. Don't get me wrong. I live him to bits but his constant desire for bigger and better can be very draining. And he can outsulk any teenager.
We have bought a fairly large awning. And I know in the warmer weather when we put that up the space won't be an issue. To be honest the only issue this weekend was last thing at night and first thing in the morning. I just needed them to go for a wander whilst I sorted the beds and changed Eve. The rest of the time it was fine. The guide dog wanting to lie against the toilet door was a pain but that's nothing new where er we are Norris likes to lay in most difficult place.
I really want us to get the most of it this coming year then keep a list of what would work better. Then we won't walk out of one problem into another.
If only I could convince him to stop whining.
Eve loved the weekend. Joshua enjoyed it but was very aware of his Dads sulking.
I think I want to plan a weekend away with the girls as soon as it starts to warm up again. I'm worried about the freezing prospect if we do use it again now. I will keep a close eye on weather forecasts though and if we get a milder weekend we will be off. Lea inv grumpy pants behind
We have bought a fairly large awning. And I know in the warmer weather when we put that up the space won't be an issue. To be honest the only issue this weekend was last thing at night and first thing in the morning. I just needed them to go for a wander whilst I sorted the beds and changed Eve. The rest of the time it was fine. The guide dog wanting to lie against the toilet door was a pain but that's nothing new where er we are Norris likes to lay in most difficult place.
I really want us to get the most of it this coming year then keep a list of what would work better. Then we won't walk out of one problem into another.
If only I could convince him to stop whining.
Eve loved the weekend. Joshua enjoyed it but was very aware of his Dads sulking.
I think I want to plan a weekend away with the girls as soon as it starts to warm up again. I'm worried about the freezing prospect if we do use it again now. I will keep a close eye on weather forecasts though and if we get a milder weekend we will be off. Lea inv grumpy pants behind
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