Moving from van to Motorhome

[noddi]

Having caravanned for some years now, I am thinking about getting a motorhome. Has anyone made the same shift and what were the main benefits/pitfalls? And could someone please explain to me what an invertor is. Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I can't offer any personal advice about the switch from Van to Motor home, issues such as levelling when on site, and having to stow every thing each time you want to go out, being restricted on where you can park if you go shopping, do come to mind.

An inverter used 12V dc from a battery and by the magic of electronics produces 230V ac allowing you to use some mains equipment its rather like a battery charger in reverse.

There are limitations, first y most units produce quasi sine wave output which some pieces of equipment may not like, and they will state the maximum power the inverter will handle (in Watts), and you must also be aware that for every Amp of 230V ac current you will use approximately 20Amps of battery current.

 

[Damian]

Kevin, first the easy part,,an invertor is an electrical device which converts 12v DC to 240v AC.

Now the difficult part,pros and cons of motorhomes.We have had several motorhomes and must say , thouroughly enjoyed them. You have everything you want with you, and dont have to get out if its pouring down with rain, just park up,step into the back,and enjoy.No corner steadies to worry about as you are on 4 wheels, just levelling to sort out.

Disadvantages,,,if you see them as that, not practical for every day use,too many places you cannot get into,like car parks. Not very economical on fuel, as they are about as aerodynamic as a brick and they have a lot of weight to cart around.You have to put EVERYTHING away properly every day before setting off anywhere, which can be a pain. On some sites, if you go out for the day, you may well come back to find your pitch taken by someone else,,always take some string and long pegs to mark your pitch with your van number attached to the string.

Hope this gives you some help,,,its not meant to be totally negative, as we realy did enjoy ours.,but the caravan seemed more economical regarding servicing, no road tax, etc, and the convenience of not having to stow everything all the time we wanted to go out anywhere.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

One other point which has not been mentioned here is when you park and leave the vehicle for a few hours on the road side/car park the oppertune thief knows that your personal belongings are in the vehicle unattended. With a caravan on site the majority of holiday makers are an honest bunch and will keep an eye on each others vans on site, thereby reducing the risk of theft.

 

[noddi]

Thanks for the tips, is levelling such a problem with a motorhome? Most of the pros and cons mentioned are ones I had already considered but I am grateful for the tip regarding the opportune thief. Thanks again, Kevin

 

[petercoachman]

hi kevin we went from caravan to motor home and now back to a caravan we find we have much more fredom on site to go out and about not having to worry about hight restrictions in car park etc plus you don't have to pack away each time but there are some advantages with the motorhome higher speeds and if you are inclined to just go out for a couple of day hear and there its easyer but what ever you choose enjoy it allthe best peter

 

[BJ]

Kevin, first the easy part,,an invertor is an electrical device which converts 12v DC to 240v AC.

Now the difficult part,pros and cons of motorhomes.We have had several motorhomes and must say , thouroughly enjoyed them. You have everything you want with you, and dont have to get out if its pouring down with rain, just park up,step into the back,and enjoy.No corner steadies to worry about as you are on 4 wheels, just levelling to sort out.

Disadvantages,,,if you see them as that, not practical for every day use,too many places you cannot get into,like car parks. Not very economical on fuel, as they are about as aerodynamic as a brick and they have a lot of weight to cart around.You have to put EVERYTHING away properly every day before setting off anywhere, which can be a pain. On some sites, if you go out for the day, you may well come back to find your pitch taken by someone else,,always take some string and long pegs to mark your pitch with your van number attached to the string.

Hope this gives you some help,,,its not meant to be totally negative, as we realy did enjoy ours.,but the caravan seemed more economical regarding servicing, no road tax, etc, and the convenience of not having to stow everything all the time we wanted to go out anywhere.

Like Damian , I have changed from Motorhome to Caravan. There are advantages with both, and Damian sums it up well.