yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 4, 2009 21:03:59 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 4, 2009 21:03:59 GMT
Hello this is my first post here so please bear with me if I'm asking the obvious.
I'm looking to buy a small motorhome for the first time. I've been looking at Romahomes and Autosleepers on the internet, but for the first time I spent some time in a romahome C15 recently. I really liked the basic layout. It's tall enough for me to stand up without stooping in the kitchen area, it seems solidly built with chunky switches, no hot water but that's not a problem, no cassette toilet which might be a problem. There's a few questions that I have though:
Do these motorhomes come with inbuilt heating or some way of adding winter heating afterwards? What do people do for a toilet when off site? And the biggie for me can you fit some kind of fly screen/silver screen on the inside of the side windows - the bugs seem to love me.
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Hello
Mar 4, 2009 22:03:59 GMT
Post by Graham on Mar 4, 2009 22:03:59 GMT
Hi Yozz
Welcome to the forum, you'll find lots of folk on here with lots of experience of various sorts of small motorhomes. So don't worry about asking questions.
I'm not sure whether any C15's have have on board heating, someone else might be able to tell you. We've got a Dimension which hasn't got heating so in winter we have to have electric hook up and use a fan heater. I know the later models based on the Citroen Berlingo have the option for heating and they also have fly screens.
Regarding toileting arrangements most folk with C15's have a porta potty, there is model that fits neatly under the seat and at night depending on your sleeping arrangements you can either put it in the aisle between the two single beds or if you opt for the double bed the porta pot will fit in the galley (kitchen area).
When we had a C15 we had a drive away awning on the back of the van which we put the porta potty in.
Hope that helps, I'm sure others will be along to offer advice.
Graham
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 9:16:13 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 6, 2009 9:16:13 GMT
Hi Graham
Yes thanks that's very helpful. A little heater seems to make more sense than putting in blown air heating. I guess there's no flyscreens because of the sloping shape of the windows but it would be interesting to know if anyone has rigged any up themselves.
Cheers.
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 9:33:12 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 6, 2009 9:33:12 GMT
Hi yozz
Mine hase pull down blinds and fly screens on the side windows, thay were allready fitted when I got the van, so I cant help on where to purchase. I think thay were retro fitted too
Cant help on factory fitted heating. On site I use a small electric fan heater, works well, but when off site it gets cold, so I have just fitted a blown air Propex heater, so I can keep warm off site. I found it very easy to fit, so any one with a bit of savvy should be able to fit one.
Martin
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 10:08:48 GMT
Post by aggsandrog on Mar 6, 2009 10:08:48 GMT
Hello yozz....
The roller blinds on my 2000 C15 Hylo pull down, and flyscreens pull up. They clip together like an endless belt. I am sure they were factory fitted.
For heating a small fan heater is more than adequate as Martin says. Make sure it has a thermostatic control. I haven't found a need off-site as I do not wild camp. I use Camping and Caravanning Club sites, and make a point of booking (especially at this time of the year) to ensure an electric hook-up.
... Roger
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 15:03:25 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 6, 2009 15:03:25 GMT
Hi Roger
I didn't really mean wild camping, but when you go out for the day off site early or late in the season it can get a bit cool.
Having said that, when I start this year I wont have my dog with me and I am thinking of trying some wild camping, a lot people do it, so I'm going to have a go.
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 19:17:38 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 6, 2009 19:17:38 GMT
Hi yozz Mine hase pull down blinds and fly screens on the side windows, thay were allready fitted when I got the van, so I cant help on where to purchase. I think thay were retro fitted too Cant help on factory fitted heating. On site I use a small electric fan heater, works well, but when off site it gets cold, so I have just fitted a blown air Propex heater, so I can keep warm off site. I found it very easy to fit, so any one with a bit of savvy should be able to fit one. Martin Hi Martin I've done a bit of searching on the internet and you can buy the flyscreen/blind units to self fit. The cheapest decent name ones I could find are £50 + (depending on size needed). I don't know the dimensions of the windows on the Hytop I was looking at, so something else to research. Fitting a propex heating system sound quite impressive to me. I'd love to know how you did it.
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 19:44:22 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 6, 2009 19:44:22 GMT
Hello yozz.... The roller blinds on my 2000 C15 Hylo pull down, and flyscreens pull up. They clip together like an endless belt. I am sure they were factory fitted. For heating a small fan heater is more than adequate as Martin says. Make sure it has a thermostatic control. I haven't found a need off-site as I do not wild camp. I use Camping and Caravanning Club sites, and make a point of booking (especially at this time of the year) to ensure an electric hook-up. ... Roger Hi Roger They were the kind of blinds I was hoping to find on early/mid '90s romahomes, but it looks like they only come as an optional extra on later models. As much as I like the whole romahome layout I can't see myself without flyscreens on the main windows. I've had some serious reactions to insect bites in the past that have needed visits to docs and hospitals when abroad, and last year a mosquito bite here went bad and I needed a course of antibiotics.
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lizzie
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 44
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Hello
Mar 6, 2009 22:55:18 GMT
Post by lizzie on Mar 6, 2009 22:55:18 GMT
I bought a small gas heater fuelled by gas cartridges. It was small enough to sit in the galley and had a very stable base. The disadvantage is that the cartridges do not last long but is great for a quick warm up in the mornings and cool evenings. The are made by the same people who make the one ring cartridge cookers. I always take one of those with me in the Roma so that I can cook outside if the weather permits - saves cooking smells in the van.
Lizzie
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Hello
Mar 7, 2009 8:25:36 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 7, 2009 8:25:36 GMT
Fitting a propex heating system sound quite impressive to me. I'd love to know how you did it. Will take some pics and post
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Hello
Mar 7, 2009 15:39:48 GMT
Post by yamaha on Mar 7, 2009 15:39:48 GMT
Yozz - in case you are interested, this is a link to a guy in the Bongo Club who, like me, fitted a 24v diesel heater into a Mazda Bongo www.ruffster.co.uk/bongo/Erberspacher.htmlIt may give you a few ideas - I only chose a 24v one because a new one came up locally for £325 - had it been a 12v version it would have been an easier install - but I'm delighted with mine. As the hot air outlet is fitted to my side step, when we have our side awning up, the hot air outlet can be swiveled to heat the awning!! Mike
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Hello
Mar 7, 2009 18:16:01 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 7, 2009 18:16:01 GMT
Here you go,some pics Every thing you need is in the box, except gas pipe, and I paid £395. And it works a treat. Note- some pics taken from outside, through window.
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Hello
Mar 8, 2009 12:59:06 GMT
Post by peterholden on Mar 8, 2009 12:59:06 GMT
We have a small gas heater that screws onto a 907 cylinder, which we always carry as a spare for a main cylinder. It lasts for years running the heater!
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 9, 2009 19:09:16 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 9, 2009 19:09:16 GMT
Yozz - in case you are interested, this is a link to a guy in the Bongo Club who, like me, fitted a 24v diesel heater into a Mazda Bongo www.ruffster.co.uk/bongo/Erberspacher.htmlIt may give you a few ideas - I only chose a 24v one because a new one came up locally for £325 - had it been a 12v version it would have been an easier install - but I'm delighted with mine. As the hot air outlet is fitted to my side step, when we have our side awning up, the hot air outlet can be swiveled to heat the awning!! Mike Cheers for that Mike, nice idea being able to swivel it to heat the awning as well.
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Mar 9, 2009 19:14:50 GMT
Post by yozz on Mar 9, 2009 19:14:50 GMT
Here you go,some pics Every thing you need is in the box, except gas pipe, and I paid £395. And it works a treat. Note- some pics taken from outside, through window. Cheers Martin. What did you use to get through the floor?
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Hello
Mar 12, 2009 8:14:01 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 12, 2009 8:14:01 GMT
Cheers Martin. What did you use to get through the floor? A good quality 40mm. hole cutter, you could probably get one from Screwfix
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Hello
Mar 20, 2009 18:14:23 GMT
Post by scruffin on Mar 20, 2009 18:14:23 GMT
:)I have been a member for a while but never introduced myself. I have an L reg C15 Hytop which I love to live in and hate to drive. The interior is magical and since Ant kindly told me to such the tap to get the water to pump it has been great. I see someone has a gas heater on a cylinder, if you see this could you reply with which model of heater etc. I have to be particularly careful as I take my beloved dog with me. On the subject of hating to drive, I find the brakes frightening, I know they are an optional extra! Also on single carriageway roads i.e in Lincolnshire with a dike on each side and an oncoming articulated lorry, do others feel that they are about to land in the dike with the draft from the lorry? I have had the van for 2 years and am thinking of selling, but am reluctant as the interior is perfect. Is it just me or do all Hytops try to go in the ditch?
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Hello
Mar 20, 2009 18:51:17 GMT
Post by martinw on Mar 20, 2009 18:51:17 GMT
Hi scruffin I have a C15 Hi top and yes the wind and the draft from lorries do make it a bit unstable, but not much, just makes it wobble a little bit, no more than any other high sided van. It sounds to me that yours is worse than mine, so I would suggest that you have your tyre pressures checked, read this thread and see the answer that Ant has given, (sorry I don't know how to make a small link) smallmotorhome.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=ant&action=display&thread=2567 and it will tell you all you need to know. I hope you don't mind me saying, but I've just seen how old you are, I hope I'm still driving at you age. So "keep on truckin" and enjoy Sorry forgot to say, Welcome to the forum
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Hello
Mar 20, 2009 19:36:44 GMT
Post by sunshine1 on Mar 20, 2009 19:36:44 GMT
Hi Scruffin, And a very warm welcome, to this happy and helpful forum. Our demountable was on 1986 D reg, and yes it did feel like the brakes were an optional extra. On one occasion a double continental H.G.V pulled out of a lay by just in front of us and yes I thought I was going to die! We have now remounted It on a newer pick -up and the brakes are better and has Martin says Ant is a star when asking stupid questions! I wasn't sure I had the the right tyres on mine and I think I had them under inflated. But having said that I do have a sticker in the back window that says! JESUS IS MY AIR BAG Hope you have many more happy trips. Sunshine1 Ellie
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Hello
Mar 21, 2009 10:05:57 GMT
Post by jayjay on Mar 21, 2009 10:05:57 GMT
:)I have been a member for a while but never introduced myself. I have an L reg C15 Hytop which I love to live in and hate to drive. Hi Scuffin and welcome to the forum! If you think the C15 is bad, come and drive mine (Bedford Rascal Romahome) for a whiley! You'll then think yours is very stable! LOL! I stay off the motorways altogether as I can't do more than 45-50 mph so every lorry is overtaking all the time, and it snakes all over the place. Best thing I've found is to slow right down unless somebody is right on your tail, lowering the speed makes it less wobbly. Heating - I have a little oil filled radiator which fits in the stairwell at night for heating and my dog gets past it no problem. Off site, I have a) the cab heater - turn on the engine and run the fan heater for a whiley; and b) boil the kettle on the gas ring, or light the grill, always remembering to take the grill pan out first! both heat up the small area very quickly, less than five mins and you're turning it down. I also have a little separate gas cooker (like Lizzie) which runs on cannister gas and I'm just about to get an attachment for this, which makes the burner into a heater, very useful for an awning. The gas cannisters are about £1 each around here from the market, light and easy to find room for. Here's an example: www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Gas-Stove-with-heater/dp/B00172SKUCCan't find the heater fitting on it's own, but I know I've seen it for sale separately somewhere! To go back to the OP's q about toilet facilities: I have a luggable loo, which goes outside during the day (usually into the awning - but it's like a big bucket, very comfortable loo seat under lid with carry handle) sometimes I just put it out by the back door. At night it's at the bottom of the bed! Stores under the sink with the waste bucket. Am getting some pretty adhesive covering for this when I get around to it as LUGGABLE LOO is written on the side in large lettering! ;D
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Hello
Apr 1, 2009 20:44:37 GMT
Post by yozz on Apr 1, 2009 20:44:37 GMT
Heating - I have a little oil filled radiator which fits in the stairwell at night for heating and my dog gets past it no problem. Off site, I have a) the cab heater - turn on the engine and run the fan heater for a whiley; and b) boil the kettle on the gas ring, or light the grill, always remembering to take the grill pan out first! both heat up the small area very quickly, less than five mins and you're turning it down. I also have a little separate gas cooker (like Lizzie) which runs on cannister gas and I'm just about to get an attachment for this, which makes the burner into a heater, very useful for an awning. The gas cannisters are about £1 each around here from the market, light and easy to find room for. Here's an example: www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Gas-Stove-with-heater/dp/B00172SKUCCan't find the heater fitting on it's own, but I know I've seen it for sale separately somewhere! To go back to the OP's q about toilet facilities: I have a luggable loo, which goes outside during the day (usually into the awning - but it's like a big bucket, very comfortable loo seat under lid with carry handle) sometimes I just put it out by the back door. At night it's at the bottom of the bed! Stores under the sink with the waste bucket. Am getting some pretty adhesive covering for this when I get around to it as LUGGABLE LOO is written on the side in large lettering! ;D Thanks for the info and your LUGGABLE LOO ;D ;D
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