Are newer motorhomes lacking the equipment essential for travel?

[Steve Travelvan]

I am considering the purchase of a 2021 Adria Twin to replace my ten year old Adria Twin and was surprised to learn that it isn't fitted with a battery to battery charger, a SOG, a second leisure battery, (particularly as it has a compressor fridge), and only has an 80w solar panel rather than a larger one. These are all things that I would consider essential for my travels. Are all newer van conversions and motorhomes so under equipped for normal touring life? Which makes of motorhome and van conversion should I be considering that would be ready for the road or do I have to spend the rest of the winter on my drive fitting all the essentials?

 

[hja]

I have some regrets about limiting the number of manufacturer's extras on my purchase order. A couple of them would have been handy, and if I could go back in a time machine I would have added them to the order placed with the factory.

On the other hand the budget was a bit tight. A bonus was that by keeping the total price below £50k the insurance company did not insist on me fitting an alarm system and tracker.

Nowadays one of the things that the French buyers seem to expect as standard on van conversions is a sliding insect screen across the side door, even on budget models. UK buyers of the same model will find it is an expensive option.

I would miss our sliding door fly screen. It came with the new van, but then it is German!

 

[Spriddler]

People like myself who don't do 'off site parking', but rather use sites, CLs and Aires generally with EHU don't need any of those extras..

Quite, but it seems that quite a few new motorhomes have the extra of unwanted running water.

 

[Andy MacD]

My 2021 Twin has a Schaudt Booster WA121525, located on the passenger seat base at the back, which charges both batteries.

 

[mitzimad]

surely a B2B is essential on new vans due to smart alternators

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[Hymerboy]

I am considering the purchase of a 2021 Adria Twin to replace my ten year old Adria Twin and was surprised to learn that it isn't fitted with a battery to battery charger, a SOG, a second leisure battery, (particularly as it has a compressor fridge), and only has an 80w solar panel rather than a larger one. These are all things that I would consider essential for my travels. Are all newer van conversions and motorhomes so under equipped for normal touring life? Which makes of motorhome and van conversion should I be considering that would be ready for the road or do I have to spend the rest of the winter on my drive fitting all the essentials?

Looks like you have to spend a couple of grand just to get it to do what it's meant to,

 

[Pausim]

surely a B2B is essential on new vans due to smart alternators

It is but it is often called a “Charge Booster” instead of an B2B. All the new vans I have considered recently have one as standard.

I am considering the purchase of a 2021 Adria Twin to replace my ten year old Adria Twin and was surprised to learn that it isn't fitted with a battery to battery charger, a SOG, a second leisure battery, (particularly as it has a compressor fridge), and only has an 80w solar panel rather than a larger one. These are all things that I would consider essential for my travels. Are all newer van conversions and motorhomes so under equipped for normal touring life? Which makes of motorhome and van conversion should I be considering that would be ready for the road or do I have to spend the rest of the winter on my drive fitting all the essentials?

Your idea of normal touring life and mine are very different. I would rather have a lithium battery than a second lead acid or gel one. I don’t need solar because I have a fuel cell. I can live without a SOG though they are handy. It makes much more sense to offer these as options than to fit them as standard. Your problem is that the original owner of the van you are considering ordered a van and options that suited him. It doesn’t mean the van is under equipped or missing essentials, just that it doesn’t suit your requirements.

 

[Steve Travelvan]

My 2021 Twin has a Schaudt Booster WA121525, located on the passenger seat base at the back, which charges both batteries.

Thanks for that comment Andy, I am going to have another look at the van before deciding and will check to see if it has a Schaudt Booster.

 

[Andy MacD]

Thanks for that comment Andy, I am going to have another look at the van before deciding and will check to see if it has a Schaudt Booster.

Flip open the back plastic cover, passenger seat base and you’ll find it. I’d send a photo but I’ve installed an inverter over it.

 

[Steve Travelvan]

Flip open the back plastic cover, passenger seat base and you’ll find it. I’d send a photo but I’ve installed an inverter over it.

Thanks, I know where to look Andy MacD. The 100amp battery is under that seat.

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[the1andonly]

When when bought ours new in 2018 it had all sorts extra 120W solar 2 110Ah batteries oven and fly screen (french) but it was £14K more than an alternate English special with Microwave included but no solar (cost more to have microwave removed and no we couldn't have a matching door front). Different customers expected? I think in the end end we paid a rediculous amount for "piano black" but part of a bigger option set that was usefull. As customers we might want everything for nothing, sometimes we dont know what options we need as needs change with use. Within 2 years our Batteries were dead and replaced by LiFePO4 100Ah and cheap PWM replaced by expensive MPPT and a total of 550W and a B2B. But the Person that bought that English van is still using it as intended with EHU and his beloved microwave without spending any more money. I still havent got a SOG.

 

[Steve Travelvan]

Thankyou all very much for your replies to my thread "I am considering the purchase of a 2021 Adria Twin to replace my ten year old Adria Twin". It has provoked an interesting discussion with plenty of helpful thoughts. When I was young both the bread and coal were delivered by horse and cart and someone came around in the evening to light the gas lamps in the street. The advancements in Technology are relentless and, on the whole, for the better. Motorhome manufacturers should be ahead of the game not two steps behind. I agree with Lenny that the move to compressor fridges and away from three way should be in parallel with enhanced power generation and storage as standard. This last Autumn and Winter being next to vans on a aires in France and Spain that regularly ran their engines for prolonged periods to top up their batteries was a real annoyance. I understand the issues regarding cost and weight, I only really appreciated the weight of an awning when I fitted one to a van and had to lift it into place. We are all different and enjoy the experience of owning a van in a variety of ways. Keep on contributing to Motorhome Fun, I find the thoughts and information immensely useful.

 

[Steve Travelvan]

Looks like you have to spend a couple of grand just to get it to do what it's meant to,

That's about right Hymerboy, I reckon about £2.5k including five four season tyres and doing the electrical work myself.

 

[Lenny HB]

I agree with Lenny that the move to compressor fridges and away from three way

I never said that, I prefer a 3 way fridge.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's about right Hymerboy, I reckon about £2.5k including five four season tyres and doing the electrical work myself.

For my next van due in a few months I've budgeted £3,500 for the electrics and that is doing it all myself.

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[Peavy]

Flip open the back plastic cover, passenger seat base and you’ll find it. I’d send a photo but I’ve installed an inverter over it.

Here's one

 

[Steve Travelvan]

I never said that, I prefer a 3 way fridge.

I also prefer a three way fridge but it appears that compressor are what are being fitted in most new vans today. Is this cost saving for the manufactures or what users want?

 

[Lenny HB]

I also prefer a three way fridge but it appears that compressor are what are being fitted in most new vans today. Is this cost saving for the manufactures or what users want?

Yes, the fridges are cheaper and much easier & quicker to install.

 

[PaulW2]

I am considering the purchase of a 2021 Adria Twin to replace my ten year old Adria Twin and was surprised to learn that it isn't fitted with a battery to battery charger, a SOG, a second leisure battery, (particularly as it has a compressor fridge), and only has an 80w solar panel rather than a larger one. These are all things that I would consider essential for my travels. Are all newer van conversions and motorhomes so under equipped for normal touring life? Which makes of motorhome and van conversion should I be considering that would be ready for the road or do I have to spend the rest of the winter on my drive fitting all the essentials?

All depends on how you use it. I have one leisure battery (150 ah LiFePO4) and a B2B. With this van I'll never be parked up in one place for days on end.

Previous van had a 200l water tank, 2 solar panels, big battery bank. Sometimes parked up for weeks on end and used the scooter to get around.

 

[Soycd]

As far as I know, in the Twin model (all ranges), the batteries, solar panels and solar regulator do not come from the factory but rely on the dealer.
Recently (I think since 2021) Adria delivers the Twin with B2B.

We have an Adria Twin 640 SLB due for delivery any day now. The solar package is a factory fitted option, but they only offer 80W. There is also a factory option of a second 100Ah lesiure battery, factory fitted aircon, large compressor fridge/freezer and a few other factory options. The other thing that is factory fitted is an oven, waste of space for us.

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[cyberyacht]

Speccing a new van is a luxury I've never experienced, buying mine s/h. I've still ended up adding stuff though.

 

[Lenny HB]

Speccing a new van is a luxury I've never experienced, buying mine s/h. I've still ended up adding stuff though.

Impossible not to.

 

[two]

That's how payload is so easily exceeded. It's so easy to add weight without realising how heavy you have become.

 

[Brains]

If buying new(ish) then budget for a load of extras.
(And ensure you have the payload)

Get the right base van, you are better off paying for upper spec, bigger engine, air con etc.
Then get the correct layout built to a decent quality.

Then straight off the forecourt take it to a specialist.
Get the solar, awning, gaslow, alarms, WiFi, TV, extra sockets, extra lighting, reversing camera, sensors, bike rack, tow bar, fitted sheets, SOG, BBQ outlet, garage racking, and so on, all fitted by someone other than the Dealer, it will save you thousands, and you pick the quality.
Then you have a complete van, once you have the ramps, chairs, full kitchen, BBQ, spare tyre, etc etc etc

 

[Lenny HB]

Then straight off the forecourt take it to a specialist.
Get the solar, awning, gaslow, alarms, WiFi, TV, extra sockets, extra lighting, reversing camera, sensors, bike rack, tow bar, fitted sheets, SOG, BBQ outlet, garage racking, and so on,

No thanks I'd rather do it myself and get the job done properly.

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[LesW]

It seems that what is essential to one person, is just stuff to someone else.

 

[VXman]

Speccing a new van is a luxury I've never experienced, buying mine s/h. I've still ended up adding stuff though.

I bought mine new with quite a basic spec - straight off the forecourt so no option for choice. TBH I quite liked that. I would find the decision making difficult and probably would spec more than was needed. As it was we just added what we felt we needed as we went along.

 

[Steve Travelvan]

Here's one
View attachment 857570

Thanks Andy, that is very helpful.