Costs after the purchase of new motorhome

[Lenny HB]

wondering about putting on air suspension before that (£500 ish)
Do the job properly fit full air, having fitted full air to our van I would never have a van without it now. Noted that the price of that didnt appear as an option !!! About the same as I have already spent out

A bit more than that 6½ to 7k.

 

[davidathomas42]

wondering about putting on air suspension before that (£500 ish)
Do the job properly fit full air, having fitted full air to our van I would never have a van without it now. Noted that the price of that didnt appear as an option !!! About the same as I have already spent out

How much is full air suspension ? My 2011 Fiat Ducato is a rattly thing. Guessing that will massively help with it. I plan to keep the van a few years and am currently trying to spec it up to be a killer machine to use.

 

[suavecarve]

A bit more than that 6½ to 7k.

Would it help me pick my jaw up from the floor ?

 

[Minxy]

Alarm and tracker (Tracker required as valued over £50K and 3 years subscription) £1400
Worth looking at changing insurers, Comfort only require either an Alarm or Tracker over 50k & just a Tracker over 75k.

Agreed, the change of insurer is likely to be a LOT less than having a tracker fitted but it depends on whether he wants one anyway.

Extra locks on habitation and garage doors £115
Just tells the scrots there is something worth nicking.

We looked into getting extra locks and I found some Yale type latch dead locks on Ebay much more reasonably priced than the external Fiamma etc type and look much better too, in the end we didn't bother.

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Inverter £109
If fitting an inverter worth spending a bit more and fitting a decent one.

Depends what it's going to be used for, we only use ours for charging up odds and sods which don't have a dedicated 12v lead (eg electric shaver) so a basic one may be sufficient.

We are going to try without an awning (£600) as we dont tend to use one.
Tried that on our last van but when you need one you really need it. Put one on this van don't use it a lot but wouldn't be without it.

We've had a similar dilemma in the past and if we'd had to pay for one on our Carthago I don't think we'd have bothered - an alternative is an umbrella type sunshade which can obviously be used other than next to the MH and by adding a long 'skirt' to it gives even more shade (there are some fishing ones that are like this but tend to be very expensive).

wondering about putting on air suspension before that (£500 ish)
Do the job properly fit full air, having fitted full air to our van I would never have a van without it now.

Are you trying to bankrupt him!

I've lost count but the boss could tell me to the penny what we have spent on our van I know it's the wrong side of 10K.

No wonder she won't let you change it!

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you trying to bankrupt him!

Why not, all the fun of Motorhoming.

No wonder she won't let you change it!

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[Jonno1103]

Having just purchased a new Roller Team 685, I need to get it to how I want it to be, so thought the information may be of use to others when working out how much extra. I knew pretty much of all of this was going to cost me and took it into consideration.

Alarm and tracker (Tracker required as valued over £50K and 3 years subscription) £1400
Gasit system (11kg and 6Kg with bullfinch) £445
Extra locks on habitation and garage doors £115
Remis blinds £740
TV Aerial £70
(Already had a TV but purchasing a second hand one for bedroom) £30
An extra 175 watts of solar, Mppt and B2B which are lithium ready £490
110 ah of gel battery (exactly same as came with van) to double battery bank £175
Inverter £109

Total of £3,574.

We are going to try without an awning (£600) as we dont tend to use one and will upgrade to Lithium when the price is better.
I still have to upweight it which will be £150 or so, and wondering about putting on air suspension before that (£500 ish)
We need to get a Superking size duvet and bedding and some throws but the Mrs hasnt decided upon colour yet (£100) , and we will be replacing carpets (£50)

I think we have everything else.

I think you'll be able to go 4100kg on the Ford chassis giving you around an 900kg payload but off the top of my head I can't remember what that does to the towing capacity. It's the Zeffy so it's the only Ford based motorhome with a 5000kg train weight. Check that the standard 16'' wheels have 235's on them, most Tranny's do but there's a few out there with 225's on the rims. If you want to put more than150kg in the garage you'll probably need to upgrade the rear springs too.

Most if not all of the Insurance companies will insist on a tracker regardless of cost as it's a Ford, most will also want to see the certificate of installation too. Phantom will do you an alarm & CAT 7 tracker with lifetime subscription for around £1400/1500.

Question... do you need Remis blinds? They may look nice but they rattle and don't offer the insulation that the silverscreens supplied do, maybe put that outlay towards your lithium goal? If you like your music etc whilst you drive, the blinds will also remove the A pillar speakers.

Similar layout in our F 70 but after thinking about it we kept it as 2 singles and bought 2 double duvets.

In terms of throws, cushions etc bear in mind that you need to dismantle the L shaped seating to empty the fresh water tank.

 

[Lenny HB]

Inverter £109
If fitting an inverter worth spending a bit more and fitting a decent one. Mine will only ever be used to charge E bikes in our presence

Get a reasonable pure sine wave one, e-bike chargers are expensive, don't want to blow one up.

 

[suavecarve]

I think you'll be able to go 4100kg on the Ford chassis giving you around an 900kg payload but off the top of my head I can't remember what that does to the towing capacity. It's the Zeffy so it's the only Ford based motorhome with a 5000kg train weight. Check that the standard 16'' wheels have 235's on them, most Tranny's do but there's a few out there with 225's on the rims. If you want to put more than150kg in the garage you'll probably need to upgrade the rear springs too.

Most if not all of the Insurance companies will insist on a tracker regardless of cost as it's a Ford, most will also want to see the certificate of installation too. Phantom will do you an alarm & CAT 7 tracker with lifetime subscription for around £1400/1500.

Question... do you need Remis blinds? They may look nice but they rattle and don't offer the insulation that the silverscreens supplied do, maybe put that outlay towards your lithium goal? If you like your music etc whilst you drive, the blinds will also remove the A pillar speakers.

Similar layout in our F 70 but after thinking about it we kept it as 2 singles and bought 2 double duvets.

In terms of throws, cushions etc bear in mind that you need to dismantle the L shaped seating to empty the fresh water tank.

4,100 kgs without doing anything, and have read 4.350 with air assist. We had a Roller Team 690 on same chassis, similarly uprated and I carry my own weighing scales so quite happy we have more than sufficient there. We have the 16 inch wheels. I have no intention of putting on a towbar.
The £1400 was for the strikeback alarm, the tracker AND 3 years subs. I can make my mind up if in 3 years (if the van is not £50K) if i need to take out the tracker subs.
We have never had Remis Blinds previously but a curtain that went round. I was happy with that. However the chairs did not swivel to make a lounge. They swivelled so you could see the back of a cupboard ! Never listen to music so the pillar speakers dont matter to us. We ll use the silver screens as, when or if necessary for insulation but unlikely to be used on holiday. I was told, and therefore had to pay the extortionate amount, that they will be convenient when stopping when doing the shopping. The rattle will likely appear as I will be fitting them myself !
We have only slept in it the once, we have ummed and arred about what do and we think the superking is the way forward for us with 3 singular beddings underneath. We are bound to change our minds after a week. The other option is to keep it as a "triple" and use the 2 double duvets til we work things out.
Not overly concerned about emptying fresh water tank and removing throws. More of the thought process about throws (and we have only driven 150 miles home so far, is the classic sheepskins keep sliding down on the slippery chairs which appear great for wiping down (Sort of faux (very faux)) leather effect. Making us wonder, if, what sort of throws are going to do the business

Thanks for input.

Lenny HB Edekoa 1000/2000. Had quite a read about it and flew it over FiLs head (sparky) before purchase.

 

[Lenny HB]

Most if not all of the Insurance companies will insist on a tracker regardless of cost as it's a Ford

Yes, forgot that as you say most insist on a tracker with a Ford

@Lenny HB Edekoa 1000/2000. Had quite a read about it and flew it over FiLs head (sparky) before purchase.

As long as it's got a reasonable sine wave it should be OK.

 

[Lenny HB]

As you are Surry/Hants based for your Alarm/Tracker worth contacting Andy Bottle 07841 426660, he operates a mobile service he was Southdowns main electrical man.

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[Minxy]

Are you using it as 2 single beds or a massive double/king?

 

[suavecarve]

As you are Surry/Hants based for your Alarm/Tracker worth contacting Andy Bottle 07841 426660, he operates a mobile service he was Southdowns main electrical man.

I used Southdowns last time, and PM incoming

 

[gus-lopez]

Edekoa 1000/2000. Had quite a read about it and flew it over FiLs head (sparky) before purchase.

Never knew they did that one? I have a brand new 1500/3000 that I have never used.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

As this van is our first we have spent a fair bit on everything after collecting it

Thought I had all we need now but still more comes on the list

 

[suavecarve]

Never knew they did that one? I have a brand new 1500/3000 that I have never used.

I was tempted by the 1500/3000 but even with only another 30 nicker, I m not going to use it that much to justify it.

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[Jonno1103]

More of the thought process about throws (and we have only driven 150 miles home so far, is the classic sheepskins keep sliding down on the slippery chairs which appear great for wiping down (Sort of faux (very faux)) leather effect. Making us wonder, if, what sort of throws are going to do the business

We had the ivory pleather seats in our Pegaso, comfy, very hard wearing and as you say great for wiping down... getting excited myself now!

 

[amarch]

Considering the huge price of fuel, which is unlikely to come down and is an ongoing substantial cost, I wonder if many consider remapping their engine with a Chip. I fitted a Racechip to my 2.3l Bessacar E495 three years ago as I was disappointed with its 23mpg. Although sceptical at first, since fitting, it easily achieves average 29mpg and if extra careful can go to 31mpg. You have to declare it on insurance but so far no one has added any premium. I've now fitted one to my family petrol car with the same pleasing results. Easy fit for many pounds saved on long journeys, and it's an ongoing saving too!!

 

[pau1phi11ips]

Inverter £109
If fitting an inverter worth spending a bit more and fitting a decent one. Mine will only ever be used to charge E bikes in our presence

It would be more efficient to use DC-DC chargers. £109 is kinda cheap for an inverter and if you're using it with an eBike AC-DC charger, it might break that charger.

 

[Lenny HB]

Considering the huge price of fuel, which is unlikely to come down and is an ongoing substantial cost, I wonder if many consider remapping their engine with a Chip. I fitted a Racechip to my 2.3l Bessacar E495 three years ago as I was disappointed with its 23mpg. Although sceptical at first, since fitting, it easily achieves average 29mpg and if extra careful can go to 31mpg. You have to declare it on insurance but so far no one has added any premium. I've now fitted one to my family petrol car with the same pleasing results. Easy fit for many pounds saved on long journeys, and it's an ongoing saving too!!

And if you get a major engine problem they won't fix under warranty as its been chipped, a few quid in fuel is cheaper than 10k to have a new engine fitted.

 

[bobnick]

Had air suspension on our Imala. No idea if it was there to increase payload or comfort??? Doubt if i will put it on the new one.

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[Lenny HB]

Had air suspension on our Imala. No idea if it was there to increase payload or comfort??? Doubt if i will put it on the new one.

A huge difference between air assist and full air, air assist is normally to help with payload, full air all round transforms the ride.

 

[Willbo]

This is the reason I have just sold my van. The cost of everything associated with motorhming is becoming rather expensive and the cost of it has outweighed the enjoyment. The last straw was my storage had been increased by £80.00 this year.
If any one is interested the entire contents of the van is in the classifieds.

 

[Lenny HB]

How much is full air suspension ? My 2011 Fiat Ducato is a rattly thing. Guessing that will massively help with it. I plan to keep the van a few years and am currently trying to spec it up to be a killer machine to use.

6½ to 7k for VB, or 8.7k for Goldsmittch, I had Goldschmitt fitted in Belgium for 7.1k.

 

[davidathomas42]

6½ to 7k for VB, or 8.7k for Goldsmittch, I had Goldschmitt fitted in Belgium for 7.1k.

Jesus. I might need to go for a ride in one before I hand in pocket for that.

Anyone live near Chez Vegas with one done and fancy taking me to the chippy.

 

[drpeej]

A pop-up tent.

Broken Link Removed

Our small PVC has so little spare room that we store lots of bits and pieces in 'The Shed' (as we call it) when we are parked up

It takes 5 seconds to erect and 15 minutes to put away (after watching a YouTube video to remind us how to fold it)

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[Minxy]

A pop-up tent.

Broken Link Removed

Our small PVC has so little spare room that we store lots of bits and pieces in 'The Shed' (as we call it) when we are parked up

It takes 5 seconds to erect and 15 minutes to put away (after watching a YouTube video to remind us how to fold it)

Its all down to how you grab and twist it ... some are more complicated than others and have a mind of their own!

 

[Minxy]

Had air suspension on our Imala. No idea if it was there to increase payload or comfort??? Doubt if i will put it on the new one.

If you've had what I assume was semi-air on the rear you will notice the difference from how it 'sways' in high winds, passing HGVs and especially when negotiating roundabouts, that was certainly our experience.

 

[mikesue32]

If you are going to France don't forget your Angles Morts stickers which are now legally required in towns on everything over 3500KG. One on each side at the front (I use magnetic on the doors) and one on the back right (I use stick on as magnets won't work). A very good value and efficient UK supplier I found is Safety-Label.co.uk Make sure you get the ones with the picture of a coach not of a lorry. If you want to remove the sticky one, I find that a very thin layer of vaseline on the motorhone where you want to stick it, then rubbed off with a cloth bofore sticking it on will let you remove it with no bother (you will need a new one next time though!)

 

[MikeMex]

Beer glass, wine glass, bottle opener, corkscrew, sorted.

All very well having the glasses, but don’t forget the Beer and the Wine

 

[MikeMex]

Amazon product ASIN B082F553WG

Great idea, but you can get a Free App (for iPhone yes, Android I have not idea) called ‘Measure’. It has a very nice spirt level.

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