Motorhome & PVC Modding - Accessories & Discount Codes

Wombles

Wombles

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Posts
11,058
Likes collected
11,834
Location
SW England
Funster No
28,783
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
A few years now
Posting this thread in case it helps anyone with ideas on how to improve (we hope :unsure:) on a standardly equipped motorhome with products or accessories that are useful &/or well designed. Will also suggest where to check for a good deal on these & any discount codes.

We have recently downsized from a coachbuilt Chausson to a Globecar panel van conversion (PVC) so that has made us look again at everything we have fitted & use in our new motorhome.

Please feel free to add your own suggestions or ask any questions either by posting on this thread or via PM :active:

As ours is a left hand drive model imported from Germany so the first few posts relate to this but just skip past these to the more interesting stuff if not relevant to you.
 
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We had our dealer replace the speedo overlay to a dual one with MPH & KPH but a good UK source for overlays is Lockwood International .


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We bought our headlights from Coastal Motorhomes - if replacing LHD headlights with LED DRL it’s essential when replacing them with RHD headlights to make sure that they are the same type or you will get errors - more details here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ucato-boxer-with-led-drl.183750/#post-3012963

Coastal were the cheapest we found for genuine Fiat parts (fit Citroen too) & now give a 10% (off net price) Motorhome Fun member discount with code " motorhomefun " off all their products on their website https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/ (y)

Knowing how expensive these headlights are we fitted Airplex protectors £69.95 delivered from Van Comfort http://www.vancomfort.co.uk/headlampdeflectorspage_000.htm


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Very easy to use & the added advantage that they are marked ready with the area to tape off when using on the continent. Some 50mm insulation tape should be ideal for this once the supplied patches have been used (will make cardboard templates first) - big 33m roll of tape only £1.95 https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p73266 whereas new spare patches are £4.95!

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We also had 200w of Alden solar panels (we have a compressor fridge) with the I-Boost 250 controller all configured to charge the cab starter battery as well as the two in the hab. area. As we are often in rally fields for a week at a time this set up is essential for us.


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Another option that we had the dealer fit (not brave enough to do the drilling ourselves!) is the HEOsafe VAN Security

Think this looks neat & it’s easy to use.


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Door lock open here

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Locked here

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We have had to buy some spare remote keys as the supplied non remote spare only unlocks the front cab doors which is not much use with the internal Heosafe locks on so we have to go in via the sliding door that it doesn’t unlock! Hickleys in Taunton https://www.hickleys.com/ supplied the spare keys, cutting them & programming them - you do need to have the motorhome there too as well as proof of ownership. From Citroen it would have been £300 for one remote key but had two from Hickleys for £202 - not cheap but a bargain in comparison.


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Another service that Hickleys can do on request is the inspection for mutual recognition (£39.95) if importing a left hand drive motorhome - you have to book in advance as it’s always busy & a MOT slot is needed as the ramp is essential to test & adjust the headlights. We supplied them with the letter format to speed things along. They are handy too as not far from VanBitz :)
 
We had a Strikeback alarm fitted 5 years ago & it worked well throughout that time. When looking at all the options this year we chose the Strikeback again & added the Non Starter MT as it was the best we found. VanBitz website https://www.vanbitz.com/ isn’t the easiest to navigate so worth calling them as they know their products well. Don’t forget to mention that you are a Funster before you book any work to get discount. They also offer customers a free pitch for a night on their campsite, as well as a lift into Taunton town centre & advise where the bus & taxi stops are to get back. We walked but it’s quite a distance in hot weather so the cup of tea on our return was much appreciated as was the amount of time they gave us explaining everything.

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Evo 5 locking wheel bolts are Thatcham rated & Gold Sold Secure standard (£35.22 delivered but sizes & prices vary) & have used this type & bought from TDC Automotive before https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

It was disappointing that they only come in a matte (see photo below) not chromed finish (so not like in the stock photo on the eBay listing) but with commercial vehicle sizes this is usual. It’s worth checking your sizes before ordering as these vary even on the same make & models.

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More details of the Bulldog EM4x4SS (Gold Sold Secure) wheel clamp £90 delivered here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ered-saunderson-security.183736/#post-3018974
 
Some lower cost security to help deter or delay a thief are Milenco Sleep Safe window alarms around £30 for a set of 6 -cheaper versions are available but as these are permanently stuck to the window & ledge prefer this option as have used them before & they have been reliable.


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Also Lock M Out handle covers http://lock-m-out.co.uk/ (from £9 each)

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Cheaper to buy direct from their stand at the Warners Motorhome Shows saving £3 p&p or if buying larger amounts. If not sure which ones are the correct fit then can email them a photo of your handles to check.
 
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Wombles said:
We also had 200w of Alden solar panels (we have a compressor fridge) with the I-Boost 250 controller all configured to charge the cab starter battery as well as the two in the hab. area. As we are often in rally fields for a week at a time this set up is essential for us.


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That is a re-branded Votronic unit.

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We have had a cheap camping kettle for years but spotted this smaller size Le Creuset Demi kettle on eBay & couldn’t resist!


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The handle folds down to store like this

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Not widely available but pop up now & again on Gumtree & eBay at around £30-£40 - not cheap but it is a lovely thing!
 
mpdcymru said:
some interesting stuff. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
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Glad it's of interest - lots more to be added yet as we fit & sort things! :giggle:

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chaser said:
Ideal for letting folks you are not in:(
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Did consider that but can go in through the cab doors then lock those HEOSafe locks (just by turning knobs or locking by key as well) from the inside so can be inside with the exterior sliding door & rear door locks on although not advisable from the point of view of getting out in the case of fire! :eek:
 
For anyone considering a reversing camera the Dometic Cam 35 https://www.dometic.com/en-gb/uk/search?q=dometic+cam+35 is an unobtrusive addition to the rear top brake light unit & with a second "Twin" camera in the same unit & a switching cable on your monitor it can be both a rear view & a reversing camera. There are prices on their website but ours was a dealer fitted option as part of their offer to us so hard to give an idea of price including fitting.
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Coupled with a budget option Kenwood DAB multimedia system with display screen https://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/car/nav_mm/mm/DDX4018DAB/ it is a helpful tool but a separate screen on top of the dashboard would give a better viewing angle.
 
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We didn’t go for the more expensive sat. nav. versions as updates are limited or expensive after the first year or two so prefer to have a Garmin or TomTom one with free Lifetime Map Updates.
 
The Nextbase 312GW dash cam is a Which? Best Buy model at an affordable price for the car & motorhome - more info. here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/nextbase-312gw-dash-cam-£74-95-case-£4-95-or-less-if-buying-two.174144/

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Halfords have an offer at the moment for 20% discount off dash cams including this one if trading in an old dash cam so might be worth a look https://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/dash-cams/nextbase-dash-cam-312gw but their accessories are much more expensive than buying online.
 
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Wouldn’t be without TyrePal TPMS on both our car & motorhome (even though they have already got the Ford & Citroen factory fitted version) as the display makes checking all the tyre pressures easy (including the spare with an extra sensor) & the early warning it can give could help avoid an accident. The Solar Colour model is currently full price £99 plus £4.95 delivery [Broken Link Removed] on their website but discount code
" camcsol18 " takes £10 off - however it’s likely that around the dates of the NEC Motorhome Show (16-21 October) their web price will be lower as they usually have Show Offers & the code may still work with any discounted price. The code also works on the TC215/B which may be more suitable option for some.


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When did you bring the van over Karen? Have you got it registered yet?
 
Lenny HB said:
When did you bring the van over Karen? Have you got it registered yet?
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In the last couple of weeks - all done - just waiting for the V5! :) Have found your posts & those of other Funsters (especially @gerry mcg & @lorger :hi5: ) about the import process very helpful (y)
Currently sharing our experience with a few others doing the same.
 
Wombles said:
Some lower cost security to help deter or delay a thief are Milenco Sleep Safe window alarms around £30 for a set of 6 -cheaper versions are available but as these are permanently stuck to the window & ledge prefer this option as have used them before & they have been reliable.


View attachment 259608

Also Lock M Out handle covers http://lock-m-out.co.uk/ (from £9 each)

Seitz-S45-catch-and-device-right.jpg


Cheaper to buy direct from their stand at the Warners Motorhome Shows saving £3 p&p or if buying larger amounts. If not sure which ones are the correct fit then can email them a photo of your handles to check.
Click to expand...

Do the window alarms interfere with the blinds
 

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