Motorhome & PVC Modding - Accessories & Discount Codes

[jezport]

The thing is they bend the door down from the top if they break into side loading doors. So any extra security in the centre wont really help. Plus any plastic window can be ripped out with a large screwdriver.
There are other really easy ways to get into most vans within 2 minutes that I wont publish on a public forum.
Do what your insurers require and beyond that most things are a waste of money.

 

[Wombles]

The thing is they bend the door down from the top if they break into side loading doors. So any extra security in the centre wont really help. Plus any plastic window can be ripped out with a large screwdriver.
There are other really easy ways to get into most vans within 2 minutes that I wont publish on a public forum.
Do what your insurers require and beyond that most things are a waste of money.

Agree that all security is just a deterrent so personal choice whether is is worthwhile or not although many would require noisy equipment & time to overcome. If the central looking is overcome the security door chain & rear door lock will stop the door being opened quietly when we are sleeping in the van so it is about personal security not just van contents so for us increased peace of mind.

 

[Wombles]

UPDATE: Stopsy mentioned above & here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ding-accessories-discount-codes.184590/page-4 on post 62 works brilliantly! This is ours fitted:

View attachment 299967

View attachment 299969

I'm too short to see it from the ground but already find it useful. Mr Wombles put it in place without having to remove the motorhome cover which can be seen in the photo.

UPDATE: Stopsy manufacturer has kindly agreed a new 10% discount code for Funsters 10MHfun2019-Alan from now until 30th June Other tips for buying from overseas are in post 186. More info. on how to get around their website here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...r-van-sliding-door-with-discount-code.186618/ .

 

[kitetraveller]

Just wanted to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Wombles for this thread, really useful, practical advice and great work on the discount codes

 

[Wombles]

Just wanted to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Wombles for this thread, really useful, practical advice and great work on the discount codes

Thank you - your kind words are much appreciated & glad all that typing has been worthwhile!

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[Wombles]

Our fridge doesn't have a handle & have seen on Facebook groups that with regular use the seal can get damaged from gripping round the door to open it but one clever French chap added his own handle so we copied this idea making our own version.
Fridge without handle:

Bought this small cut section of thick aluminium angle £2.89 delivered:

Then Mr Wombles rounded off the corners & polished it a bit before gluing it into position:

We are happy with the finished result as think it looks ok & works well:

 

[Minxy]

Our fridge doesn't have a handle & have seen on Facebook groups that with regular use the seal can get damaged from gripping round the door to open it

I simply stuck a plastic 'hook' on the front of the one in our previous camper ... came in useful for hanging the oven glove on too!

 

[Wombles]

I simply stuck a plastic 'hook' on the front of the one in our previous camper ... came in useful for hanging the oven glove on too!

Did consider that but didn't want something that poked out into the walkway (fridge is next to step up to bed) also quite strong magnets so the fridge door needs a strong pull & were concerned that anything attached did pull off it could damage the front panel.

 

[Wombles]

Handy little item - OXO Good Grips suction pad from £3.49 - designed for holding a razor
but it also works to hold an Oral B electric toothbrush in place (even if it is the wrong way up! ) on the sink top:

Not tried the other two types but Amazon sell a set of 3 Amazon product ASIN B07PRMXLBC £11.80 delivered:

 

[Wombles]

Another use for Fiamma bike straps - the shorter black ones this time https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Bike-Rack-...Caravan-Motorhome/1305417453?iid=352536301960 £6.26 for a pair including delivery & ideal for securing two separate bed bases together as strong but quick & easy to release too:

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[Wombles]

Today this cut to size sheet of polycarbonate arrived so we could do our version of a window protector already done by quite a few on Facebook groups & on here:

We have such a big bed that we don't sleep anywhere near the blinds on the rear doors but the pillows go against this window at the top of the bed so added a panel to protect the blinds:

Don't need it full height & only the top black fixing tabs will show (if any) once the bed is made up.

We may add extra tabs depending on how it works with the blind in different positions but starting with just these & happy for now.

 

[Wombles]

There are a lot of companies that cut polycarbonate to size online but went for the one with the best reviews https://www.cutmyplastic.co.uk/ but it wasn't the cheapest. We are very pleased as it arrived well packed, in excellent condition, exactly the right size & with the corners rounded as requested - we didn't opt for extra finishing on the edges as that was an expensive option & it didn't need it. At 5mm it is thick & rigid enough to protect the blind but still flexible enough to pull off the Velcro fixing tabs.
Full details in case it helps anyone with the same size window:

5mm Clear Polycarbonate
Shape
Rectangle
Material
Polycarbonate
Type
Clear
Thickness
5mm
Height
1002
Width
270
Polished Edges
None
Rounded Corners - Position
Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right
Rounded Corners - Radius
25mm
1 £25.06
Subtotal (Excl.Tax) £20.88
Subtotal (Incl.Tax) £25.06
Shipping & Handling £7.95
Grand Total (Excl.Tax) £27.51
VAT (20%)
£5.50
Tax
£5.50
Grand Total (Incl.Tax) £33.01

Having used heavy duty Velcro before & knowing how strong it is we opted for pre-cut 45mm circles instead of strips Amazon product ASIN B00186Q5WW £2.00 for a pack of just 6 sets. For better value there is this 2.5m long roll Amazon product ASIN B00186Q7XY £10.45 - bit expensive but works brilliantly & goes a long way.

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Great stuff

 

[skylinersi]

excellent and very tidy mod sir!

 

[skylinersi]

Good job you explained what its for ... some people might think its for 'bedtime' activities!

dirty girly............

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[skylinersi]

I hate those stupid straps that come with the gas bottle holder brackets as its nigh on impossible to pull them tight and stop them slipping, I put some of the drawer anti-slip stuff under the straps and once I've tightened them I then push a small wedge behind the strap which takes the slack out and makes them really tight. We've not had an issue with them 'jumping' out though but we have steel bottles.

changed ours for quick release buckles.........can tighten as tight as the proverbial once clicked together, and i cannot pull them apart without undoing the clips.......

 

[Wombles]

Depends on your hab door lock but we had this HEOS version http://www.motorcaravanning.co.uk/shopuk/safety_security.htm (£76.90 delivered) on our previous coachbuilt Chausson which was excellent as could be locked on the outside but opened instantly from the inside - just had to be careful to remember to unlock it so as not to get locked out!
Zadi lock version & POS lock version

Another option for some locks is Elefant http://tuersicherung-elefant.de/ €19.95 plus p&p - simple but clever & there are currently 8 variations.

A couple of Elefant models are available from Amazon too at £23-£24 delivered - listed as Brunner Elephant if you do a search on Amazon as the link doesn't work when added on here.

 

[Wombles]

Wanted some sturdy coat hooks that didn't poke out when not in use - found these ones designed for use in boats https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-STAINLESS-STEEL-316-FOLDING-HAT-COAT-HOOK/130652559337?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 - not cheap at £11 each delivered (delivery cost reduces if ordering more) but marine grade stainless steel, easy to fit & they do work well:

The seller does have a website https://stainlessdirect.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_269&products_id=1395 but have to add VAT on their website listed price plus carriage costs are high at £6.99 so cheaper to buy from their eBay listing unless already ordering other items from their website.

 

[Grianan]

Thanks ordered ... reading your posts is like having a personal shopper

 

[Wombles]

Thanks ordered ... reading your posts is like having a personal shopper

Glad you like some of the accessories - your comment made us laugh!

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[Wombles]

Had this Technoline radio controlled clock with alarm, weather station function & temperatures for quite a few years now & very handy - currently Amazon product ASIN B002DNE0IK £23.95 delivered. We don't often use the outside temperature sensor but could be useful for some. Runs on AAA batteries, is quite slim & light & is stuck on with a heavy duty Velcro disc as mentioned above:

Another use for the Velcro (just one disc) was for the hard cased fire blanket:

We've had ours for some time now but a similar one here Amazon product ASIN B00PPND7S4 £9.98

 

[RogerThat]

Another use for the Velcro (just one disc) was for the hard cased fire blanket:

Is that wise?

Won't the whole thing just pull off the wall??

 

[RogerThat]

I LOVE those hooks by the way!

 

[Wombles]

Is that wise?

Won't the whole thing just pull off the wall??

Don't think so - it is super strong Velcro (2kg per 45mm disc ) capable of sticking heavy items like tools to the wall & have to do a somewhat brutal pull down from the top shearing action to get anything off once stuck but if in doubt one hand on the case & the other pulling the cords would work. Have used a large single screw before as it's designed to hook on but the casing used to move around a bit when travelling & find that the Velcro holds it more securely.

I LOVE those hooks by the way!

There is something very appealing about their shape & design - we've nicknamed them "the scarabs" as remind us of those Egyptian beetles shape wise!

 

[Minxy]

Interesting stuff you're finding for us Wombles but I have to ask ... have you actually totted up the cost of all the bits and bobs you've bought for you camper ... it must run into many hundreds!

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[Stroppy Bird]

Wanted some sturdy coat hooks that didn't poke out when not in use - found these ones designed for use in boats https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-STAINLESS-STEEL-316-FOLDING-HAT-COAT-HOOK/130652559337?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 - not cheap at £11 each delivered (delivery cost reduces if ordering more) but marine grade stainless steel, easy to fit & they do work well:

View attachment 304220


View attachment 304224

The seller does have a website https://stainlessdirect.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_269&products_id=1395 but have to add VAT on their website listed price plus carriage costs are high at £6.99 so cheaper to buy from their eBay listing unless already ordering other items from their website.

Nowhere near as elegant as the ones that you have but Ikea do some folding hooks if anyone was looking for a more budget version.

I got them to use at home but then never did so they found a use in the campervan - bizarrely in a permanently folded out state because they were just the right size to mount the inverter on under the bed.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products.../bjärnum-folding-hook-aluminium-art-60152590/

 

[Wombles]

Nowhere near as elegant as the ones that you have but Ikea do some folding hooks if anyone was looking for a more budget version.

I got them to use at home but then never did so they found a use in the campervan - bizarrely in a permanently folded out state because they were just the right size to mount the inverter on under the bed.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products.../bjärnum-folding-hook-aluminium-art-60152590/

Like those - they look very neat & a good price too Do like Ikea as lots of cleverly designed products & even better now that they sell online too with home delivery.

 

[Wombles]

Interesting stuff you're finding for us Wombles but I have to ask ... have you actually totted up the cost of all the bits and bobs you've bought for you camper ... it must run into many hundreds!

We've picked up lots of tips from others on here as well as on Facebook groups so posting in case any of our ideas help someone in return - it's what we have found & like for our use but appreciate that they may not suit everyone & other ideas are welcome like the one @Stroppy Bird posted above
With regards to what we have spent - value for money is more important to us than cost. Although we give links & current costs, we've had many of the items on here for up to 6 years as they were transferred from our other motorhome, made some from left over building materials, many have been bought at bargain prices online or we have found or negotiated discount codes to get a reduction on products for us & fellow Funsters on them where possible. Most of the more expensive items are transferable or could be sold if we find something better. With resale in mind eventually we have been careful that anything permanently fitted should be good quality & fit as best as it can with the style of the motorhome or removable without leaving a trace.
We started motorhoming with all our plastic & mostly very cheap camping & caravanning stuff but read here a comment from a Funster who said that we should have lovely things in our motorhomes to make the whole experience more luxurious & enjoyable like being in a hotel so good quality cotton sheets, stainless steel cutlery, china plates & cups etc & liked that idea so gradually bought proper stuff that should last. Have to admit though my one frivolous purchase (even at less than half price) was my lovely blue Le Creuset kettle but even us money conscious Wombles have to treat ourselves sometimes!

 

[jezport]

New mirror. Laser cut and lit up with my led strip above the door

 

[Wombles]

Anticipating hot sunny weather for this years travels & rallies fitted these Fiamma brackets

as handy for mounting this Fiamma Turbo Kit 12v fan https://www.fiamma.it/en/fan.html - one set of brackets is included.

We have had this for many years, it can extract as well as blow cool air in when the Heki window is open & handy to use freestanding as well. It can run on batteries too but have always used it on 12v.
It currently costs around £60 plus delivery but if shopping around don't forget to check the price on Johns Cross website Link Removed as 10% Funster discount Link Removed may make it cheaper especially if ordering other items.
A popular 12v alternative is the Endless Breeze fan but not always easy to find stock & some Funsters have given good feedback about this cheaper one designed for greenhouses from PK Green Link Removed £46.79 delivered:

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