None Electric plots

[Lenny HB]

We are going for semi Air on rear and uprated front springs, alot cheaper

Thought about that but we have full air on current van.

 

[Gromett]

Have noticed this more and more. We have made a substantial investment with a healthy solar panel array and our bank of Lithium batteries only to be told at most sites that it all comes in on the price and given no option..very frustrating.

All the while the sites have been investing in hard standings and bigger hookup sizes. So they need to recoup their investment

 

[L' Hobo]

Perfectly understand, but trust me it’s getting cheaper & easier to do all the time.
You can now buy a complete pack in, almost like a suit case, with every thing you need for your Solar set up. All you need to fit or get an Auto Electrician to fit is the female socket on your Unit, to plug the case into, & bingo, you are self sufficient. What’s so great about the stuff that is being developed now is, you could fit the female socket to your van, your Wife’s car, & even your garage at home, and run, say your hot water system from it, the possibilities will become endless.

I'm sure you're right but I like a simple life and having bummed around the world for 50+yrs before it arrived on the scene, I think I can live without it's complications.
If I understood electrics, I would probably have a different outlook?

 

[The Wino]

It sounds to me like a lot are buying quite expensive off grid capacity then expecting the clubs who have already provided hook ups to provide non hook up pitches. Why would they unless they're short of buisness?
If you buy kit to stay off grid you can hardly complain if when you stay on sites they're catering more for people who tend to stay on sites

 

[eddie]

A couple of thoughts!

Being “Off Grid” isn’t being on a site without electricity.

As the resale of electric at a profit was made illegal for landlords, unwittingly trapping site owners in the same net, it was easier and cheaper to include it in the pitch fee.

Consequently the sites policy have pretty much been the same for years, long before people started selling Lithium batteries! so it shouldn’t come as as shock to anyone

Also, we must not assume! My camper has a factory fitted 5Kw built in Onan generator, and has a 220 Ah alternator 120 Amp buck boost DC-Dc charger, 3 x 125 amp lithium batteries, 3 x 175w solar panels and a 3000w 100amp Victron multi-plus inverter/charger so am 100% independent when I choose to be, but prefer sites with hook up, just for the ability to relax with tables and chairs out, BBQ out, bikes off and not worry about having to put it all away.

However, when in travelling mode we’ll stay anywhere, motorway rest areas (its what there for) yet listen to some it’s more dangerous than being Jewish , car parks, docks, Aires, lay-bys, anywhere there’s space which is why we are power independent but I can still cook a couple of steaks on the Ninja wood smoker and my wife is happy using her hairdryer the following morning.

Turn up at a mates place for an overnighter Hook Up? No need, Beer please on arrival, staying for a few days, hook up? Yes please

So in my opinion it’s not the sites fault, I wanted a camper that would suit our use in any of the many modes we use the van in

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[StillGoing]

It sounds to me like a lot are buying quite expensive off grid capacity then expecting the clubs who have already provided hook ups to provide non hook up pitches. Why would they unless they're short of buisness?
If you buy kit to stay off grid you can hardly complain if when you stay on sites they're catering more for people who tend to stay on sites

In mainland Europe, sites are happy for you to have an EHU pitch but only charge you extra if you connect up. For some reason this doesn’t appear to be an option in the UK.

Looking at the CAMC sites I stayed at this year, they are short of business.

 

[L' Hobo]

In mainland Europe, sites are happy for you to have an EHU pitch but only charge you extra if you connect up. For some reason this doesn’t appear to be an option in the UK.

Looking at the CAMC sites I stayed at this year, they are short of business.

In the past, I have seen people on non EHU pitches, creep out after dark and with a long lead, plug into empty EHU pitches and then unplug again early in the morning.
Perhaps that's the reason why?

 

[Raul]

I alway think a Motorhome should be self sufficient otherwise might as well have a caravan and stay on sites.

I've given myself a budget of €3500 to mod the electrics when the new van arrives and I'll probably go over that, and that is doing it myself. Would probably be about £6k if didn't do it myself.

Curious what would you spend that amount on?

 

[Raul]

It sounds to me like a lot are buying quite expensive off grid capacity then expecting the clubs who have already provided hook ups to provide non hook up pitches. Why would they unless they're short of buisness?
If you buy kit to stay off grid you can hardly complain if when you stay on sites they're catering more for people who tend to stay on sites

If you go to supermarket for a loaf and you get pushed to pay for the butter as well, would you buy it? Or go Elsewhere?
Why should I pay for electric I don’t use? The site needs to adapt to the existing and future needs.

 

[The Wino]

In mainland Europe, sites are happy for you to have an EHU pitch but only charge you extra if you connect up. For some reason this doesn’t appear to be an option in the UK.

Looking at the CAMC sites I stayed at this year, they are short of business.

I think the best option for everyone is metered pitches. The question then is are the installation costs added to the metered rate ( which I think could be illegal as it means that the charged amount will be higher than the cost of the electric) or split over all the pitches.

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[The Wino]

If you go to supermarket for a loaf and you get pushed to pay for the butter as well, would you buy it? Or go Elsewhere?
Why should I pay for electric I don’t use? The site needs to adapt to the existing and future needs.

But some have said they bought the solar battery etc as an investment. It seems pretty odd to buy an investment to save on pitch costs without checking first if there are non electric pitches available!

 

[Lenny HB]

Curious what would you spend that amount on?

I thought you knew exactly what I was going to do.
At least 400ah Lithium, 3000 va Multiplus to start with.

 

[eddie]

If you go to supermarket for a loaf and you get pushed to pay for the butter as well, would you buy it? Or go Elsewhere?
Why should I pay for electric I don’t use? The site needs to adapt to the existing and future needs.

How many motorhomes are on the market that dont have a hook up? I cant think of one, and if you built your own camper van and it bucks the trend, then its lack of planning or research if you think there is nowhere for you!

Until a 18 months ago as a site owner that was open all year round the vast majority want hook up

As a business why wouldn't I tailer my business to suit the majority?

 

[Raul]

How many motorhomes are on the market that dont have a hook up? I cant think of one, and if you built your own camper van and it bucks the trend, then its lack of planning or research if you think there is nowhere for you!

Until a 18 months ago as a site owner that was open all year round the vast majority want hook up

As a business why wouldn't I tailer my business to suit the majority?

I’m not aware of any motor homes that don’t have a hook up fitted. However I only use it 10% in the entire year during winter IF I use the van. When I’m on a place that I want to visit, and only option is a site with hookup included, I pay for it as I have no choice. Where I do have a choice, I skip those sites. On the continent almost anywhere, about 90-95% of the time, you do have a choice with or without EHU.
But, you are right in gearing up to cater for the majority, you can’t please everyone, some of us are just different, not necessarily bad.
For what is worth, I’m sure you realise tech is moving on, and many more motorhomes will be near self sufficient in regards to EHU needs.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I’m not aware of any motor homes that don’t have a hook up fitted. However I only use it 10% in the entire year during winter IF I use the van. When I’m on a place that I want to visit, and only option is a site with hookup included, I pay for it as I have no choice. Where I do have a choice, I skip those sites. On the continent almost anywhere, about 90-95% of the time, you do have a choice with or without EHU.
But, you are right in gearing up to cater for the majority, you can’t please everyone, some of us are just different, not necessarily bad.
For what is worth, I’m sure you realise tech is moving on, and many more motorhomes will be near self sufficient in regards to EHU needs.

My MH is near self sufficient - 1 battery, 1 solar panel - I just don't need much.
Some need more...
Some need to have more

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[eddie]

I’m not aware of any motor homes that don’t have a hook up fitted. However I only use it 10% in the entire year during winter IF I use the van. When I’m on a place that I want to visit, and only option is a site with hookup included, I pay for it as I have no choice. Where I do have a choice, I skip those sites. On the continent almost anywhere, about 90-95% of the time, you do have a choice with or without EHU.
But, you are right in gearing up to cater for the majority, you can’t please everyone, some of us are just different, not necessarily bad.
For what is worth, I’m sure you realise tech is moving on, and many more motorhomes will be near self sufficient in regards to EHU needs.

I'm currently in the Canary Islands and it's 28° and hopefully if global warming continues we'll see less and less reliance on hook up as the weather improves

English sparkling wines are already much much better due to the rise in temperature and Jim's Olive Grove is a thing to behold, never anticipated on the East Coast 10 years ago

Looking forward to Lemon and Orange trees bearing fruit if the weather keeps improving

 

[Gents]

How many motorhomes are on the market that dont have a hook up? I cant think of one, and if you built your own camper van and it bucks the trend, then its lack of planning or research if you think there is nowhere for you!

Until a 18 months ago as a site owner that was open all year round the vast majority want hook up

As a business why wouldn't I tailer my business to suit the majority?

Because Eddy!
In the words of Bob Dylon,
“The Times they are a changing”

 

[Lenny HB]

However I only use it 10% in the entire year during winter IF I use the van.

That much.
We have not been away much this year only done 100 nights I think I've plugged in for one night.

 

[Landy Andy]

90% of people at campsites want electric I would think. Especially in the autumn winter, and early season. Don’t want to pay for it don’t go. The sites aren’t going to alter for the few.

 

[Barclaybasher]

90% of people at campsites want electric I would think. Especially in the autumn winter, and early season. Don’t want to pay for it don’t go. The sites aren’t going to alter for the few.

And solar don't work too well in Winter......

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[Raul]

That much.
We have not been away much this year only done 100 nights I think I've plugged in for one night.

For reference, today was the first day i plugged it in this winter, the battery got low ish and we don't drive to much. After midd December, our use changes.
So from November to end of February, i expect 12-15 day of plug in. Thats for the entire year, and 10% of the winter only.
And thats because i charge allot of my power tools batteries. After February we have surplus.

 

[Gents]

90% of people at campsites want electric I would think. Especially in the autumn winter, and early season. Don’t want to pay for it don’t go. The sites aren’t going to alter for the few.

Totally agree, but 100% don’t want to be ripped off, either!
I find it hard to use, say Six quids worth of electric with my whole family at home, even on a winters evening.On many sites, they are approaching £40 per night with only 2 adults & a dog. How much electric does my Jack Russell use in a night?

 

[Gents]

And solar don't work too well in Winter......

Well obviously, either you don’t have it, or you believe all you hear.
My Solar certainly hasn’t disappointed me, you have to know how to manage your system, and enough solar, & the right batteries to store what is produced.

 

[Gents]

In the past, I have seen people on non EHU pitches, creep out after dark and with a long lead, plug into empty EHU pitches and then unplug again early in the morning.
Perhaps that's the reason why?

Well carry a good pair of snips, and do your bit for the site owner

 

[Landy Andy]

Totally agree, but 100% don’t want to be ripped off, either!
I find it hard to use, say Six quids worth of electric with my whole family at home, even on a winters evening.On many sites, they are approaching £40 per night with only 2 adults & a dog. How much electric does my Jack Russell use in a night?

My dog doesn't use £5 or £2 of anything on a site each time we go. But that is what they charge so we have two choices. That is life. Many on here talk about swapping their electric elements in their boilers, taking induction hobs, or electric cookers. Some use loads, some don’t. I only charge my batteries. But the cost is the cost. Nothing underhand. It is listed, you choose to go and pay it or not.

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[Gents]

My dog doesn't use £5 or £2 of anything on a site each time we go. But that is what they charge so we have two choices. That is life. Many on here talk about swapping their electric elements in their boilers, taking induction hobs, or electric cookers. Some use loads, some don’t. I only charge my batteries. But the cost is the cost. Nothing underhand. It is listed, you choose to go and pay it or not.

Hey, don’t worry, I have made my choice, we only use sites when when it’s for our convenience.
We very often do 4 nights, within staggering distance of a good pub, for less than 1 on some sites.

 

[L' Hobo]

Well carry a good pair of snips, and do your bit for the site owner

As I said earlier, I have been associated with the Club for 40+yrs as Winter Security, etc. and, of course, I did report it to the Site Manager.
It was up to them what they did about it!

 

[seasideBill]

I'm currently in the Canary Islands and it's 28° and hopefully if global warming continues we'll see less and less reliance on hook up as the weather improves

English sparkling wines are already much much better due to the rise in temperature and Jim's Olive Grove is a thing to behold, never anticipated on the East Coast 10 years ago

Looking forward to Lemon and Orange trees bearing fruit if the weather keeps improving

Careful what you wish for….. grew bananas for the first time in Cornwall this year only for them to be destroyed in one of the 4 named storms so far this season! Resembled the caribbean after a hurricane

 

[eddie]

Because Eddy!
In the words of Bob Dylon,
“The Times they are a changing”

Name me one that’s changed?

 

[Gents]

Name me one that’s changed?

You don’t have a mobile that has mor tec than the first moon module, then or an i pad.
You really should get one, it will save you looking for phone boxes.

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