What would you add?

F

fordsabroad

Joined
Jul 8, 2021
Posts
111
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324
Location
Gosport
Funster No
82,524
MH
Swift RIO 310
Exp
since 2021
I have a 2016 Swift Rio 310 and travel alone with my lazy greyhound. This year I would like to make more use of the MH in the winter months and would like to make life as comfortable as I can.
I have ordered an Avtex TV which has blue tooth and internet connection. It is my hope that I can use my phone as a hotspot to watch Netflix etc on the longer evenings (I have plenty of data allowance) Do others do this successfully or will I need to have a WIFI system fitted?

Next, the fitted radio is OK but fairly intermittent. As I have no one to talk to on long drives music is quite important to me. Are the replacement head units worth investing in? the cab noise is quite high so I would hate to invest in one only to find it had excellent reception and sound only to be drowned out by road noise. Also some of them have built in SatNav does anyone have experience of these? I am having 360 degree cameras fitted by a company in Poole (not sure if I should mention the name ) and they could possibly fit WIFI and a new head unit at the same time if it is worth it.

My trips are unlikely to be longer than 2-3 weeks at a time and only in the UK. What else would you suggest to make life easier.

Any opinions and recommendations would be appreciated.
 
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We have dog and found that seat covers made sense as when you get home you can just chuck them in washer. A thermal screen cover helps to keep you warmer. Generally add some home comforts like a throw etc
 
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I would upgrade the speakers before the head unit, decent speakers can make a crap unit sound good and an expensive unit will sound crap with the standard speakers…

When I drive on my own I listen to podcasts, usually crime ones, I find them interesting and it keeps me alert…
If you get good signal with your phone it’ll be good for hotspoting.

A stand alone satnav is always better then on a head unit, if you have plenty of date on your phone use google maps, although I have a garmin camper nav I still use google maps on my phone sometimes..
 
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Speakers are usually the weak link but my standard ones are great, it's like a disco when it's turned up 🤩 2014 peugeot boxer.

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fordsabroad I have unlimited data on my phone and use it as a hotspot.
I have a Firestick that I plug into my TV which via the hotspot gives me Sky Sports, BT Sports (now TNT Sports), Amazon, Netflix etc.
My roof aerial gives me freeview so I am pretty much covered for UK TV.
The mobile phone hotspot also allows me to use tablets.
I will often have the TV Firestick and 2 tablets tethered to the hotspot.
I changed my speakers last year which made a big difference to the sound quality of the cab radio.
 
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A soundbar for the TV if not upgrading any habitation speakers.I have the Avtex one with integrates nicely but there are cheaper alternatives
 
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You need warmth and comfort inside. If you are intending to use sites with EHU, a small electric radiator can be left on all night on low and is more comfortable than blown air from the Truma.
Condensation likely to be greater so a little Karcher window cleaner would be useful to clear out the moisture in the mornings.
Put on one fridge vent winter cover, fridges do not work so well in low temperatures.
I am also against an inbuilt satnav, get a garmin with lifetime updates or use google maps on phone.
 
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GMLS said:
A soundbar for the TV if not upgrading any habitation speakers.I have the Avtex one with integrates nicely but there are cheaper alternatives
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Thanks for your reply, I have the avtex soundbar on order.
 
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fordsabroad said:
I have a 2016 Swift Rio 310 and travel alone with my lazy greyhound. This year I would like to make more use of the MH in the winter months and would like to make life as comfortable as I can.
I have ordered an Avtex TV which has blue tooth and internet connection. It is my hope that I can use my phone as a hotspot to watch Netflix etc on the longer evenings (I have plenty of data allowance) Do others do this successfully or will I need to have a WIFI system fitted?

Next, the fitted radio is OK but fairly intermittent. As I have no one to talk to on long drives music is quite important to me. Are the replacement head units worth investing in? the cab noise is quite high so I would hate to invest in one only to find it had excellent reception and sound only to be drowned out by road noise. Also some of them have built in SatNav does anyone have experience of these? I am having 360 degree cameras fitted by a company in Poole (not sure if I should mention the name ) and they could possibly fit WIFI and a new head unit at the same time if it is worth it.

My trips are unlikely to be longer than 2-3 weeks at a time and only in the UK. What else would you suggest to make life easier.

Any opinions and recommendations would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Your phone and Bluetooth headphones, maybe like these, will solve you audio issues.
20231015_094851.jpg

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I use my van all year round in the UK, not on EHU.
One of the best things I've done, well in my opinion anyway, is to make a thermal curtain that seperates the cab from the hab.
My hab is coach built and well insulated but my cab has the same insulation as a delivery van ie very little.
Even with thermal cab screens the cab is a lot colder than the hab and the inside of the windscreen and side windows got a lot of condensation.
Separating the hab and cab with the thermal curtain has greatly reduced condensation problems and reduced my gas usage for heating by about a third.
 
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I haven't read too much on here about sound deadening the cab, but may improve the music while you drive.

On a VW Transporter you can do the wheel arches and the scuttle, supposed to make a big difference, need to find some time to do mine.

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I would certainly endorse Riverbankannie's recommendations on heating. We use the small oil filled radiator and also have a little 2 bar halogen 800w 2 bar heater. There is nothing like a direct source of heat if you begin to feel chill. We use external silver screens and do not have condensation.
Sue
 
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If your Swift has the same long pipe with lever tap on the end to empty great waste, as our Bessacar did, you will need a large bucket. Leave the grey waste tap open when below zero and catch the grey in a bucket (or a Wastemaster if you want to be posh. If that pipe freezes, it can take days to defrost. 😠
 
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