Is there a Campervan or Motorhome anywhere that hasn’t had some tweaks and additions made to the original setup?
Here is a quick list of bits and pieces that we have installed, modified or tweaked on our van…
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Sleep on it – For vans with parallel bench seats – redesign the rear of a van to create a semi-permanent bed with an under-bed storage area, providing storage space for larger items such as chairs, table, levelling ramps and Weber BBQ. |
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Install a Town Water connection – Connect your van to campground site facilities to use town water for showers, etc. Ideal for when the local amenities aren’t quite up to scratch, or the weather is crook. |
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Shower head extension – Once you have a town water connection installed and longer showers are a possibility, a shower head arm extension may improve the experience in a compact bathroom (if the shower head is located over the toilet.) |
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Lithium battery upgrade – Take advantage of the latest battery technology to extend your free-camping options. |
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Install an inverter – When you have Lithium batteries installed, an inverter will provide the option of using (some) domestic 230V appliances when free-camping. |
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Install a battery monitor – Keep an accurate eye on how much current is being drawn by each appliance, and how much battery capacity remains. |
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Overhead cupboard organisation – Add some rails to prevent clothes emptying onto the bed each time the cupboard door is opened. |
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Install towel rails – Somewhere to hang your damp towels inside overnight, or while travelling between destinations. (Why aren’t these standard on all vans?) |
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Fitting insect screens – Leave your van doors open in warm weather, without your living and sleeping area becoming a haven for flies and mosquitos. Also provides additional privacy. |
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Privacy End Screen – Combined with widely available side screens, this custom-made end screen helps to create a cosy outdoor living area in a crowded campground, without the need for additional rails. |
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Window Air Vents – Allows fresh air flow overnight with windows closed, even when it is raining. Custom made for each model of van. Helps reduce overnight window condensation in inclement weather. |
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Soap Dispenser Holder – Make a small utility to securely hold your soap pump bottle on your van’s bench adjacent to the sink and tap. |
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Winegard TV Antenna Maintenance – Disassemble and reassemble a Winegard Sensar TV antenna (H/V) for repair and maintenance. |
| 12 Volt Electrical Stuff | |
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12V Basics – Information about the provision of a 12V electrical supply and solar battery charging in Campervans, Motorhomes and tent camping. Plus some camping fridge options. |
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12V Wire & Cabling – Make sure you use the correct gauge cable that will support the current being drawn by connected appliances. |
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Cabling tidy-up – A new housing for the batteries, shorter heavier cabling, and a general cabling tidy-up will assist with maximising 12V energy output and reliability. |
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Solving a 12V Power issue – Case study 1: A troublesome water pump and odd voltage readings turned out to be caused by a damaged connector. |
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12V Cabling – Get it right – Case Study 2: Battery charging issues turn out to be the result of under-spec cabling and shoddy terminal connections. |
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DIY – Fridge & 12V Power to Go – If you don’t have a full-blown campervan you can still enjoy the benefits of a portable fridge and a transportable 12V power supply. |
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Lithium battery upgrade – Take advantage of the latest battery technology to extend your free-camping options. |
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Install an inverter – When you have Lithium batteries installed, an inverter will provide the option of using (some) domestic 230V appliances when free-camping. |
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Install a battery monitor – Keep an accurate eye on how much current is being drawn by each appliance, and how much battery capacity remains. |
| Cycling Stuff | |
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DIY e-Bike Conversion – We fitted e-Bike conversion kits to our regular road bikes – adds only 3.5 Kg to each bike, so they can easily be carried on our existing door-mounted bike rack. |
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