
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Motorhomes and Campervans

Topic: First time motorhome user…

Post Reply

Dids1234

via mobile 17/7/2023 at 4:29pm
Location:
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/7/2023

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 1

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hiya, you might have to excuse me for some of the silly questions i’m about to ask but we’ve rented a motorhome (Fiat Ducato 2.3 TD) for the weekend to attend a festival in a few weeks time, however it’s the first time we will have ever used one.

We essentially wanted it as a nicer bed for the night originally…but now we’re wondering what else we might manage to use it for while we’re away so I’ve got a few questions! As a bit of background, the site we are staying at has a water point and chemical disposal point but no electricity or direct water hook ups.

1- I presume we will still be able to use the onboard toilet with no issues as long as we are able to dispose of the “outputs” correctly?
2- Will we be able to use the shower or will the leisure battery not sustain that? If we can use the leisure battery, will it drain it?
3- if we use the leisure battery how long will it last just for charging phones/having lights on/having the fridge on?
4- can we just turn the van on to recharge the leisure battery? Or does it need to be driving?

Dave and Cyn

via mobile 17/7/2023 at 5:39pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Sancerre S7

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/7/2018

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 308

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	1
Site Reviews 2025:	1
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	7
Site Nights 2025:	4
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

1, Yes.
2, Yes. Heat the water on gas. The battery will run the pump. Submarine style shower, wet, soap, rinse. It's only a small hot water tank.
3, Run the fridge on gas. Hopefully it will have a solar panel to recharge the battery.
4, Check re solar as above.

Fiona W

via mobile 17/7/2023 at 6:18pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: A2DS+Nuevo

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5833
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	260

Site Reviews 2026:	14
Site Reviews 2025:	12
Site Reviews 2024:	19
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4

Site Nights 2026:	33
Site Nights 2025:	25
Site Nights 2024:	39
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20

Battery won’t run the fridge, hence the advice to use gas.
We found the water pump drained the battery quickly, we’d watch our lights dim when we run water. I see you have solar for recharging it, but you might have to have a strip wash rather than a shower. It takes about 20 minutes to heat the tank too, so two showers might take an hour altogether.
You’d annoy your neighbours running the engine long enough to recharge the leisure battery, not good manners.
And few sites have direct water hookups at each pitch (“fully serviced”), certainly EHU would come first if a site is being developed.
Make sure the MH comes with a black canister for grey water, as there won’t be a drive-over drain. Otherwise, get a folding bucket for taking the grey waste water to dispose of it. The site might tell you to put the grey water (from washing up or showering) under the hedge, but emptying it straight out onto the ground under the MH is bad practice & can get you asked off commercial site: no one wants to step in someone else’s toothpaste or bacon bits.
Enjoy your adventures!

-------------
2026: 14 sites / 33 nights. 2025: 13/27. 2024: 20/41. 2023: 9/23. 2022: 13/35. 2021: 11/29. 2020: 4/20. 2019: 13/35. 2018: 20/33. 2017: 10/22. 2016: 19/33. 2015: 15/27. Didn't count sites/nights 1985 to 2014.

Lukeledge

via mobile 18/7/2023 at 9:14am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Adria Compact 590SP

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/1/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 456

Site Reviews Total:	43

Site Reviews 2026:	1
Site Reviews 2025:	1
Site Reviews 2024:	4
Site Reviews 2023:	5
Site Reviews 2022:	4
Site Reviews 2021:	8
Site Reviews 2020:	3

Site Nights 2026:	3
Site Nights 2025:	4
Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	21
Site Nights 2022:	16
Site Nights 2021:	24
Site Nights 2020:	8

If the battery is in good condition and fully charged it should last a festival weekend, including charging phones etc. If you have a solar panel then no problem. If not you could run the van engine for a bit to top it up.
Your water tank might need refilling over the festival if you use it for showering, take a water container that you can transfer water into the tank from.
We use MH for festivals and it makes them much more comfortable, especially the showers !

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Motorhomes and Campervans - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets

6031 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026