We're off on a holiday of a lifetime this year - motorhoming it round NZ for a couple of weeks. Never having used/stayed in a motorhome, I have a few questions I was hoping you'd be able to answer!
There are five of us, and we'll be using a Spirit 2 T/S and a Spirit 6 from Maui Rentals. We will probably stay on a campsite most of the time, but I would like to take the opportunity to wild camp. How many nights do you think we'd be able to stay out in the wilds before we flattened the battery? We wouldn't be running the shower, but I assume we'd want to keep the fridge switched on. Any idea on how many day's water/waste water we could hold?
In essence, I ain't got a clue and would be very grateful if you could help wth some answers/thoughts, or any websites for motorhome newbies.
Wow what a wonderful experience! you will have such a fantastic time, I'm soooo envious!
Don't know if I can answer your questions, as don't know the spec of the m/homes you are hiring. In my little Bambi the leisure battery will last about 3/4 days before needing a run to charge it, that's running lights, heater, leccy kettle if I can't wait for the gas one. Water will depend on the capacity of the on-board water tank, and again the waste, but whatever I'd advise not travelling with a full waterwaste container and toilet waste container.
Is the fridge 3-way or 2-way, ie does it run on electric when touring and gas when stationery, or on hookup at a site? The hire company will go through all this with you - or they should do - just be absolutely sure you know how everything works before you leave the depot!
Hi Debby, thanks for the reply. I reckon we will have a good time!
I've had another look at the motorhome specs and it says the fridge runs off the 12V when driving, and 240V when "plugged in at the campground". That's what makes me wonder how long the leisure battery would last if we did some wild camping. Debby, does your 3-4 days include running a fridge?
No, the fridge runs on gas when I'm parked up. If you're wild camping the fridge is likely to use a fair amount from the leisure battery, much better if there is an option to switch it to gas. Just looked at the spec, it doesn't say what you do with the fridge when you wild camp. I should imagine that the battery usage will be quite high, you will need lights, presumably there is a water pump for the sink, and to run the fridge if there is no gas option. However I'm sure all these questions will be answered when you collect the van. It certainly looks well equiped and comfortable.
I'm sure others will be along soon who can give you more advice than I can.
In most cases the fridge will only work on 12v while the engine is running and is then powered by the engine battery, not the leisure battery. You'd be lucky to get a couple of hours out of your leisure battery if you ran the fridge from it when parked up. It would be unusual (though not out of the question) to find a motorhome fridge that does not have a gas option for when you're wild-camping.
As Debbym said, water tank sizes vary. We always set off with a full fresh water tank (100 litres) and an empty waste water tank which is often left open anyway. This comfortably gives us two nights wild-camping, and with a couple of 15 litre collapsable bottles filled as well we can stretch to three nights. The chemi-loo can also just about manage three nights but our third night is usually spent on a site to enable us to fully replenish and recharge... which brings me to batteries.
I assume you'll be covering a considerable distance between stops, and I will also assume that the leisure battery will be fully charged when you pick the 'van up, in which case I wouldn't worry about it. We've had our Henry the Hymer almost exactly one year now (time really does fly when you're a motorhomer... your holiday will last about six seconds) and only about one quarter of our nights out have been spent on sites in all that time, plus I've never bothered to bench-charge the leisure batteries either and we've never had them go flat on us!
Anyway, I'm as envious as the green eyed monster. Make the most of it and take lots of photos because it really will feel like it was over in six seconds...lol
All the best
Phil
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
Oooooooooh im so envious - touring round canada bet u have a great time. Enjoy and make sure u have all the info about the van before you depart otherwise u may end up in a sticky wicket but mostly enjoy yourselves
Looks the true adventure to me. Did you see the saga on tele about a couple of "grey nomads" travelling round the coast of OZ and NZ. Not suggesting you are they! But the sites looked spectacular,climate perfect and fellow travellers were really good company. We have been to Oz a few times and have looked at (stayed on) some sites, and they are well set up. This was 100 miles from Perth. Brilliant for you.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: First Motorhome Holiday Advice Needed
and would be very grateful if you could help wth some answers/thoughts, or any websites for motorhome newbies.
