Finally found a little Kip Kompakt caravan! I'm thrilled with it, although it does need a bit of work!
I wondered if anyone on here also has a Kip van and if there's an owners UK site for them. I could really do with an owners manual - can't figure out quite a few things. It still has the continental wiring for a start with two pin sockets, although the EHU hookup is the same as the one I had in my wee camper.
I will get some pics up later today if poss for you!
It's a lovely little thing circa 1982, and very easy to tow and manoever, just the thing for me and the dog! It's got two full length single beds that you don't have to make up to lie down (or you can make a double, but I won't bother, big enough as singles for me). It has a two ring cooker, sink and a double wardrobe. No bathroom bit.
I have to have a small 3way gas fridge installed at some point (before the Spring preferably) as it came with a huge 3way independant freezer thing which I can hardly lift even when empty! This is supposed to go outside in the awning, which I doubt I will use anyway. So I'm on the lookout for a little fridge. I also have to change the plug sockets which are presently two-pin continental type to english 3 pin, and get keys/or new lock for back door as there aren't any... the keys/new lock are the priority at the moment!
My last camper was a Bedford Rascal Romahome, so this is a new learning curve for me - never owned or even towed a caravan before, so no idea! LOL! Might ask lots of daft questions and drive you all mad!
You can just put adaptors into the 2pin sockets to plug in 3pin plugs but if you are using kettles & fan heaters it would be better to change them for UK sockets. Its only a case of changing sockets, you can use the existing wiring.
Quote: Originally posted by ArtJackson on 05/12/2009
You can just put adaptors into the 2pin sockets to plug in 3pin plugs but if you are using kettles & fan heaters it would be better to change them for UK sockets. Its only a case of changing sockets, you can use the existing wiring.
Hi Art, don't you need a consumer unit and earths and things - scuse the girly talk. My camper had a little comsumer unit in it which I think earthed the plugs and had a safety cutout tripswitch thingy - aren't the two pins just live all the time? I would like to use my little travel kettle and a 500watt elec mini radiator, and other small things like that.
Could I actually use a 2-3 gang extension cable thru the little two pin plug on an adaptor?
Scuse my lack of knowledge - there's no manual, although I've emailed the Kip Caravan Club in Holland to see if they have a manual, pref with photo's if in the Dutch language. Be great if they could help me and thanks to the earlier poster (was it Dave?) who provided the link!
Quote: Originally posted by motley on 05/12/2009We need pics!.....<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley1.gif" alt=17>
Just putting some in my gallery space now! LOL!!
The second is a photo with my son, almost 6ft tall so yu can see how small it is!
It depends how much you trust the electrics on a caravan of that age, tbh if its all ok there no reason why you should'nt just use adaptors in the 2 pin sockets, theres normally just a circuit breaker behind the ehu socket that will trip if overloaded on a caravan of that age.
The neatest soloution to your suggestion of a 2 gang socket board would be to fit a Dutch plug to the cable & plug in you socket but be careful with continental plugs because(for example)a French plug will fit in a Dutch socket but it won't earth.
I would just change the sockets, its not that difficult, if you are that worried about the electrics just use a tent ehu instead.
There is a funny looking little circuit breaker behind the socket, but I'm going to change for UK sockets asap as it doesn't sound that hard a job.
I was wondering whether to go for a tent EHU, and not bother! Still pondering that one! For ease of use, a tent EHU would be better as it can go where I need the electric. It would have to come in over the door, twixt canvas pop top and door.
I don't think i've noticed one of those when i've been out and about. It's a smart looking van, the rear door is a ruddy good idea, you could fit a small canopy that wouldn't be intrusive on sites here or abroard.
I don't think i've noticed one of those when i've been out and about. It's a smart looking van, the rear door is a ruddy good idea, you could fit a small canopy that wouldn't be intrusive on sites here or abroad.
Enjoy your Kip!
Thanks Motley!
It came with an awining that fits both the back and the side, but I doubt I'll be able to put it up! LOL! Will await a good dry day (and help from a son or two) for that experiment! Also came with a loo tent. I will probably just use my Movelite square drive-away awning though, light and easy to put up.
Even with that on the back, I think that it will still fit into a standard caravan site space with room to spare!
Edited to add - a nice little touch on the outside left of the back door, there's a slide rail so you can use the inside table outside! Neat eh?
Neither of those Jax, you just need a continental 2pin to UK 3pin adaptor, you can get them next time you go to Tescos where you get the plugs & bulbs etc.
this is what it looks like but just buy from your nearest supermkt
Unfortunately most of these adaptors only earth if you put them in a French socket with central earth. THe Dutch version on your caravan will have side earths so see if you can find an adaptor with both central & side earths, you can get 'em
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Topic: Got my little Kip van!
