We have just purchased our first caravan, a lunar clubman 510/4.
We are struggling with finding a gas bottle that fits it, and we've just discovered that if we are off grid, we can't use the plug sockets as we are not connected to the mains, can we get around this with a generator?
Also, we are looking to completly renovate, so would like to upgrade the bathroom and use the majority of that space in the back for it, so looking for tips if anyone has already done that.
Luckily our caravan was incredibly well looked after my one owner in its life so it doesn't need any repairs really, just a good overhaul.
Thank you so much in advance; we are excited for our journey
You do not mention the year of the caravan. Remember that you cannot remove any fittings inside the caravan as those fittings are what give the caravan shell its integrity. You need to be careful of doing any modifications as that may make the caravan unroadworthy and you will be not be able to insure it.
gas locker is a standard size so you wont have issues fitting a gas bottle in it unless your looking at the 47 kg bottles! the normal ones are 6 kgs and fit no bother.
use of generator is a big no no, very anti social things they are, why do you feel the need for one?
you cannot go changing the layout the way you plan, it will alter the center of gravity for it and make it unsafe to tow, along with the strength of the walls.
ignore all those silly tik toc posts of changing things, they dont really tell the truth and how they had to scrap the item after as they had made it look pretty but couldnt actually use it
Going to sound like a broken record and repeat what's already been said in most part.
Standard 6Kg propane cylinders (Calor or Flogas) should fit locker with no trouble. I believe older caravans (not sure when they changed!) had smaller diameter floor wells for the cylinder to sit in, and things like Flogas (formerly BP) 5Kg Gaslight were slightly too big, but adaptors were available to give a secure fit. Later vans had larger wells and accommodated most common cylinders. You may of course have to change the pigtail (hose between cylinder and bulkhead mounted regulator), or cylinder mounted regulator to suit the cylinder chosen, fitments do vary. The flexible hose should as a routine task be replaced at 5 years old (7 years ABSOLUTE Max!) (date of manufacture should be marked on hose) as they degrade and leak and become a fire/explosion risk.
Most normal camp sites have standard T and C that prohibit use of generators! - OR have strict limitations! - justifiably so, they are smelly and noisy (yes, even the so called 'silent' ones!) and great source of annoyance to neighbouring campers. The most usual exception is on rally fields where there is no EHU and the field is in use by a group. Most folks expect them to be turned off by 9 or 10pm, especially if young children around, so NOT best source of powering lights etc.! You'd be surprised how much fuel they go though, so either you need to carry a LOT of fuel with you, or frequent trips to fuel station to refill jerry cans! I have used them (on rally fields and permitted for use), and they are a mixed blessing because of the refueling!
Got to urge caution as others have done. There is a reason that every caravan from every manufacturer has pretty much the same layout, it's not lack of imagination, it's to ensure the weight distribution is correct for safe towing! The internal fitments also have a structural function and brace the outer shell. Change at your peril! The way caravans are constructed does not lend itself to modification anyway, the internal walls and cabinets are usually affixed from the outside BEFORE the extenal wall panels are mounted, meaning the screws and fixings are now no longer accessible to undo normally as 'buried' inside external walls, only way to remove internal walls and cabinets is often rather brutal butchery and making good any collateral damage!
From your other post, user manuals for older vans can be hard come by, BUT the typical manufactures manual is not a lot more than a collection of 'cut and paste' extracts from individual appliance manuals, so as the appliances are common to most vans of any period, far better chance of finding appliance manuals! Also user manuals don't tend to change much from year to year (unless a major face lift) so a manual from a nearby year will likely suffice.
Sorry for a “daft lassie” question, but re plugs : don’t caravans have a leisure battery like MHs do? And 12v sockets? Solar panels seem to keep a battery topped up for most people’s off grid needs, like at a rally or meet or aire or basic campsite.
Yes and yes Fiona so no idea what the OP is talking about, and the gas bottle not fitting? I think they need to find someone who can guide them in the right direction.
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
Topic: Lunar Clubman 510/4
via mobile 09/10/2023 at 5:57pm
