We've been caravanners for several years now, but we will be moving our twin axle van onto a permanent pitch grass pitch at the end of March to live in as a permanent residence (i.e. not a seasonal pitch) for a year or so while our new house is built.
It's my intention to put both wheels on both sides onto scaffold boards to help spread the weight, and we intend to have a full awning up to provide a bigger living area (especially as we have a 7 year old).
My concerns are how we can reduce/stop condensation buildup in the awning, how to effectively heat it during the cold spring/autumn evenings and winter bearing in mind it measures 7M x 2.4M. We only have a 10amp power supply so electric isn't going to be serious option given it's size, and also how to create a decent floor to support a sofa etc so we can use the space as a living room.
We're looking at a Calor Gas heater for the awning supported by a 2KW fan heater and I'm looking at constructing a solid wood floor for the awning using 18mm ply and some 3X2 for a frame, laid on a tarpaulin to reduce rising damp levels (site owner isn't worried about dead grass).
I'm aware that the gas heater will generate moisture, and also the need to ventilate to reduce, but how do those of you who live in your van's all year round cope? What do you do to avoid damp and condensation, and how have you done a hard floor so you can put furniture down and stop damp rising from the ground?
If you have any photos that can support your replies I'd also really appreciate them too.
Finally is there anything else we need to consider. Van is a 2016 with electric hob, Alde heating etc, and we're comfortable using it all year round, but the most we've done is 16 nights in a row in the summer (both on and off grid), so need tips for year round use.
Ive lived in a static caravan in the past for a couple of years, and although its great in the spring, summer and autumn months, the winter months are a drag.
We required the gas heating to be on virtually permanently, though the van was about 5 years old and I stopped living in it about 20 years ago.
The main thing would be that the awning will be very cold in the winter months, it may even be a better idea to take the awning down in winter just in case you get heavy snow fall.
regarding the heating of the awning though, ever think of using an oil filled radiator? I used a small one last year and it kept the awning fairly warm, not nice warm, it just kept the chill off.
Your 2kw fan heater is near 8.3amps straight away so plugging the kettle in at the same time is not an option along with other stuff running. Low wattage oil filled radiators left on permanently or low wattage tube heaters are another good option, (no naked flames), get your alde heating system serviced before you start would be my advice. Leave awning panels open slightly to reduce condensation, try and avoid a gas heater as they produce lots of condensation, also put a carbon monoxide detector and fire alarm in the awning for safety.
Caravan is being serviced and blue fluid changed to red prior to moving in.
Good ideas regarding the smoke/CO alarms. Although we have them in the van extras I'd not considered the extra need.
We need the additional room the awning will provide for our daughter to play in and provide us with somewhere to sit in the evening when she's gone to bed. We know that heating it is going to be costly and we're only intending on using the fan heater on 1KW most of the time due to the limited power, and gas when we need to boost the heat, but looking at oil heaters I'm guessing that we could leave 2 of those (1KW each) on all day while we're at work (maybe one towards each end of the awning) and then hopefully the area would be acceptable when we get home. Then only if needed we could use a gas fire to boost the temperature?
My feeling would be to use infra red or quartz heaters providing lots of radiant heat in the awning. This will heat you rather than try to heat a lot of air and immediate huge heat loss through the walls.
If you sit near one you may feel warm enough.
However, I think the best bet would be to use the caravan with the Alde heating when it's cold. Use the awning for summer use.
What about putting up some kind of inner tent in the awning for a smaller living room, the rest of the awning for storage coats shoes bags etc. The inner might help with heating options noted above and condensation and would be smaller area to heat? Not sure what Size inner you can get, but might be more cosy?
Thanks for the responses so far.
Inner tent is not really an option as we need room to live and with a 7 yer old needing space to play in keeping the awning area as big as possible is our only option.
We are however looking at fitting some internal sheeting to hang from the roof with a small gap between that and the outer tent. Apparently this should help reduce condensation, and also help catch and drips too.
I'm still interested to hear from anyone else who lives permanently in a touring van and uses an awning all year.
I would suggest lifting your wheels off the ground slightly..possibly onto breeze blocks or wood blocks.That way you can get the van level and also spin the wheels occasionally-no need for brakes to be on and helps to stop the tyres from developing a flat spot and cracking.Ive sited statics for many years and this was always done first.It also makes things more "solid" with no give as you would get parked on tyres.
Regarding your awning floor...I have seen people put down a thick tarp and then build a floor with forklift pallets.They then slotted thick polystyrene insulation underneath(3 or 4 inch) and topped off with lino and a carpet.A lot of effort but you would only be doing and un-doing it once.
Dont forget to insulate your pipes and water tanks and probably opt for propane gas.Good Luck!
Quote: Originally posted by BRYANMITCH on 16/2/2019
I would suggest lifting your wheels off the ground slightly..possibly onto breeze blocks or wood blocks.
We were considering axle stands but wasn't sure how these would cope for leveling as we're going to be on grass.
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Regarding your awning floor...I have seen people put down a thick tarp and then build a floor with forklift pallets.They then slotted thick polystyrene insulation underneath(3 or 4 inch) and topped off with lino and a carpet.A lot of effort but you would only be doing and un-doing it once.
Agreed a lot of work but it's going to be there for quite a while. Anything that will help create a warm environment to live in will help
Hi BBB..as you are allowed to damage a small amount of grass(it will grow back!) I would advise putting paving flags under each axle..bed them in by removing a section of turf..and then mount axles on wood blocks.Start with blocks of around 6 inches square and 9-12 inches long(spreads the weight over the flag) and top up with thin blocks (1/2 or 1 inch)until you get the van level. Breeze blocks with thin wood on top would also work.Use a spirit level and a trolley jack.Concentrate on getting front to back level and then work on the sideways level.
Do it right..do it once Please remember the corner steadies are exactly that and not for jacking the caravan up.Give them a grease and occasionally a wind up and down.Same goes for your jockey wheel and when you eventually return to touring everything should work.
I would only ever use axle stands as interim supports and not bear any load over time.They tend to wobble a lot or sink into the ground!
You might be able to tolerate having to blu-tack your dinner plate to the table for a weekend but it would become a bit of a chore after a year or so!!
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You might be able to tolerate having to blu-tack your dinner plate to the table for a weekend but it would become a bit of a chore after a year or so!!
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Topic: Permanent Pitch - Tips and advice needed
via mobile 11/2/2019 at 3:32pm
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Please remember the corner steadies are exactly that and not for jacking the caravan up.Give them a grease and occasionally a wind up and down.Same goes for your jockey wheel and when you eventually return to touring everything should work.
