Zydeco Joe

We had No size problem with getting Le Cube into gas locker on our 2005 Auto Trail Tracker and getting a re fill was easy as most French supermarkets still sell them. Looked as a couple of supermarkets on way home end of Feb this year. (now have different van with under slung tank so don't need gas bottles).

Personal experience, Tank is on our van and has been good for us and not just cheaper gas. The space gained is most likely the best part worth more to us. As for Diesel heater one parked up early this year inland Spain was noisy on the outside so how bad inside who knows ,too much for us like quiet.

We have a underslung tank and this gives us the old gas locker as extra storage that is so valuable. Not had a problem getting gas some post about local stations not sell gas but I never need it local as only use it when we are away so buy it when on travels , simple. Its the noise of diesel that bothers me plus the strain on the leisure battery .

Have been in Spain since December on the coast at Los Alcazares till new year since then in land. Heard to day that vans have been moved off from Alguilas beach area is this true ?. On the A7 this morning spotted going south loads of vans mainly Dutch looking like a convoy had they been moved on by the police. Plus what's the rest of the coast parking like. Told by a first timer today it's the worst part of their trip finding somewhere to overnight. Tonight we are on the aire at Huercal Overa must be 30 vans with lots of French. Is this what the future is bringing when even inland is crowded even if here there is spaces but it's a massive carpark about IKEA Mercier size.

Just a follow up report. So far this trip started end November driving through France into Spain. Only time on electric was Christmas and New Year left 3rd January so no electric charging for 3 weeks. All ok used Ecoflow this morning to top up leisure battery only third time we have had to do this so very pleased so far. Staying on aires or like last night and tonight wildcamping so zero cost for overnighting for the 3 weeks or so plus before 18 December.. Topped fuel yesterday at 1.41 euros. Had up to 25C daytime. Most of this inland not on the overcrowded coast with last 2 weeks down towards Granada mainly small villages but sometimes even then getting full. Not seen that many British reg vans.

As we plan on wild camping ( well you cannot get a site here in Spain) so have to carry spare water in plastic 5 or 6 Lt bottles for drinking. Tonight inland from the coast that suits us well ,great sunset plus fab dark sky. Was on Camperstop for Christmas and New year but moved today. Each to their own I guess.

No barriers as it's a normal car park for the shopping centre plus the area set aside for motorhomes. Should be a maximum of 72 hours as far as we are concerned but some take it as 72 days lol.

Was on the public aire in Murcia last night.(approx 75 -100 vans). This morning the van in the same section as ourselves went out for the day but made sure their un paid for slot was reserved. As from the photo you can see left on the pitch are motorbike on its trailer ,chairs space out and table plus shopping trolley for fetching water in. Bikes chained to tree.They are taking up at least 2 spots. Not sure how long they are out for but we left after something over 3 hours of them not being on the pitch. Glad to say they are Not British not even French or German. No prize for getting the nationality correct but the IKEA parkup as its know are thinking of naming the lanes after Amsterdam Street. Not seen many UK plates but some here on camperstop at Los Alcazares along with other nationality like a few Swedish etc.9

Hi Brian planning on changing battery when we get back in march but so far ok. On aire in Verteuil no electric but with the ecoflow as back up that we are charging via cigar lighter socket while driving and hopefully Spanish solar (have the 220amp portable panel plus 120 on roof). All ok so far even traffic was light today and flat calm English channel. Lol. Never thought changing a battery would be so difficult, had to change car battery this March when we got back took just a day to get new one delivered and took me 10 mins to refit. Motorhomes for you are by definition difficult I guess, all part of the fun. Thanks for your input.

Thanks Ainsley, stayed in your area last year and could do again this winter so if needed could contact this dealer. Cheers all helps if we needed to change the battery while on the road. In France now on a aire all good so far with the back up of the Ecoflow being charged as we drive via the vans cigar lighter plug in. Not much solar but that should be ok in sunny Spain 😎

Thanks for this will be a bit further south but as we never have a set plan who knows. Always good to know of a reliable company. Cheers.

It is the original battery but it is charging up ok, well I think it is as its gone green on the charge system after a couple of hours but am keeping a eye on it. Was planning to change after we get back from Spain in late Feb . The battery is fitted under the drivers seat that will have to be removed first to gain access to it this being the thing that I'm not too keen on doing myself.

Anybody know what kind of price Leisure batteries are in Spain ?. Driving down through France later this week and just today Saturday found out that our leisure battery warning light on the panel in our Carado was on Red. Van heater (on gas) had been left on low (10C) for a couple of days without electric plugged in. Van has a simple system of lights Red danger Orange warning and Green Good, no voltage given. On charge now .Problem is that its fitted under the drivers seat and not sure if we can get a new one fitted by Tuesday.

Had a tank fitted in Thirsk by Auto Gas 2000 5 years ago. Stayed overnight with electric for free they even drove us on the day of fitting into Thirsk and picked is up after. Happy with the service. Big bonus is the space of the gas locker takes loads of stuff like ramps, two large boxes, cycle helmets, chargers etc. Plus no rip off by calor.

Yes small world lol. Left today now in Leyburn. Needed gas and ended up filling tank with lpg in Stockton-on-Tees so here was a CC meet for just £7 and would be rude not to give it a go. Great open views only 7 + us . Half mile outside village. Flat field.

This year we spent approx 2 months in Germany mainly on their version of Aires. Lots if not all had electric points that charged per Kw or a set amount of time i.e 6 hours. Price compared to the UK was very reasonable like 60c per Kw. Like the previous poster we to are now starting to use THS or weekend meetings of the CC in fact on our third THS on this trip, now in Whitby no electric with water and disposal for £12.50 per night. Good value, well that's your choice but for us yes.

Our problem on this site a couple of years back was the Pigeons auditioning for Strickly on the roof every morning.

You will have to use a FIAT Professional garage not a third party garage. I did get a new modual paid for by FIAT but using the pro garage. Will try to find contact and will post if I find it. Mine was over 12 months ago.

One thing you don't need is the breathalyzer test kit.

Might try just using tape and or glue first. Not looking forward to removing the frame so fingers crossed but if I have to so be it and to think I missed the fly I tried to kill when I damaged this, so a big own goal LOL. Thanks for your input much appreciated.

If you look close at my photo you can see one of lug handles in white. To open the front window above the cab and use the fly screen, you first unlock and open the window, then you pull down the night time concertina blind to fully closed, and then you pull down on the white lug handles, which then brings the fly screen mesh into place by pushing the concertina blind down out of the way. It sounds more complicated to explain than to do.lol

Thanks for the photos but ours is from a Over the Cab Skylight and a different sliding effect with no bar. Its attached (or was)) to the top of the normal night screen a concertina one. See my original photo. You can see the way it pulls down or up using the white handles The mesh is not attached on the sides just top and bottom.

Not sounding Good then. Might try to tape it back up.

Is it much of a job to dismantle the Screen & Housing ?.

Can you show what you mean with some photos please. Have tried again today with no luck. What plastic Rod ?.