aircon.

[Guest aido]

Fiat Cab Aircon Retrofit? We are thinking of going to France and Spain in June and July would it be a good idea to get Cab air con fitted , or would it be required. :-S

[RogerC]

Have you looked into the possibility of having it retrofitted?  If at all possible I bet it's damn expensive.

[Guest aido]

No I haven't checked that out, no idea of the cost :-D

[RogerC]

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Retro-fit-cab-air-con-Fiat-2-2-100bhp/27741/

 

lots of comments/info here

 

 

 

[Dave Newell]

I may be the odd one out here but I've never quite understood the idea of going somewhere hot during its hottest season and then having to use AC to get comfortable. Would it not be possible to go at a cooler time of year?

 

Retro fitting of cab AC is viable but not cheap ,figure around a couple of grand or so.

 

D.

[gocro]

Time for a change of van, the most pleasurable bit of motor-homing, if you can afford it!

[Billggski]

Air conditioning does exactly what it says. It can be used for cooling but I use it all winter as wellto dry the air.

Retrofit would be a nightmare, radiator, compressor, exchanger, new belts to drive it all, I'd open a window.

[Muswell]

I think it depends a bit on how you use the vehicle and how far south you go. If you are on minor roads you can open the windows but for motorways I wouldn't be without it. Having said that we were in central Spain in June 3 years ago and within a week we went from having to wear sweaters to temperatures in the mid 90s.

[hallii]

I travelled around Spain etc in the hot months with a camper that had no aircon. After a few days or so the body seems to acclimatise and although you still know it's hot it isn't a problem. Something to do with the blood thinning?

 

H

[Muswell]

You definitely get used to it. I lived in Libya for a couple of years and that was REALLY hot. We didn't bother with air-con at all because we had to be outside a lot and wanted to aclimatise. Visitors from London didn't have long enough and people who spent most of the time in an office with air-con never got used to it. There was one week when the wind was from the south and driving was a nightmare. If you opened the window it was like opening the door of a fan oven and if you closed it it was like a sauna. I suspect a lot of it is psychological though.

[PJay]

Think it up to the individual, as to wether Air con is needed. Some can take the heat some can't

We have roof mounted air con/ Heater. we can use it on the move, with a roemote control very effective, and use it when parked in a camp site with EHU. (which you would not do with cab fitted) It hot at night, we usually put in on before going to bed, shut the van for a while, then the tem is reduced inside the van. Have not kept it on all night, as can be noisy, when it comes on/off

Cost not cheap, so depends if you use van in hot places.

[Overdrive]

I think it also depends on the van.

 

We have never had aircon in a van, but when the windscreen cracked I had the standard one replaced with a tinted one which made a big difference in Italy. Also if you have an overcab you are in the shadow of it and not in full sun like a low profile or PV.

 

David

[Guest JudgeMental]

Billggski - 2014-03-05 9:32 AM

 

Air conditioning does exactly what it says. It can be used for cooling but I use it all winter as well to dry the air.

Retrofit would be a nightmare, radiator, compressor, exchanger, new belts to drive it all, I'd open a window.

 

plus it also saps power from the motor and you dont say age/model etc..of what you drive. personally its a non starter as will cost way over 2K probably 3K better to swap van

[mel wood]

gocro - 2014-03-05 8:27 AM

 

Time for a change of van, the most pleasurable bit of motor-homing, if you can afford it!

 

 

Really!!!????

 

When we changed our van for new one in 2008 the next 4 months were incredibly stressful because of the problems we had and having to return to the dealer at least once a month during that time.

 

A sad thing is that we'r not alone in this - and some people have had even greatr and more serios problems.

[gocro]

Wow, that was eight years ago and your still not over it, you are probably quids in by now. We've changed our van every 2 to 3 years and it costs us money every time , but as I said I love the research and the hunt when looking for a new van then accessorizing it.

[mel wood]

gocro - 2014-03-05 1:13 PM

 

Wow, that was eight years ago and your still not over it, you are probably quids in by now. We've changed our van every 2 to 3 years and it costs us money every time , but as I said I love the research and the hunt when looking for a new van then accessorizing it.

 

We each do what we think suits us best.

 

It isn't that I'm "not over it", merely that I wouldn't want the same experience again and I think it is a pity that some other folks still get new vans with myriad problems.

 

Personally, "the most pleasurable bit of motor-homing" is using the van.

 

By the way, look carefully at your maths calculation......I haven't had the van as long as that!

 

 

[RogerC]

gocro - 2014-03-05 1:13 PMWow, that was eight years ago and your still not over it, you are probably quids in by now. We've changed our van every 2 to 3 years and it costs us money every time , but as I said I love the research and the hunt when looking for a new van then accessorizing it.

 

Well done for keeping the dealers profits up.... :-D  Although I can't understand the constant changing of vehicles.  Surely if one buys the vehicle that meets ones requirements from the outset there's no reason to change so often.  Economics would say run it until it is worn out or change only when it no longer meets your needs.  I would have thought changing every 2-3 years would meet neither in terms of economic sense.........but hey if you've money to burn I wouldn't be averse to burning some for you.  :-D

 

[Guest JudgeMental]

I keep no ones profits up! and like Gordon change every 3-4 years. but we buy in in europe not in the rip off UK market where you drive around the block and you asset's value has nose dived. Rather than keep a van I'm probably bored with anyway, to find it has depreciated so much it costs tens of thousands to upgrade I prefer to drip feed the money, no big money needs to be spent to upgrade. I've posted the financials before and what it cost on last but one van, and was called a liar so won't be making that mistake again...... We deal in an entirely more reasonable european market as have no interest in UK campers. Plus if you sell here and buy in europe you're quids in, and my new van outside awaiting registration.....

[PJay]

RogerC - 2014-03-05 2:46 PM

gocro - 2014-03-05 1:13 PMWow, that was eight years ago and your still not over it, you are probably quids in by now. We've changed our van every 2 to 3 years and it costs us money every time , but as I said I love the research and the hunt when looking for a new van then accessorizing it.

 

Well done for keeping the dealers profits up.... :-D  Although I can't understand the constant changing of vehicles.  Surely if one buys the vehicle that meets ones requirements from the outset there's no reason to change so often.  Economics would say run it until it is worn out or change only when it no longer meets your needs.  I would have thought changing every 2-3 years would meet neither in terms of economic sense.........but hey if you've money to burn I wouldn't be averse to burning some for you.  :-D

[/quoteHave to agree with you there. I think some change cars/vans to keep up with the JonesI go by the motto, If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Or in this case If the van suits your requirements, why change it PJay

[Billggski]

As usual the thread has generated a life of its own away from the topic.

As a newbie I note that there is a wide range of owners, from luxury coach built monsters, who still seem to want to save £10 here and there, to old timers on a tight budget.

Each to there own, and if someone enjoys the thrill of the chase, changing their MH regularly, and they have the money to do it, then that's fine. If I had the money I'd probably trade in classic sports cars, with the advantage that they actually appreciate.

As it is I'm happy with what I've got, although wandering around shows is quite fun, until I look at the prices!

 

[RogerC]

JudgeMental - 2014-03-05 3:27 PMI keep no ones profits up! and like Gordon change every 3-4 years. but we buy in in europe not in the rip off UK market where you drive around the block and you asset's value has nose dived. Rather than keep a van I'm probably bored with anyway, to find it has depreciated so much it costs tens of thousands to upgrade I prefer to drip feed the money, no big money needs to be spent to upgrade. I've posted the financials before and what it cost on last but one van, and was called a liar so won't be making that mistake again...... We deal in an entirely more reasonable european market as have no interest in UK campers. Plus if you sell here and buy in europe you're quids in, and my new van outside awaiting registration.....

 

I never said you did keep anyone's profits up.......I was actually responding to gocro who did say it 'costs' every time so the 'lesson' regarding 'rip off UK versus Europe' wasn't really necessary.  Additionally not all of us want 'left hookers' so we are UK market purchasers because of it......unless you know of a good deal on right hand drive models in 'cheaper' Europe that is?

 

[mgnbuk]

I looked into getting cab aircon retro-fitted to our Roller Team T-Line 670 last month at a local specialist who advertised as fitting to motorhomes.

 

He quoted just short of £2500 + Vat & said that the Ducato was the most labour intensive vehicle to fit aircon to & installation would take 3 days in the workshop - all the dash out right back to the bulkhead, apparently.

 

I did find a Germany company that supplies a kit of the necessary parts for under 1600 Euros

 

http://www.reimo.com/en/49583-fahrerhausklimaanlage_ducato_mod_250_2_3l/

 

but that is plus fitting, so 3 days labour on top of that if the other guy is to be believed.

 

As the van is still under warranty, I was also a bit concerned about having problems with Fiat should a warranty claim be required after having such a major rework done by a third party.

 

Having a habitation unit fitted plus a suitable inverter is more - around £2200 for the "Freshlight" unit plus another £1000 for the Dometic inverter, plus fitting. There should be less effect on the base vehicle warranty this way, but I don't know about implications for the Roller Team habitation side. The roof mount units are heavy - 40kg or so - and add drag.

 

There are also "inside" habitation airconditioning units designed to fit in an under-seat (or bed) locker - Truma do these (amongst others) - but they require ducting installing to distribute the cold air. Plus an inverter if you want conditioning on the move. IIRC these are a bit lighter than the roof mount type & the weight is carried on the floor but, as I am a bit short of locker space as it is, I discounted this option as well.

 

So, all things considered, I won't be bothering !

[Brian Kirby]

RogerC - 2014-03-05 8:22 PM................Additionally not all of us want 'left hookers' so we are UK market purchasers because of it......unless you know of a good deal on right hand drive models in 'cheaper' Europe that is?

There are a couple of dealers who can get RHD vans, one from Germany, one possibly from Belgium. Durrwang + Morlein of Dortmund (who supplied ours) I am fairly sure can, and they are still cheaper than from UK dealers. The explanation is that Dortmind is not far from where the BAOR was based, and buying cars and motorhomes to bring back to UK was quite popular among the forces. Hymer may be the only make who will supply, I don't know.

[EMS]

From experience in hot climes (just returned from southern India, not motorhoming) one gets used to the heat fairly quickly BUT when driving to the south in a motorhome(glasshouse on wheels) air-con does make it more comfortable and certainly less tiring.

So it is not necessary when one arrives, the problem is getting there.

We mostly use the air-con to quickly demist the screen during the winter in the UK.

We were surprised to see in India a "4X4 lorry" all terrain motorhome that was on a world tour.

[gocro]

RogerC - 2014-03-05 2:46 PM

gocro - 2014-03-05 1:13 PMWow, that was eight years ago and your still not over it, you are probably quids in by now. We've changed our van every 2 to 3 years and it costs us money every time , but as I said I love the research and the hunt when looking for a new van then accessorizing it.

 

Well done for keeping the dealers profits up.... :-D  Although I can't understand the constant changing of vehicles.  Surely if one buys the vehicle that meets ones requirements from the outset there's no reason to change so often.  Economics would say run it until it is worn out or change only when it no longer meets your needs.  I would have thought changing every 2-3 years would meet neither in terms of economic sense.........but hey if you've money to burn I wouldn't be averse to burning some for you.  :-D

Only ever used one dealer, current van Cleveland Motorhomes, very good trade in too.We've always traded up, from a 1968 Auto Sleeper Commer in 1998 till now, hence costs.How did I come to get in this alternate reality thread?