So far so good!

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

I picked up my new Lunar Telstar yesterday from Cambridgeshire and drove it back home to Lancashire. Whilst it was nice not to worry about a caravan on the back there's no doubt that it's not as pleasant driving a motorhome as a nice car. Nevertheless it wasn't too bad and I'm fairly confident that my wife and I will appreciate the huge advantage of being able to step into the rear and enjoy all the facilities.

As I'd previously owned a Lunar Clubman touring 'van I didn't have the steep learning curve that total newcomers must have, as I am already familiar with the heating, water, fridge and electrics etc.

I filled up the water tank when I got home and put the battery on charge and I'm delighted to report that everything seems absolutely perfect. I had a worrying few minutes when I couldn't get the heater to work on electricity but a quick glance at the wiring diagram reminded me that there's an isolation switch in the wordrobe - doh!

I haven't been able to test the gas side of things yet as I'm having a Gaslow setup installed tomorrow. On Tuesday I'm having a satellite dish and reversing camera fitted and that should be it for a while I hope!

I started a thread recently about the advantages of a towbar-fitted bike rack or one that screws into the rear wall and had decided that eventually I'd go for the towbar, after checking that I'd some weight in hand. However, on reading the handbook in bed last night (sad or what?) I was surprised to learn that Lunar states very firmly that a towing bracket must not be fitted at any price! My base vehicle is a Renault Master so I'm not sure what the problem is, but Lunar's wording could not have been more emphatic.

If anyone is slightly interested in my first few days of motor-homing I shall report back with info on how my Gaslow and satellite dish exercises work out.

[docted]

Congratulations Frank and welcome to the community of motorcaravanning. Good luck.

Docted

[david lloyd]

Hi Frank

 

Congratulations on your new acquisition - I hope you get many, many happy trips out of it.

 

We took delivery of our new Knaus Sun Ti in May this year and also splashed out on a gaslow system and the Oyster Caro satellite - both excellent investments and we wouldn't be without them now.

 

I was intrigued with regard to your advice in the Lunar handbook on fitting a towbar (or rather, not fitting one) as the Knaus is based on the Renault Master platform chassis and we had a towbar fitted by Knaus at the point of build. The towbar is a very good quality one with the new thirteen pin electrics and seems to be fitted to purpose made mountings on the chassis.

 

We have always used a towbar mounted cycle carrier in the past and found this was much better for us than having a rear cycle carrier fitted. Sadly, the old hips and knees can't cope with the bikes any longer so we just tow the Yaris occasionally or use public transport.

 

Best regards, David

[colin]

Interesting that you prefer driving a car, I'm the opposite, I find it much more pleasent driving van than in car, but thats panel vans. I like the high driving position and find modern vans handle well and are resonably quiete, but then I'm proboly getting deaf as I'm getting older.

[Keith T]

Hi Frank - I guess there are times when I enjoy driving the car more, but generally I prefer the motorhome, if only because the view is better, both in front and behind. With the smallish Rapido 710 dimensions I don't have to worry too much about where we can go, and at 5.8m can still get into parking spaces with a realistic grass verge behind! What I do find is that the motorhome is actually more relaxing to drive, especially in heavy traffic.

[david lloyd]

I also prefer driving the motorhome to our Yaris and find that fewer drivers try to 'intimidate' you from behind if they are in a hurry - a driving trend I find is on the increase nowadays.

 

Regards, David

[Brambles]

Hi Frank,

Good luck with the New Telstar.

I'll give you two weeks and ask you if you still prefer driving a car - I know what the answer will be. :-D

Once the new driving position clicks in as being natural to your senses you will love it more than a car.

Let us all know how you get on with the cycle rack.

Jon

[Brian Kirby]

Frank

The drive will improve once you get loaded, and again a few miles down the road once the tyres and suspension begin to settle in. 

Don't forget that all important weighbridge trip once you're up to full load.  If the ride still seems uncompromising when you are fully laden, do a forum search under "tyre pressures" and give some thought to contacting (presumably) Michelin with your actual laden axle loads to get their recommendations for appropriate tyre pressures.  You'll probably find you are advised to reduce by around 10psi all round, maybe more.  Comfort and handling are much improved at pressures appropriate to actual load. 

Then the 'van begins to feel much more like a car and less like a lorry.  Have fun!

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

Brian Kirby - 2006-12-03 9:50 PM

Frank

The drive will improve once you get loaded, and again a few miles down the road once the tyres and suspension begin to settle in. 

Don't forget that all important weighbridge trip once you're up to full load.  If the ride still seems uncompromising when you are fully laden, do a forum search under "tyre pressures" and give some thought to contacting (presumably) Michelin with your actual laden axle loads to get their recommendations for appropriate tyre pressures.  You'll probably find you are advised to reduce by around 10psi all round, maybe more.  Comfort and handling are much improved at pressures appropriate to actual load. 

Then the 'van begins to feel much more like a car and less like a lorry.  Have fun!

Thank you Brian, it could be that you're on to something regarding tyre pressures. According to my instruction book the recommended pressures are 67psi front and 81psi rear. This seems very high. When I've visited the weighbridge with a full load I'll contact Michelin and ask for their advice. Maybe slightly lower pressures will improve the ride a little.

It could be that it's actually OK though and that it's just the culture shock of going from my luxury roadster to what is basically a large van. I must admit that although it is noisier and wanders about a bit it can be relaxing in that you are out of the rat race so to speak and become happy to amble along in the slower lanes, and as has been said, the high seating position is nice.

[coach2000]

Good luck and many happy miles Frank. If I see you round town I'll give you a wave. Have you got a 1st trip planned yet?

 

Clive.

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

coach2000 - 2006-12-03 10:54 PM Good luck and many happy miles Frank. If I see you round town I'll give you a wave. Have you got a 1st trip planned yet? Clive.

No not yet. I wasn't intending buying this MH until Spring but a dealer in Cambridgeshire was offering a few at £5000 less than I'd been quoted locally so I hurtled down there three weeks ago. It turns out that he'd been offered an 'End-of-season, Get-some-cashflow' deal from Lunar on condition that he didn't splash out on massive advertising so as not to upset the rest of the trade. He bought four which he sold quickly and now wishes that he'd bought all 15 that were available. To cap this he knocked off another £1000 because I'd no trade-in!

When I've finished having all my accessories fitted I'll probably store it in my warehouse until the New Year and when my diary eases off a bit we'll have a few days in the Dales or Lakes just for the hell of it! It's a bit frustrating having it available and wanting to use it but I did buy it at a funny time of the year!

We're in Lostock by the way, just up past Beaumont Hospital if you know where that is.

[Brian Kirby]

Frank

Don't, however, literally leave it standing until the spring.  It, and its tyres, need a canter every 4 weeks, just to keep everything in good shape.

Have fun.