Bulletguy Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Daf Murray - 2018-02-12 6:07 PM Thanks Bulletguy, i have stmbled across the Avtex tv, i was hoping to go a little bigger than the 24" they offer (wanted 32"), but if size limits the usability in terms of power ill hapilly settle for 24" Had no problems getting rid of everything but im struggling with the concept of a small tv!!! Think i need to let go :-D Although you are 'flying solo' (like me) something you will quickly discover is no matter what size of motorhome, space is at a premium...unlike a house. Example, i used to use a 15" laptop when on tour. Too big, bulky and heavy so i bought a 10.5" which is way more portable, takes up very little space and does a better job than the 15". If an ipad owner, then so much the better as they take up even less space! I even sold my DSLR camera as with all the lenses etc, that was taking up space. I've used a small compact camera now for the past eight years. Some mh's have facility for fitting a tv set on a fold out bracket so when not being used, packs neatly away in one of the cupboards. Screen size will obviously be determined by the cupboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 From what i can see I’m limited to mounting the tv on the reverse side of the shower wall (if it isn’t there then the size is going to be very small), this will only allow me to watch when in the rear lounge, I may need to live in it for a little while before drilling holes. Just to make sure thats where it needs to go. i went for a 6 berth as i wanted the extra space, especially storage, im guessing as I start loading the essentials it will soon be crammed! 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Daf, Be very careful and watch your weight! I'm assuming you do not have C1 on your licence by your age and hence your MH will be plated at 3,500 kg. The spec for your Auto Roller 746 gives its MIRO as 3,076 kg so a payload of 424 kg after the driver and items included in MIRO. This payload will VERY quickly disappear as you add extra batteries at possibly 25 - 30 kg each, solar panels, TV, etc, etc. My suggestion would be to visit a weighbridge before you go too mad with extras. Keith. PS And check individual axle weights as well as overall weight. PPS And just noticed you said you had a 6 berth and this implies a raised GVW of 3,650 kg so do you have C1 on your licence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Keith your assumptions are correct, i am limited to 3500kg, I have the six berth 5 belt model which is plated at 3500kg (the 6 belt version is 3650kg), I will definitely follow your advice and have the van weighed after the essentials are fitted so I know what I have left to play with. (I think my local scrap yard has a weigh bridge) I have no intentions of overloading or breaking the law, i am now however curious if anyone has been pulled and checked either here or across the ocean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorhomeninja Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Hi, we have a Roller Team 747, very similar to the 746, low profile with electric drop down bed as opposed to an overcab. We really like the drop down bed as there is good headroom if you need to climb over a partner. We removed the extra bits for the dinette to convert to a bed and the heavy table that goes in the lounge plus the ridiculous circular cushions and two supports from the bike rack to gain a little more payload and space. I can't see how the payload of these vans could possibly cope with 6 people of whatever size but for one or two this layout is superb. I did contact Roller Team for the max loading on the half garage and it is 100Kg. We now write the weight of everything stored in here with a permanent marker so we can add it up when packing. It's very easy to get to 100kg, I'm working on the theory that there is at least a 10% tolerance! Good luck with your adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Hi Motorhomeninja, thanks for the advice, I hadn’t thought of removing the extra bits even though I have no intentions of using them, I’ll store them at a friends. Flying solo I would like to think I won’t have much stuff but when I really think about it it soon adds up, 50kg gone straight away with the dogs! If 6 people were travelling in the van they would have to be naked with no possessions to comply with the weight limits! Time to get the scales out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 No such thing as a quiet Generator,Colin,I actually have an Honda 10i, I bought it some years ago as a must have item and soon learned how bad they are, noisy, smelly, heavy , and a can of petrol to carry around that always smells no matter what container you keep it in, I was always embarrassed when ever I did use it about the putter putter it made annoying others who were unfortunate enough to be parked near me. The 10i is almost useless any way as its output of 1000 watts is about 4,5 amps good only for a battery charge or as some idiots do sit and watch TV with it running , and the smell when the genny is running is awful.So my gennie has been run for about 10 hours total in all the years I have had it and it now sits in my garage at home for what reason I know not. I do however agree with you about the remoaners, Hee Hee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Daf Murray - 2018-02-12 5:05 PMCan’t thank you enough for the help! It’s much appreciated.I’ve just ordered the garmin, the van has a built in tomtom but most of the reviews I’ve read say the built in ones are a pain to update on the road, tomtom can be my backup! Ideally I’d like to be able to stay away from a generator even if it means I need to upgrade my electrics to add another solar panel and battery, the vans booked in next week for extra sockets to work off an inverter, alarm, tracker, internet and satellite dish installation, I’ll have them look at the solar setup and add whatever it can take.Does everyone use a 12v tv? I prefer the look of a normal tv but not sure if it uses too much juice.Modern TVs are 12 volt, most have a transformer either built in or in the mains plug, I have a standard TV in my van ,it has built in freeview and a DVD player built in too, I made up a 12 volt lead and fitted an extra 12 volt socket to my van,[ I do not like the cigar type plugs and sockets] and the tv works happily from that, we do not watch much TV when on our travels, do not have satellite,, either but we do watch the odd DVd at times especially on wet evenings when snugged in with a few glasses of wine etc. I bought an 1000 watt inverter from Maplins and hard wired that in my van, so I can use limited 230 volts as and when , we carry a domestic spin drier in our van which is only 150 watts so that also will run our spin drier as and when my wife chooses to use it. make sure you carry a watering can for topping up your water tank, easier than faffing about with a hose most times , a watering can is universal for filling.ie it fits all taps hee hee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 13, 2018 Author Share Posted February 13, 2018 There are so many little bits that are so obvious when you know about them but you would never think of without a nudge! 8-) watering can brought. I’m off to curry’s to see if I can find a better looking tv than the Avtex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Daf Murray - 2018-02-13 11:12 AMThere are so many little bits that are so obvious when you know about them but you would never think of without a nudge! 8-) watering can brought. I’m off to curry’s to see if I can find a better looking tv than the Avtex. Toilet fluid is another area to be explored, you can buy expensive Thetford stuff or other makes, lots of folk use washing tablets and bio washing fluid usually bought from Lidl , try some see how you get on or you can have a SOG fitted to your toilet cassette, it is an extraction system that draws air out of the cassette in use so no smells in the van and it needs no toilet fluid in use either, stinks a bit when you empty the cassette however as it contains raw dumps,hee hee. I use water purifying tablets in my vans water tank, bought from Asda in the baby aisle, used to sterilise babies bottles , no taste in the drinking water and makes the water tank safe, we often get tank water from Fuentes and beach taps when wilding so better safe than sorry, although we do not drink water from the tank [ we buy bottled water for that ], cheap as chips abroad, Milton fluid is also good for keeping your water tank sweet.Another good thing to have in your van is leveling blocks, and skid mats to prevent you getting stuck in mud and sand, I have a set I made from cutting the bottom out of bread trays from my local shop,[obtained lawfully of course]hee hee ,they work fine , just drive on [drive wheels] them when parking up if the ground looks iffy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brooks 670 Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Second the choice of Garmin Camper sat nav .Free updates but more importantly last year went to Solvenia Croatia only to find it wasn't loaded with Eastern Europe ,my point is I was only 20km in Slovenia from a Garmin office for help . Not sure that will be the same for other brands , should there be a warranty issue . Good luck . Mike . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 No one has mentioned dogs , we no longer have dogs but I know there are a lot of things to be done with animals when traveling foreign in a van, vet certification is one,up to date injection and vaccination certificates, pet passports , tic and flea certificates I think, MUZZLES are a must if you want to use public transport in some countries. When we were wandering Greece we tended to pick up a stray dog on most of the beaches we stayed on , we fed and watered them during our stays as most folks do and also had some flea and tic stuff [ front guard as I remember] to put on the scruff of their necks to help with their problems, one particular dog we fell in love with only had three legs, we came close to adopting him but we did not in the end, so I would say be aware of stray dogs when travelling with your own dogs as I believe their is still a Rabies risk on the Continent . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 As you'll be solo, I suggest you get a good twin lens reversing camera system to give you a permanent rear view while driving, changing to look down while reversing. Every little helps! :-) Motorhomes are made of chicken poop and lard, and no part of their rear ends will tolerate contact with an immobile object at even the slowest speed. They are also expensive, and frequently slow, to repair due to the need for specialist repairers and the slow supply of spares. On sat-navs, Get, and install, the biggest capacity SD card the device will take. Sooner or later part of the mapping will have to be installed to SD as each update file is larger than the one before. Garmin have one further advantage to those mentioned above, which is that once you have installed the necessary update programs on a computer, you can download and install further programs to allow you to download the mapping to the computer and view it, and with that facility can bring up Google Earth to exactly the area you are looking at as a map. I find this invaluable for working out where places really are, and particularly where vehicle entrances actually are! There are two programs, neither that intuitive, but with a bit of perseverance one learns their quirks. One called MapSource, which is older and Windows only, the other BaseCamp which runs under Windows or Mac. I stick with MapSource, as I can't get basecamp to do what I want! However, POIs (points of interest) can be created in either, and stored on the PC in categorised files, which can be loaded onto the Garmin with another free Garmin program, POI Loader. This means you can create and/or view your own POIs on a decent sized screen, and check their locations in Google Earth, before they are transferred to the Garmin unit. If you download, as suggested above, some of the Archies files, for example campsites in France, just be aware that in MapSource you'll have to split the file into north and south, as the whole set exceeds the number of POIs the program can handle. I've got about 63,000 POIs on mine, all of which transfer to the Garmin (in the file categories set in MapSource to make searching easier), in less that 10 minutes. Before visiting any of these POIs, it pays to check they still exist and will be open (most have websites), and to check that the waypoint isn't in the middle of the POI (they often are!), meaning the sat nav will assume that the road nearest the POI will be the one from which you enter. It ain't necessarily so! :-) Same applies to all/any of Archies data sets. They are extremely useful, but they get out of date and they aren't guaranteed 100% accurate as to location. Final warnings re Garmin are 1) to make sure the mapping you get with your unit is a) the whole of Europe and b) comes with free lifetime updates, and 2) not to try to update maps on anything other than a solid and reasonably quick internet link (not mobile internet!), as the whole process takes at least an hour due to the size of the map files. It generally works very well, but is only worth doing once, or maybe twice, per year. If it glitches, it stops and waits for instructions as to what to do next! That can be frustrating if you have a time limited connection, and have left it to get on with updating while you get on with something else! They are better completing the whole process without interruption. Don't forget you must keep your van taxed, MoTd, and insured while away, and for the MoT it will have to come back to the UK. Foreign test stations will carry out the test, but it will be legally invalid on a UK registered vehicle, which would be liable to invalidate your insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Has anyone already mentioned Maps.me? A very good offline mapping program for a Smart phone. It can handle all kinds of POI You can download maps by Country or Region to save on memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoko8pups Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 When you say bio washing tablets, usually from Lidl, do you mean dish or clothes washing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 yoko8pups - 2018-02-13 7:40 PM When you say bio washing tablets, usually from Lidl, do you mean dish or clothes washing? For clothes. Lidl sell it under the brand name Formil if I remember correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share Posted February 14, 2018 vindiboy, I ordered a Sog unit last week, have to say the thought of cutting a hole in my new van is making me think twice now that I’m looking at the kit! Sure ill get over it! Water purification tablets, is it on the packet how many I will need to use? My tanks a tad over 100L so I’m assuming it would be a fair few tablets each time? The dealer has included a set of levelling chocks, have to admit they look a lot smaller than all the ones I’ve seen (3 inches at the highest point). I like the bread tray idea, may have to swing by my local shops in the small hours of the morning………. My dogs have both got they’re passports all sorted, I took them to the vets back in June assuming it would take months to sort, I walked out on the day with the passports in hand, they are good on the rabies side of things until 2020, the vet treated both of them for fleas and worms at the end of December (as part of the health club annual check up) he has also given me enough treatment fo 12 months. I wasn’t planning on using public transport but new it may be needed at some point, I definitely won’t be using it now, don’t like the thought of muzzling them. i think after reading you post about the stray dogs ill be returning to the UK in a few years with 15 dogs :). Cheers Mike, ill double check to make sure everything is loaded Brian Kirby, the van comes with a Rear camera, monitor integrated in the rear mirror. Don’t think its a twin lens one looking at the spec sheet. Do I need to have it changed or will I get away with the one? Really don’t want to prang it…. I have a 64gb sd card from a Gopro I’ve got rid of, hopefully that will be big enough for the maps The google earth feature sounds awesome, I quite regularly use my phone and flick between map and satellite view so it will save me the roaming costs on my mobile. Being a Mac fan and owner ill have a look at Basecamp, I’m all for anything that makes life easier, 63000! It must be non stop POI’s on the screen as your driving, I did purchase the whole of Europe version but as Mike (Above) has had issues with missing maps ill throw a few routes into random places to make sure it has all the info installed. It does have the lifetime updates, ill avoid updating unless I visit somewhere with a good wifi signal. The main reason I purchased new was to avoid the need to come back for MOT’s for at least 3 years, I wanted the freedom without the worry of heading back lingering in my mind. Comfort has been recommended as a good insurer, my dealer has given me a months free so ill get in touch with comfort next week and see what they can do for me. Hi 747 Maps.me was mentioned yesterday, I’ve had a quick look online, theres so many mapping apps and sites! Ill have to spend an evening just playing to see which I like best, I’m sure I could end up with no memory left on my phone or tablet if I keep all of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Brian mentioned MOT and Tax/Ins Being a new van MOT will not apply for 3 years. Tax and Insurance can be done on line , though you should have the Original Cert , for Ins , not a facsimile copy . So I guess your friends could send that to you ? One thing as a new van, you probably need to get service done in UK in order to maintain warranty? (I may be wrong on this , but it has not been mentioned ) Hope it all goes well for you PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share Posted February 14, 2018 Hi PJay Thanks, I’m using a friends address for the insurance, im sure he would be kind enough to send it to me when the renewal time comes, ill have to make sure im staying somewhere with an address for awhile to make sure i get it. Can anyone shed some light on the finer detail of service requirements on a new van? i will be having the initial / first service done before i depart, i had just assumed i would be able to go to any fiat garage in Europe (with height room to work on it) for the service work? the warranty on the base vehicle is only for 2 years, am i right in assuming it would only be the 1 service needed whilst travelling to maintain the warranty? (first service before i go, second service at 12 months then by the time it comes round again the warranty is finished so i can use any garage just to maintain service history?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Hi Daf, Lidl water purification tablets are clearly labeled as to dosage, I just drop a couple of tables in the tank as and when I remember, no big worry there .Other brands of these tablets are available but at more cost and contain the same ingredients , so I pick up a box or too at Asda when I see them. I sometimes put a couple of cap fulls of Milton fluid in the tank too , some folks will say NO as milton can attack your water heater stainless steel pipes , well I have done it for many years in vans and caravans with no problem so you will need to make your own mind up about that, Leveling blocks .I have the heavy duty ones from Fiamma in my van, I do also have a set of super dooper ones I bought at a show once, they came in a very nice zip bag, but I do not use them as they take up too much room in the vans storage,so they are in the garage at home, handy if I need to crawl under the van at any time so not all lost hee hee , beware of Motorhome shows, as all the must have items on sale that you see and buy eventually prove to be something you really did not need hee hee.I had a SOG in my previous van , only hole that needed cutting was in the cassette door so no problem there, I decided against a SOG in my now van for various reasons. Some folks catch rain water run off from their vans when wildcamping to put in their tanks ,after filtering through a muslin bag or similar, good idea when off grid so that is when purifying tablets are a good idea, good to hear the dogs are sorted. It is Lidl Bio , clothes washing tables and powder folks use in their cassettes, smells lovely. Bread tray bases, you will need 4 pieces as when you park your drive wheels on two of them , you will need 2 more in front of them so you can keep up the momentum when you move off, no point in getting stuck as soon as you come off the first ones,, you can off course buy mud tracks on a roll , expensive and they seem an ok product, but it is bread tray bottoms for me, best thing to do though is make sure the ground you park on is fairly solid BEFORE you park, not forgetting that you vehicle is heavy and will sink slightly on grass and sand, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Another thing you need to consider is a marker board for the rear of your van if fitting a bike rack or back box or any other extension thing , they are supposed to be aluminum, reflective stripes and reflectors, , Mandatory in lots of European countries, Fiamma do a plastic one but not sure they meet the full spec if you encounter the bad cop, so again you takes your choice, snow chains are mandatory in France if above the snow line and should be in your van, I have had to use mine a few times in the Mountains , some folks will disagree about the Mandatory bit , but I know that it is fact as I have been asked to show mine at one time, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Daf Murray - 2018-02-14 4:30 AM ...Can anyone shed some light on the finer detail of service requirements on a new van? i will be having the initial / first service done before i depart, i had just assumed i would be able to go to any fiat garage in Europe (with height room to work on it) for the service work? the warranty on the base vehicle is only for 2 years, am i right in assuming it would only be the 1 service needed whilst travelling to maintain the warranty? (first service before i go, second service at 12 months then by the time it comes round again the warranty is finished so i can use any garage just to maintain service history?). As I understand it, you obtained your brand-new Rollerteam motorhome in early-February 2018 (ie. very recently) and you plan to have left the UK on your travels by May 2018. Fiat's servicing requirements will be detailed in your Ducato’s Owner Handbook and you’ll see that the 1st scheduled service is at 24 months or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first) - so I’m not sure why you think there should be a "first service before I go, second service at 12 months” where the Fiat element of your motorhome is concerned. In addition to the Ducato Owner Handbook, you should have a multi-lingual “Fiat Motorhome Warranty and Services” booklet that contains information on the 24-month main warranty, the paintwork warranty and the anti-perforation warranty. This bookllet also contains a “Scheduled Servicing” section for the garage to stamp after the work has been performed. The terms and conditions of the (UK) Rollerteam Conversion and Body Integrity Warranties are explained here: https://www.rollerteammotorhomes.co.uk/warranty-details Sub-paragraph 2.2 in the Section “7. MISUSE STATEMENT” is noteworthy where your plans are concerned. This says “2 . UK only – The Rollerteam warranties only apply to motorhomes purchased within the UK, and used primarily within the UK. This means that the motorhome must not be used for continuous journeys outside of the UK of longer than 90 days per journey, or exported from the UK.” Sub-paragraph 2.3 advises that "You must ensure that the habitation part of your motorhome has an Annual Habitation Service within +/- 30 days of each anniversary of the original date of registration. The tenth Annual Service must be carried out before the expiry of the 120-month period from the original date of purchase. These services must be carried out by an Auto-Trail Service Centre, an Rollerteam dealer (preferably the original selling dealer) or a VAT-registered NCC (National Caravan Council) approved workshop." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share Posted February 14, 2018 Vindiboy, I think id be like a kid in a sweet shop at a motorhome show! Thanks for all the info, I could put a book together with what you been kind enough to share. Derek, my ignorance shines here! In the past when I’ve purchased a new car I’ve always had to have it serviced between the first 500 - 1000 miles (think its pretty much just an oil change). if the book says 24 months then I’m ecstatic with that, not so ecstatic with the habitation warranty though! Thank you so much for pointing it out, seems my warranty will be void just as im getting into my stride. Ridiculous that im limited to 90 days away, hopefully I can apply the what they don’t know won’t hurt them rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daf Murray Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share Posted February 14, 2018 Had a little bit of an issue today, the van was sold to me as a 5 seatbelt 3500kg vehicle, the V5 says the gross weight is 3500kg. perfect for my licence that does not have the c1 catagory. Hidden behind the seat cushion ive just found a 6th seatbelt meaning this is in fact a 3650kg model that has been plated wrong, the dealer has said its not a problem as the paperwork and plate is for 3500kg Could this turn messy if anything happens such as an accident? or does the V5 stating 3500kg cover me? nothings ever simple 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Hi Daf; I think the dealer is responsible for this situation, so the dealer should sort the paperwork out. Too late to take it back and supply an alternative, Presumably you paid the correct price? IMO. All the best Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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