grocer jack Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 As previously stated we intend to go fulltiming next year and are currently researching the motorhomes market. From magazines we were very taken with the new tag axle Kon-tiki and Bessacar models. We think that as well as cab air-con we want living area air-con. Any views? It does seem from the brochures we've gathered that living area air con is not offered often as an option. Why is this? While I'm writing any thoughts on the two mentioned 'vans would be welcome.
michele Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 I have heard it said once when we were having a first service a guy was complaining about his KonTiki the garage man turned around and said you should of bought the better end of the market the Bessacar? How true this is I do not know I have no experience with the Kon Tiki it looks good to me but something about the Bessie's richness sold it to us. I nor my husband have any regrets we find it offers enough space and room for the 6 of us the shower is fantastic and the cooker. I have yet to use the oven but forsee no problem. we love the fixed bed and the whole feel about the van we went back for the second one in leather so it is tops for style for us and have had many happy days in it . The air con for us was a must as we don't do England as a matter of fact the only england we have ever done is Brownhills car park & a night at the show last year most of our travels are France . We did not want to be in the south of France with out aircon and we both swear by it for us it is lovely on a hot summers day to turn on and sit inside and chill when the going is hot outside. Good luck with your choice whatever you decide ;-)
wints Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 We've got cab air con (essential for travelling in an a class with that massive front screen), and air con in the habitation area of the van (mirage 6000 aire). Both come into their own the further south (through France ) that you go. Saying that the previous three vans we had didn't have any air con, and we managed with a fan and an open window. But got to say that this van is the most comfortable, and most expensive, that we've had. regards Allen
tonyishuk Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Just had the cab aircon on our Ducato checked and regassed. Fitter said that he had set the temp down by 2.5 degrees C from suggested normal. Theory being ( and in his experience) the standard temprature is not cold enough for hot summers and big screens acting like a green house.
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 New ford based camper arriving the 26th as well as cab air, have gone for WAECO 1500 roof air, this is 12v as well as 230v so in theory can be used on the road ( to keep children comfortable in the back) it can be switched to supply heat, so maybe handy in the winter as well. will report back when we have had the opportunity to play with it.
Brian Kirby Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 For the habitation aircon you'll need to use sites, for 230V electricity, or a generator, which may make you unpopular. Not many continental sites will give you much above 5A @ 230V, so you may find the aircon isn't that reliably usable.
Guest Frank Wilkinson Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 I insist on aircon in any vehicle that I own, simply because I can then travel at speed with the windows closed. It's quieter and cleaner.However, as for aircon in the habitation area I would never have it. I used to travel to the Far East a lot and the first thing that I did in hotel rooms was to turn off the aircon. If you live in a cocoon of cold air you never acclimatise. You go from your cool room, or motorhome, into the heat and it affects you twice as much. If however you abstain from aircon you'll be amazed at how quickly you can adjust to hotter climes. Well, I can anyway!
Mel E Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 It's simple, really: - cab aircon is not an expensive option on vans these days and will be a treat when travelling. But don't expect too much cooling for those travelling further back - remember the van aircon is specified to cool only the van cabin, not a whole motorhome after conversion. - aircon in the conversion is unnecessary because, if it's that hot (eg., south of France), you'll be outside during the day and evening. After dark, it normally cools rapidly to reasonable temperatures - and even if it's a tad warm, you wouldn't want the noise of an aircon unit running all night - and nor would your campsite neighbours. - as has been said, 12 volt aircon uses far too much power to run for very long on the motorhome leisure batteries - it needs mains hook-up and, as Brian comments, many continental sites just don't provide enough amps.
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 The 12v side is not designed to be run from leisure batteries, but from the 1600 watt on board inverter while on the move. I went for the 1500 as the 2000 needs an alternator upgrade. http://www.waeco.com/en/316_814.php?PHPSESSID=3957727079cf4fe47fec128494e42f1c 230v side only needs 3.2 amps - so as long as site has 6 amp should be OK. WAECO units are supposed to be soft start as well - but you can always get it started with engine running before switching over to site supply. Because my children are at school and wife in education, we are always having to travel at hottest times. I have been in some vans with similar units on the Med and they where not to noisy... On the other hand have been in some American campers at shows and the noise was incredible! Anyway, I will report back on the efficiency, or lack of it later!
derek500 Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 I think cab aircon is essential (here in Spain anyway). Luckily on our van we have a door that separates the living area from the bedroom, bathroom & shower room, so it's more effecient for the rear passengers. For the habitation we use a 30w oscillating fan run off the inverter on a timer and leave the rooflights open.
Tony Jones Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 Frank Wilkinson - 2007-03-14 11:30 PMI insist on aircon in any vehicle that I own, simply because I can then travel at speed with the windows closed. Careful what you say, Frank, remember the Forum has its own traffic cops!
Tony Jones Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 JudgeMental - 2007-03-14 11:01 PM New ford based camper arriving the 26th as well as cab air, have gone for WAECO 1500 roof air, this is 12v as well as 230v so in theory can be used on the road ( to keep children comfortable in the back) it can be switched to supply heat, so maybe handy in the winter as well. will report back when we have had the opportunity to play with it. Is your new camper a coachbuilt or a van-conv? We're likely to change later in the year, to another hi-top van-conv, and we'd already decided to make cab aircon a "must-have" but I'm not at all sure about "back-end." Kids left home, but wife works in school so like you we travel Jul/Aug. Tony Edit: just found your answer to my question on the "picking up MH- yippee" thread!
Bazza454 Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 grocer jack - 2007-03-14 5:23 PM As previously stated we intend to go fulltiming next year and are currently researching the motorhomes market. From magazines we were very taken with the new tag axle Kon-tiki and Bessacar models. We think that as well as cab air-con we want living area air-con. Any views? It does seem from the brochures we've gathered that living area air con is not offered often as an option. Why is this? While I'm writing any thoughts on the two mentioned 'vans would be welcome. Hi,Suggest that you read the thread "Wheel clamp did the trick" re Bessacar 'vans.
derek500 Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 Bazza454 - 2007-03-15 5:32 PMgrocer jack - 2007-03-14 5:23 PM As previously stated we intend to go fulltiming next year and are currently researching the motorhomes market. From magazines we were very taken with the new tag axle Kon-tiki and Bessacar models. We think that as well as cab air-con we want living area air-con. Any views? It does seem from the brochures we've gathered that living area air con is not offered often as an option. Why is this? While I'm writing any thoughts on the two mentioned 'vans would be welcome. Hi,Suggest that you read the thread "Wheel clamp did the trick" re Bessacar 'vans.There's a guy on another forum who's just cancelled his order for a Swift 669 after having so many problems with his current Kon-tiki 665, that he bought new last June. It seems that every day he's posting yet another problem. Very sad for a less than one year old van.
grocer jack Posted March 16, 2007 Author Posted March 16, 2007 Thanx for those replies, plenty to mull over. Having had aircon in my cars for the last 6 years I'm convinced that it is a must. It's had plenty of use over the last week! As for the living area,if it doesn't come as standard or is installed in whatever we may buy used then we'll wait and see, after all it's not THAT expensive.+
Wills Wagon Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 We have an Autotrail new in September 2005 and had a Dometic B2100 roof aircon unit factory fitted to the habitation area. Runs off mains voltage uses 910 watts (4 amps) for cooling and 1200 watts for heating. We use it extensively in France and only had one complaint about noise and never tripped out the hook-up! Some days we have run it 24 hours a day. I am unsure of the cost as it was listed in the on-road price but I think it was around £1100. The newer models will in be even quieter. Maintenance is minimal. Just clean out the filters which is easy, with a soft brush or wash in water. No garage maintenace needed at all. Good luck.
Geoff Bell Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 Grocer Jack, if you get the April MMM (mine arrived today) their is a supplement (Improve your motorhome) and in it is a 2 page feature which should answer most of your questions.
derek500 Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 Wills Wagon - 2007-03-17 8:49 PM Runs off mains voltage uses 910 watts (4 amps) for cooling and 1200 watts for heating. Some days we have run it 24 hours a day. I understand why campsites charge so much for a hook-up now!!
Guest starspirit Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 Which is why I object to paying for non use of a hook up to subsidise those who do!
flicka Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 grocer jack - 2007-03-14 5:23 PM As previously stated we intend to go fulltiming next year and are currently researching the motorhomes market. From magazines we were very taken with the new tag axle Kon-tiki and Bessacar models. We think that as well as cab air-con we want living area air-con. Any views? It does seem from the brochures we've gathered that living area air con is not offered often as an option. Why is this? While I'm writing any thoughts on the two mentioned 'vans would be welcome. Jack The Swift Kon-Tiki & the Bessacarr are both from the same stable, Swift Caravans at Cottingham (near Hull) The difference is the Graphics & Upholstery colours and the volume of Equipment , the Bessie should have a extra spec. (usually Sat Nav & Microwave, etc..) Ace also come from the same factory, but I don't think they have the equivelant model in that range. See the Swifts Leisure website, for specification differences. Flicka
wints Posted March 18, 2007 Posted March 18, 2007 The first time I used our roof mounted living area air con (in v hot temp S o F) I was a bit worried to see a steady stream of water running off the van. I've since been told that this is quite normal. Allen
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