Full Time Caravan Living

Wind generators for caravans are not very efficient as they need a reasonable bit of wind to generate any decent current. I come from a sailing background and several friends had wind generators, either windmill or the more compact vertical axis type. They will cost you quite a bit more than a solar setup and whilst they work well on a yacht out on an exposed mooring with clear wind, in a caravan site environment with lots of trees they wouldn't be charging a lot of the time.

Many caravans have all 12 volt electrics. Mine is all 12 volt LED

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In the summer months a solar pannel should be fine for keeping the battery topped up. Personally in the winter I suspect that an extra £3 or so a night for an EHU is good value. compared to running heating and fridge on gas. Even if using a Safefill with savings in the cost of gas. Also the convenience factor. The heating needs to be on most of the time if the weather drops to freezing to avoid water freezing problems as well as having somewhere that does not need heating up from scratch every time you return from work. 

....whilst they work well on a yacht out on an exposed mooring with clear wind, in a caravan site environment with lots of trees they wouldn't be charging a lot of the time.

I'm a sailor too and agree that you need pretty unobstructed wind to get 'em going. When attached to the yacht hull and no doubt the 'van body as well they are very noisy for the crew/occupants; rumbling, thrumming and droning. Besides, for long term 'vanning (especially in winter) I would definitely choose a sheltered pitch not an exposed windy one.

Changing the 12v filament light bulbs for LED's is a great way to save power, and it's simple and inexpensive to do.

Oh, and have propane rather than butane as it won't freeze in severe cold.

Thanks for your advice everyone. I had got the idea for a wind turbine from yachts but I agree that they aren't ideal for a caravan. I agree with EasyT and was thinking it would make most sense to pay the extra for a pitch with electricty during the winter and then save the money during summer when I need less electricty. I could combine that with Pippah45's suggestions.

I realise this might be opening a can of worms but what manufactuers do people think build the most durable caravan? At the moment from what I have read, and bearing in mind avaliability second hand, I am leaning towards either a Lunar Detla or Swift Conqueror. I do like some of the European caravans as well but there seems to be less avaliability second hand.

 

We have a Bailey Pegasus Verona and love it, excellent shower and decent bed.  However, like most 'vans from the major brands it is optimised to save weight and therefore is not as robust as a Hobby, say.  So - suitable for living in full time ?  Yes, in terms of kit. No in terms of longevity.

Even this 'van - stripped to the bone - is no lightweight and I'd not like to tow it with a light car.  We have a Discovery.  So, as others have mentioned I'd bite the bullet and get your B&E.

I'd be inclined to just go for it on the basis that you'll learn as you go and will probably, therefore, want to change whatever 'van you get after a year or so anyway (or maybe even give it up as you decide this whole thing is not for you ...)

Thanks for your advice everyone. I had got the idea for a wind turbine from yachts but I agree that they aren't ideal for a caravan. I agree with EasyT and was thinking it would make most sense to pay the extra for a pitch with electricty during the winter and then save the money during summer when I need less electricty. I could combine that with Pippah45's suggestions.

I realise this might be opening a can of worms but what manufactuers do people think build the most durable caravan? At the moment from what I have read, and bearing in mind avaliability second hand, I am leaning towards either a Lunar Detla or Swift Conqueror. I do like some of the European caravans as well but there seems to be less avaliability second hand.

 

Write your comments here...Not sure if you can get sued for posts on this site but Lunar lightweight is marketing speak for flimsy

we are about to go full time, but we have gone for an american fifth wheel, simply to have the space to live in and store all the crap we have acumalated over the last 40 years!. we have trimmed down as much as we can, and still are struggling to fit everything in, its different for you younger peeps though as you dont have as much stuff! I would think carefully about a safefil cylinder, yes they are cheaper to fill but most forecourts do not allow filling of portable bottles. and the sites that do are few and far between, so it depends where you are siting full time. 

We have a couple of solar panels, but you do need large batteries to store the energy, otherwise its a poinless exercise.

Also there is then the trade off with they weight if you are restricted.

in winter solar is not reliable as there just arnt enough hours of sun, so EHU is probably the only way to go, but a small generator is a good way to charge up if you dont have EHU, but works out more expensive in fuel, so only for emergencies.

best of luck going full time, hope it works out for you....

We have a Bailey Pegasus Verona and love it, excellent shower and decent bed.  However, like most 'vans from the major brands it is optimised to save weight and therefore is not as robust as a Hobby, say.  So - suitable for living in full time ?  Yes, in terms of kit. No in terms of longevity.

Even this 'van - stripped to the bone - is no lightweight and I'd not like to tow it with a light car.  We have a Discovery.  So, as others have mentioned I'd bite the bullet and get your B&E.

I'd be inclined to just go for it on the basis that you'll learn as you go and will probably, therefore, want to change whatever 'van you get after a year or so anyway (or maybe even give it up as you decide this whole thing is not for you ...)

I think that is what we may well do as if we are going to do it we might as well do it properly! In terms of whether we would actually like it does anyone know of a place where we could hire a caravan for a few days, without a car to tow it, just so we can get the feel for what it is like? We have done quite a lot of hiking and camping and enjoy that, and we are both used to living in smallish spaces as students so in theory we should like it, but you never know till you actually do!

Maybe I won't get a lunar van then!

Thanks