What’s the difference between a campervan and a motorhome?
First note that both compound names can now be written as one word, which
indicates the level of popularity of the concept. At a basic level a campervan
is a converted van and a motorhome is “coachbuilt” onto a van chassis. The distinction
is blurred when it comes to the high spec long wheelbase van conversions which
aim to match piece for piece all the comforts of home – the kitchen, bedroom,
bathroom and lounge.
If the aim of the motorhome is to take your home comforts
with you wherever you are, why the pressure to survive for days without mains
electricity? There are plenty of good campsites everywhere in the developed
world and hook-up power, though expensive per day, is relatively cheap compared
to the cost of living in a house.
For me it is simple – I crave the solitude of the
wilderness, but as we age, environmental discomforts increase. We feel the cold
and the heat more. Our temperature comfort zone has narrowed. The van is a
haven of warmth and comfort – or cool and comfort if the weather is hot.
And, let me confess it, I love the boys-toys challenge of
getting technology to do my bidding. I haven’t enjoyed this week – too much of
it spent working at floor level, taking things in and out, working out how to
route this cable and that gas line and where the water pipes are going. Many
hours have been spent carefully siting and then cutting holes in the steel
shell of the van – a very anxious undertaking. However, I do know I will feel a
great sense of achievement when everything is working:
·
I now have hook-up power and one mains socket. The
second circuit which will power the other 240 volt sockets and the battery
charger are still a concept, as is the 240 volt power from the batteries via
the inverter. I could use the same circuit with a smart switch to route the
power, or I could have a single 240v socket from the inverter on its own
circuit.
·
The gas water heater is in with its flue cut
into the side of the van and its three electrical connections routed – 2 at 12v
and one for the mains back-up heater.
·
The gas air heater is in position with two large
holes cut in the floor of the van for the exhaust and air intake. The 12v lines
are in place as is the ducting to take the hot air out at foot level.
·
The two AGM 100Amp-hour batteries are in place
and linked.
·
The split-charge relay from the van battery is
wired
·
All the lights are wired on three circuits, but
not yet connected
·
The position of the under-floor gas tank is
determined and a hole cut in the floor to bring the gas line in at the right
position.
I’ve also made an important decision about the final look of
the living space. I decided to use poplar-core plywood for the internal
partition and the furniture because it is much lighter than conventional ply. I bought three sheets, and have cut and
fitted the main divisions, most of which won’t show in the living area. For the
bits that do show I had almost decided to use what nearly all the main industry
converters use: a hard laminate veneer on poplar core. This is a plastic
finish, usually a photographic imitation of wood grain, but also in a narrow range
of plain finishes.
The grain pattern on poplar is very bland, but I wondered if
I could do something really original – use wood dye to stain it blue or green
or even red. I experimented with a dusky green and polyurethane varnish but it
didn’t look good enough so I bought a sample sheet of iron-on cherry veneer.
This looks great and I already have some seasoned solid cherry wood from a
local source to make edgings with. Decision: the furniture will be a blend of
solid and veneered cherry.
All told I ended up this evening (Saturday 18 March) feeling
pretty pleased with progress so far.
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