Dumbing it down

[Robmac]

I'm seriously thinking of changing my van and buying something else, but I've had a rethink of our requirements.

I probably won't be allowed to do this, but these are the changes I would like to make;

1) No leisure batteries and therefore no charging systems, solar panels etc.
2) No electrics apart from the cab 12v socket to run a small compressor cool box whilst we are driving.
3) No fixed lighting.
4) No fixed water tank.
5) No gas bottles.
6) No hot water system.
7) No heating.
8) No wife (Probably if I actually did this)

I have a power pack which will run a TV for several days plus any charging we may need to do.
I have a kettle for hot water, I also have a 7.5 litre campfire kettle and woodgas burner which will heat up enough water for a shower.
I have a rechargeable lamp which will last for several days and can charge whilst we are driving.
A bowl will do instead of a sink and water out of 5 litre bottles.
Cooking on the small flat campstoves which take the clip in cannisters (uneconomical I know, but hey ho)
Heating would be a stumbling block, maybe a small woodburner.

Any thoughts?

 

[Robmac]

Going back to caveman basics comes to mind.

Well sort of, but the reasoning is that there is far less to go wrong.

At the end of the day, I'm sure that the rechargeable gear I have will perform just as well as a complex battery system, and my water and food will be just as nice heated in a simpler fashion as it would on an expensive system.

I would still have all of the facilities, just not provided by complicated systems.

 

[Clunegapyears]

Canvas. ️

 

[edina]

Bit drastic, but we did do away with a lot of the accepted 'necessary things' on our conversion (i.e. water heater, TV, oven/grill etc.) and we manage quite nicely. I think electrics will change a lot in the future with the power pack type of storage, but the 2 things we considered necessary were fridge and heater and both need power.

 

[Robmac]

Seems strange that you would carry a TV, not knocking it, but I would prefer a hot water shower

Due to illness, my wife can't visit pubs etc. so she spends a lot more time than I do in the van.

Being able to watch films at night whilst I am in the pub is one comfort she wouldn't forego.

 

[Robmac]

Canvas. ️

Again, the mrs would not sleep under canvas, although I did for many years and still do occasionally.

A proper bed is a must.

 

[edina]

Seems strange that you would carry a TV, not knocking it, but I would prefer a hot water shower

Don't watch TV at home either and we do have a shower room for a hot shower, but heat the water in a kettle. Using a submersible pump 1 kettle of hot and 2 of cold gives a very good shower and we don't need instant hot water, we know when we are going to wash up etc and can wait for a kettle to boil.

 

[Robmac]

So does Mrs want to go back to Cavewoman days?

She definitely doesn't.

But we don't really see it as that.

 

[Campervanannie]

I'm seriously thinking of changing my van and buying something else, but I've had a rethink of our requirements.

I probably won't be allowed to do this, but these are the changes I would like to make;

1) No leisure batteries and therefore no charging systems, solar panels etc.
2) No electrics apart from the cab 12v socket to run a small compressor cool box whilst we are driving.
3) No fixed lighting.
4) No fixed water tank.
5) No gas bottles.
6) No hot water system.
7) No heating.
8) No wife (Probably if I actually did this)

I have a power pack which will run a TV for several days plus any charging we may need to do.
I have a kettle for hot water, I also have a 7.5 litre campfire kettle and woodgas burner which will heat up enough water for a shower.
I have a rechargeable lamp which will last for several days and can charge whilst we are driving.
A bowl will do instead of a sink and water out of 5 litre bottles.
Cooking on the small flat campstoves which take the clip in cannisters (uneconomical I know, but hey ho)
Heating would be a stumbling block, maybe a small woodburner.

Any thoughts?

How will you keep your beer cold the string and river trick will only work if your near a river.?

 

[Robmac]

How will you keep your beer cold the string and river trick will only work if your near a river.?

God dammit Annie.

I've failed at the first hurdle!

 

[Campervanannie]

Having had Snoopy and he was as dumb as you could get, fixed lighting is a must nothing worse than getting up bursting for a pee in the middle of the night and scrabbling round for a torch ? that’s how accidents happen. So that’s the second hurdle
Dumd thought but isn’t that more or less what you have in your UNFINISHED van so just leave as is job done. ???

 

[Robmac]

Having had Snoopy and he was as dumb as you could get, fixed lighting is a must nothing worse than getting up bursting for a pee in the middle of the night and scrabbling round for a torch ? that’s how accidents happen. So that’s the second hurdle
Dumd thought but isn’t that more or less what you have in your UNFINISHED van so just leave as is job done. ???

No I've got all of the systems in my van Annie, it's just all of the trim that isn't done.

The rechargeable light I have for fishing is as good as any van lighting. It is on a magnet so can be stuck on a wall or ceiling wherever you want it.

 

[Carrerasax]

Audi R8 and a trailer then, sounds ok!!
From my limited experience I do think manufacturers should concentrate more on quality of build/durability than technical spec of gear. But I guess it’s all weight driven!!!!

 

[Robmac]

Audi R8 and a trailer then, sounds ok!!

Definitely not a trailer.

Wouldn't mind the Audi R8 though!

 

[Campervanannie]

No I've got all of the systems in my van Annie, it's just all of the trim that isn't done.

The rechargeable light I have for fishing is as good as any van lighting. It is on a magnet so can be stuck on a wall or ceiling wherever you want it.

So my next serious question is WHY do you not want the things that basic van owners crave.

 

[Robmac]

So my next serious question is WHY do you not want the things that basic van owners crave.

I want the comforts Annie, just not the electrics, gas, pumps etc. that go with them.

My first van was a Citroen Dispatch with a roof tent on it. I had a loo inside the van, and a tarp to go over the back doors to shower under. All cooking was done on camping stoves or a Cobb BBQ.

It really was no hardship.

 

[Full Member]

I'm seriously thinking of changing my van and buying something else, but I've had a rethink of our requirements.

I probably won't be allowed to do this, but these are the changes I would like to make;

1) No leisure batteries and therefore no charging systems, solar panels etc.
2) No electrics apart from the cab 12v socket to run a small compressor cool box whilst we are driving.
3) No fixed lighting.
4) No fixed water tank.
5) No gas bottles.
6) No hot water system.
7) No heating.
8) No wife (Probably if I actually did this)

I have a power pack which will run a TV for several days plus any charging we may need to do.
I have a kettle for hot water, I also have a 7.5 litre campfire kettle and woodgas burner which will heat up enough water for a shower.
I have a rechargeable lamp which will last for several days and can charge whilst we are driving.
A bowl will do instead of a sink and water out of 5 litre bottles.
Cooking on the small flat campstoves which take the clip in cannisters (uneconomical I know, but hey ho)
Heating would be a stumbling block, maybe a small woodburner.

Any thoughts?

Cycle-camping is very much like that, Rob.
Very little to break/fail/lose.
I loved it.

Colin

p.s. Drink-driving laws don't apply so some might like it even more.

 

[The laird]

You’ll be as well with a tent rob

 

[Robmac]

You’ll be as well with a tent rob

It's got to be a proper bed Gordon.

Also got to be able to stop in laybys.

 

[yorkieowl]

I must be getting soft as I take them all as a must, we've done the roughing it camping over the years, and for occasional trips I still don't mind it, but regular trips? no chance. Mind you swmbo could always invest in an all singing,all dancing van for herself, damn that's sounds perfect to me too.