Gas hob yes or no

[nabsim]

All depends how you use your van and if you intend to keep doing the same thing. If you aren't trying to off grid in Winter months in the UK for weeks on end it could work. Also if you don't cook much or if you use hookup it can be good. Personally I can't keep my compressor fridge going all year round without either frequent moving or using a generator. The frequent moving would have to be a good 2 hours a day if no solar as I only have a 30a B2B.

As has been mentioned, the glass covers on sink and hob work the same as worktop does, its all I ever use as I don't really have worktop apart from them.

You probably would be better changing your van for a new one that has what you want unless you intend keeping your current van for a long time. Changes like this would hit the resale value unless you can find a private buyer who wants what you have done.

If it were an older van I would say do what you want to, you can always change it back if you wish to. Then again Terry reckons you area a secret millionaire so ...

 

[runnach]

All depends how you use your van and if you intend to keep doing the same thing. If you aren't trying to off grid in Winter months in the UK for weeks on end it could work. Also if you don't cook much or if you use hookup it can be good. Personally I can't keep my compressor fridge going all year round without either frequent moving or using a generator. The frequent moving would have to be a good 2 hours a day if no solar as I only have a 30a B2B.

As has been mentioned, the glass covers on sink and hob work the same as worktop does, its all I ever use as I don't really have worktop apart from them.

You probably would be better changing your van for a new one that has what you want unless you intend keeping your current van for a long time. Changes like this would hit the resale value unless you can find a private buyer who wants what you have done.

If it were an older van I would say do what you want to, you can always change it back if you wish to. Then again Terry reckons you area a secret millionaire so ...

Nabs, you left out MULTI!!

 

[Burge]

Tell if I am wrong is a motorhome/ campervan Not a recreational vehicle to get away and enjoy your self, All I see is people moving every thing from there home's in to them, What,s wrong with a bowl of cereals and a cup of tea then eat out later no cooking no washing up Job sorted and a happy wife

Well said

 

[HurricaneSmith]

Tell if I am wrong is a motorhome/ campervan Not a recreational vehicle to get away and enjoy your self, All I see is people moving every thing from there home's in to them, What,s wrong with a bowl of cereals and a cup of tea then eat out later no cooking no washing up Job sorted and a happy wife

That is my strategy at the moment, until health prevents it. I spend ages finding a decent place to eat within walking distance of a CL, or a pub with a large car park.

 

[Trotter]

That is my strategy at the moment, until health prevents it. I spend ages finding a decent place to eat within walking distance of a CL, or a pub with a large car park.

Only my opinion.
I’d rather eat out as a treat. Something special. Sometimes a disappointment, other times, The Black Lion , Hereford, are Maria’s Pomarao, a delight.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

my strategy is dont use a b to b then you get more out your alternator and charge your batteries quicker Neil lol

 

[nabsim]

my strategy is dont use a b to b then you get more out your alternator and charge your batteries quicker Neil lol

Have thought about it but not sure how much capacity I have Geoff. My alternator is probably the original and likely 90A so not sure the extra strain I worth it for the bit extra charge. Don't they work on around 30% extra capacity when they size alternator?

 

[wildebus]

my strategy is dont use a b to b then you get more out your alternator and charge your batteries quicker Neil lol

Maybe get charge into your batteries quicker then a typical B2B install, but might not properly charge them. and could overload the alternator.

I like having the safety of a B2B setup. 90A of B2B and each 30A stage comes in its own delay to avoid a major initial whack on the alternator, and then each turns off with its own delay to prevent a shock the other way.

 

[jagmanx]

Maybe..
Remove the existing gas hob to get a clear kitchen surface but keep the gas supply for a single burner portable/detachable gas ring !

 

[mariesnowgoose]

You guys seem to change your vans and layouts more often than you change your underpants!

1. Fi’s problem - and I can relate 100%! - is not enough work surface.

2. Having reliable choices for cooking when off-grid.

Is there any way you can create extra work surface by creating some sort of a drop down extension, if there’s room?
I quite like Phil’s ( @jagmanx ) suggestion for gas cooking?

If you are happy with the layout of your van otherwise, then adapting it to make it work for cooking and food prep makes perfect sense to me.

However, lots of people do seem to be obsessed with the re-sale price of their vans. Personally, I look at our van as a second home on wheels and will make adaptions to suit me and make it as comfortable and easy to use as possible, rather than some down-the-line unknown re-sale value. I consider the purchase price written off from day one - in it for the long haul…

But, if re-sale price is something that would seriously bother you, then the suggestion to just swap for another van where the kitchen set-up is better suited might be the most sensible option?

Besides, if you’re a multi-millionaire then it should make no difference either way… (lend us a tenner…! )

 

[The laird]

You guys seem to change your vans and layouts more often than you change your underpants!

1. Fi’s problem - and I can relate 100%! - is not enough work surface.

2. Having reliable choices for cooking when off-grid.

Is there any way you can create extra work surface by creating some sort of a drop down extension, if there’s room?
I quite like Phil’s ( @jagmanx ) suggestion for gas cooking?

If you are happy with the layout of your van otherwise, then adapting it to make it work for cooking and food prep makes perfect sense to me.

However, lots of people do seem to be obsessed with the re-sale price of their vans. Personally, I look at our van as a second home on wheels and will make adaptions to suit me and make it as comfortable and easy to use as possible, rather than some down-the-line unknown re-sale value. I consider the purchase price written off from day one - in it for the long haul…

But, if re-sale price is something that would seriously bother you, then the suggestion to just swap for another van where the kitchen set-up is better suited might be the most sensible option?

Besides, if you’re a multi-millionaire then it should make no difference either way… (lend us a tenner…! )

We could put a hinged drop down shelf at the left of the sink marie but we've got the table top induction hob which is a brilliant bit of kit,we/fi feels we could util8se 5he surface better without adding the drop shelf like we had b4
I've no much dosh but Fiona luvs spending mine as I cannot access the bank of swmbo

 

[Exwindsurfer]

No much dosh my arse lololol

 

[wildebus]

You guys seem to change your vans and layouts more often than you change your underpants!

1. Fi’s problem - and I can relate 100%! - is not enough work surface.

2. Having reliable choices for cooking when off-grid.

Is there any way you can create extra work surface by creating some sort of a drop down extension, if there’s room?
I quite like Phil’s ( @jagmanx ) suggestion for gas cooking?

If you are happy with the layout of your van otherwise, then adapting it to make it work for cooking and food prep makes perfect sense to me.

However, lots of people do seem to be obsessed with the re-sale price of their vans. Personally, I look at our van as a second home on wheels and will make adaptions to suit me and make it as comfortable and easy to use as possible, rather than some down-the-line unknown re-sale value. I consider the purchase price written off from day one - in it for the long haul…

But, if re-sale price is something that would seriously bother you, then the suggestion to just swap for another van where the kitchen set-up is better suited might be the most sensible option?

Besides, if you’re a multi-millionaire then it should make no difference either way… (lend us a tenner…! )

I can see impact on the resale value being a consideration when making changes on a new or nearly new van. But as it starts to age then things working rather than things being original become more important (bit like a body ).

And aging further, changing things to suit how YOU want to use it is far more important than keeping things factory-original. For one thing, how many people would know, let alone care, if they looked at a 15 year old motorhome what was there originally and what has been added or changed? (on the assumption that the additions or changes have been done sympathetically)

I remember when I took out my 3-Way Thetford fridge and fitted a 240V 'home' fridge/freezer about 4 years ago I was advised I had hurt the value of the Motorhome as it was not original anymore. But I considered it a upgrade without a doubt. However ... at the same time, the electrical and gas connections are all still intact and available should anyone want to refit a 3-way fridge again.

 

[Trotter]

If you’ve no intention of selling, how does “resale value “ come into play?
I’ve heard the term from other members. Not something I understand. As far as I’m concerned, while I’m the owner, it’s mine.

 

[marchie]

If you’ve no intention of selling, how does “resale value “ come into play?
I’ve heard the term from other members. Not something I understand. As far as I’m concerned, while I’m the owner, it’s mine.

'Protecting the value of one's investment', then?
If a prospective buyer is looking for a 'standard layout', based on what they have seen at NEC, Dealers etc, then changing the layout so radically may well reduce the value, because there will be a cost to reinstating the Van to 'standard layout'. A change from standard layout by adding a Lithium Battery and a refillable gas system may be seen as an enhancement, and, whilst it may not add the cost of the Lithium and LPG installation to the sale price, it may sell the Van quicker.

Finally, whilst we may all wish to Motorhome until all eternity, life (or death/disability) has a habit of getting in the way. And the need to sell the Van in those circumstances may leave one, or one's other half, needing to sell a 'unique' layout when circumstances present a difficult enough challenge without adding more complications ...

Just my observations, from a risk averse perspective!

Steve

 

[nabsim]

If you’ve no intention of selling, how does “resale value “ come into play?
I’ve heard the term from other members. Not something I understand. As far as I’m concerned, while I’m the owner, it’s mine.

You and me don't change vans while they still work Del so it doesn't matter at all to us but lots do worry about resale value.

Only reason I haven't fitted a log burner yet is carrying, (physically and storing) wood for it, don't give a toss about values

I think same as Marie, once I have bought something it has no value as it is for me to use as I see fit.

 

[nabsim]

'Protecting the value of one's investment', then?
If a prospective buyer is looking for a 'standard layout', based on what they have seen at NEC, Dealers etc, then changing the layout so radically may well reduce the value, because there will be a cost to reinstating the Van to 'standard layout'. A change from standard layout by adding a Lithium Battery and a refillable gas system may be seen as an enhancement, and, whilst it may not add the cost of the Lithium and LPG installation to the sale price, it may sell the Van quicker.

Finally, whilst we may all wish to Motorhome until all eternity, life (or death/disability) has a habit of getting in the way. And the need to sell the Van in those circumstances may leave one, or one's other half, needing to sell a 'unique' layout when circumstances present a difficult enough challenge without adding more complications ...

Just my observations, from a risk averse perspective!

Steve

May be an enhancement on private sales unlike with dealer. Unless things have changed most dealers will remove the extras as they don't know/want he cost of warranty on them

edit: thinking about this I see the difference. You class your motorhome as an investment, I class mine as a tool to use. Maybe that's why we think differently, plus of course mine is an old van so values nowhere near compare

 

[The laird]

Depreciate depreciate depreciate not location location location

 

[marchie]

May be an enhancement on private sales unlike with dealer. Unless things have changed most dealers will remove the extras as they don't know/want he cost of warranty on them

edit: thinking about this I see the difference. You class your motorhome as an investment, I class mine as a tool to use. Maybe that's why we think differently, plus of course mine is an old van so values nowhere near compare

We bought the M/home to use, Neil, but I do keep track of what it's worth, not least to determine whether the value of Brunhilde is worth spending more on to update/improve. Since buying Brunhilde in April 2021, we have spent 436 nights away, and we hope to spend even more time away in 2025 than last year. Having said that, we do need to repair our flat and get it on the market, so our ambitions may be thwarted, as they were in 2024!

Steve

 

[Exwindsurfer]

You and me don't change vans while they still work Del so it doesn't matter at all to us but lots do worry about resale value.

Only reason I haven't fitted a log burner yet is carrying, (physically and storing) wood for it, don't give a toss about values

I think same as Marie, once I have bought something it has no value as it is for me to use as I see fit.

I’ll second that Neil