Home

Planning a small upgrade for my vehicle as I've been thinking about simplifying my current... ehm, hygiene setup. Rather tired of bucket+pellet system.

How difficult would it be to add a toilet and blackwater tank to a cargo van? For instance, the holding tank just mounts underneath the van with a hole going through the floor, where the toilet mounts directly on top. For flushing, I'd have a plastic water tank (doesn't need to be huge) inside the van, with either an electric or manual pump. Will this work?

As for toilet itself, been thinking about installing a portable one but with flushing system added. Portapotti - from what I found - would be perfect for my conversion, but those are rather pricey, so I am looking for recommendations on a good product/price and something that will definitely contain the waste, not stink up the inside of the van if left in there on a hot day, and is easy to clean, etc. Any experience with Thetford or Camco (both on this list)?

I know everyone does this differently, and some even choose to travel without one (like you, Mike), and my idea is not the best I believe, but I'd like to to hear various answers.

Hello all. This is more of a progress report.
I finally got the time and energy to get the platform for my bed built into the van. It's going lengthwise because I am taller than my van is wide and my dog won't let me sleep sideways on the bed, not that I want to anyway. I'm not a carpenter so it's a bit rough but once the mattress is on it won't make a difference. It's a passenger van with the interior intact and I had to trim the plywood to fit around the heater ducting and other things. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. Next is anchors for the set of drawers I'm putting in.
Thanks and have a great day.

Cheers

Guess that's an old one, but can you share some photos of your remodelling?
My current setup is such a pain, so I'd like to improve it. I've been considering this for years and someday I'll pull the trigger.

Regarding heating, I am considering a diesel heater so we can leave it on during the night. The AC on the van it is excellent so it would help to control the humidity when the engine is on
We do not like to have a generator.

Still waiting for any updates - how it's going?

Electric dehumidifier is what we have used for years. In fact we camped in the rain this weekend and had zero condensation It is running now to dry out the bunk ends of our hybrid. Truly only real solution we have seen. And we don't need insulation.
Without the dehumidifier it's a lost cause trying to keep condensation down.

Greetings & Welcome!

I fear that you are going into this listening to the hype from the sales people rather than reality.  It isn't always about what's potentially possible, but more about what's practical, reliable, and cost efficient.  Solar is none of those things...

Inverters are terribly inefficient, and should be avoided if at all possible, and if they can't be totally eliminated, they should be used as little as possible.  12 volt appliances and accessories are a better choice.  Anything heating, cooking, or refrigeration related should not require any electricity (AC or DC) at all.

A camper is not a house, and unless you plan on having shore power available regularly, power should be considered very precious.  It isn't always about what you can do, but rather what you can do without, or what you can do better.  You can do much better than solar.

My entire power system no longer includes solar, but it is cheaper and far more reliable.  Mainly I charge my house batteries while driving, and I replaced my solar with a generator and the option to charge with shore power.  Unlike solar, all of these options work rain or shine, daylight or darkness, cost less up front, and under about $20 a year to provide all the power I need.  My $99 generator provides both AC & DC power, for less than the cost of an inverter of the same size.  It also allows me the comfort of parking in the shade in the summer.  It runs for about 8 hours on a gallon of gas, and is so quiet it won't bother anyone.

The old timers perhaps tell it best. "Nobody ~NEEDS~ solar, but they are convinced they want it.  Later they will learn to regret it."  After 3 different failed attempts, and thousands of dollars wasted, I now listen to those old timers, and try to spread their wisdom.

Another pearl of wisdom, regardless of the route you choose, is to buy your batteries at a junkyard, where you can get almost new batteries for under $20 each, and they'll last just as long as new ones.

Looking back, I'd skip the solar, and go with my current system to begin with.  The only things I own that require a generator or shore power are my battery charger, and some heavy duty power tools, but nothing that I need on a daily basis.  Even my electric blanket is 12 volt.  Another good investment is low voltage protectors for your batteries, so you never over discharge them.  They will improve your battery life considerably.  I also put one on my starting battery, to guarantee it can never be drained too low to start my rig, because I do occasionally use my starting battery for power too. ( I switched out my starting battery with the largest deep cycle battery that would fit in it's place.  With my house battery and my stating battery, I can boondock for 2 full weeks, and still have plenty of power to start my rig, without ever needing to fire up my generator.)

A little money can go a long way if we me make the right choices,  and a lot of money can disappear very quickly with the wrong choices.  Everybody has different wants and needs, and ideas on how to get there.  Most of these ideas and dreams come from sales people and people with no real world experience.  Ego and pride can also keep many people from reporting their failures, and 99% of all how to articles/videos are created by newbies with no experience or sales people.    If you google RV solar problems, fires, or failures, you'll find millions of reasons why you really don't want to mess with solar.  Today, my power system is as simple and as foolproof as possible.

Good Luck & keep us posted!

Twice that.
Sonneshine, I personally think the cheapest way around this is to buy a 1000 watt suitcase generator around £300 to £500. This will charge your batteries through your intelli charger, power all your lights and TV/Video/DVD/laptop - obviously it will not operate hot rod fridge etc. My own suitcase generator runs 8 hours on 1 gallon,over a four day weekend I use about a gallon and half.
You have the power when you want it rain or shine and it is the cheapest way out,solars work great when the sun is shining but not much use in the winter when there is only a few hours good sunlight, that's the time you need the power the most.

If you go down the solar panel route (which are good)you will need about equivalent of 300 watts which will probably cost around £2000 fitted.

Twice that. I just bought a 60mm thick memory foam mattress from Milliard. It isn't shaped but the edge tucks down nicely on our nearside fixed double bed.

Also, do you use the cushions with the seats face up? The instructions for our last caravan said turn them over and this did produce a flatter surface. If that does not work then a topper is the best bet.

Hiya, bluemoonvinny!

I've been to France several times.
It will get harder as you get North. Down in the Dordoigne public spaces seemed pretty open and I would even find picnic spots with taps and electricity! They must have decided that it costs more to fence off than to let people use them. But as you go North the population gets denser and fences appear more and more, followed by gates that get locked at night. The French are fiercely protective of their land and wild camping is not recommended if done on the sly.

Though, in less populated areas it's easy to find a suitable spot, and you can always ask a farmer - I've never been refused.

Hi All,

I'm considering travelling Europe next year in a camper and am hoping you can help me out with a couple of queries!

Firstly how do you keep your vans cool in the heat?
I will be trying to head to cooler climes in summer however even in winter cars get boiling when left in the sun. My main concern isn't for me so much but for my dog whom i will be travelling with. I don't plan to leave him in the vehicle for long periods but at times leaving him in the van will be unavoidable and even if not left by himself we will sometimes be driving during the day.

Secondly, does anyone else travel with their dogs, if so are there any particular logistical issues to this (i already have a Pet passport for my dog)? Are there any countries that are particularly dog friendly/unfriendly than others and has anyone encountered issues with wild dogs / wildlife when with your dogs? Any advice / useful info welcome!

Thank you 

Hiya, Red!

I have lots of experience of this with my two collies.
Insulating the van, inside, is a good step, as is having a white van to reflect as much heat as possible.
A spinny fan fitted to the top of the van will help on windy days, or while driving to circulate the air.

On days up to 28 degrees, the van is fine (in that it doesn't get above 35 inside) above 36 degrees is the danger zone, and you really don't want your pooches in that temperature, as that's when it starts to cause damage.
In those conditions – find shade under a tree, and park there.

Also get a silver reflective windows shade for the front, the amount of heat perpetuated by the windscreen, and then soaked up by dark dash and seats is crazy. Big ones. All the way around.
Get a thermometer, and check your max temperatures often – so you have an idea of what is safe, and what is comfortable for your dogs.

For mine, if it's a hot day – they'll stay at home now. There's no point in risking it.