NEW CARAVAN

[MONTYSA 33]

Hi

Been looking at new Caravan again.

The problem is the heating systems now Blow air or Radiator, not having a Separate heating fire. If new heating goes wrong no back up especially as it is electronic control

I find that the in very cold weather my blow air does not heat rear wash room very good, what is the new blow air only system like heating all of Van in mid winter.

Happy Caravanning

Monty

Edited 1 September by MONTYSA

[GaryB 93]

Blown air heating does/can give problems warming the back of a long caravan.  We had a 2014 Swift Challenger 586 with a rear bedroom/fixed bunks and it was like a fridge in there.  That model didn't have (and you weren't supposed to install) butterfly valves to allow you to reduce the air flow from the front and force it to the back.  The pipe also ran underneath the caravan towards the rear, I lagged this with waterproof insulation which helped, but only marginally.

In 2016 we swapped it for a new Swift Challenger 580 with the Alde wet heating system.  Now that was good, giving an even heat throughout the caravan BUT if you put the water on as well as the heating when arriving on site it would prioritise the water so no heating until the water was warm.  The fluid also needs changing at 2 years old (not cheap) and I always found the system a bit temperamental, sometimes it seemed to take a while to come on.  Once working it was great, but I just didn't get on with it.

This year we bought a new Sprite Quattro EB with blown air heating so back to the problem of not much heat to the rear bedroom, BUT this system now does have butterfly valves at the front, allowing you to reduce the output at the front and force it to the rear.  It still isn't brilliant, but I still have yet to lag the pipe as it runs under the caravan with insulation.  We'll be away third week of October so it'll get a good test then. 

[MONTYSA 33]

Hi

Well have taken the plunge and have purchased a new 2018 model Swift Siena 4sb Grantham Caravans Special with blow air heating fingers crossed it heat van ok as we winter caravan been away in our Conqueror in snow blizzards and was nice and cozy with fire and blow air on together. I will make sure I take a electric blow air heater away as well.

Lets hope I don't regret changing Vans. as only changing van as want Island bed. Last HolidayI was getting out of bed average 10 times a night to go to toilet as wife wants to sleep near window. With Island bed will only have to get out of bed for myself should cut it down to about 2 or 3.

Went to buy the twin axle but single axle interior layout seemed better for me. In twin axle could not get into rear bedroom with shower door closed, being 18st.

Happy Caravanning

Monty

Edited 11 September by MONTYSA
Changed 2017 to 2018

[Rodders 67]

I have blown air heating , and for a number of years felt in winter it was struggling ,and used to supplement the electricity with gas to aid quicker warm up .

There is a control lever near the heater and I always thought it was to open and shut to supply to the awning vent .

Then one day I did a very strange thing , I read the instructions   and found , in fact it was to switch the heating from recirculating the air  , to pulling in fresh air .

So starting with recirculating , then switching to fresh . result in a quicker warm up and a toasty caravan

[MONTYSA 33]

Hi

Well sitting in new van at Wagtail country park near Grantham. Pick it up Wednesday was worried about heating but been getting to hot so should do.

Been trying to get use to Electronics.

Happy Caravanning

Monty

[samd 22]

Blown air heating does/can give problems warming the back of a long caravan.  We had a 2014 Swift Challenger 586 with a rear bedroom/fixed bunks and it was like a fridge in there.  That model didn't have (and you weren't supposed to install) butterfly valves to allow you to reduce the air flow from the front and force it to the back.  The pipe also ran underneath the caravan towards the rear, I lagged this with waterproof insulation which helped, but only marginally.

In 2016 we swapped it for a new Swift Challenger 580 with the Alde wet heating system.  Now that was good, giving an even heat throughout the caravan BUT if you put the water on as well as the heating when arriving on site it would prioritise the water so no heating until the water was warm.  The fluid also needs changing at 2 years old (not cheap) and I always found the system a bit temperamental, sometimes it seemed to take a while to come on.  Once working it was great, but I just didn't get on with it.

This year we bought a new Sprite Quattro EB with blown air heating so back to the problem of not much heat to the rear bedroom, BUT this system now does have butterfly valves at the front, allowing you to reduce the output at the front and force it to the rear.  It still isn't brilliant, but I still have yet to lag the pipe as it runs under the caravan with insulation.  We'll be away third week of October so it'll get a good test then. 

Just for others reading this, I think it is only if you put the system onto heating the water at the higher than normal temperature that it takes priority over the central heating.  Normal water heating takes place alongside the central heating - at least that's how mine works.

[Surfer 125]

Our ALDE heats the water and the does the heating at the same time.  The only time the water heating is prioritised is if you use the boost function.

[MONTYSA 33]

Only problem  Hot air outlet burns my leg were I sit in Van by the time it gets to back toilet/shower room air has called down, think pipe goes under van to back will lock when get home and lag it some more.

Happy Caravanning Monty 

[MONTYSA 33]

 

This year we bought a new Sprite Quattro EB with blown air heating so back to the problem of not much heat to the rear bedroom, BUT this system now does have butterfly valves at the front, allowing you to reduce the output at the front and force it to the rear.  It still isn't brilliant, but I still have yet to lag the pipe as it runs under the caravan with insulation.  We'll be away third week of October so it'll get a good test then. 

Hi Gary

Does your van have the new flush fitting entrance door if so do the corners of the rubber seals get caught hinge side only had Van 5 days and top corner has small split in it already. 

Don't think new van will last as good as my 2001 Conqueror 630LUX 

Happy Caravanning Monty 

[GaryB 93]

I've just had a look and it doesn't appear to get caught, if anything it sticks out a bit at the top.

[GaryB 93]

Just for others reading this, I think it is only if you put the system onto heating the water at the higher than normal temperature that it takes priority over the central heating.  Normal water heating takes place alongside the central heating - at least that's how mine works.

Thanks, I never did get on with the Alde heating in the two years we had that caravan!  It is a good system but confused me no end.........

[MONTYSA 33]

New van nice but Wife will not enjoy it as she passed away in it Sunday afternoon was packing upper to go home went to empty toilet. Came back found her dead in van. 45yrs married i'm devastated our will I go on she was everything to me.

[Surfer 125]

Very sad to hear and Margaret & myself pass on our condolences.

[ianb 16]

Very sorry to read about your loss.

Ian

[mickreeve 0]

So sorry to hear of your loss, try to take some comfort from the fact that she went quickly without suffering and died doing what she loved, caravanning.

[GaryB 93]

Truly speechless, so sorry to hear this

[samd 22]

Truly awful.  So sad to hear that and my sincere condolences.

[shipbroker 139]

How sad, no words are enough.

geoff

[Paulgkn 13]

No words are enough!

so sorry to hear !

[Green Squirrel 17]

Oh dear - what a sad story --  so sorry to hear

 

[Ocsid 25]

So very sorry, desperately sad news.

[Jbeans 78]

So sorry. My condolences. 

[MONTYSA 33]

Hi

Thank you all for kind word on deaf of my wife. Still can't believe she has gone.

Sold New 4 day old Caravan to many not good memories lost £1300 not to bad a lot more than dealer Grantham Caravans offered me to buy it back.

Now on own looking to buy another Motorhome.

Happy Caravanning

Monty