Thinking of useful extras for motorhome

The one item I've recently bought and found useful is a Karcher WV1 Plus Window Vac to remove any moisture on the inside of the windscreen – works a treat.

An external screen would do away with the need for that accessory

We used to have one but decided it wasn't worth the bother of the moisture on the outside on the outside,  especially when it was raining as we left the site or in the Winter months, being loaded on board and having to dry it out asap.

Most of you seem to appreciate the screens but I'm quite happy not to use one.

im with Keith in that external screens are a faff too far....too bulky, annoying when wet and you need to go outside before you can see throught the cab windows...no fun if persisting down

i made my own internal side window screens (we have a built in internal insulated front screen) but even though these work well, ive decided not to bother unless its very cold but we only tour the uk in summer and our winters away dont require them.

if i was ordering my next van from new, one extra i would definitely have is double glazed side windows (A-class only) as this would help. i may investigate having these retro fitted..

the large front screen does get a bit of condensation and our window vac works a treat, a lot easier than putting away bulky wet screens even with a large garage to chuck 'em.

I don't tend to use my screens in the summer. I find that the blinds plus a curtain that goes round the front of the cab keeps the condensation to a minimum. The other advantage is that I can look out of the side windows of the cab as well. The real secret is to not get up too early in the mornings. 

ive found that the biggest cause of condensation on the inside of windscreens is cold rain on the outside...

the cold rain drags the temperature of the glass down and the warm air inside the van meets it with the usual result....

as i said, our normal warm, dry trips.....winters in Spain, late summer in southern France and just summer in the UK.... means we dont get those conditions too often....

if 'home' we do a short New Year trip in the UK, this is when its most likely for us, but not sufficient incentive to mess about with external screens.....

popping outside at 9am on a cold morning to remove them just to be able to see out of the van, no thanks....brrrr.

 Boleroboy only l was in it, total weight excluding the tow bar was 3.200 kilo. rear axle was 1.660, front axle was 1540, will need to find what weight the tow bar was, when the lockdown is over l will check it again before l fit the solar and the road pro. l may have to apply for an increase to 3.800 kilo, no idea how to do that at the moment 

David we have the Silver Screens(expensive l know) outside type never get condensation, we were advised to get them as it didn't come with cab blinds, it came with the internal type but they still left condensation, plus sucker marks all over the screen.Sick of cleaning them off.

Heethers

ok, looks like you arent going to have and issues regarding axle weights however, i dont know what your OH weighs (nominal 75kg but could be more or less...).

also you havent mentioned water....was the tank empty? a full tank could weigh another 100kg...we always carry plenty of water as wedont always use sites and can then shower in the van.

was a 2nd gas bottle loaded? any bedding on board (this is surprisingly heavy).

consider what else ypu might carry....books/mags, computers/phones/tablets, other electrical kit, food (tinned stiff and bottled drink, water, wine, juice is heavy), clothes/shoes (also weigh far more than youd think), tools, levellers, windbreak, toilet fluids etc, etc

was the fuel tank full?

i see that 300kg 'spare' being eaten up pretty easily and more besides.

you need to load up all the stuff ive just mentioned, incl wife, water, fuel  and anything else ypu can think of and return to the weighbridge.

as above, o still think ypull get away with the axle weights (we will see) but that 3500kg mark is looking very iffy.

however, while you cant (easily) upgrade the individual axle weights you can upgrade the MTPLM to 3850kg.....the sum of the two axles 1850kg plus 2000kg which might be enough.

you would need to talk to someone like SV Tech who will need to know axle weights fully loaded and other details like tyre size etc...

they can then check evrything and apply to the dvla on ypur behalf to have the log book changed to 3850 and a new weight plate delivered.

all this is fine provided that you have the required license groups (probably) and are not yet 70 and dont need a medical to keep the C1 (upto 7.5t element).

when you reach 70 ypu will need to undergo a medical every three years to retain this extra group.

good luck, happy to help with other questions.

oh yes, and the towbar.....25-40kg....and having a towbar, what will you use it for? was it for a bike rack or a trailer or....?

if a bike rack (10kg?) are you adding ebikes...25kg each incl batteries...

another weighbridge visit (when allowed) methinks....

I don't find external screens a faff at all and they are easy enough to store even when damp. Notice I said damp not wet. Even in the wettest conditions, just give them a quick shake and most of the water just falls off and you just end up with a damp screen which fits into its protective bag for storage. I just throw mine on a bed, after all it comes out again when you stop for the night. Even if you don't use it, it is easy enough to stow on the cab floor.

I find internal cab screens whether built in or not more of a faff. The sat nav, the dash cam and rear view mirror prevent my built in ones closing and I hardly ever use them.

peedee