Getting away from it all.

[zaphodski]

Hello.
I have just finished 22 years army service and now look forward to spending the next 5 - 10 years travelling throughout Europe and N Africa. I have not yet purchased a "van" but like the look of the Burstner Aviano, Argos or 747. I will be in receipt of a smallish monthly pension of about £730 so hopefully will be able to live fairly comfortably off this. I have just sold my house, which gives me approx £140,000 (had to split it with the ex wife) to purchase a "van" kit it out and have some reserves in the bank. Has anyone recently started such a radical change of lifestyle and can anyone give me any tips advice on how to proceed? Oh I will be travelling alone.

 

[vera]

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the site.
We have a burstner Aviano.We have had her for 2 years now and love it,we travel mainly in the uk and go to Europe 2-3 times a year so not full timers.
I have read that a budget of £1000 month is required for full timing, you can find all the facts doing a search on the site.
The main cost will be fuel, we get about 30 miles to the gallon and it costs us about £80 to fill the tank, but you can live a lot cheaper when travelling abroad.
Hope you find your ideal van and live your dreams.
Sue

 

[Tbear]

Hello.
I have just finished 22 years army service and now look forward to spending the next 5 - 10 years travelling throughout Europe and N Africa. I have not yet purchased a "van" but like the look of the Burstner Aviano, Argos or 747. I will be in receipt of a smallish monthly pension of about £730 so hopefully will be able to live fairly comfortably off this. I have just sold my house, which gives me approx £140,000 (had to split it with the ex wife) to purchase a "van" kit it out and have some reserves in the bank. Has anyone recently started such a radical change of lifestyle and can anyone give me any tips advice on how to proceed? Oh I will be travelling alone.

Hi Zaphodski,

After 22years you have earned your retirment, I only managed nine.

What I would recommend you do is to visit a couple of the large dealerships and have a test drive of a few vans. Find out what is comfortable to drive. A shower is great but can you get into it and move when you are in there. Can you get to the loo at night with all the beds down. Will you be on your own, is there enough storage space for summer and winter kit for more than one person. Will the fridge hold enough beer and food. If you are wilding for long periods can you store enough LPG and are there two leisure batteries. Go and have a look at a few vans and come back with your questions I am sure someone on here will help you.

As an ex squadie, I bet you can live well on a lot less than a thousand pounds a month.

Richard

Richard

 

[David & Ann]

I tend to agree with you Richard (Tbear) regards living with less than £1000 per month. On arrival in Spain your gasoline bill won't be so hefty, as folks normally stick around an area for short spells. The 2 of us manage quite comfortably on €1500 over a 3 month period, that is inclusive of gasoline and cooker gas. The reason our expense is low, because we stock up on all dry foods in bulk for our 3/4 months trip. We buy only meat and veg a couple of times a week. At a rough guess I would say €600 = £500 a month @ £= €1.20, inclusive of everything. This of course is on a wilding budget NOT Campsites. Some folks may disagree, which is understandable, as each person may have a different Itinery of their own personal expenses.

 

[John H]

Can't argue with any of that - we (two of us) live on around £1,000 per month and that includes a mixture of wilding and sites and it includes wintering in the Mediterannean and summer in the UK (we especially like Scotland). We live very comfortably, too. A couple of points: we only have one leisure battery (now five years old and going strong) but it is linked to a solar panel. If you are full-timing, I'd think seriously about a solar panel (80 watts or so). Also, we have a fixed bed - again, if full-timing it gets to be a bind making up the bed every day. Incidentally, the £1,000 per month includes all costs to do with the van (tax, insurance, MOT, servicing etc.). When we started out nine years ago we managed quite happily on £10k per year but that's inflation for you! Happy travels.

 

[zaphodski]

Many thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I have been to a few dealerships over recent weeks and the Burstner range is by far the best i've seen/tried. I also like a few Geist and Bessacar models. I have set my mind on this complete change of lifestyle but want to cover all my bases beforehand. As the majority of my travels will be overseas I intend purchasing a LHD model. I have read about solar panels but will probably go for a mixture of efoy (methenol fuel cells) and solar. I will mostly wild camp on my travels to save cash. A fixed bed is a must!

Well done for doing nine years Richard! I did 22 years Regular Service then volunteered for TA service for a further 5 years and went to Baghdad to support the Yanks!!!!

I'm currently planning my journeys (German Wohnmobilstellplaetze, French Aires, etc etc) and deciding where I intend over wintering.

This is obviously going to take masses of planning, so any help and suggestions are really welcomed.

 

[John H]

Wise decision about LHD - ours is too. Sorry I forgot to mention that. What are methanol fuel cells? I am always on the lookout for new methods of generating power and am currntly looking at wind turbines but that one is new to me (mind you, it is not difficult to confuse me with matters electric!).

As for over-wintering, it obviously depends on your interests and attitudes. We have overwintered in southern Spain, Sicily and Greece, so if we can be of any help, please get in touch (I may not know about electricity but I do know about weather!)

 

[David & Ann]

Many thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I have been to a few dealerships over recent weeks and the Burstner range is by far the best i've seen/tried. I also like a few Geist and Bessacar models. I have set my mind on this complete change of lifestyle but want to cover all my bases beforehand. As the majority of my travels will be overseas I intend purchasing a LHD model. I have read about solar panels but will probably go for a mixture of efoy (methenol fuel cells) and solar. I will mostly wild camp on my travels to save cash. A fixed bed is a must!

Well done for doing nine years Richard! I did 22 years Regular Service then volunteered for TA service for a further 5 years and went to Baghdad to support the Yanks!!!!

I'm currently planning my journeys (German Wohnmobilstellplaetze, French Aires, etc etc) and deciding where I intend over wintering.


I see you have mentioned a LHD. May I suggest that you travel to Germany to make your Purchase.
Here are 2 outlets to look around before making the trip. 20 to 30 percent cheaper.
1) www. gebrauchtewohnmobile.de Once you are in, click the British flag and you will have it in English.
2) Go to google, type in "Wohnmobile von privat" All private sales and some dealers will show up. Unfortunately it is only in the German language. If I can help let me know (language wise) Hope this helps

 

[Coolasluck]

Hello.
I have just finished 22 years army service and now look forward to spending the next 5 - 10 years travelling throughout Europe and N Africa. I have not yet purchased a "van" but like the look of the Burstner Aviano, Argos or 747. I will be in receipt of a smallish monthly pension of about £730 so hopefully will be able to live fairly comfortably off this. I have just sold my house, which gives me approx £140,000 (had to split it with the ex wife) to purchase a "van" kit it out and have some reserves in the bank. Has anyone recently started such a radical change of lifestyle and can anyone give me any tips advice on how to proceed? Oh I will be travelling alone.

Hi buddy good for you live life and enjoy.
We will be full timing also in a couple of years time.
We have an a-class hymer to get us some experiance and to learn about motorhoming before we go full time.Dont want to jump in at the deap end so we are paddling first!!!
We really love it and is the best thing we have ever got ourselves into.
Go to The Motorhome Fulltimers Association | Motorhome365 this is a recently newborn site that is dedicated to fulltimers and people who are planning too in the near future.

This site is full of individuals who will be more than capable of helping you with many problems you may encounter.

 

[kevin marks]

fulltiming

hi im also planning the same but have to sell the house bike car etc first.reckon ill have enough money to last 4 years without working but will want to pick up bits of work just to top the kitty up.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

Before you rush in and buy a fuel cell, check availability of the fuel. It is a specific product and you can't just pop into the nearest hardware store and buy a couple of gallons - especially away from western Europe.
Personally, I think their time is yet to come, and they would need to run on propane/butane to be a proposition.

Assuming you are going to follow the sun - or at least run from the snow - a couple of hundred watts of solar panel, a regulator and say 200 Amp-hours of battery will provide you with most of the conveniences you expect. Add a decent DC - DC charging system to feed from the engine alternator when you are on the move and you should be able to stay anywhere for several days at a time without driving and without hookups.
We do.

====================
If you intend staying away from the UK for long er than a year, you might need to look into the legalities of being regarded as having effectively exporting your vehicle, not being able to maintain registration and availability of insurance, carnets and similar hassles.

 

[barnybg]

Getting away from it all ?and why not..

Excellent Zaphodski,i like your style.
Several points,Why new,there are some stunning 'like new' motorhomes about wth very little milage which will save you a fortune,as much as a third!! also some will have 'extras' already fitted,and if left hand drive EBAY (if not found on UK ebay,at the bottom of page,you can clck on other countries in EBAY like Germany etc,use a google translator)but as stated,you need a minimum of 100 w solar,i would go for double that,(ebay)and a bank of leasure batteries,ALL new,maybe 3 or 4 or in parallel and the biggest,also if possible,an 'upgrade' to the biggest output alternator,and keep the original as spare,also carry all spare cables and the like,especially if your handy yourself,easier to fix a clutch cable,than wait several days/weeks for spares etc.Dont bother with wind power,waste of time and money,deffenately have the biggest LPG tank fitted for fuel (Bulgaria does them and very cheap)as UK very expensive,could also fit one for cooking,instead of bulky bottles ?but still keep one,as back up.
Internet research and joining forums like this will help you a great deal and save you a fortune,especially when finding where to go,on your travels,to over winter etc etc,it's all based on choice what you want and need and what countries you would like to see,some are very expensive and others very cheap(Bulgaria,i live here )The Peloponese and the Greek coasts are stunning too,also Turkey,some go to Spain and Maroc.
I have an 2ltr petrol (carb model) Talbot Autoquest 400 gt converted to run on LPG (Bulgaria) and is extremely frugal on running/touring,a cheap set up,that suits me fine,i'mnot that worried about it,as it doesn't cost me,a small house !!but as its 6 berth,i can leave one of the beds made up,if i wish,orlay on a single,theres plenty of room,and i can 'mostly' work on it myself,as newer,more modern,singing and dancing 'vans' you can't,If i scratch it,i wont break down in tears (well not as much) and i dont look like i belong to the Royal family...have a good think about it,maybe buy a second hand first,try it out,you can always buy another later ?

 

[Guernsey Donkey]

Hi and a warm welcome to the wild side.

 

[zaphodski]

Some fantastic advice guys, many thanks. I have heard so many conflicting stories about the benefits of photo voltaics ranging from "brilliant to awful". I am still undecided. I definately plan to buy a second hand low mileage 'van' from Germany (I was married to a German for 14 years, so speak the lingo). The more I read about Efoy systems the more impressed I am. I am currently scouring many websites (particularly German ones) where full-timers lurk to build up a bit of background information/feedback.

If everything goes to plan I will be visiting Germany early next year to purchase a 'van' and then hopefully convincing my ex wife to register the vehicle at her German address. This will save me the trauma of registering it here in UK. Having read many hundreds of pages about caravaning here in Blightly I intend spending as little time as possible here.....toooo expensive, fuel second highest price in Europe, unfriendly attitude to 'wild camping', awful weather, etc etc!

My intention once everything is finalised, is travelling to Germany in my car (packed to the gunnels with all my belongings) and flogging the car on the British Army/RAF circuit. Then the adventure will start.

I'll probably spend the first year in Germany as I know the country well and know a considerable number of places where I can 'wild camp'. This should give me sufficient time to get used to the new life style plus i'll have my two kids staying over Easter and Summer holidays (they both attend german schools). I'll probably then head South.

Please keep the advice coming, I really appreciate the feedback and would like to hear from others who have already set out.

Thanks

 

[caspar]

Wise decision about LHD - ours is too. Sorry I forgot to mention that. What are methanol fuel cells? I am always on the lookout for new methods of generating power and am currntly looking at wind turbines but that one is new to me (mind you, it is not difficult to confuse me with matters electric!).

As for over-wintering, it obviously depends on your interests and attitudes. We have overwintered in southern Spain, Sicily and Greece, so if we can be of any help, please get in touch (I may not know about electricity but I do know about weather!)

John,
Purely my opinion, but I know it's backed by most of the motorhome / caravan magazines at the moment. I think you'll find wind turbines very uneconomical. I'd add another solar panel and another leisure to give you more stored energy if you feel you need it.

I believe wind turbines are not so bad if you intend to stay in one place for a fair amount of time, but it is thought that it takes a lot longer to get it to pay for itself than solar panels. Whichever way you do it, if you find one leisure battery is kept topped up with your driving and solar panel, then you'll need to add another leisure battery to store the energy.

 

[John H]

Hi Zaphodski (and anybody else who knows anything about this)

Since you mentioned them I have been researching methanol fuel cells and have found some interesting stuff. But I have two questions:
1. The cells look expensive - are they cost effective in the long run?
2. How easy is it to get fuel for them and where do you get that fuel.
Remember, I am electronically illiterate so short answers would hurt my brain less!!
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3011]

"1. The cells look expensive - are they cost effective in the long run?"

For a communications repeater in a very awkward location, I imagine it would be very easy to work up a very convincing cost-benefit analysis, but for a motorhome having access to several other cheap(ish) and well-proven sources of power, I think you would have a fair bit of trouble justifying it even if you were on the road full-time.

That said, I know of one happy camper who spent AU$6000 on a medium sized one and by george he is determined to be happy with his decision. I also know of another who spent nearly as much on a alkaline-water device and now that he has youthened 10 years and burnt his walking stick is also happy. Fuel saver devices invoke a similar state of ecstasy in those who forget to return them within the 90-day money back period.




2. How easy is it to get fuel for them and where do you get that fuel.

And that is the real question - that may have an easy answer in Germany or France - but what about in the UK or Morocco or Iceland. The last two don't even have autogas let alone some crazy fuel in special canisters.

I would wait until they bring out one that will run on autogas. THEN they will sell.



At least one brand requires (suggests??) a service every couple of years. Don't know what it costs but that would add to the total cost of ownership.

I would be concerned about the high cost and poor availability of the methanol. It would be classed as a dangerous good so if you run out, you can't just get someone to post a couple of bottles.

 

[John H]

Thanks Tony - I'll do as you suggest and look again when they bring an LPG version out. Happy travels.

 

[bmb1uk]

service

Hi from one old squaddie to another ,may i thank you for your service to our country,may you have a long and happy retirement, maybe i will meet you on your jouneys to share a pint or three BAZ.

 

[michael beck]

Methanol sales

Hi Zaphodski (and anybody else who knows anything about this)

Since you mentioned them I have been researching methanol fuel cells and have found some interesting stuff. But I have two questions:
1. The cells look expensive - are they cost effective in the long run?
2. How easy is it to get fuel for them and where do you get that fuel.
Remember, I am electronically illiterate so short answers would hurt my brain less!!
Thanks

John this is relatively easy to get, Trinity research offer 99.95%pure @ £215 for 205ltr
its part of the process for the manufacture of bio diesel and one of the first gasses to come off during distillation of certain spirits.
Apparently they also make an Ethanol cell to produce electricity, (now that would be handy)