Carrying spares.

Scotia

Scotia

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For the non believers in carrying spares, sitting in Campagne Alantique or Daughter went for a shower after being on the beach a jet of water then nothing. Checked the fuse and replaced blew the fuse straight away out with the old pump in with the new sorted no running around searching for a new pump on a Saturday morning.
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Well done you 👍
I have to say, I carried ’Spares &/Or Just in Case’ items for Years, over a Decade in fact. However nowadays I just literally carry Duct Tape, Cable Ties, Fuses, Electrical Wire & alike with a few of the most basic Tools aboard.
I have a ‘Safety Net’ Budget put aside & is ready to use, For most other things I have Amazon & the internet in general with Next day delivery 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
I got fed up with moving them from van to van every few months so stopped, I just carry a toolbox now so if I do need something I have half a chance of fitting it, but bar the fridge we can do without til we get home.
 
I wanted a more powerful pump for my system and was gifted one by a friend who was a member here.

I still carry the one it replaced though which would get me out of trouble if needed.
 
Glandwr said:
Gone through 4 spare pumps in 14 years. I regard them as consumerable. Always carry one.
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Some years ago I knew the MD of Swift caravans. He said that Whale had done some market research on how often people use their caravans and the conclusion was that on average a caravan is used for one two week holiday in the summer, plus three bank holiday weekends. Therefore the usage of a submersible pump is (say) ten hours over the course of a year. So Whale redesigned their submersible pumps to last ten intermittent hours. He said that the dealers were told that when a customer comes in with a faulty submersible pump, just give them another one. Doesn't matter how old it is and they don't need proof of when they bought it, just give them another one. That is cheaper than building pumps that are high quality, if I can put it that way.
Those German ones look a lot better.
My personal preference is for a ShurFlo pump with diaphragms, they are tough old beasts and you can get an overhaul kit for them when they get to about 15 years old, and just replace the rubbers and springs. Mind you at upwards of £75 a pop I don't think I will carry a spare pump - but when I look at replacement motorhomes I do look for the pump and if it is a ShurFlo I think to myself that this converter isn't scraping every penny of profit that they can get away with.
 
I carry consumables (e.g. fuses and bulbs) and that is about it.

Most things I can get within a couple of days from the internet or manage without.

This Monday the electric shower at home failed. I did a few basic checks and ordered a replacement.
It arrived the following day at 12:00 and was fitted and working within 30 minutes.
 
One thing we always have is spare glass for the wing mirrors, after having learned the hard way in France how debilitating it is to lose the use of the passenger side mirror.

The glass itself is relatively inexpensive.
 
gasgas said:
Some years ago I knew the MD of Swift caravans. He said that Whale had done some market research on how often people use their caravans and the conclusion was that on average a caravan is used for one two week holiday in the summer, plus three bank holiday weekends. Therefore the usage of a submersible pump is (say) ten hours over the course of a year. So Whale redesigned their submersible pumps to last ten intermittent hours. He said that the dealers were told that when a customer comes in with a faulty submersible pump, just give them another one. Doesn't matter how old it is and they don't need proof of when they bought it, just give them another one. That is cheaper than building pumps that are high quality, if I can put it that way.
Those German ones look a lot better.
My personal preference is for a ShurFlo pump with diaphragms, they are tough old beasts and you can get an overhaul kit for them when they get to about 15 years old, and just replace the rubbers and springs. Mind you at upwards of £75 a pop I don't think I will carry a spare pump - but when I look at replacement motorhomes I do look for the pump and if it is a ShurFlo I think to myself that this converter isn't scraping every penny of profit that they can get away with.
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Mine were like for like Reich in the same Hymer.
 
I currently carry a spare Comet Lux Plus pump, but there's a story behind this.
A few years ago the original pump packed up and I replaced it, on investigation the original pump was completely knackered with water getting into motor. Anyway when fitting new non return valve I accidently blocked the bleed hole, this made the pump hard to prime unless well over half a tank of water. Last year the fuse blew, replacement fuse also blew, so 'knew' the pump was knackered yet again, and got a new one (and non return valve).
Decided to investigate the 'knackered' pump, and with a temporary set up (bucket of water and a car charger for supply) worked perfectly! After some further checks, and comparing it to pump in van, found that it drew around 1 or 2 amp more, and this was just enough to blow fuse. So it's now a spare, and if need to put it back in will use the next size up fuse as a temporary measure.
 
Nesting Zombie said:
Well done you 👍
I have to say, I carried ’Spares &/Or Just in Case’ items for Years, over a Decade in fact. However nowadays I just literally carry Duct Tape, Cable Ties, Fuses, Electrical Wire & alike with a few of the most basic Tools aboard.
I have a ‘Safety Net’ Budget put aside & is ready to use, For most other things I have Amazon & the internet in general with Next day delivery 🤷🏻‍♂️
Click to expand...
I am about the same, only a small socket set now for light jobs and rest as you list. Nearest I get to spares is spare wheel and tyre. If van breaks I have breakdown to get me somewhere safe/to be fixed, and I think anything else I could manage until next day. I saved 500Kg's weight taking all the stuff I never used out the van earlier this year.
 
Nesting Zombie said:
It’s incredible isn’t it Nabsim
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Yes, I knew it would add up but didn't realise quite how much as I had already gotten rid of some of the spare, spare stuff lol

Like you say internet/Amazon etc lets you get an awful lot of things delivered close by next day so not really a problem. I am more concerned about running out of water if I broke down somewhere than getting spares lol

That said, it would be more difficult if I were not in the UK but as I always am its all good :)
 
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