Benidorm or bust.

[marchie]

Spain lost it for me when they decided they didn’t want motorhomes, all the places we knew and friendly police then we weren’t wanted, it was sad really as the police apologise for having to move us on then central government realised how much money they were losing and decided to build aires like the frog’s but it was too late, we moved to Portugal not to the Algarve but approx 50miles north into the small villages and low and behold we met all our friends from Spain, over the years the conversation has often mentioned Spain and would you or have you been back very few have returned some just to see how much it has changed but returned to Portugal, I haven’t been back to Spain for the last 12 years much rather spend my money in the little villages who appreciate your friendship and don’t move you on.

We have never been moved on by the Spanish Police in our 5-6 visits; in fact at both Simancas and Tortosa, we stopped the visiting Police patrol and asked if we would be evicted for overstaying, and in each case we were told to stay on, and thanked for asking in advance.

The nearest we came to eviction was at Moncofa, where we (and about 20 other Vans) stretched the 48 hour limit by arriving late afternoon (after the Police Patrol) and staying until about 1/2 hour before the Patrol on morning 3. There are about a dozen streets of 1/2 built, abandoned, houses immediately beside the official aires, and the number of overstayers parked in the roads was well into 3 figures over New Year, so thevPolice had to act. We all received a printed letter, with Seasons Greetings, very civilised, advising that sleeping on the roadside breached the local byelaws, and we were invited to find a campsite or return to the official aire within 48 hours ...

Steve

 

[Neckender]

Got in Benidorm 11am this morning fabulous pitch, took notice where the sun was so parked van up lifted pop top. Then inflated awning, set new camp kitchen up, just looked up and 200 watt Renogy solar panel gone, twinwall still on the roof cable gland smashed up.
Heard a terrible noise yesterday sounded just like a puncture pulled over on motorway checked all tyres and wheels for tightness carried on to a motorway services to check van and trailer wheels ,tyres and bearings for overheating.Drove around services a couple of times and noise gone, so set off again got up to 50mph on motorway and noise like puncture again so I stopped again checked under van to see if any panels had dropped down and nothing so I proceed on with the noise and once off motorway was going to call VW assist, all of a sudden the noise stopped and the van drove the next 250 odd miles perfectly, I never thought to look on the roof. What happened the plastic bolts I had sika flexed to the twinwall had pulled out I've now got a real mess on my roof as I've removed the twin wall now.
Good job no other traffic on motorway.



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[Pauljenny]

All part of the great motorhome adventure.
You'd be bored stiff without them.

 

[barryd]

Bloody hell! Never heard of a panel flying off before. That is bad news. I assume you are on hookup though on the site?

 

[Neckender]

Yes Baz hook up today but also have 200 watt of portable solar, our 4 day trip using lighting, fridge and upteen kettle boils left our 300 watt of lithium batteries at 80% so really chuffed with that.

 

[Neckender]

 

[jann]

There are a lot of fairly new aires in Spain when you travel inland.
All that we have been on this year have been free with free water, occasionally free electric.

 

[alcam]

Spain lost it for me when they decided they didn’t want motorhomes, all the places we knew and friendly police then we weren’t wanted, it was sad really as the police apologise for having to move us on then central government realised how much money they were losing and decided to build aires like the frog’s but it was too late, we moved to Portugal not to the Algarve but approx 50miles north into the small villages and low and behold we met all our friends from Spain, over the years the conversation has often mentioned Spain and would you or have you been back very few have returned some just to see how much it has changed but returned to Portugal, I haven’t been back to Spain for the last 12 years much rather spend my money in the little villages who appreciate your friendship and don’t move you on.

Surprised to hear that . Any particular area ?
Been touring Spain 2-3 times a year for 14 years never been asked to move

 

[Sydwal]

Got in Benidorm 11am this morning fabulous pitch, took notice where the sun was so parked van up lifted pop top. Then inflated awning, set new camp kitchen up, just looked up and 200 watt Renogy solar panel gone, twinwall still on the roof cable gland smashed up.
Heard a terrible noise yesterday sounded just like a puncture pulled over on motorway checked all tyres and wheels for tightness carried on to a motorway services to check van and trailer wheels ,tyres and bearings for overheating.Drove around services a couple of times and noise gone, so set off again got up to 50mph on motorway and noise like puncture again so I stopped again checked under van to see if any panels had dropped down and nothing so I proceed on with the noise and once off motorway was going to call VW assist, all of a sudden the noise stopped and the van drove the next 250 odd miles perfectly, I never thought to look on the roof. What happened the plastic bolts I had sika flexed to the twinwall had pulled out I've now got a real mess on my roof as I've removed the twin wall now.
Good job no other traffic on motorway.



Quote

£$%^ that's bad news! One of my big fears. We have two wafer thin 350W panels and I do worry about them flying off. Hope it works out for you!

 

[trevskoda]

Got in Benidorm 11am this morning fabulous pitch, took notice where the sun was so parked van up lifted pop top. Then inflated awning, set new camp kitchen up, just looked up and 200 watt Renogy solar panel gone, twinwall still on the roof cable gland smashed up.
Heard a terrible noise yesterday sounded just like a puncture pulled over on motorway checked all tyres and wheels for tightness carried on to a motorway services to check van and trailer wheels ,tyres and bearings for overheating.Drove around services a couple of times and noise gone, so set off again got up to 50mph on motorway and noise like puncture again so I stopped again checked under van to see if any panels had dropped down and nothing so I proceed on with the noise and once off motorway was going to call VW assist, all of a sudden the noise stopped and the van drove the next 250 odd miles perfectly, I never thought to look on the roof. What happened the plastic bolts I had sika flexed to the twinwall had pulled out I've now got a real mess on my roof as I've removed the twin wall now.
Good job no other traffic on motorway.



Quote

Do the job right and use proper brackets bolted through the roof and a marine gland to bring cables in.
I made my brackets from fence clamps and straightend one side to bolt onto panel holes on the frame.

 

[marchie]

Do the job right and use proper brackets bolted through the roof and a marine gland to bring cables in.
I made my brackets from fence clamps and straightend one side to bolt onto panel holes on the frame.View attachment 148126

On the Ferry to Santander, we were parked tight against the rails overlooking the down ramp to the exit doors, so had a good view of polished M/Home bodies and lime green roofs etc ...

However, I saw at least 2 VW California Vans with front to back factory fitted roof bars, and the owners had merely used the standard roof rail bars to mount the solar panels - very simple and effective! The 2nd Van had 4 panels squeezed on flat and had managed to prop up a 5th Panel - no time to see what it was attached to, since the vehicles were in motion on the ramp ...

Steve

 

[barryd]

How many members are now worrying about their solar panels taking up flying lessons?

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

It's bit like marmite you either love it you don't.
Freinds of ours winter there every year..they also like marmite.

 

[trevskoda]

View attachment 148097View attachment 148098

Sorry to say but that looks like a back street job, no gland for cables and a flimbsy fitting rails, lucky they stayed on so long.

 

[Neckender]

That’s a double gland all smashed at the rear.

 

[marchie]

How many members are now worrying about their solar panels taking up flying lessons?

Gliding, actually, Barry . Mr & Mrs Wright and their 2 sons, one of whom is not nice; in fact he's Orville ...

Steve

 

[trevskoda]

That’s a double gland all smashed at the rear.

Looks like a household unit which i see on many vans, get a marine one and it should be placed under the panels.

 

[WeLuvFreedom]

Why the hell would you go to Benidorm!!!!!!, Blackpool in the sun....OMG

Have I ever been to Benidorm ,,,,,?????

 

[WeLuvFreedom]

Cleaned the van and loaded van and trailer, just got to put Alpicool fridge freezer on tomorrow morning and away for 8 weeks in Benidorm, stopping on C&CC site in Canterbury tomorrow night and early to the Dover ferry Friday morning and then into France and hopefully other side of Rouen before nightfall. Then we should be in Benidorm for Monday.


View attachment 147975View attachment 147979View attachment 147980

I see Member by the name of Mother ship is slagging off Benidorm so I have asked if they have been there ,,.. I eagerly await there reply ... Roll on the Western Saloon as we leave from Portsmouth to Santander... 11 weeks today ...

Cleaned the van and loaded van and trailer, just got to put Alpicool fridge freezer on tomorrow morning and away for 8 weeks in Benidorm, stopping on C&CC site in Canterbury tomorrow night and early to the Dover ferry Friday morning and then into France and hopefully other side of Rouen before nightfall. Then we should be in Benidorm for Monday.


View attachment 147975View attachment 147979View attachment 147980

I see a member by the name of Mother ship is slagging off Benidorm so I have asked if they have ever been there & eagerly await there reply ,,,,,,,,....11 weeks today & we r on the Portsmouth to Santander boat ... Roll on the Western Saloon ,... Have a GR8 time

 

[alcam]

Have I ever been to Benidorm ,,,,,?????

I've been