Chunkymunky
VIP Member
all
Just returned from my first proper trip away to France and was very happy. Van performed admirably during a very hot week fishing in the champagne region! Bit of a lengthy post and was unsure if best place to post so mods feel free to move me please!
Van was excellent. 1100 miles without missing a beat. Ran loaded to the top with two of us and air con all the way 34mpg going and 32mpg returning ( beer? Wine ?). No issues had a great time other than a puncture repair stretching my GCSE french in Calais on way out. Weather beautiful , roads empty and felt really nice and safe in France. People lovely too - happy to answer any questions re quarantine / COVID travel to France if anyone wants to know ( I will of course avoid the politics....)
Couple of general points for some advice please!
- had a little bit of delamination/ separation of the roof awning seam ( due to hot weather?) and sags a bit over drivers door when fully extended. I’ve searched the fir and see this is a longer term issue and has had warranty repairs- now alas out of warranty. Anyone had any experience of repair ? It’s duct taped up about three inches at present ?
- external solar panel was linked to rear leisure via Anderson connectors ( thanks welsh gas !) Only means of checking voltage etc being the internal control panel - the battery percentage continued to drop through usage but then came back up after literally a minute of engine running- noted voltage dropped as fridge was drawing Amps, but battery voltage remained stable - at about 12.4 v when sunny and connected. Anyone got any better solutions for measuring/ checking if battery is actually being charged by the panel? I ran the fridge and dc sockets all week and didn’t kill it so presume it was actually charging!
- I had van serviced before going away and had DLR replaced. Bulb warning light came on after 200 miles and sure enough it’s gone again! Anything I should be considering other than a dirty / faulty bulb replacement?
- anyone any good ( cheap!) suggestions for mozzie netting the front windows and side door? Used air safe for boot but side windows with vw magnetic strips blinds were a bit of an entry point - as was side door obviously !
Just returned from my first proper trip away to France and was very happy. Van performed admirably during a very hot week fishing in the champagne region! Bit of a lengthy post and was unsure if best place to post so mods feel free to move me please!
Van was excellent. 1100 miles without missing a beat. Ran loaded to the top with two of us and air con all the way 34mpg going and 32mpg returning ( beer? Wine ?). No issues had a great time other than a puncture repair stretching my GCSE french in Calais on way out. Weather beautiful , roads empty and felt really nice and safe in France. People lovely too - happy to answer any questions re quarantine / COVID travel to France if anyone wants to know ( I will of course avoid the politics....)
Couple of general points for some advice please!
- had a little bit of delamination/ separation of the roof awning seam ( due to hot weather?) and sags a bit over drivers door when fully extended. I’ve searched the fir and see this is a longer term issue and has had warranty repairs- now alas out of warranty. Anyone had any experience of repair ? It’s duct taped up about three inches at present ?
- external solar panel was linked to rear leisure via Anderson connectors ( thanks welsh gas !) Only means of checking voltage etc being the internal control panel - the battery percentage continued to drop through usage but then came back up after literally a minute of engine running- noted voltage dropped as fridge was drawing Amps, but battery voltage remained stable - at about 12.4 v when sunny and connected. Anyone got any better solutions for measuring/ checking if battery is actually being charged by the panel? I ran the fridge and dc sockets all week and didn’t kill it so presume it was actually charging!
- I had van serviced before going away and had DLR replaced. Bulb warning light came on after 200 miles and sure enough it’s gone again! Anything I should be considering other than a dirty / faulty bulb replacement?
- anyone any good ( cheap!) suggestions for mozzie netting the front windows and side door? Used air safe for boot but side windows with vw magnetic strips blinds were a bit of an entry point - as was side door obviously !
