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Picking up motorhome tomorrow, its a Mclouis Glen 440 (2005).

Do I need a silver screen? We have a dog so keeping cool is important. They seem expensive for what they are, where do I store it?

Do I need levelling blocks? If so what type. I have seen some with wheel chocks.

Do I need to clean the water tank? I was thinking of using milton

Do you think I should fir extra locks?

Sorry for all the question, but I would rather learn from you folks than from a bad experience.

I dont have a cat , only a dog

The silver screen are not cheap, take up valuable storage space and take time to put up and take down, but you need something as there can be considerable heat coming through the windscreen. I would strongly recommend the pleated blind that slides accross the windscreen in seconds and is silver backed, hence keeps the van cool and blocks most of the light. Extremely neat, no storage problem and very fast to open and close, well worth the extra money.

Levelling blocks are a must as if the van sits on a slope, not only is it unpleasent to walk around inside, the kitchen sink not emptying properly, but most important your fridge will not function properly. I have always used the Fiamma three level ones and can recommend them.

I clean my fresh water tank at the start of each season, the caravan accessorie shops sell different types of tables, the milton ones are fine, just follow the instructions and make sure you flush it well to ensure no after taste. Put some general disinfectinant down all the drains and this will ensure the waste tank is cleansed. (once again I do this at the start of each season)

I would not spend the money on extra locks, as the standard ones on a  2005 van should be adequate, no matter how good locks are a determined theif will still get in.

Hope this helps

ENJOY

Sorry, the above post goes to show that I already have points 1 and 2 and 4 ( at a push )

Just bidding on some ebay levelling blocks.

So, does it not get too hot with the sun shining in on a warm day without the windscreen covered?

One of the vans I looked at had extra locks including the cab door, but like  you say, if they want to get in they will anyhow.

Cheers

Quote: Originally posted by bestyman on 29/5/2011

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Picking up motorhome tomorrow, its a Mclouis Glen 440 (2005).

Do I need a silver screen? We have a dog so keeping cool is important. They seem expensive for what they are, where do I store it?

Get the insulated ones: You will have spent a fair bit of money on your van and if you intend to use it in the Spring, Autumn or Winter then they are a must. The amount of heat retained makes screens mandatory. On the other hand, if you're planning on going abroad, screens will help to keep the van cool. We store our screens in the side locker during the day.

Do I need levelling blocks? If so what type. I have seen some with wheel chocks.

Fiamma make good blocks as do Milenco; on balence, I wish that I had bought the biggest Milenco blocks

Do I need to clean the water tank? I was thinking of using Milton

There are proprietary chemicals for cleaning fresh water tanks. Towsure, amongst others, do them. We tend to wash and flush using our on board and carry bottled water for drinking, cooking etc

Do you think I should fir extra locks?

There are some very good ideas around. One of the ones that I use is to chain the front doors together at night. Fiamma make a locking bar specifically for this purpose. You may also like to look into fitting a vehicle tracker. Also put the registration number on the roof. It doesn't cost much to do

Sorry for all the question, but I would rather learn from you folks than from a bad experience.

Ask away, you'll get some first rate advice off UKCS members

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Thanks all.

Picked up the van today, a few minor niggles but overall ok.

Battery went flat today as we had the radio on all day as we cleaned it etc. I thought that the radio would be wired to the leisure battery but ours is wired in the normal way to the same battery that starts the engine. Im sure its a simple job to run a wire from the leisure battery to the radio, thats something that I may do in the future? Perhaps the batterys knackered, time will tell, but its not the end of the world. It has been stood for some months so might be ok.

Couldnt get the water heater to light. Funny thing is that Im a plumber, but these boilers are not the ones Im used to. I`ll try figure it out another day when I have more time .Whats size gas bottles do these normally use? I managed to squeeze in a large one ( house mobile heater size).

The fan in the roof wont work. I dont know much about these, but again later on in the week will see if 12 volts is there and take it from there. Its a Fiamma, any idea?

Also Im looking for an LCD TV bracket that allows the tv to rotate by 90 degrees. The original TV was CRT and the cupboard it fits in is taller than it is wide ( hope that makes sense) so I would need to rotate the TV for storage.

One last thing ( for now )  Water from the sink, shower etc goes in a tank under the van. The tank has a flap operated by a lever that drains the tank. Where should I empty this tank? Is a layby near a road drain an acceptable place for example?

we bought the silver screens, the internal ones with suction, and, I have to say they are a godsend.  We use them for keeping warm in winter, and we also use them to keep the light out now its bright at 5.30am.  gives us a few extra hours kip when the light is up!! (the dog thinks its still night til we take it off!!) 

We always take extra water too! its cheap and safer!!

 enjoy your new motor home.  We have such a good time in ours!!!!