Motorhome Living

ext">Gas Supplygulley. Note that empting grey waste into public
Heating the motorhome and cooking requires gas.drains is technically illegal in most places.
This gas, also known as LPG is stored in replaceableBlack waste or toilet waste is stored within a toilet
steel bottles or cylinders on-board and should becassette. Cassette emptying can be carried out at
stored in an upright position. Depending on the typethe ‘CDP’ or Chemical-toilet Disposal Point
of motorhome there may be permanent gas storagewhich can vary from a covered hole in the ground to
on-board which can be refilled at stations, just likea ceramic toilet device.
LPG cars.Electricity
Two common types of gas used in motorhomes areElectricity is another commodity and comes either 12
propane and butane. Butane contains more energyvolt or 230 volt, i.e. vehicle and mains supplies. The
per bottle than propane but will not operate at lowervehicle electrics are available all the time but low
temperatures. As fittings require changing from thepowered, mains electricity is only available on sites
use of propane to butane, those who use theironce the vehicle has been ‘hooked up’.
motorhome all year will probably prefer to useTypically the vehicle electrics will be able to supply
propane.the lights and water pump, but not heating. Air
Drinking Waterconditioning can also be run on the vehicle electrics,
One of the most obvious requirements is a source ofbut is generally more efficient on the mains. Most
clean and drinkable water. The majority of modernmodern motorhomes will have all the fittings
motorhomes are fitted with on-board water tanksnecessary so that once the outdoor cables have
capable of holding 15 — 40 gallons or more.been attached the sites mains supply mains electrics
Ensure to refill the tanks from mains based waterwill be available.
and not tank based. Less regular use of the waterHeating
supply can cause stale tasting water; in this caseFinally, consider using other amenities likes
using bottled drinking water is recommended.microwaves or a small portable oven for cooking, as
Waste Disposalmost motorhomes only come fitted with a gas hob.
Another consideration is waste generated and itsFor heating, portable electric fan heaters can be used
disposal. Disposal of waste will vary pending its type;through the mains supply, however avoid using gas
household, grey waste and black waste. Householdheaters because of the risk of suffocation.
waste is the easiest to dispose of by using wasteFinally, consider using other amenities likes
bins. However used water, also known as ‘greymicrowaves or a small portable oven for cooking, as
waste’ can cause more problems as greymost motorhomes only come fitted with a gas hob.
waste can only be dumped in certain areas. In manyFor heating, portable electric fan heaters can be used
instances these areas are only accessible via foot sothrough the mains supply, however avoid using gas
those with a dump valve on their motorhome willheaters because of a suffocation risk.
need to find a portable container to carry the wasteThese are just a few ideas to consider if you are
to the dump point. Fortunately some sites will providelooking to stay in your motorhome for more than a
facilities where it is easy to drive to the emptyingweekend break and away from camp sites.
point, situated on firm ground with an emptying