The UPS and DOWNS of MOTORHOMING | Product Updates | Vlog 636
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- We catch up with news and explain a number of breakages and losses over the last few weeks and now it's time to tackle them. We also update some of our product review outcomes, not all positive.
VLOGGER LINKS
Bob Earnshaw
• Sutton Rally | 4 Night...
Galivanting Galantes
• Arriving at Poshcats R...
Herman Hits the Road
• Visiting a UFO Crash S...
COMPANY LINKS
Sharman Caravans
www.sharmancaravans.co.uk/
Midlands Chandlery Ltd
midlandschandlery.co.uk/
PRODUCT LINKS
Fitville Shoes
thefitville.uk/
Smart Devil Neck Fan
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Smart...
INIU Pocket Powerbank
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YPS5JC...
Bluetti Powerbanks
bluettipower.co.uk/
INDEX
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Smirf Update
00:42 Where have we been?
01:45 Family update
02:11 Remove the Thule step
04:22 Replacement waste valve
09:04 Tow car update
10:40 Lost keys
13:30 Product updates
20:24 What next & close
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Thanks for watching our videos. We include all things to do with motorhomes, campervans, van conversions, caravans and the great outdoors. We mainly tour the UK and camp around 80 nights per year in our 2021 IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL luxury VW Crafter van conversion. We offer advice, tips and tricks, review campsites and associated products or services. We also occasionally make videos about other trips we take without the motorhome.
Check out our UA-cam channel and please subscribe (it’s free) / poshcatscamping
We aim to release 4 or more videos a month.
VW Crafter Van Conversion - IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL (2021)
Towed Car - Skoda Citigo (2016)
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: / poshcats
Instagram: poshcats_ca...
Twitter: / poshcatscamping
UA-cam Channel: / poshcatscamping
Equipment used for filming:
Camera1 - Sony ZV1 with shooting grip, Ulanzi wide angle lens and Rode Go II wireless microphone system
Camera2 - Canon PowerShot G7X MkII
GoPro Black 7 with Rode mike and Ulanzu mini tripod
SmartPhone - iPhone 14 Pro Max
Mini Tripod - GoPro Black 3-Way Arm - GoPro Mini - Ulanzi hand grip tripod
Tripod - Neewer Portable 70 inches / 177 centimetres Aluminium Alloy Camera Tripod
Dashcam - NextBase 212 Lite
Glad your all welland doggies, always interesting especially when you go abroad or Scotland, take care ,stay safe 😊
Thank you, we have a big tour to Denmark coming up. Stay tuned for more information soon 😃👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
For Keys I use Swivel Snap Hooks off a Dog Lead. Then I am able to break big bunch of Keys into three small bunches and also attach keys bags etc. Do Not forget to put notes on speedometer about Step or Ramps been out so not drive off with out them.
Now there is a couple of very good tips. It’s simple ideas like that that make life easy. Will make up a little notice for the dashboard before I go this time 👍🏻🚐 Trev
Aaahhh Trev your true comments about the wet weather hasn't been inspiring for travels! Can absolutely see why you've removed the van step, seems more convenient without it!
We're after a new powerbank, so appreciate you sharing what you're currently using! Cheers, Simon
Hope you are well Simon, I recommended your channel recently. I hope June will bring more sunshine and less rain 🤞 There is a wide choice of powerbanks on the market to choose from 😃🚐👍🏻 Trev
Hello Trevor. Another good & informative VLOG. Looking forward to seeing your Scotland Tour.
Thanks so much. We will try to keep the content informative as we start the Scottish tour. It’s good to share info when we can 👍🏻😃🚐 Trev
Nice update Trev. I always manage to order the wrong size stuff.. oh no ref the keys,… good to hear the product updates too. Look forward to hearing about your Scotland trip plans - all the very best, David & Rachel 👍
Hi David and Rachel hope you are well. Thanks for your comments. The Scottish trip is imminent so not long to wait for our next vlog 👍🏻💙🚐🏴 Trev
Good to see your latest vlog and the steps you took to rectify problems. Lost keys!! I must admit that it's always a worry. When we were with family in Australia last year my wife Nicola bought me a leather "Man bag" which were commonly used. This enabled me to secure keys, wallet etc and know that I have it over my shoulder at all times. It also has a small leather strap to secure my baseball cap too so I don't leave it anywhere. I bought a second one last October at the NEC. Not to everyone's taste but that's not a problem for me. Take care. Sid and Nicola, Rugby
Great advice, I often carry a camera bag with pockets in for odds and ends. I think a man bag would work for me too. I will have a look for something similar 👍🏻😃 Trev
Hi Trev, nice update. Looking forward to your upcoming video's
Thank you Mark. We will hopefully have another video out this week 🙂🚐👍🏻 Trev
You have been busy but I can see why you have done the alteration to the step. Think we may have to explore back ups for water and waste (as its one flaw of the Escape with its lower hanging pipes) Really good update - thanks Trev. A&J
It’s always a hazard with the ultra low Alko chassis but with care you should be fine. Our step just became stressful in the end and once it stopped working, the only solution was to remove it. Good luck this week with your exciting handover 👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
Hi trev, really enjoyed your ramble he he, I remember when you had a scrape with the step in Scotland, good idea to take it off it it is causing problems, like you say you can always replace it needed. The keys!!, I wonder where they disappeared to. Glad you have another set now, ive just said to Tony, do you know where our spare set are and he has just dangled them in front of me. We still love our Bluetti, will be interesting to watch your review of the new one. The little power bank looks good shame the first one has suddenly stopped working. Thank you so much for mentioning us in your video, we had a fabulous time so much fun with so many lovely people. See you very soon x Julie and Tony x
Thanks both, we appreciate your kind words and are looking forward to seeing you again 😃 Safe travels 👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
I enjoyed this update. Hope things are going well for you both, my friends 😊💕👍🤗
Likewise with you. We are both fine, been busy, but now getting last minute things done before a new tour 🚐😃 Trev
The steps can be a nuisance, if you wanted the permanent step back you could always get bigger wheels to give the van more height from the ground. But of course, that doesn’t come cheap either. Good update. Em 💜
Thanks Em, we have thought about raising the suspension or changing wheels but we like the van as it is. The cost also put us off 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
Hi Trev a great video and update as usual so pleased to hear the rally went well and was great to see bobs video! The weather has been shocking everywhere we haven’t had as much rain here in West Midlands jn a long time there has been so much flooding up here
I don’t blame you taking the step off it seems a very substantial size and I understand what you mean about being close to the ground I am surprised in some ways why they fit them
Well done on your repair of the valve it’s good you can get spares easily and he’s good for the road!
Great to see Ethel and good news she could be fixed
Why not invest in AirTags Trev for your keys and wallet it’s been a game changer for me I always lose mine 😂 you can track them on your iphone thank goodness for Sue and keeping a set of keys! Sue looked busy photo bombing in background 😂😂
Sorry to hear about the power bank I bought one on your recommendation and it’s been really useful shame about the attitude of the company glad you have got a new one I wouldn’t be without one now!
Hope you all have a wonderful time in Scotland and look forward to following your progress say hello to Sue Sheila and joe all the best Daniel
Thanks Daniel. We really appreciate your support here on our channel and other social media. I like the idea of key tags and I may invest in a man bag too. It’s a tough time keeping all the maintenance issues at bay whilst running 2 vehicles. There’s always something that’s in the queue to pay for. Take care and let’s hope the sun shines on us all soon 😃👍🏻💙 Trev
Fully watched and 👍 ❤️
Looking forward to watch your trip to Scotland
Thank you ☺️ We start the Scottish trip this week so more updates coming soon 😃👍🏻💙 Trev
Thank you for the update. Look forward to seeing your plans for your Scotland trip. Take care Gill
We set off this week so we’ll share the route in our next video 👍🏻💙🚐 Trev x
A nice catch up Trev , well balanced between news, new products and other interesting features, we enjoyed it very much thanks. Hope you're both well and we're looking forward to catching up soon. H and M
Haha thank you. Sue reviewed it before I made it live but I had to wake her up half way through 😂😂 Take care 👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
Hi Trev and Sue, I like you keep misplacing keys, so invested in key tags, very useful, so when lost, call up the app on the phone and it's show where your keys are, you can then ring the tag ,excellent but of kit and cheap, except video
I think I need to look into that idea Colin. Thanks for the tip. I get more distracted and forgetful the older I get 😂 👍🏻 Trev
Hi Trev and Sue
Great update.
Just had two important repairs to do, water pump and our fire front. The fitter said can't be repaired need a new one, well these are like hens teeth to get. Had a go at repairing it myself and it's better than the original. Doesn't it make you feel good doing your own repairs as you have. Hey no labour costs.😃
Power bank was great, we don't go off grid but looks a great bit of kit.
You're not far away from us would be nice to go to one of your rallies if we were off grid people.
Thanks again guys.
Thumbs up thumped 👍
....Pete and Su....
Oh yes, I try to be sensible with repairs and I only tackle the easier jobs. I let the experts to the tough repairs. 😃 The power bank is great to be sure you can run the TV and anything you want without impacting the on board leisure battery. We have no room for a second leisure battery in this van so portable is the only way to keep a backup. It’s certainly possible to remain off grid in winter without having concerns. 😃👍🏻 We would love to see you on a rally. Our next one in Suffolk is 10-14 July and off grid is easy in summer of course 😃👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
Believe it or not, we even have to do some repairs on our little cargo camper. After our last long trip we had a basket come unattached and our cubbies pulled away from the wall. Just proves we're doing some good traveling 😄Good for you keeping Ethel. I see Sue roaming around back there behind you. Crazy you completely lost your keys. I've misplaced, but never just lost them out in the world somewhere lol. Ah very nice that you're giving product updates. I should really do this myself. We've had quite a few products that we've done reviews on. Look forward to your Scotland trip. Thanks for all the updates.
Oh wow, your trailer looks so well made. Hopefully fixing the cubbies will be fairly straightforward. We still haven’t found the keys. Our product reviews are few and far between but I always feel I should follow up after a while using the items. The Bluetti is currently on test and it’s been very good so far 😃👍🏻 Trev
Thank you
Thanks for watching 😃🚐 Trev
Hello Trevor 🙋♂️.
Hope life is treating you good !!
Just watching your challenges
with your “wing nut valve” there
and noted the “stiffness” when
trying to turn them.
Next time you are down on your
knees under the van - take a jar
of: Vick or Vaseline
and rub some of the jar contents
it just under the neck of the WN.
It will definitely allow you to open and
operate the valves easier. The goo in
the jars has a good 🥶 freezing point
and will keep your valve supple in all
weathers. WD 40 is also a good
lubricant for these cheap Chinese
plastic valves that these manufacturers
are using nowadays !!
Thanks 🙏
Mind how you go.
James ✌️🫶
Fabulous advice James I will definitely do the Vaseline trick 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
Thank you trev😎
Thanks for watching 👍🏻💙 Trev
Hi Trevor, just watched this vlog. We have a Vw Crafter as well Hillside only 12 months old. Anyway our electric step stopped working few weeks ago. Undamaged never been caught while driving but having seen quite a few Crafter owners having similar issues to you, after watching your vlog last night we have decided to have ours removed this week while its having its habitation check.
It seems to be problematic for many of us. I must admit the plastic step is a bit embarrassing when you consider what we have invested in the van but it’s still functional and no stress with it getting clipped under the van. 🚐 👍🏻 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping Yeah i know what you mean, but as you say it's a worry having one fitted. Ours hasn't been damaged in any way, it's just stop working and will be replaced under warranty but long term i am not sure its an ideal purchase.
Nice little catch up Trev, this year’s been terrible with rain, hasn’t stopped us but we’ve done a lot more campsite and hard standing than usual. The new Bluetti is much improved without the brick, good news about little Ethel too 😊
Yes we are ready for camping again. We just couldn’t get motivated this season and we blamed the wet start. We are happy to keep Ethel. New cars seem to be losing their identity and character. Just didn’t see anything that tickled our fancy. 😃🚐 Trev
Thanks Trevor - as always very informative and helpful…. I’ve already bought an electric bike, same bike rack as you have, cover and cargo net - as on one of your videos / reviews (just need to get a tow bar fitted) 🤣 It’ll be interesting to know what the midges are like in Scotland at the moment…. Cheers Debs x🍻🚐
Hi Debs, it’s great to have the ebike on board. It really adds to the feeling of freedom. We will let you know how we get on with the midgies. I hear that near the coast, with a good chance of a breeze they stay away. We will see 😉🚐👍🏻💙 Trev
Good job there Trevor with the valve.
if you bring that other valve with you at the weekend I’ll give you your money back been looking for a decent ball valve for a waste drain . 😀
Good info about keeping a spare set of keys
Mark you can have it if its of use to you. Its a little smaller than the one on our van so for another £7.50 it was cheaper to buy another than fiddle about or send the first one back LOL. See you next week ! 😃 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping yes Trev bring it with you I’ll have it off you cheers yeah see you next weekend 👍👍
Nice catch up Trev.
And snap - I’m crawling under the van tomorrow to fix - the grey waste pipe. 😃. Ours disappeared somewhere near Tobermory 😃. A combination of bits of the old pipe and some Wickes bits should do it 🤞🤞
Great that you managed to source those key replacements
Good that you are still happy with the products too.
Looking forward to your Hebrides trip and safe travels 👍👍👍
Good luck with the van fix. I had to wait until the ground was dry. That was a tedious wait 😂 Glad I got that valve, made life very easy for me. We set off for Scotland this week so not long now 😉👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping that will be brilliant Trev. Wish we were going back there - missing it already!! Safe journey.
I have done the same Trevor with items the pic matches but when you get it it's small 😂 great catch up shame about the power bank well done removing the step as you say not a lot off clearance with it on all the best donny
Basic stuff compared with what you are doing Donny. It’s a relief not to have to worry about the step and sort out the key situation before we start the next tour 😃👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
@PoshcatsCamping still great that you can sort it yourself money saved buys more ghost ship Trev
We're travelling to Scotland this summer but our accommodation only has electricity on a coin meter so we're looking for a smallish power bank to take with us.
Any suggestions on second hand banks?
If I were you I would find out the unit rate being charged for electricity and calculate a budget. It depends on the accommodation of course and what’s being used but you are unlikely to need more than £3 to £5 per day. It’s probably unlikely that even a second hand powerbank would be appropriate or cost effective. We tend to use our powerbank off grid and to protect our on board leisure battery from the 12v appliances like TV, camera charging, cooling fans, etc So that our water pump, lighting and gas fridge (that needs 12v) still operate. 🙂 Trev
@@PoshcatsCamping excellent advice, thank you! N&Nx
@@grapesodatravels thank you. Have a wonderful time. I think the lecky issue will soon be forgotten 😉 Trev 💙
I like to have AirTag on things like wallet and keys
That’s a good idea. Keys are a nightmare for me 😳👍🏻 Trev
Couldnt IH Have posted you a New Valve out Trev?
Kudos to you about refusing Items that arnt benefucial to You
Unlike that One Man and his Two Whippets, all his Channel is for Reviews , So Boring ,I dont even Watch any More
That 3Years has flown by hasnt it
Nice Vid 👌
In fairness, I did tell IH about the problem but didn’t ask about sending a valve. They didn’t offer either. I just followed my instincts and searched the internet. At £7.50 each it was a good result in the end. I think too many product reviews is boring to do as well as watch. We do our videos as a hobby rather than a business so it’s not like we are chasing freebies. Smirf is needing an MOT in July so that’s the downside of being 3 years 😃👍🏻🚐💙 Trev
Something else to get knocked off …stupid design ☹️
Assume you mean the drain pipe and valve? Such an easy fix (when you get the right valve) and cheap enough to replace. It doesn’t hang as low as the step. We suffered with that for too long 😳🚐👍🏻 Trev