Back in the Saddle

In some ways going away in the motorhome is a bit like learning to ride a bike once you have mastered the rest just follows along. So, it is when we decide to head away these days, having done it numerous times we have our set routines. Like turning off the power outlets around the house but ensuring that we leave the security cameras powered up. After a couple of incidents with our water supply, these days we also remove the fuse for the hot water tank. Not forgetting to set the alarm as we walk out the door. Then before you know it, we are driving out to where we store the motorhome and back on the road for another adventure.

Things this time were a little different. After seven years of ownership a couple of things that had been bugging me needed to be rectified. One of the most important aspects of using the motorhome is how well the house batteries stand up. And, after seven years ours were definitely beginning to wilt. To rectify this situation and complete some other work, including obtaining the new green self-containment certificate as our old blue one was about to expire, we had the van booked into RV Repairs in Albany.

Since we brought the motorhome brand new in 2017, I have suffered from battery anxiety. Always worried that we would run out of power or drain the batteries beyond their capacity to recover. In fact, not long after we purchased the motorhome I took it back to Zion Motorhomes, where we had purchased it to have their service department look at things. They told me that it had be incorrectly wired originally and needed to be changed to larger capacity wires. Also after some discussion we agreed to increase the battery capacity by adding a further two house batteries. I should point out that there is a large area in the boot of the motorhome to accommodate this. Meaning that no useable space was lost. I can’t honestly say that I was ever truly happy with the outcome.

It turns out there were two logical reasons for my ongoing anxiety. Firstly, the batteries fitted weren’t true deep cycle batteries but more of a cheaper combination type, which could also double as starting batteries. I only found this out once Peter from RV Repairs looked at the existing set up. Secondly there was an issue with the way the DC to DC had been wired. (Don’t ask me, it’s just what they told me.)This meant that the batteries weren’t charging correctly as we drove. Hence the fridge was draining the house batteries as we drove to our destination, rather than being replenished by the alternator. I guess it’s good to finally know the reasons why we never seemed to have as much battery capacity as I thought we should. With the plan to fit two new 210AH lithium batteries and an additional solar panel Peter assured me that my anxiety would be a thing of the past.

The only other thing that I have really worried about (OK hated.) with our motorhome since the day we purchased it, is the enormous awning that was fitted. At six metres long and three metres wide, it’s just a gigantic sail, when the wind gets up. That might have been fine if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s mounted on the roof. Some three metres into the sky. Meaning that it’s impossible to reach up and hold it down, when trying to put it away once the wind gets up, unless you stand on a ladder. Not only that but because of its size it needs at least one person at each end and ideally one in the middle. Not a job you can do on your own and we could never leave it out when we weren’t there. Some years ago with our previous motorhome we did lose an awning backwards over the roof, hence my paranioa.

I became so paranoid about it that much to Sarah’s consternation that I refuse to put it out, on all but the stillest of days. Then to ensure that it didn’t go backwards over the roof had it strapped down with two straps at each corner. To rectify this situation, we decided to have another awning fitted at RV Repairs. It’s much shorter and is designed to roll back into itself if it gets lifted in a strong gust of wind. The old one is still on the roof and maybe one day we might use it again, but I doubt it.

With the van finished and ready for collection we decided to head away on a shakedown trip to see how the new batteries and some of the other things we had done held up. With the first stop in Otorohanga initially for one night but ended up staying two. We have stayed there a couple of times previously and it makes a good stopping off point when heading down the West side of the North Island. As I mentioned in my last blog, we still have quite a few NZMCA Parks left to tick off. So the plan was to eventually get to a couple of those missing from our visited list further down the island.

We had a great test of the new lithium batteries on the two nights we stayed with a heavy frost and subzero temperatures both nights resulting in us running the heater. Our motorhome runs an Alde system that means that it heats a fluid like antifreeze and circulates that underneath the floor. Obviously drawing power, but nothing the new batteries couldn’t handle. The first morning once the sun had finally cleared the tree we had parked in front of, the solar panels, including the new one we had fitted, quickly restored what power had been lost during the night. The second day we moved away from the shade of the trees. We now have 600W of solar on the roof probably way more than we need during summer but every little bit helps over winter.

It’s been a few years since we have stayed in Otorohanga and the park has changed a little. The addition of a water tap, which wasn’t there last time, is a major bonus. Although there is a really good dump station with water at the Caltex station in town. They have also made a larger hard area making winter camping easier with more firm space for all those who want it. Knowing that you aren’t going to get stuck in a boggy mess is a real plus. But they have also left a large grassed area that still allows for a more relaxed summer experience.

The other change is the addition of the cycle/walkway that runs from the camp to the otherside of the town. Although only just over three and a half kilometres long it’s a pleasant, easy flat, ride or walk alongside the river. Otorohanga is well known for the giant Kiwi’s at each end of town but is perhaps less well known for the giant Pukeko, who is apparently known locally as Nancy, and can be seen at Lake Huiputea, one of the reserves near the trail.

The two days we stayed at the NZMCA Park we did our bit to add a little to the local economy including buying a two pairs of possum/merino gloves to help keep out the cold while riding and walking. While at the same time enjoying two fabulous sunny days. With winter still evident and the heavy frost on the ground both mornings the Park was still quiet with not so many travellers on the road. But as things begin to warm up and lots of travels planned this summer it’s good to know we already have our motorhome sorted and complied, with a fancy new green sticker on the back, ready to go.