Our mobile home needs vs wants
24 September 2013
As a result of the show and previous research we concluded that what we NEED for full-time family living on the road is:
- separate accommodation for the children, so that we can stay up at night and work, and the children's staggered sleep-times can be maintained
- a large living space so we can hang out together and eat together, especially during winter when cabin fever is a distinct possibility
- a larger fresh water holding tank (400-500l) and correspondingly-sized grey and black tanks
- a full oven and cooktop
- a larger 3-way (gas/240v/12v) fridge but that if we can't find what we need any cavity can be made into a fridge or freezer. Our current capacity at home is 860l - the largest fridge I saw at the show was 190l.
- as many alternative electricity and water heating methods as possible: solar panels, solar water heating, LED lighting etc
- 12-volt, (24-volt) and 240v
- 7 3-point seatbelts preferably all forward-facing
- permanent (fixed) or semi-permanent (fold-down) beds so that each person can have their own space and we don't have to convert the beds each night
- some way to wash clothes and nappies daily; whether an automatic machine, a manual rotating washer, a waterless automatic machine or using the laundromat
- ample secure storage areas and a burglar alarm
- 2 gas bottles
- at least a queen bed for the adults.
- well-insulated to withstand a NZ winter
- gas detector / carbon monoxide detector
What we'd LIKE is:
- tinted windows (to keep inside cooler)
- nook for computer
- hard flooring throughout - no carpet
- an alternative toilet system (to cut down on water use) like the Separatt composting toilet perhaps otherwise 2 cassettes for a chemical toilet
- a shub shower ? Otherwise we can use a large bucket for bathing the baby
- a stereo system (Vega, Gemma and Atlas are into their 'tune's!)
- reversing camera / gps
- water tank monitors
- extractor fans in bathroom and kitchen
- reverse osmosis water filter
- outside tap and shower
- bbq
- awning (sided)
- insect screens on windows, vents etc
- ability to convert to veggie-fuel (ie has to already be diesel)
Updated November 2014
Do you have a clear vision of what you need vs what you want? |