Kemerton XL

MHi all
Thinking of buying one of these but a little concerned at the small water tank. 69ltrs seems very small for a van with such a good useable shower. Anyone got any thoughts on this? Thanks.

We've never had an issue with our tank. Usually lasts 3 days and two showers when wilding.

I wish my tank was a bit larger but with a bit of planning it’s not been a big issue for me at all and having a shower in a van for the first time has been wonderful.
Just use that sailors method for showering (is that what it is called?)

It’s not a problem for us either.  I take your point though, the shower room in the Kemerton is good enough to encourage you to daly in it much as you might at home.  You soon learn to be frugal with it though.  We’re careful with all our water consumption on tour and are rarely in the same location for more than 2 or 3 nights, so top up at the same frequency.  

Tank capacities on most van conversions are a compromise but we’ve never felt restricted by it.  The Kemerton’s layout is ideal for our needs and is the best van we’ve ever used.

Tim

I’ve been under my Symbol quite a bit in recent months doing a few mods and felt that I could squeeze a bigger tank under there if needed.
Obviously less useable weight could play a part but if the relatively low cost of fitting a larger tank means you get the perfect van for you then it’s worth investigating.

Dbvwt wrote:Just use that sailors method for showering (is that what it is called?)

Submariner's I think is the term, firstly get yourself wet then lather all over and finally rinse off. Especially during winter months, we sometimes individually boil a kettle and then add cold to the required temperature in a washing up bowl to stand in. Using a plastic jug to bale up and pour all over yourself, apply shampoo, rinse using jug then shower gel on a sponge and final rinse using shower. Result, minimum of hot water required especially if repeated to serve two people. Advantage being you each can languish a little longer under the shower before the not water runs out. 

Don't forget the benefits of a trigger shower head.

Forgot about that Paul! I fitted one of these on advice from the forum (it may have been you) and it has been 100% brilliant.
I got mine on the bay for £3.99 delivered not the Amazon price, can’t fault the quality.
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I think Gromit deserves the praise for the shut-off valve. I fitted one, and a trigger showerhead. Excellent and simple.
Cymro

Thanks a lot guys, it looks like it’s the van for us then. Any thoughts on the water tank heaters in the winter? Do 5hey kill the batteries or are they not too bad

OldWomble wrote:Thanks a lot guys, it looks like it’s the van for us then. Any thoughts on the water tank heaters in the winter? Do 5hey kill the batteries or are they not too bad

Never had the need to switch mine on but I don’t do really cold/winter trips.
May I ask what kind of camping/touring you are intending to do as you might not actually need to use some of these fitted gadgets.
I might be wrong but I think the tank heaters may only work on hook up. To be honest I would only go on hook up in winter anyway.

Here's the spec and operating instructions for the tank blankets ...

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Blimey, that was worse than reading the A/S manual Paul.
I still stick to my thinking that I wouldn’t turn the tank blankets on if I wasn’t on hook up.

Well they do advise that..

'Note: To preserve your habitation battery charge, where available, use TankBlanket in conjunction with a 240V hook up.'

It would have to get pretty cold to freeze such a bulk of water in the tank, and we’d never be in such conditions without EHU, so it’s not an issue for us.

Paulmold wrote:Well they do advise that..

'Note: To preserve your habitation battery charge, where available, use TankBlanket in conjunction with a 240V hook up.'

Completely agree.. but the majority of owners haven’t a clue about electrics.
That statement IMO does not give enough warning that they will kill the leisure battery very quickly.

Edit..how on earth did that get past the censor, I don’t normally even swear so apologies   

Edit it yourself while you can.

Paulmold wrote:Edit it yourself while you can.

Crikey, I only put the word in so it would come up with ‘inappropriate word’ as it always does to make a point.
Genuine apologies to anyone who read it.
David

Edit...Thankfully deleted in time, most will wonder what we are talking about!
How did it get past the censorship though??

I'm horrified   

@OldWomble depending on the situation, I sometimes double up the water tank capacity with an Aquaroll.

Hello again by the way :)

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Hi again Roger, that’s great but where do you carry all that kit? Also, surely if it’s below  freezing that aquaroll will freeze

If and only when i am going to be away from facilities for a few days i also take an aquaroll to extend water capacity.Carry it in van when traveling and put it outside when pitched.Works well for me.If i am touring and facilities are availabe every couple of days i dont bother.

I keep the aquaroll on the floor of the washroom while driving.

Good point about it freezing if left outside.  Entirely possible I guess.

The electric tank heaters are only of use while on EHU as due to the current drain  your battery not last long.

I also carry extra water in a seperate container. A 10l plastic container fits nicely under the seat. Gives us about one extra day when wilding.

I have fitted a extra 75 lt tank .first I have insulated and now fitted in place temp with straps to take into work and make brackets so yes it can be done[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]