She is indeed large, 25 feet long, 10 feet wide and 12 feet high, but not as big as some of the other beasts on the road. The other day we saw a massive Winnebago towing a Hummer behind it. I can't imagine their fuel consumption. We think we are getting about 12 miles to the gallon.
Inside the Van
At the front we have the cockpit, Stuart in the driver's seat and me as co-pilot. I have plenty of maps to assist, but I have now outsourced my responsibilities to Gladys the GPS system, so generally I limit my co-piloting to helpful comments.
Above the driving cabin is space to convert into a bed. (This van sleeps 5, but that would be very cozy). We use this space to store luggage.
Behind the driving cabin is the dining area (also converts to a bed). We've cooked up some pretty tasty meals to share at this table.
Opposite the dining area is the little kitchen area. A handy gas top stove, plus a microwave. So far we haven't needed the microwave, so we just store the loo rolls in here. It's not that we are short of storage space, but this seemed to be a handy way to stop the microwave plate rattling as we drive along.
Behind the kitchen, is the bed which we use. This is a permenant bed, so no need to faff about with any conversions in the evening and morning. Above the bed are 3 storage cupboards (mine). Stuart has cupboard space elsewhere in the van, and don't let him tell you he has less storage space than me, he has plenty!
Just next to the bed is the loo and shower, it's not too cramped, so very easy to have a shower every day. Whether we do or not is between me, Stuart and anyone within a 10 ft radius of us!
Outside the loo is a handy sink and bathroom cabinet, then a useful cupboard and just next to that the fridge and freezer. The fridge/freezer unit can run on electricity when we are hooked up to a power supply, or uses propane gas when we are primitive camping. We have to make sure that we camp on level ground or the gas supply won't work (which we found out to our cost early on, fortunately before we had put too much stuff in the freezer). Most camper vans have plastic chocks to put under their wheels for leveling if required. We are improvising with firewood.
Finally in the van we have the levels checker. This shows us if the gas, electric or water supplies are getting too low, or if the grey waste or black waste tanks are getting too full. (Grey waste = sink/ shower water, black waste = the toilet tank)
Outside the Van
The van has an electric cable to hook up to a power supply if available and a water pipe to connect to a city water supply. The gas is stored in a propane tank, which needs to be refilled at gas stations or camp sites. We usually keep well topped up, so that we don't have to camp at the crowded private RV parks, but instead can primitive camp in the lovely State and National Parks
Waste disposal is also a necessary activity, which Stuart usually undertakes. I do help out on occasion, but have learnt to stand well back when flushing the sewer pipe out with fresh water. Splash backs are not funny.
Stuart would also like me to mention the handling capabilities of the van
At 40 mph it drives ok, but annoys the other motorists on the highway
At 50 mph you have to hang onto the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line
At 60 mph conversation becomes impossible, and the whole rig shakes
We are regularly overtaken by trucks, a side wind can blow us towards the barrier and it has the acceleration of a geriatric snail and the aerodynamics of a barn door.
This may be the reason that we have now only completed 1,000 miles in 2 weeks, but less time driving has meant more time seeing the wonderful sites, so all in all not a bad thing!
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