Are There Fridges In Campervans?

Contents

• 1 Are Fridges In Campervans Really Necessary?
  • 1.1 Do New Campervans Come With Fridges?
  • 1.2 How Much Does A Campervan Fridge Cost?
  • 1.3 Does My Campervan Conversion Need A Fridge?
  • 1.4 What Is A Campervan 3 Way Fridge?
  • 1.5 How Big Should My Campervan Fridge Be?
  • 1.6 Do Fridges In Campervans Have Ice Trays?
  • 1.7 Can I Use A Thermoelectric Coolbox Instead Of A Fridge?
  • 1.8 What Are The Best Fridges For Campervans?

Are Fridges In Campervans Really Necessary?

It is my strong opinion that having fridges in campervans is not only necessary but it is essential for modern Van Life living. Hopefully once you have read through this quick, informative Q&A style, research guide, you will feel the same way.

Fridges for Campervans are not the same as the fridges we have in our homes, they are built for purpose and will not be affected by being operated on uneven surfaces or by the bumps, vibrations and sudden braking of your journey.

In the next few minutes we’ll hopefully answer the top questions that we have managed to come across regarding fridges in campervans, hopefully leaving you better informed to make your own future choices, whether that is for a new Campervan purchase or for a conversion you are involved in.

Do New Campervans Come With Fridges?

Yes, as far as I have been able to find, all new Campervans come with specialised Campervan Fridges already fitted as standard.

Campervan Designers and Manufacturers have decided that in order for us to live a life on the road on a par with our home lives, we need to have access to a fridge. Who are we to argue with the people that actually make them?

How Much Does A Campervan Fridge Cost?

Indel Webasto Marine Cruise Classic CR49 Compressor Cabinet 49L Fridge Freezer £800

Let’s not be under any illusions here? Campervan fridges are expensive in comparison to domestic fridges. A lot more technology needs to go into the design of a Campervan fridge. Read more...

 

What Is The Smallest Campervan?

Contents

• 1 How Small Is The Smallest Campervan On The Market?
• 2 Why Do People Want Smaller Campervans?
• 3 What Can You Fit Into A Small Campervan?
• 4 The Criteria I Used To Classify The Smallest Campervan
• 5 The Contenders from My Smallest Campervan Search
• 6 What Is The Smallest Campervan? – Summary

How Small Is The Smallest Campervan On The Market?

There’s a famous quote by the author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that says “Perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.” Or, how about the often used quote from William of Occam of Occam’s Razor fame “It is vain to do with more what can be done with less“.

Why are you hitting me with boring historical quotes I can hear you saying in your head? The answer is that they can perfectly explain the thinking behind the invention of the Micro Campervan.

With the use of faster computers than ever before, and of course smarter software programs to run on them, Design has taken an exponential leap forward, especially in the areas of space saving and ergonomics.

In parallel, those of us choosing the van life have now had many decades of real-life experience to decide, record and share what we actually do need, and just as importantly what we don’t need, to have in a Campervan.

These things in combination have created the birth of the Micro Campervan, and their birth has been a population explosion. They are popping up everywhere in all shapes and sizes, seemingly from nowhere.

I decided to take a good look at the world of Micro Campervans to try to figure out just how small the smallest Campervan could go to. Here’s what I found out.

Why Do People Want Smaller Campervans?

Let’s face it, if you own a Micro Campervan you are going to have a bit less space, but probably not as much less as you think. This is due to all the things you thought you needed but would never use being removed.

I did uncover several more good reasons to have a Micro Campervan too: Read more...

 

Can You Drink Alcohol In A Campervan?

Contents

• 1 Is It Legal For Me To Drink Alcohol In A Campervan?
• 2 How Can I Prove I’m Not Going To Drive After Having A Drink In A Campervan?
• 3 Things to do if you drink alcohol in a Campervan
• 4 Things “NOT” to do if you drink alcohol in a Campervan
• 5 Can You Drink Alcohol In A Campervan? – Summary

Is It Legal For Me To Drink Alcohol In A Campervan?

The question of whether you can drink alcohol in a Campervan or not has always been an area of great debate. There should actually be no debate, as it is a legal matter. However, the wording of the Law in this case is so ambiguous, that is puts the onus on the accused to somehow find evidence to prove there was no Intent to do something that they have not yet done! Let me explain?

There are two main offences that the Police could try to charge you with (below), taken directly from the (impossible to navigate) Gov.uk Website. Either or both could apply if you were questioned in your Campervan while having excess alcohol in your system.

• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink
• Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink

The first instance stated above is pretty much cut and dried. If you get into your Campervan, put the keys into the ignition and start it up or move it whilst over the limit, you are going to get charged.

The second instance is the area for debate, and the area that could get you into trouble even if you have no intention whatsoever of driving your Campervan. The phrase “In Charge Of” is the problem.

There appears to be no legal definition whatsoever, anywhere which describes what being in charge of a vehicle actually it. So this, unfortunately for us, leaves it open to interpretation. When things are left open to interpretation, they can, and usually do, get messy and/or expensive.

If you are going to drink alcohol to an amount over the Drink Drive Limit you are going to have to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that you do not intend to drive if you are questioned by the Police. Read More...

 

Can You Travel In The Back Of A Campervan?

Contents

• 1 Is It Legal To Travel In The Back Of A Campervan?
• 2 Does Everyone Travelling in the back of a Campervan have to wear a Seatbelt?
• 3 How many Passengers can Travel in the back of a Campervan?
• 4 Can Children Travel in the back of a Campervan?
• 5 Can You Sleep in the Beds in the back of a Campervan when it is Moving?
• 6 Can Dogs Travel in the back of a Campervan?
• 7 Can You Travel In The Back Of A Campervan? – Summary

Is It Legal To Travel In The Back Of A Campervan?

Ok, so let’s answer the most important question first, then we’ll have a look at the finer, legal details. Yes, it is legal to travel in the back of a Campervan (the living area) while it is moving.

However, and there always seems to be a however or two, there are some (quite lenient in my opinion) legal requirements that must be met.

Obviously, the vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition, have a valid MOT Safety Certificate, be Insured, be Road Taxed and be driven by a person with a Valid Licence.

If all of the conditions are met, we can move on to the finer details, the things that everyone wants and needs to know.

I am writing this in relation to the UK Traffic Regulations, although I have looked at some US Regulations and they are similar. But as US Laws vary from State to State, I suggest you do your own research if you have any doubts about possible conflicting Regulations.

I believe that I once read that while people are driving RV’s and Campervans in California, passengers can travel in the back of the Campervan without seatbelts when it is moving, but when they pass the State Border into another state it then becomes illegal, how confusing.

Does Everyone Travelling in the back of a Campervan have to wear a Seatbelt?

Yes, every passenger Travelling in the back of a Campervan must be wearing a professionally fitted, purpose built Seatbelt.

In the UK that Seatbelt must comply to the latest British Standards and bear the “Kitemark” to show that it complies.

How many Passengers can Travel in the back of a Campervan?

Well, this one blew my mind a little. There is no Legal Limit to the number of passengers that can travel in the back of a Campervan!

Read more...