Hi Andy
Well done on the purchase.
Electric Conversion
Buy a 230-110 Transformer from
Airlink Transformers. We got the 5600 model.
DO NOT BOTHER to have all the RV converted to 230V - you cant do it all anyway (fridge/washer/microwave/etc) so it isn't worth doing at all in my opinion.
Contact Darren or Martin at
Motorhome Medics in Cheltenham and they will connect the Transformer for you (plus all other work).
By keeping everything in the RV at 110V you are running it all as it was intended to be run - it wasn't designed to run half at 110V and half at 230V so why change it.
If you have an Energy Management System onboard it will operate fully as all the electrics will be monitored - if you change half to 230V it won't work as it should.
If you have a generator and wish to convert to 230V, you will need another Transformer for that (yet more expense) and extra wiring. If you keep everything at 110V the generator will work without any changes.
Motorhome Medics DID fit us a single 230V supply into the RV for emergency use. If you decide you want to convert to 230V later (an ill-informed buyer may insist on it) then it will be an easy and low cost job to do.
Televisions
You can buy multi-region and multi-voltage TVs in the USA (
www.110220volts.com) BUT you need to be 110% sure of all the dimensions before you buy - we found out the hard way with one of the two TVs we purchased.
I would try (before you leave the USA) to get a supply of wood to match the TV cabinet for your RV and buy the TVs in the UK - the wood will be invaluable if you can't get a good size match.
Then, I would use a small 300W 110-230V transformer (for each TV) from Maplins at ?30 - see
Here
Lights & Fog Lamp
If you need amber lamps/lenses for the rear, try and source ones to match in the USA - much easier. Motorhome Medics will fit no problems (you will struggle to find a red fog lamp in USA so leave that til you get back).
Shipping
You can do this yourself very easily, but for less hassle I would contact Bernarr at
RV Exports.
If you have a gas RV you can only ship with 1/4 tank fuel so you may have some driving around to do first. Diesel can be full.
Bernarr will empty and certify LPG tank for you (even if the way he does it is far from safe
).
UK Forum for RVers
Nearly all of the RVers have left motorhomefacts and can now be found at
Motorhome Fun.
Facts costs ?10/year whilst Fun is free.
Hope the above is of use.
Paul