Chausson Welcome 95
After NOMAS, our sailing boat, is sold, we face a long dilemma. Do we buy a caravan? Do we travel from hotel to B&B, or do we head out with a motorhome once more? When we spot a vehicle that meets all our requirements, we make the decision and purchase a Chausson Welcome 95 on a Fiat Ducato chassis.
Actually, the new adventure begins one morning at breakfast, a few days before we are due to depart for Spain and Portugal. Our plan is to travel from hotel to B&B and apartment, moving towards Portugal in stages. First, we visit our son in Spain. After that, we intend to drive on to Portimão.
Motorhome meets our requirements
Things take a different turn when Ankie sees an advertisement for a motorhome that meets our needs. It has a reasonable price, just over 90,000 kilometres on the clock, is in excellent condition and the MOT is valid until March 2023. Furthermore, the motorhome, a 2005 Chausson Welcome 95, has recently undergone a major service. It is ready for departure.
The most important feature of this motorhome is the inclusion of two longitudinal beds. Following our experiences with the famous French bed in our previous vehicle, we are certain of one thing: never again. That limited sleeping space proved to be quite a burden two years ago.
This motorhome offers everything we seek. The two single beds are particularly appealing. Consequently, we do not hesitate for a moment; we message the seller and go to view it that evening. On the way home, our enthusiasm grows, but we decide to sleep on it.
The next day at breakfast, we quickly reach an agreement. This is the one. A few days later, we collect the motorhome, clean it, bring the necessary gear on board, make some minor adjustments and are then ready for departure. Our new adventure begins.
Specifications, Chausson Welcome 95
- Chassis, Fiat Ducato, 2.3 JTD 110 hp engine
- Dimensions, length 6.60 m, width 2.30 m, height 2.76 m
- Weight, unladen 2,888 kg, maximum weight 3,400 kg
- Features, fridge, two solar panels, cycle rack (60 kg)
The purchase of the motorhome forces us to postpone our departure by a week. This puts some pressure on our original plan. Initially, we wanted to take our time driving through Belgium, Luxembourg and France to Spain, but we decide to increase the pace. Due to strikes at refineries in France, there is a shortage of petrol and diesel. To avoid any risk, we refuel whenever possible.
Chausson 95 Welcome, in Spain
To prevent getting stranded somewhere in France, we drive as quickly as possible until just across the Spanish border. There we find an excellent spot to stay overnight. The following day, we continue to Albir and park at Camperpark Costa Blanca, familiar territory.
We stay here for over a week to carry out some odd jobs. We also begin the thorough cleaning that the Chausson Welcome 95 deserves. Unfortunately, the voltage regulator for the solar panels is faulty. We order a new one from the Spanish branch of Amazon, which is delivered the next day. Furthermore, we replace two leaking taps and clean the hidden corners. It is wonderful to do this in late October wearing shorts and a polo shirt. Through all the polishing and tinkering, it increasingly becomes ‘our’ motorhome.
Upcoming adjustments
When we buy the motorhome, it contains two leisure batteries. These are clearly at the end of their life and need replacement. Originally, the vehicle was equipped with one leisure battery. Before investing in two new, expensive batteries, we decide to install just one.
During the two months we are on the road in 2022, we never run out of power. It must be said that we primarily use the onboard electricity for a few lights and charging smartphones, tablets and computers. The pump for the taps also uses some power, but only for brief moments.
We require the inverter to charge our phones and iPad, and there is room for improvement there. Therefore, we install a USB socket. This allows us to charge devices directly, meaning we only need the inverter when we want to power the laptops.
In the coming period, we also intend to tidy up the electrical wiring. We are installing an extra fuse box, which makes it safer, clearer and easier to connect additional equipment in the future. For example, we want to connect the car radio to the leisure battery so we can listen to music without having the ignition switched on.
Sealing and polishing
When it rains heavily, a drop of water occasionally seeps past the large skylight. Therefore, we have the sealant edges on the roof replaced. We also install a new skylight in the washroom. After a major clean, we start ‘Operation Polish’. This restores the shine and we protect the motorhome with a new layer of wax. This ensures our beloved Chausson is better equipped to withstand the elements.
After our final trip with the motorhome, preparations begin for our move to Spain. We are settling permanently in San Rafael del Rio (Sant Rafael del Riu in Valencian), a village of about five hundred inhabitants on the border of Catalonia and Valencia. Unfortunately, importing the motorhome into Spain proves impossible. Therefore, we have to sell it. We succeed in doing so; faster than expected, our motorhome drives off to its new owner.
As soon as the moving boxes are unpacked, the search for a motorhome starts in Spain. This presents a considerable challenge. There is plenty on offer, but in many cases, the quality leaves much to be desired. Moreover, prices are quite high compared to the Netherlands. ‘Keep searching’ is our motto. Something will surely cross our path.
