Adventure T6 shuttle project

[*adam]

Hi all,

Longtime user of VW forums and recent owner of a couple of Transporters.

Long story short, Dec 23 bought a T5.1 Caravelle to “dip my toe” into have a van as a daily with plans to convert it to a day van. Realised spending >£10k on a 2010 van with 110k miles may not be sensible - at least convinced the wife this was true. Fast forward to May 24 where I picked up a 2018 Shuttle with low miles at a good price.

I want this to become an adventure mobile to travel in, I have two young children who like a good “van-venture” as the eldest has dubbed it. The plan is to be able to use it to sleep 2 adults and 2 young kids.

Things I’ve bought to date.

• Cabbunk Twin so the kids can sleep up front for a few years until we have to get a PopTop.
• Kiravans swivel bases for the above.
• Revolution T4 lowline awning

Things I need to buy.

• Blackout curtains
• Front black out screen
• Rear bed system

Still debating whether to go for a VanKing for FortyWinks bed system - if anyone has thoughts on this it would be appreciated to hear them!

You all know what a t6 looks like but here’s mine when I picked it up.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Welcome!

I'm assuming you'll be camping in the van - as a fellow black T6 owner (caravelle) be aware it will get HOT inside. Like, really hot.

When I was out for a day a few weeks back with the van left on a campsite, 20 degrees outside and sunny, it got to 37 degrees or more inside the van.

So, a thermal windscreen cover to stop the greenhouse effect of the windscreen will be essential!

 

[*adam]

Welcome!

I'm assuming you'll be camping in the van - as a fellow black T6 owner (caravelle) be aware it will get HOT inside. Like, really hot.

When I was out for a day a few weeks back with the van left on a campsite, 20 degrees outside and sunny, it got to 37 degrees or more inside the van.

So, a thermal windscreen cover to stop the greenhouse effect of the windscreen will be essential!

Great heads up appreciate that Paul.

I guess I didn’t really consider the heat too much just focused on the other end of the scale with cold. That raises the question, is it advisable to get a “reflective” silver thermal windscreen cover over a black one. My assumption is black would absorb/store heat where as silver is less likely to?

 

[TallPaul_S]

Great heads up appreciate that Paul.

I guess I didn’t really consider the heat too much just focused on the other end of the scale with cold. That raises the question, is it advisable to get a “reflective” silver thermal windscreen cover over a black one. My assumption is black would absorb/store heat where as silver is less likely to?

A thermal one should do the trick regardless, I've gone for a rainbow screens cover in their camo colour, so not too dark. Mine is still being made.

 

[*adam]

A thermal one should do the trick regardless, I've gone for a rainbow screens cover in their camo colour, so not too dark. Mine is still being made.

Nice cover - I’ll check rainbow screens.

 

[DeBangis]

Welcome to T6 Forum.

 

[*adam]

Cabbunk bunks test fitted (15/06). Very smart setup.



Fitted the Forty Winks bed with a Inofia Double Bed Mattress. The Forty Winks was a doddle to fit and very very good quality. Mattress is super comfortable and fits perfectly (20/07).

 

[993porky]

Hi all,

Longtime user of VW forums and recent owner of a couple of Transporters.

Long story short, Dec 23 bought a T5.1 Caravelle to “dip my toe” into have a van as a daily with plans to convert it to a day van. Realised spending >£10k on a 2010 van with 110k miles may not be sensible - at least convinced the wife this was true. Fast forward to May 24 where I picked up a 2018 Shuttle with low miles at a good price.

I want this to become an adventure mobile to travel in, I have two young children who like a good “van-venture” as the eldest has dubbed it. The plan is to be able to use it to sleep 2 adults and 2 young kids.

Things I’ve bought to date.

• Cabbunk Twin so the kids can sleep up front for a few years until we have to get a PopTop.
• Kiravans swivel bases for the above.
• Revolution T4 lowline awning

Things I need to buy.

• Blackout curtains
• Front black out screen
• Rear bed system

Still debating whether to go for a VanKing for FortyWinks bed system - if anyone has thoughts on this it would be appreciated to hear them!

You all know what a t6 looks like but here’s mine when I picked it up.

View attachment 245688

Hi @*adam
Did you look into a poptop I’m looking for a good company with shuttle experience as I like you have a shuttle and would like to add a poptop,would like to keep heating controls
Thanks
Paul

 

[*adam]

Hi @*adam
Did you look into a poptop I’m looking for a good company with shuttle experience as I like you have a shuttle and would like to add a poptop,would like to keep heating controls
Thanks
Paul

Hey Paul,

I did look into a Poptop. Got quotes from two companies down here on the south coast.

In my head it’s only worth relocating the vents if you have climatronic aircon in the rear. Heat still comes from the rear floor vent at the back.

Slidepods : Remio Poptop and relocation of one bar to the rear (not much change from £11k) but by all means they do a tidy job!

Customhaus : Horizon Poptop. Keep as OEM as possible and remove all vents (considerably cheaper than above and great reviews)

I’ll be going with Customhaus. Karl is super helpful and knowledgeable.

 

[*adam]

First time using the van for camping


So had a week long road trip to France, Belgium, and Netherlands with my daughter.



Aside from forgetting my windbreak and having to borrow one the setup held up well! The fortywinks bed with the Inofia Mattress was spot on. The Cabbunk was great and got the thumbs up from my 8 year old.

Above was a little camp site just outside Calais.

Highly recommend RCN de Flaasbloem campsite if travelling with kids.

Took the Outdoor Revolution T4e air awning but decided against using it and stuck with the Stitches + Steel tarp awning which I love. Attached it to the driveway strip and when leaving the camp site I just removed the drive away strip, covered our belongings with the tarp and pegged it down at site.