Advice For New Camper - Van And Conversion...

czmate1999

czmate1999

Senior Member
VIP Member
T6 Legend
Hi,

I have been researching campers and conversions for what feels like ages. I am very pleased to have found this forum and have read a lot of the excellent posts and seen a lot of first class conversions.

I was hoping to get some advice/thoughts on the proposed spec of my future conversion, see below.

Vehicle (New, or similar spec if I can find a ex-demo)

VW T6 – T32 Highline - 204 – LWB – DSG – 4Motion (with Spit diff)

Options
  • Metalic paint
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Z16 6.3inch composition media touch screen
  • App connect
  • Tailgate (with window, heated)
  • Mud Flaps
  • Removable tow bar
Anything else recommended?

Conversion specification
  • Full insulation and carpet lining silver/mid grey/anthracite
  • New ply floor, lino, side step, rear lock cover

  • Privacy glass pack inc. 1x opening side window
  • Side kitchen layout
  • Reimo Variotech 3000 seat bed system on rails with 5 fixation points
  • LWB roof and cross bars silver/black fixings
  • LWB Fiamma F45 wind out awning
  • Dometic HSG 2370 Smev 9222 Sink and Hob Combination Unit
  • Waeco CRX50 compressor fridge

  • 2 person front passenger swivel seat
  • 12v power management system, split charge, 2x 12v socket 240v hook up,1x 240v socket and 10m hook up cable
  • 150w solar panel to roof
  • Leisure battery
Anything else recommended?

Things not sure on (any help appreciated)
  • Curtains versus Vanshades
  • Planar diesel heater versus Propex HS2211 – external mounted with under slung gas tank)
  • Pop top – SCA versus HiLo or Stealth (worried about head height here)

A couple of other general questions for those more informed:
  1. What is the impact on warranty of converting a new van?
  2. I live in Kent and am considering using VW-T (www.vw-t.co.uk) for the conversion, does anyone have any knowledge of them?
  3. Are there any other convertors I should consider?

Any help greatly appreciated as this is a once in a life time purchase for me and I would like to try and get it right!!

Many thanks
CZ.
 
My base van is virtually the same spec as yours. However (and I’m more than happy to be corrected) you might struggle with the under slung gas tank with the 4mot. Afaik, the gas tank sits in the space occupied by the rear Diff.
I have a Webasto combined with an 80litre diesel tank, no problem keeping us warm on a recent skiing trip where it was hitting -20C. On full chat, a Webasto uses about 1/4 litre /hour. We have a refillable 6kg Gaslow system in the rear gas locker area, a fill costs around £5 and lasts nearly a season with heavy usage. A 5 week summer trip with cooking & BBQ uses about a 1/3rd of a tank, a couple of quid.
We were going to have Vanshades & got talked out of it by our converter, cost (not really an issue) reduces window area, complexity, curtains can be easily washed etc. So we went for curtains & they are spot on, I wouldn’t change them.
I prefer an “all in one” hob/sink combo, hob spillages & boil overs are easier to clean up & you don’t get crud in the gap.
 
Hey, thanks for the reply. yeah i was thinking about that - re the gas tank - not sure on the underside of the LWB but if it has the spare i could lose that i guess. I read that the Propex system was quieter than the diesel heater but happy to be corrected. Also wanted to try and save on the internal space and not have the gas bottle in the van... not a big deal i guess either way...

How do you find the drive of your vehicle when loaded up? also what tyres did you go for? am considering Michelin Crossclimates but need to looking sizing etc...

Thanks :)
 
czmate1999 said:
Hey, thanks for the reply. yeah i was thinking about that - re the gas tank - not sure on the underside of the LWB but if it has the spare i could lose that i guess. I read that the Propex system was quieter than the diesel heater but happy to be corrected. Also wanted to try and save on the internal space and not have the gas bottle in the van... not a big deal i guess either way...

How do you find the drive of your vehicle when loaded up? also what tyres did you go for? am considering Michelin Crossclimates but need to looking sizing etc...

Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Ride is fine, but I have VB air, so can’t compare. If you’re going T32 & want to stick with OEM wheels/tyres/spec then your choices are limited. Mine’s a heavy conversion & I tow a boat, so wanted to keep all the load ratings OEM. I could only find 2 17” tyres that had all season ratings & met the spec, Pirelli Carrier & Goodyear Cargo vector 2. There’s a Continental one, but it’s not all season rated (essential for use in the Alps) I find the Pirelli’s very good & id buy them again.
 
Hi, Thanks for the reply. Just took a T32 204 LWB for a spin - nice ride. It was unloaded and i found it a little bouncy - just wondering if that would settle down once the conversion weight is added? - will look into VB air as sounds interesting...
 
czmate1999 said:
Hi,

I have been researching campers and conversions for what feels like ages. I am very pleased to have found this forum and have read a lot of the excellent posts and seen a lot of first class conversions.

I was hoping to get some advice/thoughts on the proposed spec of my future conversion, see below.

Vehicle (New, or similar spec if I can find a ex-demo)

VW T6 – T32 Highline - 204 – LWB – DSG – 4Motion (with Spit diff)

Options
  • Metalic paint
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Z16 6.3inch composition media touch screen
  • App connect
  • Tailgate (with window, heated)
  • Mud Flaps
  • Removable tow bar
Anything else recommended?

Conversion specification
  • Full insulation and carpet lining silver/mid grey/anthracite
  • New ply floor, lino, side step, rear lock cover

  • Privacy glass pack inc. 1x opening side window
  • Side kitchen layout
  • Reimo Variotech 3000 seat bed system on rails with 5 fixation points
  • LWB roof and cross bars silver/black fixings
  • LWB Fiamma F45 wind out awning
  • Dometic HSG 2370 Smev 9222 Sink and Hob Combination Unit
  • Waeco CRX50 compressor fridge

  • 2 person front passenger swivel seat
  • 12v power management system, split charge, 2x 12v socket 240v hook up,1x 240v socket and 10m hook up cable
  • 150w solar panel to roof
  • Leisure battery
Anything else recommended?

Things not sure on (any help appreciated)
  • Curtains versus Vanshades
  • Planar diesel heater versus Propex HS2211 – external mounted with under slung gas tank)
  • Pop top – SCA versus HiLo or Stealth (worried about head height here)

A couple of other general questions for those more informed:
  1. What is the impact on warranty of converting a new van?
  2. I live in Kent and am considering using VW-T (www.vw-t.co.uk) for the conversion, does anyone have any knowledge of them?
  3. Are there any other convertors I should consider?

Any help greatly appreciated as this is a once in a life time purchase for me and I would like to try and get it right!!

Many thanks
CZ.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to spec your new van with Led headlamps. :thumbsup:
 
Have a look at Jerba Campervans in North Berwick, just south of Edinburgh. It sounds a long way but their service and build quality are fantastic. They are an authorised VW converter so the van can be spec'd and ordered through them and they will then convert to your specification. Our van is a Jerba Cromarty (LWB), which has the side kitchen and is spec'd with a Wallas Duo hob/heater amongst other things. Re ride for a conversion ours felt a bit bouncy with the original 16" wheels but was slightly better with the 17'' Devonports and SUV tyres but having just had it upgraded to B14 with H&R antiroll bars it drives like a dream.
 
$immo said:
Don't forget to spec your new van with Led headlamps. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hi Simmo, i looked at the option for LED lights today, do they make £1500+ worth of difference? I have also heard they are a bugger to change if there are issues. with that £1500 i could put towards VB air or similar... i guess its all about priorities...
 
Mavis said:
Have a look at Jerba Campervans in North Berwick, just south of Edinburgh. It sounds a long way but their service and build quality are fantastic. They are an authorised VW converter so the van can be spec'd and ordered through them and they will then convert to your specification. Our van is a Jerba Cromarty (LWB), which has the side kitchen and is spec'd with a Wallas Duo hob/heater amongst other things. Re ride for a conversion ours felt a bit bouncy with the original 16" wheels but was slightly better with the 17'' Devonports and SUV tyres but having just had it upgraded to B14 with H&R antiroll bars it drives like a dream.
Click to expand...
I will take another look - i have viewed their website but always good to get a recommendation.

Have had my Van priced up today at £41,000 (with discounts) but would like to get it down sub £40k... wonder what my chances are...?
 
czmate1999 said:
Hi Simmo, i looked at the option for LED lights today, do they make £1500+ worth of difference? I have also heard they are a bugger to change if there are issues. with that £1500 i could put towards VB air or similar... i guess its all about priorities...
Click to expand...

I don't have them, as the van I found was priced very competitively and had everything else. If I could have found one with Led's I would have snapped it up.

I'm only down the road from you, but drove to N Devon to have my poptop fitted (Reimo) but not that far to Bognor for suspension set up (B14's).

Good luck, it's a proper headache trying to spec and convert a van :) but we'll worth it. :thumbsup:
 
All vans/commercials are light on their feet when empty
czmate1999 said:
I will take another look - i have viewed their website but always good to get a recommendation.

Have had my Van priced up today at £41,000 (with discounts) but would like to get it down sub £40k... wonder what my chances are...?
Click to expand...
you’ll be wishing you’d specced LEDs a long time after you’ve paid for the van
 
Just been reading up about the LEDs and poor quality of the standard lights... seems crazy that the VW standard lights would not be good enough - especially when your paying £40k+ on the vehicle...

Does anyone have any thoughts on the standard fittings - any rays of hope out there?

Would it be cheaper to add LEDs later on?

Cheers.
 
headlight-upgrade-supply

This company is about a grand cheaper than VW but still £3k +vat :eek::eek::eek:

It's either live with the H4 standard lights, go for a semi upgrade to the H7 lights (£3-400) or fit some grill spotlights if you blast around dark lanes. :thumbsdown:
 
After a year of driving with H4's I've just got used to them and I'm a campervan so never in any hurry to get anywhere.

Best of luck in your conversion sounds like it will be a great project. @czmate1999
 
$immo said:
After a year of driving with H4's I've just got used to them and I'm a campervan so never in any hurry to get anywhere.

Best of luck in your conversion sounds like it will be a great project. @czmate1999
Click to expand...
Cheers @$immo Can't wait to have it all sorted!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
czmate1999 said:
I will take another look - i have viewed their website but always good to get a recommendation.

Have had my Van priced up today at £41,000 (with discounts) but would like to get it down sub £40k... wonder what my chances are...?
Click to expand...
A bit more local to you are Bilbo’s, really nice guys possibly worth a look. We bought our LWB from them and it’s been faultless.
 
czmate1999 said:
I will take another look - i have viewed their website but always good to get a recommendation.

Have had my Van priced up today at £41,000 (with discounts) but would like to get it down sub £40k... wonder what my chances are...?
Click to expand...
Jerba will send you the up to date price list for the van and then the conversion. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
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