Another newbie...and totally green!

[T6 Dave]

One piece of advice, would be stay clear of the e6 150, especially the DSG, as there are some experiencing severe issues with its emissions system.. @Twoguns in particular..

 

[Davenjo]

We have a Fiamma wind out awning and it is great for those shorter trips where you want some extra space but can't be bothered with the drive away awning (all of our trips over the winter!). Also, the Fiamma does make attachment of the drive away awning a bit easier because you can roll it out a little and then roll it back in to help tension the drive away.

Another consideration with you basing on a panel van is whether you want a tailgate or barn doors; panel vans come as standard with barn doors but most people's preference for campers is a tail gate. As a consequence you do tend to see less used vans available with tailgates than barn doors.

 

[T6 Dave]

Tailgates rule.. Open up and sit under if raining.. Lwb will give you the pull up and use straight away space without having to worry about canvas for extra room, which is a good consideration for those impromptus stops or grey days.. I'd recommend hiring a swb camper and going away in it and trying the space..

 

[Veema]

Oh...definitely want a tailgate...

 

[T6 Dave]

Get a pair of LED lights fitted into tailgate on an illuminated switch, good loading/unloading lights, or if sitting under at night..

 

[Davenjo]

Get a pair of LED lights fitted into tailgate on an illuminated switch, good loading/unloading lights, or if sitting under at night..

...will also ensure your sleeping area is full of bugs by the time you go to bed ;-)

 

[T6 Dave]

Aha.. Not if you use a screen in hatch if sitting out at night...

 

[Gingercoastie]

On that note, is it possible to get midge proof screens for the side door and tailgate (I have a Scotland trip coming up and think they would be useful)

 

[Davenjo]

Aha.. Not if you use a screen in hatch if sitting out at night...

Any recommendations? We tend to leave the van (and tent before it) closed up and/or with lights off for most of the time until we are ready to go to bed during the summer, i.e. sit outside and/or in the awning

 

[T6 Dave]

No, planning on making mine..

 

[Davenjo]

On that note, is it possible to get midge proof screens for the side door and tailgate (I have a Scotland trip coming up and think they would be useful)

We would love to do a Scottish tour in the summer but the midges (and Nicola!) put us off.

 

[T6 Dave]

Watch out.. Scottish Midges are different species..

 

[Davenjo]

No, planning on making mine..

Make sure you get midge netting as they can get through normal insect mesh.

 

[T6 Dave]

VERY fond memories of Loch Awe, Ullapool etc etc

 

[T6 Dave]

Their bite is much worse than their buzz

 

[T6 Dave]

thinking of screen material, edged with Velcro for door and hatch areas.. Not ideal, but will pack away nice and small, but be there when needed..

 

[Davenjo]

Like the idea but velcro and carpet lining don't mix well (rather they mix too well!) - we are forever getting pulls where we forget to turn the velcro straps in the pop top windows in on themselves.

 

[Davenjo]

Another way to do it; We have midge netting screens for our tent - they have dowels at the top and bottom so all you need is something to fasten to at the top and then let them hang down - still quite small to pack (our dowels are like mini tent poles that break in the middle to make them smaller)

 

[Gingercoastie]

What about using magnets instead of velcro.

 

[Davenjo]

Problem solved - the screens for my tent are the right size for the van (just need a way to fix at the top - stick on plastic hooks maybe?)