Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure

[RedUn]

This second van needs to be a daily driver ,80% of the time, and a camper 20% of the time.

That means shopping, underground carparks, school runs, vet runs, driving uptown and to the family... Cinema, seaside, etc etc.

So a crafter or man etc is not an option for us at this stage as the are too big and tall.

We also have a short length drive with lean-to at home, so again a crafter would be too large to keep at the house. (Remember it's a daily driver,)

A crafter and larger van is not good as a daily driver on fuel, especially a converted one..... We're looking ,20% camper use..... So school and work run most of the time.

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If this project was for a 100% camper, then I'd agree totally with you ....

A T6 is to small for a long term camper, even a LWB.... A caravan or crafter/ motorhome makes perfect sense, and is the obvious way forward.

But at this stage we are 20% camper, 80% dad's taxi.

So at this stage were thinking kombi camper should suit....

However the secondary problem is transporting all the additional kit we take to events.

Ie disc-tent, speakers, lights, flag poles, etc etc.

Best idea you've had so far Lee

Kombi with bed is the way forward for a multi purpose vehicle. Can use it everyday with no draw backs and cheap road tax.

Get a fortywinks bed, plenty of storage under it then and on top too.

I took my time doing the van and would do the exact same setup again, sound deaden is key and then insulate everywhere.

We don't have a pop top and don't need a heater, can sleep in the van in 7 degrees and it's plenty warm enough in a sleeping bag, still have the windows open a touch.

 

[cgtmiles]

Best idea you've had so far Lee

Kombi with bed is the way forward for a multi purpose vehicle. Can use it everyday with no draw backs and cheap road tax.

Get a fortywinks bed, plenty of storage under it then and on top too.

I took my time doing the van and would do the exact same setup again, sound deaden is key and then insulate everywhere.

We don't have a pop top and don't need a heater, can sleep in the van in 7 degrees and it's plenty warm enough in a sleeping bag, still have the windows open a touch.

You sure you don’t need a poptop rich?

 

[RedUn]

View attachment 173309You sure you don’t need a poptop rich?

I don't think I could stand up with a pop top either so I figured what's the point

 

[t6blo]

Ok, understand your position on a caravan @Dellmassive

In that case a Kombi as a daily makes sense - it’s what I have and love it.

Rather than trying to kit out the Kombi as a pseudo campervan, perhaps you should be looking to spend the money on a huge tent with built in bedrooms, comfy camp beds and living space - or save the money if you already have all of this. Then the Kombi with the seats removed/folded becomes something just to haul all the gear 20% of the time, and resolves the issues you have now emptying the work van, rather than trying to make it into a campervan if that makes sense?

You say you already have cooking stuff etc.

Or do you *have* to sleep in the van rather than the tent?

 

[RedUn]

Ok, understand your position on a caravan @Dellmassive

In that case a Kombi as a daily makes sense - it’s what I have and love it.

Rather than trying to kit out the Kombi as a pseudo campervan, perhaps you should be looking to spend the money on a huge tent with built in bedrooms, comfy camp beds and living space - or save the money if you already have all of this. Then the Kombi with the seats removed/folded becomes something just to haul all the gear 20% of the time, and resolves the issues you have now emptying the work van, rather than trying to make it into a campervan if that makes sense?

You say you already have cooking stuff etc.

Or do you *have* to sleep in the van rather than the tent?

We started like that but you soon realised with a blow up awning and a van+bed you can go from pulling up to sitting drinking a beer much quicker than putting a massive tent up

 

[Rioja John]

View attachment 173153I know you love battery stuff.
We have one of these which we use over the sink/hob.

TLW Slim Rechargeable Bar Light 450mm

Bring some much-needed extra illumination to your storage area, caravan or motorhome with the TLW Slim Rechargeable Bar Light. Features a built-in PIR motion sensor.

www.jtatkinson.co.uk

It’s plenty bright enough and you can charge it up whilst driving along.
It’s also magnetic so I stick it on the outside of the van as an exterior light.
I’m just about to buy another one.
See what you think at the weekend.

Hi @Bigsidavies can you turn this light on and off manuallly?

John.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Hi @Bigsidavies can you turn this light on and off manuallly?

John.

Yes John. It has three positions. On/Off/Auto

Auto is great if you are sat outside the van in an evening as it turns on the moment you step inside and turns itself off quite quickly after motion has stopped.
We leave it on auto when we go out so there’s a light as soon as you open the door.
Get a couple of hours from one charge.
It lasted the full 3 nights at Sibbertoft last weekend.

I’ll post a pic up of it in the van shortly so you get an idea of size.

 

[Bigsidavies]

I’ll post a pic up of it in the van shortly so you get an idea of size.

Forgot, then went shopping. Here’s a couple of pics to show it’s slim size.

 

[Dellmassive]

Forgot, then went shopping. Here’s a couple of pics to show it’s slim size.View attachment 173953View attachment 173954

out of stock for delivery (2x units) . . . .

 

[Bigsidavies]

@Dellmassive

Slim Rechargeable LED Bar Light – 200mm

The TLW Slim Rechargeable Bar Light is a handy and simple solution for brightening up your storage spaces. The light’s PIR motion sensor automatically detects movement and switches the light on and off when needed. The light comes with a micro USB charging cable, as well as magnets for easy...

www.tradesuppliesonline.com

 

[Dellmassive]

Were back from summer autumn camp 2022. . .

and had a chance to look around some of the awesome vans about. . .

looking around here are some things we decided we liked. . .


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chatting about options @VanDamMan pointed out that a Kombi would have more options from Factory than a standard panel van. . .

this is worth noting as extras that a kombi may have are nice and prob` not worth the cost retrofitting on a PV after the fact.


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we are still looking at a PV or Kombi with a OVANO or SLIDPOD box at the rear. . . . . to start with,

but realised that a kitchen conversion with 3/4 width bed is usable . . . . as in we could both fit.


but for now a day van is a better option to start out with. . .




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we loved the look of the HiLo pop-top roof. . .


as when down its almost invisible. . .







but noted that i take up space below the roof line inside, so internal chairs etc need to be carefully considered. . .


this would be my second choice from external looks , , , , (Vanmax. - but not available in LWB )




on the poptop front we noticed that we wanted a BI - FOLD bed board. . .






and the PANARAMIC CANVAS . . .








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we decided we liked the idea of the REMO RAIL, and would prop go both sides . . .






one of the added benefits was that apparently the WIND OUT AWNING - that i wasn't a fan off can be fixed to this rail. . .

meaning it can be fitted and removed as needed - that makes things workable for me. . . so like the idea of that system . . (the removable option)






...


on the seating front, we liked the twin captains rotating front chairs . .



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we also liked the TABLE that folds into the side door that @czmate1999 has. . .



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we liked the WINDOW SHADES , that are necessary . .




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other things mentioned . . . .


onboard water and gas would not be required to start with,

tow bar for future trailer is a worthy addition.


a side wind out awning, or side sail is a good way to start things off. . . ( for the meduim weekend setup)



a AIR SIDE AWNING is the way to go for the LONG WEEKEND / WEEK setup. . . ( but a TC version is big and bulky + Heavy )












+


TBC

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive

Slim Rechargeable LED Bar Light – 200mm

The TLW Slim Rechargeable Bar Light is a handy and simple solution for brightening up your storage spaces. The light’s PIR motion sensor automatically detects movement and switches the light on and off when needed. The light comes with a micro USB charging cable, as well as magnets for easy...

www.tradesuppliesonline.com

i see that one, its the 200mm shorter one.

i think yours is the 450mm version.

 

[Skyliner33]

@Dellmassive what’s the roof you state is second choice? I don’t recognise that one.

 

[Bigsidavies]

i see that one, its the 200mm shorter one.

i think yours is the 450mm version.

We’ll spotted. Thought it was cheap. Yeah mine is 450mm.

Ok, so the caravan club have them but they’ve managed to make up their own eye-watering price.
Although they mustn’t be in stock as dispatch is mid October.

Slim Rechargeable Bar Light - 450mm 1W

The Slim Battery Bar LED Light from TLW is perfect for storage areas in your caravan or motorhome that require some extra light. With a built-in motion sensor, the Bar Light turns on automatically and is available in two wattages, 1w and 2w. The Bar Light also comes with magnets to fix onto...

shop.caravanclub.co.uk

 

[Bigsidavies]

@Dellmassive what’s the roof you state is second choice? I don’t recognise that one.

It’s my Vanmax.

 

[Skyliner33]

It’s my Vanmax.

Ah. So no LWB version now then.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Ah. So no LWB version now then.

Yep. I’ve mentioned that to Lee as he wants LWB.

 

[Dellmassive]

Moving on, the next thing I'm looking at is the diesel heater.

Reading between the lines it looks like mounting the heater externaly, but above the underbody plastics is the way to go.( To save seatbase space for electricals)

And that taking the fuel feed from the main tank makes more sense.

I like the OEM look where the cool air inlet is from the drivers foot well step, and the hot air outlet is on the lower b pillar.

I like the various options of timers, remote on,/off etc, but it not a deal breaker.... I loved @Eli OEM Cali option with the roof display panel and remote control.

And that @czmate1999 has a sim card system for remote monitoring?... Does it have an app?

Appart from that.... I have no idea.

So what are people fitting,? Running?

What is the OEM option?

What's a decent unit to look at?

What would you do differently if you done it again?.


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I'm hearing names like webastow,?
Erberspratcher,?
Chinese cloan,?


Over to you guys.



(Standard fitting for the T6 is the Eberspächer Airtronic M2 which is 4Kw.)

 

[Skyliner33]

I fitted an Eberspacher in the OEM way with the vents in the B pillar. I dont think i will do it that way again.
I thought the drivers seat blocked a lot of the air and the seat got very hot.
I think there will be more effective places to outlet the hot air. Not made a decision yet.

Otherwise fit would be the same. Inlet from the drivers step, heater mounted externally.

 

[Deaky]

I'd definitely go OEM again. I think mine is an Eberspacher. Unobtrusive inside the van. Can program it to start and stop and I have a remote with mine, looks like a key. Allegedly it has a range of 1000mts but I've not tested that. It works great from the bedroom window to warm the inside of the van up before I go to work.