Finally, I have ascended. But, can we camp before our conversion?

signtoo

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T6 Pro
Hi all,

We're due a lovely T6 highline DSG next week! It's a panel van, so nothing in it. We're very excited, but we have a little wait until it is fully converted.

Whilst we're awaiting the conversion, I wanted to check if it's possible to do any kind of faux-campervaning on a camp site with the following:
  1. Mattress for two + pillows
  2. Mobile mains power unit (see image bottom of post)
  3. Single induction hob: IKEA or other brand (see image bottom of post)
  4. Kettle
  5. Sunshade + windowshade
  6. Some sort of steering wheel lock, or pedal lock?)
  7. Removal of bulkhead (or is this not recommended until we get the conversion done)?

But ultimately, is this feasible? We're itching to get out and could do with preparing a few things if you think:
1) it's viable and
2) if campsites would be OK with it.

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'Some' campsites won't let you sleep in just a van .
If you take a small pop up tent and say your 'tenting' , then pitch your tent but sleep in the van 'cuz it was too cold', or 'too wet' for the tent then you'd probably get away with it :thumbsup: ;) .
Bulkhead removed means it won't be pitch black or stand the chance of locking yourself inside .
 
You are better going to a site that doesn’t ask questions. Don’t know about you but the last thing I want is some ‘wannabee policeman’ telling me all about the rules when I’m out to relax and enjoy myself.
The rubber floor mat is pretty comfortable to sleep on.
 
'Some' campsites won't let you sleep in just a van .
If you take a small pop up tent and say your 'tenting' , then pitch your tent but sleep in the van 'cuz it was too cold', or 'too wet' for the tent then you'd probably get away with it :thumbsup: ;) .
Yep, that's feasible! Perhaps we can find tent sites with an electric hookup?

You are better going to a site that doesn’t ask questions. Don’t know about you but the last thing I want is some ‘wannabee policeman’ telling me all about the rules when I’m out to relax and enjoy myself.
The rubber floor mat is pretty comfortable to sleep on.

Yeah perhaps it's more about picking the right campsite than finding a posh one that'll have customers "reporting us" to the camper police for not sitting with proper posture whilst having our morning espresso... We'd bring a memory foam mattress topper to be fair, which has served us well in the past. We'd use it in our tent as well if need be :)
 
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I suspect the biggest issue sites may have is your plans for EHU and it's a legitimate safety issue.

A 240v supply in a metal bodied van should have it's earth grounded to the van body, without that any electrical fault that made the van body live would not trip the RCD.

If you were using it to provide power to an awning then that would be no different to a tent.

How are you planning to safely get a live 240 cable into the van and have the van secure?

I'd get a basic tent or drive away awning and go camping in that till you get the conversion underway, then you can take the kit you propose and have nothing to worry about.
 
I'd get a basic tent or drive away awning and go camping in that till you get the conversion underway, then you can take the kit you propose and have nothing to worry about.
Fair points, we do have a simple pop up tent we can use in the meantime. No doubt we'll get a drive away awning as the tailgate will provide some shelter and save us a bit on not getting an expensive awning.

We can use that until we decide on the exact type of drive away setup we want.

Just so I understand, are you saying that campsites would be OK with an EHU into the tent?
 
That type of EHU you pictured is designed for a tent/awning.

If a campsite is advertising EHU pitches for tents that's what they should be expecting.

If you are booking a small campervan pitch they will be expecting some form of external wired connection. I'd doubt that they'd insist on an inspection in general but if you give them reason to look (and wires trailing out of unusual places like doors might well do as might obvious non campers) then many sites have terms and conditions on EHU safety, after all they are likely partly liable and also will not want their equipment damaged or other campers to lose power due to you tripping things.
 
Yeah, it’s all in Chapter 9, paragraph 21, allow one day for the induction course and evacuation drill. Or just pull up at the beach, pay a tenner and do what you want.
 
Hi all,

We're due a lovely T6 highline DSG next week! It's a panel van, so nothing in it. We're very excited, but we have a little wait until it is fully converted.

Whilst we're awaiting the conversion, I wanted to check if it's possible to do any kind of faux-campervaning on a camp site with the following:
  1. Mattress for two + pillows
  2. Mobile mains power unit (see image bottom of post)
  3. Single induction hob: IKEA or other brand (see image bottom of post)
  4. Kettle
  5. Sunshade + windowshade
  6. Some sort of steering wheel lock, or pedal lock?)
  7. Removal of bulkhead (or is this not recommended until we get the conversion done)?

But ultimately, is this feasible? We're itching to get out and could do with preparing a few things if you think:
1) it's viable and
2) if campsites would be OK with it.

View attachment 246196 View attachment 246197
Beware about that mobile mains power. Really its not for use in a metal box, and if you do the metal box should be earthed. I think the easiest way is to connec an earth cable from a 3 pin plug to the van chassis and plug it into the unit.

I would remove the bulkhead than you can open the from windows slightly to allow air in/out whils sleeping.

Edit _ I see @roadtripper already covered this. Teach me to reply without reading all posts first.
 
So we've decided to use a pop up tent for now and just live with EHU in the tent through the normal means (hanging it up). We'll sleep in the campervan at sites that let us, bringing a tent for daytime, and we'll sleep with the windows down slightly with wind deflectors.

It's for about 4-6 weeks, where we'll be able to try it out a few times and learn as we go along. By the end of September it'll be all converted!
 
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So we've decided to use a pop up tent for now and just live with EHU in the tent through the normal means (hanging it up).
You don’t have to hang the EHU, it can just sit on the floor. It will trip if it has any issues.
 
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