Latest update and I’m still really impressed with the quality of Richard’s work.
The 2 Maxxfans, and the 2 160 solar panels have gone on the roof, as has the awning backing plate.
The superhigh roof is made of fibreglass as as a result the outside, the top, is totally smooth, no ridges or panel wells. This makes the 2x160 solar panels look very slick. They are a plastic laminate akin to 5mm ply. To give you an idea of the interior height, I’m 6’ and can only just touch the roof lining at a stretch!! Hence the fans each have a remote control handset.
Richard has fitted the interior roof panels now, they are a leatherette material with a soft padding underneath - looks reet posh!!
Today’s visit was all about reviewing progress and, now things are taking shape, detailing cupboards and drawers etc.
The shower/loo is a decent size and despite the appearance in the picture, the toilet seat actually faces rearwards, sideways to the upright flushing panel.
The sink will be a drop down job, but definitely not one of those crappy moulded fibreglass thing with screws around the outside- I’ll post pics when it’s in.
The 2 Maxxfans, and the 2 160 solar panels have gone on the roof, as has the awning backing plate.
The superhigh roof is made of fibreglass as as a result the outside, the top, is totally smooth, no ridges or panel wells. This makes the 2x160 solar panels look very slick. They are a plastic laminate akin to 5mm ply. To give you an idea of the interior height, I’m 6’ and can only just touch the roof lining at a stretch!! Hence the fans each have a remote control handset.
Richard has fitted the interior roof panels now, they are a leatherette material with a soft padding underneath - looks reet posh!!
Today’s visit was all about reviewing progress and, now things are taking shape, detailing cupboards and drawers etc.
The shower/loo is a decent size and despite the appearance in the picture, the toilet seat actually faces rearwards, sideways to the upright flushing panel.
The sink will be a drop down job, but definitely not one of those crappy moulded fibreglass thing with screws around the outside- I’ll post pics when it’s in.
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We hope to travel and ‘live’ in the van for much longer trips. The T6 is great but space is always a compromise.
The high roof on the crafter allows us to sleep in the van in ‘Stealth’ mode, when parked up anywhere that’s legal ( and some that might not be so!)
Whereas in the T6 the pop top being up was always the giveaway.
Be aware that Crafters and Sprinters are narrower that Ducatos/ Boxers etc and beds easily go across the rear of Ducato/boxer etc. But not quite a for a crafter/sprinter
Unless you are short a Crafter will need side pods to expand the width unless you are a midget or have a longditudonal bed.
The high roof on the crafter allows us to sleep in the van in ‘Stealth’ mode, when parked up anywhere that’s legal ( and some that might not be so!)
Whereas in the T6 the pop top being up was always the giveaway.
Be aware that Crafters and Sprinters are narrower that Ducatos/ Boxers etc and beds easily go across the rear of Ducato/boxer etc. But not quite a for a crafter/sprinter
Unless you are short a Crafter will need side pods to expand the width unless you are a midget or have a longditudonal bed.
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Here’s some info that I’d compiled when researching..
Crafter
LWB= 6.83
2.04 wide ex mirrors
Max load length 4.3m
Between wheel arches 1.78
Max Internal load width 1.83
MWB = 5986
2.04 wide ex mirrors
Max load length 3.45
Between wheel arches 1.78
Max Internal load width 1.83
Sprinter
LWB = 6.96
W 2.02 ex mirrors
Max load length 4.3m
Internal load width 1.83
MAN TGE
LH (Long/ High)
6.83 wide
Width 2.04ex mirrors
Max load length 4.3m
Internal load width 1.83
NB
MAN sells the TGE in three gross vehicle weight (GVW) options: 3,000 kg (3.0 tonnes), 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) and 5,000kg (5.0 tonnes)
Fiat Ducato
L4 Length 6363
H2 medium 2520
H3 high 2760
L4 Load W 1870
L4 Load L 4070
L3 load L 3750
By the time you’ve insulated it and added some form of cladding you’ve got less than 1.8m width in a Sprinter. Luckily my daughter and her boyfriend are both less than 5’ 8” and can fit widthways.
Had to cut about 6” off a standard Ikea mattress to get it to fit.
Had to cut about 6” off a standard Ikea mattress to get it to fit.
You can get side extensions to go in the side panels which makes the width wider.
Welcome - A2B Conversions
The next instalment..Today, Jan and I popped up to see how Richard was getting on. From Harrow, it’s a 1hr 45min drive, plus a coffee stop en route to stretch the legs. Even so we try to pop in regularly as miscommunication can be costly. I know exactly what I want, but there is a lot going on both inside my van head and otherwise.
We were very chuffed with progress:
Richard has installed the batteries and most of the electrical gear now, still work to do but it looks very complex, especially for a lecky numpty like me. Absolute confirmation that I should never ever go anywhere near anything more complex than a three pin plug or an AA battery.
Mildly daunted, I said that I’d need a comprehensive handover when the time comes and Richard said that many customers record a video of it on their phones - good shout.
The hot water heater/ heating unit is now in, it’s a gas/ electric Truma 4e. Quite a lump but very very good.
Below, the electric step is installed - whilst this is quite a slim unit, it’s still only 10” from the ground, this can be a vulnerability on vans with nearside sliders as VW fit the fuel tank this same side. On VW Grand California’s and T6 based California’s, the slider (and the awning etc) is on the offside- not too useful in the UK, when you are parked at the seaside, on the road and find yourself either climbing in and out in the road or you have to park facing the traffic. I digress a little, without a fuel tank in the way, there is much more room on the offside to fit an electric slide out step, I’ll just have to be careful — OR consider fitting a lift kit— hmmm Thinks ...off road chunky tyres, 20” Black Rhino holeshot wheels!!! oeerr I see £££££s just floating away.
Underslung gas and water tanks are now fitted, very neat and unobtrusive- (Edit -unobtrusive, huh they are underslung to state the bloomin’ obvious!)
The rear part of the ceiling is finished and it looks very swish complete with lighting, remote controlled fans and sliding covers.
Richard mocked up the shower/loo unit and also the fridge to get the final confirmation of positionings. The 85Litre Thetford fridge has a sloping back to enable a snug fit up much higher up against van walls that incline inwards, so it’s eye level and still very economical with space.
Reversing lamps on most vans are pants, and as we decided against windows in the rear doors, opting for an overhead camera instead, I bought two LED exterior light units which will be remotely switched by a simple toggle switch on the dash, instead of wired into the reverse gear- that way they can be used as work lamps for the area at the back of the van is for un/loading me bike at night, well as reversing into pitch black “pully inny” places (as ‘er indoors refers to them).
So the carpentry is next, we’ve agreed finishes and fittings - can’t wait!
Brian
No inverter, we think that we can either manage without or add it later. Most stuff like the TV etc runs off of 12v in the field, and we’ll save using the microwave for when we are hooked up.
Batteries are 2x 130ah AGM SLCA 12130DT (5yr warranty and guaranteed for 1500 cycles) 12V 130AH Leoch AGM Superior Lead Carbon Deep Cycle Battery (SLCA-12130 DT)
and solar is 2x160w super flat (Panasonic?) panels.
Batteries are 2x 130ah AGM SLCA 12130DT (5yr warranty and guaranteed for 1500 cycles) 12V 130AH Leoch AGM Superior Lead Carbon Deep Cycle Battery (SLCA-12130 DT)
and solar is 2x160w super flat (Panasonic?) panels.
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Progress report,
Or a not too much progress report.
Before anyone had ever heard the term CV19 our van would be here and us away enjoying it. Mind you, we’d always told Richard that we were not in a hurry and we never ever set deadlines for him.
Even if the van was ready and here, we’d still be locked down.
Richard has started work on the van again but he’s now working single handedly.
The window blinds finally arrived and are in, now the wall panels are mostly finished.
The cupboards are mocked for us to confirm positions and openings etc before the faces are cut.
These shots make it look a little claustrophobic, but being a super high roof there’s lots of room for high level storage. At full stretch I can only just touch the ceiling, I’m 5’11”
Or a not too much progress report.
Before anyone had ever heard the term CV19 our van would be here and us away enjoying it. Mind you, we’d always told Richard that we were not in a hurry and we never ever set deadlines for him.
Even if the van was ready and here, we’d still be locked down.
Richard has started work on the van again but he’s now working single handedly.
The window blinds finally arrived and are in, now the wall panels are mostly finished.
The cupboards are mocked for us to confirm positions and openings etc before the faces are cut.
These shots make it look a little claustrophobic, but being a super high roof there’s lots of room for high level storage. At full stretch I can only just touch the ceiling, I’m 5’11”
