Just another AA Self Build.........

[T6ChrisO]

Had 2 successful trips in the van now! Everything working as it should which is a relief when you have done it all yourself.

Tested out the new Kampa Trip Air awning in Wales last week, certainly gives us that much needed additional space and quite simple to set up.

Few pics from Wales last week as Storm Kathleen hit (and ended our trip early due to the high winds)




The chore that nobody enjoys..... (the clean up once home)

 

[lebb2017]

The chore that nobody enjoys..... (the clean up once home)

Wow that’s a lot of mud.
Van + set up looks great though

 

[T6ChrisO]

Wow that’s a lot of mud.
Van + set up looks great though

Yeah it was very boggy in places but luckily the farmer had a hard-standing area left so told me just to park on that. If I parked on the grass I never would've got off. I only slightly went onto the grass to turn around when I arrived and had to be towed off as the front just sank ha ha!

 

[lebb2017]

Yeah it was very boggy in places but luckily the farmer had a hard-standing area left so told me just to park on that. If I parked on the grass I never would've got off. I only slightly went onto the grass to turn around when I arrived and had to be towed off as the front just sank ha ha!

Oops!

 

[T6ChrisO]

Will be for sale shortly to make way for a new build. A Ravenna Blue T6.1 LWB is calling my name!

Thinking £28,000 is fair for its condition and spec. Will do a proper advert soon

 

[z1ts]

A Ravenna Blue T6.1 LWB

Drooooool!

 

[CAB]

Thought I'd document my attempted self build of an ex AA van
Purchase Price £14,000
Target total spend £24,000

Did I miss what your actual end total was?

 

[T6ChrisO]

Did I miss what your actual end total was?

I've not properly totted it up but I think its around £25k

For any potential buyers, the above doesn't mean I'll be selling it at £25k lol

 

[TallPaul_S]

I'm assuming that's not including the amount of hours you've put into the van - 100hrs @ £20ph is another £2k.

Out of interest, how come you're selling so soon after completing? Is the building big bigger than the using bug?

 

[T6ChrisO]

I'm assuming that's not including the amount of hours you've put into the van - 100hrs @ £20ph is another £2k.

Out of interest, how come you're selling so soon after completing? Is the building big bigger than the using bug?

Oh god no, I've not included man hours. Just priced it at what I think its worth. I do however need to find someone who would charge only £20 per hour though ha ha!

My house sale completes soon and its going to relieve a lot of financial stress that i've been under so I've decided I'm going to treat myself to a lot newer van and one my partner can drive too (getting an auto, she cant drive manual)

 

[Bav]

Oh god no, I've not included man hours. Just priced it at what I think its worth. I do however need to find someone who would charge only £20 per hour though ha ha!

My house sale completes soon and its going to relieve a lot of financial stress that i've been under so I've decided I'm going to treat myself to a lot newer van and one my partner can drive too (getting an auto, she cant drive manual)

Chris, looking forward to you getting your new van and watching your next build - you've made a cracking job of this one!

 

[T6ChrisO]

Lil update.....

Decided against selling the van so its here to stay! Upon deciding this I thought id get my ass in gear and finally finish the bits and bobs I've wanted to do for a while.

First up was fitting the Uber Bus Components spare wheel carrier


Next up was the all important solar! Game changer for someone who prefers to be off-grid rather than on busy sites (god im anti social ha ha). Again, relatively straight forward but routing the cables was a bit of a pain. Had a few issues with getting the Clayton LPS and Victron MPPT to behave together but with a bit of help from Clayton and @roadtripper I think I'm pretty much there now.

200W Renogy rigid mounted to roof bars (very dull day and still pulling a decent wattage)



As always, there's still more to do on these bloody vans. Got a Halo 9 to install still.

Last week I took the plunge and ordered a full set of VanShades blinds and also went for their door storage unit. Really looking forward to getting those and taking the curtains down.

Thats all for now

 

[TallPaul_S]

Another piece of the puzzle - Front Runner rear ladder. Nice easy install

Just need the spare wheel holder to go on the other side now

View attachment 234726

Is that the version which bolts to the tailgate hinge bolts then sits on the lower part - IE no drilling of the tailgate needed?

How is it, nice and stable when climbing up?

 

[T6ChrisO]

Is that the version which bolts to the tailgate hinge bolts then sits on the lower part - IE no drilling of the tailgate needed?

How is it, nice and stable when climbing up?

It sits over the tailgate near the hinge, no drilling/bolting at that section. Its drilled and bolted at the bottom, just one bolt from memory at the very bottom of the ladder.

Seems very stable to be honest, been up and down quite a few times (especially when doing the solar panel)

 

[T6ChrisO]

Couple of pics from today

 

[T6ChrisO]

Quite a bit more completed recently on the van. I think its finished then decide to do something else.......

Alpine Halo 9 head unit installed
Gladen One Tweeters installed
Gladen One door speakers (TO FIT)
VanShades blinds fitted throughout (LOVE THESE!!!)
VanShades Door Store fitted
New Yellow & Carbon steering wheel purchased (currently being made, almost complete)

 

[david173]

love it, in for a penny and all!!

Out of interest what colour are the outside of the van shades? e.g when they are down from the outside of the van? cheers!

 

[T6ChrisO]

To be honest I've not taken much notice . They aren't yellow though. Like a beige I think from memory

 

[david173]

To be honest I've not taken much notice . They aren't yellow though. Like a beige I think from memory
View attachment 255965

Yeah look good, not too obvious, thank you!

 

[BizziT6]

Hi Chris, van is looking good mate. Was the Halo install easy enough? We’re looking at fitting this or the 11. Do these vans have a gps antenna or did you fit one?
Cheers
Dar