Do it I'm strongly of the belief that anyone can do it if they put their mind to it.
There's so much information out there and the transporter has so much stuff developed for it that really its a no brained.
There's so much information out there and the transporter has so much stuff developed for it that really its a no brained.
Think its the small double equivalent with the toppers / duvet. About a 10cm width difference. At £30 I can't fault our memory foam topper.
I remember seeing that awning when researching. I'm always quite envious of people that can make a final product look professional. My strengths are making things functional rather than pretty.
I think that's a trait of the trade that I'm part of. Make it work above anything else
So improvements made and it was on to our first big trip of the year.
Partner had been training since January for a long walk on the Isle of Wight (circa 35 miles)
This was the trip we had been building to a deadline for as the campsite was booked and paid for along with the event and ferry.
Booked as a camper and not even checked at the ferry terminal. I've heard a few people have issues with this before. I guess being an unsubtle shade of yellow woth huge wheels helps define it apart from a trade van.
Safe to say both the stay and the event were a success. Although the bed in all honesty despite being much improved is not comfy after a 35 mile trek( I'm not sure anything would have been)
Partner had been training since January for a long walk on the Isle of Wight (circa 35 miles)
This was the trip we had been building to a deadline for as the campsite was booked and paid for along with the event and ferry.
Booked as a camper and not even checked at the ferry terminal. I've heard a few people have issues with this before. I guess being an unsubtle shade of yellow woth huge wheels helps define it apart from a trade van.
Safe to say both the stay and the event were a success. Although the bed in all honesty despite being much improved is not comfy after a 35 mile trek( I'm not sure anything would have been)
Finally it was actually time to do a bit more work to the van rather than just go away all the time. After a fair bit of research a seat swivel was added.
I went back and forth for a while but settled on the Ms craft swivel. Mostly.for the fact that the operation of it seems simple in comparison to the kiravans one.
That and once I fit the table in the back the seat will slide closer so you aren't sitting 3 feet away from it.
Also after looking out of the window one afternoon I decided I had to clean the roof up a bit.
Not that I ever see it at my normal height but its enough to annoy me it looks like that after seeing it once.
I went back and forth for a while but settled on the Ms craft swivel. Mostly.for the fact that the operation of it seems simple in comparison to the kiravans one.
That and once I fit the table in the back the seat will slide closer so you aren't sitting 3 feet away from it.
Also after looking out of the window one afternoon I decided I had to clean the roof up a bit.
Not that I ever see it at my normal height but its enough to annoy me it looks like that after seeing it once.
Getting closer to this point of the year (September) and its time to use the van actually for what it was intended for.
Several different sites booked in Wales over the course of 5 days. Covered from Bala and all along the coast right down to the Gower. Within 5 miles of where I brought the van from.
Amazing views loads of nice campsites and one really crap one.
Loads of photo opps until af***ing transit ripped my mirror clean off the third day in. Still these things get forgotten in the bar later on that day and gaffa tape can fix most things
Bumped into another T6 owner on shell island who might be on here. Didn't get his name but a damn nice blackberry colour van on air ride (must cut up credit card now!)
Campsites of note definitely Shell Island campsite also Nicholston farm on the gower was nice we should have stayed there longer.
Adjusted the layout of the awning after a night's rain filled it. Not the sort of shower you want to wake up to when opening the door !
Several different sites booked in Wales over the course of 5 days. Covered from Bala and all along the coast right down to the Gower. Within 5 miles of where I brought the van from.
Amazing views loads of nice campsites and one really crap one.
Loads of photo opps until a
Bumped into another T6 owner on shell island who might be on here. Didn't get his name but a damn nice blackberry colour van on air ride (must cut up credit card now!)
Campsites of note definitely Shell Island campsite also Nicholston farm on the gower was nice we should have stayed there longer.
Adjusted the layout of the awning after a night's rain filled it. Not the sort of shower you want to wake up to when opening the door !
So after the transit driving off after smashing my mirror all over the road.
2 days later while pulled in and actually stopped a CRV also took offence to My yellow van and repeated the process the transit had tried.
Uttering many words about the drivers and tendencies towards the local wild life I did a bit of research and got ordering some bits for a mirror repair job.
Besides the replacement mounting post all of the stuff is oem vw biggest butt hurt of the lot is the 55 quid for the glass. But life goes on.
Anyway practical head on parts ordered. Mirror stripped and rebuilt in an hour. I need to spray the new cover at some point but for now the old one just about suffices.
Pleased to say my gaffa tape mirror bodge held up to 400 miles of driving the rain wind and hours of 70mph.
2 days later while pulled in and actually stopped a CRV also took offence to My yellow van and repeated the process the transit had tried.
Uttering many words about the drivers and tendencies towards the local wild life I did a bit of research and got ordering some bits for a mirror repair job.
Besides the replacement mounting post all of the stuff is oem vw biggest butt hurt of the lot is the 55 quid for the glass. But life goes on.
Anyway practical head on parts ordered. Mirror stripped and rebuilt in an hour. I need to spray the new cover at some point but for now the old one just about suffices.
Pleased to say my gaffa tape mirror bodge held up to 400 miles of driving the rain wind and hours of 70mph.
So finally onto where I am currently with the build......
Thanks for reading up to this point its made me realise what a journey its been so far. Currently in my mind is the av side of things. Despite liking bare bones and getting outside I am also partial to a decent sized screen and being able to watch a film. I'm throwing about a couple of ideas at the moment. One involving a projector and then just the more usual TV set up.
In spirit of this I made a few templates up to get a visual idea of what size tv would work in the space I have available.
Sadly there's going to be a design compromise here. Space being the biggest factor wife won't allow me to build a half partition and use some linear actuators to have a pop out tv (boooo)
I've seen the brackets available online that use the existing holes in the B pillar. I'm just going to make similar myself because I like messing about with the welder and other bits at work.
Projector idea I am keeping to myself for now as I haven't seen it done yet although it's possible it's out there already.
Mind your fingers
22 inch tv and soundbar
24inch and soundbar
32 inch and soundbar not optimistic
That's not gonna fit
Close but no cigar
Do I really have to settle for a 22 inch screen
Thanks for reading up to this point its made me realise what a journey its been so far. Currently in my mind is the av side of things. Despite liking bare bones and getting outside I am also partial to a decent sized screen and being able to watch a film. I'm throwing about a couple of ideas at the moment. One involving a projector and then just the more usual TV set up.
In spirit of this I made a few templates up to get a visual idea of what size tv would work in the space I have available.
Sadly there's going to be a design compromise here. Space being the biggest factor wife won't allow me to build a half partition and use some linear actuators to have a pop out tv (boooo)
I've seen the brackets available online that use the existing holes in the B pillar. I'm just going to make similar myself because I like messing about with the welder and other bits at work.
Projector idea I am keeping to myself for now as I haven't seen it done yet although it's possible it's out there already.
Mind your fingers
22 inch tv and soundbar
24inch and soundbar
32 inch and soundbar not optimistic
That's not gonna fit
Close but no cigar
Do I really have to settle for a 22 inch screen
Had to read that twice.
Regards the bed, the RIB beds don’t have all the lumps and bumps that the Rock n Roll beds do.
So for now that's the end of it.
Going forward however there are plans. I want to move the vehicle to a more off grid use.
Av is planned and also potentially a slide out cooking unit for the rear.
List as it stands:
Roamer battery
Solar panel and mppt controller
Make complete plug and play wiring loom for the electrics.
Tv / projector install
Change the halo lights
Add cabinet lighting
Audio upgrade for front
Possible rear install powered from leisure battery
Cab lining to be trimmed
Replacement door cards and underdash plastics.
Steering wheel
Retrofit cruise control
I'm sure this is going to end up being one of those constantly changing builds going forwards.
Watch this space and thanks for reading.
Going forward however there are plans. I want to move the vehicle to a more off grid use.
Av is planned and also potentially a slide out cooking unit for the rear.
List as it stands:
Roamer battery
Solar panel and mppt controller
Make complete plug and play wiring loom for the electrics.
Tv / projector install
Change the halo lights
Add cabinet lighting
Audio upgrade for front
Possible rear install powered from leisure battery
Cab lining to be trimmed
Replacement door cards and underdash plastics.
Steering wheel
Retrofit cruise control
I'm sure this is going to end up being one of those constantly changing builds going forwards.
Watch this space and thanks for reading.
Lol unfortunately that didn't have an "h" or a d involved in that wordHad to read that twice.
Regards the bed, the RIB beds don’t have all the lumps and bumps that the Rock n Roll beds do.
The bed actually is smooth enough sadly it's just not a 30cm thick mattress I'd enjoy after an ultra marathon.
Most of the time it's damn comfy with the memory foam on it.
I think a rib bed isn't outta the question once I've got everything else done (gone bankrupt)
Absolutely BRILLIANT write up! Fantastic photos documenting your extremely competent work. I was going to stop at insulating and carpet- lining but this may have changed all those "that'll do, just leave it that way" plans LOL!!!!
WELL DONE! Your health to drive and camp!
WELL DONE! Your health to drive and camp!
I remember reading through this thread when I was here as a lurker and just getting ideas. I'm in awe of anyone that can do a job like you have on this.
Excellent pics!
where did you source and what material did you use please? I’m trying to source something wide enough to run along the side of the van as a single sheet.
And it still continues .... drivers seat swivel purchased from this forum and delivered to me while at work.....
A browse of Facebook and 200 quid later I'm now the owner of an avtex 219drs TV.
Finally as promised I've forked out to upgrade my electrical system.
Thanks to Steve @Roamer I've ordered a 230ah seat base battery and a 175w solar panel.
Quick addition of a js customs gear gaiter and I'm now broke for this month.
A browse of Facebook and 200 quid later I'm now the owner of an avtex 219drs TV.
Finally as promised I've forked out to upgrade my electrical system.
Thanks to Steve @Roamer I've ordered a 230ah seat base battery and a 175w solar panel.
Quick addition of a js customs gear gaiter and I'm now broke for this month.
All sourced from ebay mate Canvas Fabric 20oz Heavy Duty Thick Waterproof 600D Outdoor Cover Sold By Metre | eBay, 4PCS Reflective Tent Ropes Camping Awning Guide Rope Line W/ Buckle 4M UK STOCK | eBay, Blue Diamond Heavy Duty Pegs Hard Ground Tent Pegs Awning Pegs Case of 20 PEG235 | eBay, 2.3m Telescopic Awning Pole Tarp Tent Support Rod Canopy Beach Sunshade Poles | eBay
So it's been a while since I've updated this but as so with so many others. Is your van ever finished?....
Shitty bits first air-conditioning compressor decided to go bye bye .
Lots of debate over this one but I ended up with an ebay special from a breakers to overcome it.
£100 later including the belt and a regas and I'm on the road again.
Albeit after waiting for ages for auto doc to send me a compressor that didn't fit doh.
Shitty bits first air-conditioning compressor decided to go bye bye .
Lots of debate over this one but I ended up with an ebay special from a breakers to overcome it.
£100 later including the belt and a regas and I'm on the road again.
Albeit after waiting for ages for auto doc to send me a compressor that didn't fit doh.
