New to forum. Conversion planning.

[TheEagle]

Hi everyone. Have just bought a brand new 6.1 SWB panel with DSG to convert. Long time dream. Have whittled down to a few reputable converters in North West / North East. Have found this forum very helpful so far. Lots of options and good to read different opinions due to personal preferences. We are looking at:

• Pop top by Austops with deluxe bed. Alt Skyline depending on converter
• Debating webasto vs Wallas heater (like Wallas but May be limited on space for 3 seater RIB and cupboards
• Underslung LPG worth it?
• Leather vs vinyl seats
• Want solar but for short trips would just lithium battery be enough?
• Also wrapping lower half vs painting
• Wheels / springs - to modify or not. More interested in comfort and practicality but still want to look good!

Great forum. Opinions welcome

 

[SimonD]

Hi everyone. Have just bought a brand new 6.1 SWB panel with DSG to convert. Long time dream. Have whittled down to a few reputable converters in North West / North East. Have found this forum very helpful so far. Lots of options and good to read different opinions due to personal preferences. We are looking at:

• Pop top by Austops with deluxe bed. Alt Skyline depending on converter
• Debating webasto vs Wallas heater (like Wallas but May be limited on space for 3 seater RIB and cupboards
• Underslung LPG worth it?
• Leather vs vinyl seats
• Want solar but for short trips would just lithium battery be enough?
• Also wrapping lower half vs painting
• Wheels / springs - to modify or not. More interested in comfort and practicality but still want to look good!

Great forum. Opinions welcome

Hi,
I recently bought a LWB T6 campervan (conversion by AJC) and just a quick comment about wheels as mine is running 235/55/18's, which I think is the ideal size and compromise over larger lower-profile wheel/tyre combination, given the campervan usage. Not surehow you attach a link to another post as new to forum too, but if you click on my thumbnail you should be able to get to the pic of the wheel too. Lowered by 40mm .

 

[Sasquatch]

I've also 235/55 18s on mine, preferring the greater compliance of the deeper sidewall for pothole resistance and ride quality over looks. I'm a Swamper type guy anyway so that suits me down to the ground.

However, I do find the speedo under reads by 2mph at 30mph so I have to be careful when Smokey is out with the hairdryer, although I think this can be corrected with something such as Carista.

For overnighters, possibly even 2 or 3, lithium battery would be enough if you get a beefy one. Obviously that depends on how hard you're caning it with the toys, but overnight at the very least is easily doable.

Cloth seats for me, but I'm a habitual shorts wearer (I have been known to last longer into December in shorts than even the postman) so getting into a hot vehicle with leather or vinyl is never something I enjoy, but thats a personal taste thing. Go with whatever tugs your rug.

Depending on the model you have (T28/30/32) you might need to beef up the rears, Depending on the weight of your conversion. Or maybe not, but it's so thing to be aware of. If you're into comfort/practicality you'll likely leave it otherwise standard.

We will want lots of pics to salivate over.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Pop top - no opinion on either option

I think people choose the Wallas as an option when they intend to have a 'no gas' conversion. It is used for both cooking and heating. For a standard set up like you seem to be considering then most people go for an underslung diesel heater - webasto, Eber, Autoterm. But with an underslung lpg tank you could also have propex lpg heating.

Underslung lpg, cheap to refill, saves a lot of cupboard space having no interior gas bottle, saves hassle abroad without the need to have an expensive campingaz bottle. Alternatives now are to have a huge 230Ah lifepo4 battery, solar, invertor and be gas free. Or as above, the Wallas option.

Solar depends on your considerations of the above options. Worth having at time of conversion as retrofitting the cables is a pita.

Wheels i think are a personal choice. comfort is affected more by suspension than wheel choice.
Suspension - Get the conversion done first so that the final weight distribution will allow someone like CRS to sort the suspension out correctly tailored to the van.

That's just my personal thoughts on the pros and cons.