Tips For First Time Drivers?

[oldiebut goodie]

Yes you're right - we will get a rear view mirror fitted so viz will be much better. As I said, I'm sure I will enjoy driving it once I've got used to it

So here's another noddy question from a newbie ...

How do folk transport their dogs? Ours is about 25kg so not small. Once we've had the conversion done, is there a way she can be in her bed, but still secure? A long lead attached to an internal fitting?

Thanks

My collie sits on a seat wearing a harness with one strap plugged into the seat belt stalk and another that is tied to the underside of the rear of the seat the other side, that way on a sudden stop he isn't swung around on just one point. I wouldn't ever use a lead attached to a collar as that would be likely to break his neck on a sudden halt or worse. I have had to do a sudden halt and it just stopped his nose short of the dash. He is too interested in the world outside to lie down and sleep.

 

[Nick Fox]

Yea that blind spot can be surprising. I have a panel van T6 with no barn door windows but I still have a rear view mirror and its incredibly useful. I have it angled over to the left and I can see out of the passenger side as if I was sat there. so useful when reversing out of a car park space and really useful on roundabouts where traffic is approaching into your blind spot.

 

[missteesix]

There is a killer blindspot, which given the size of the wingmirrors is hard to believe.

The actual best thing is trying to gauge how close you are when parking, there is no bonnet so it literally feels like you should have crashed already. My first few attempts left me about 3 feet hanging out the parking space. Once used to it its a good way to scare passengers.

LOL I'll look forward to that. Thanks

 

[missteesix]

My collie sits on a seat wearing a harness with one strap plugged into the seat belt stalk and another that is tied to the underside of the rear of the seat the other side, that way on a sudden stop he isn't swung around on just one point. I wouldn't ever use a lead attached to a collar as that would be likely to break his neck on a sudden halt or worse. I have had to do a sudden halt and it just stopped his nose short of the dash. He is too interested in the world outside to lie down and sleep.

Yes our girl loves looking out the window too so she won't just lie or sit still on the seat. Besides that she is too big (the bench is too narrow).

We have the strap which attaches into the seatbelt stalk. How do you attach the 2nd strap that is tied to the underside of the rear of the drivers seat? Is your dog wearing a harness and both straps are attached from the chest D ring?

Thanks

 

[missteesix]

Yea that blind spot can be surprising. I have a panel van T6 with no barn door windows but I still have a rear view mirror and its incredibly useful. I have it angled over to the left and I can see out of the passenger side as if I was sat there. so useful when reversing out of a car park space and really useful on roundabouts where traffic is approaching into your blind spot.

That's a good idea, thanks

 

[missteesix]

I really don't think you have much to worry about @missteesix. My wife drives a Mini every day and although she'd say she's the best driver in the world, in reality she's just a very safe one. She has driven my LWB T6 several times, and said it was actually easier to drive than her Mini, simply because you're in a much better/higher position to see the whole road, plus your perceived bulk makes you feel far more confident on the road than being low down in a car I personally think. As mentioned above, parking can be sometimes a little challenging, but you soon get used to it.

What have you ended up buying? Spec, colour, manual/DSG? etc

We've bought a 2017 T6 in Acapulco Blue. It's booked in for a conversion in February so getting out and about in it will be pretty limited before then.

Hoping to have my first drive of it tomorrow

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Yes our girl loves looking out the window too so she won't just lie or sit still on the seat. Besides that she is too big (the bench is too narrow).

We have the strap which attaches into the seatbelt stalk. How do you attach the 2nd strap that is tied to the underside of the rear of the drivers seat? Is your dog wearing a harness and both straps are attached from the chest D ring?

Thanks

It is just tied to the frame underneath at the rear of the seat with a rolling hitch ( round turn and two half hitches will be just as good), wearing a harness that has two rings on the back - use the one furthest from the head otherwise the dog's rear end could have the tendency to slide under. I wouldn't use a harness with a chest ring as that would be too far forward on the dog.
I'll try to remember to take a pic if we go out tomorrow.

 

[missteesix]

It is just tied to the frame underneath at the rear of the seat with a rolling hitch ( round turn and two half hitches will be just as good), wearing a harness that has two rings on the back - use the one furthest from the head otherwise the dog's rear end could have the tendency to slide under. I wouldn't use a harness with a chest ring as that would be too far forward on the dog.
I'll try to remember to take a pic if we go out tomorrow.

That would be great, thanks very much

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Best I could do today - I had to loosen the straps so that he could turn his back for the camera.

 

[CALLAKN]

Know the height and width of the vehicle, and don’t ignore the signs on the Cornish roads like I did.... had to reverse 2 miles hahahahaha oops.

 

[CALLAKN]

As for parking, reverse parking and parallel parking will become a lot easier in the van, ALWAYS REVERSE!! Is my tip

 

[missteesix]

Best I could do today - I had to loosen the straps so that he could turn his back for the camera.

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Aah I see where you are attaching both leads. The pics are super helpful, thanks so much

 

[missteesix]

Well I had my first drive the other day and have to say I loved it!

Great visibility sitting so nice and high and it drove lovely. The wing mirrors are huge compared to what I'm used to and even though I involuntarily kept looking in the non-existent rear view mirror, found that immediately I realised it wasn't there I was using my wing mirrors a lot more. I remembered to take it a tad wider when going around corners and to indicate earlier.

I reversed it back into the driveway and still left too much room behind as I was relying on the reverse parking sensors! All in all a nice little first trip out. It left me wanting to head out in it again soon.