Van decision dilemas

[boxerdog1]

The pedal on the right, a bit less pressure.......
If that doesn't work you need a 4Motion!

That's why I got a 4M .... coming from previous 4WD performance estates I just liked the absence of the FWD scrabble for traction . Personal choice mind you , not a criticism

 

[VanDamMan]

The pedal on the right, a bit less pressure.......
If that doesn't work you need a 4Motion!

You trying to spoil all my fun

 

[RossRoss]

OK Thanks for all the help and ideas. Taken it all onboard.
I’ve gone for a 150 DSG. T30. Highline spec. Barndoor.
Now for the conversion and the next set of Dilemas.
In no particular order.
Do I bother with an oven or just get a small microwave for use when powered up.
How do I go about charging my bike battery when not powered up. An inverter I guess. How do I set that up.
What 2 bike towball mounted bike rack will still allow me to open my barndoor.
What drive away tent to buy.
Does making mods to the suspension compromise the VW warranty.
How do I ensure the conversion is reclassified as a car and not restricted to van speed limits.

 

[VanDamMan]

OK Thanks for all the help and ideas. Taken it all onboard.
I’ve gone for a 150 DSG. T30. Highline spec. Barndoor.
Now for the conversion and the next set of Dilemas.
In no particular order.
Do I bother with an oven or just get a small microwave for use when powered up.
How do I go about charging my bike battery when not powered up. An inverter I guess. How do I set that up.
What 2 bike towball mounted bike rack will still allow me to open my barndoor.
What drive away tent to buy.
Does making mods to the suspension compromise the VW warranty.
How do I ensure the conversion is reclassified as a car and not restricted to van speed limits.

So many Questions...and so many answers
Cooking....do all mine outside/tent......but on EHU can see microwave being handy
Bike charging....you’d need to work out how much power it pulls then work out your inverter
Cycle rack...with barn/ tailgate you’d be safer to remove bikes to open the rear doors
Drive away awning...how many to sleep in it and space required will govern the size required ( air beams are good)
Warranty ...any mods you do will cancel the warranty on the bits you change ( but check with VW)
Conversion....depends on how many windows you fit changes speed restrictions ( but with DVLA rules keep changing )

that was easy ...but sounds a very nice van ( some pictures would be nice....)

 

[Pete C]

OK Thanks for all the help and ideas. Taken it all onboard.
I’ve gone for a 150 DSG. T30. Highline spec. Barndoor.
Now for the conversion and the next set of Dilemas.
In no particular order.
Do I bother with an oven or just get a small microwave for use when powered up.
How do I go about charging my bike battery when not powered up. An inverter I guess. How do I set that up.
What 2 bike towball mounted bike rack will still allow me to open my barndoor.
What drive away tent to buy.
Does making mods to the suspension compromise the VW warranty.
How do I ensure the conversion is reclassified as a car and not restricted to van speed limits.

We use gas hob - prefer to cook outside though.
Atera Strada DL3 slides out of the way allowing the barn doors to open - search this forum for pics etc.
Drive away awning depends entirely on how many people etc.

Pete

 

[RossRoss]

We use gas hob - prefer to cook outside though.
Atera Strada DL3 slides out of the way allowing the barn doors to open - search this forum for pics etc.
Drive away awning depends entirely on how many people etc.

Pete

The Altera looks like the business. Do think it will work if the the camper is lowered an inch or two ?

 

[Pete C]

Should be ok. From memory, the rear of the bike rack doesn’t sit much below the towbar mount.

Pete

 

[RossRoss]

More questions
Heater hob options
Still Building a spec for the new van conversion: I think i like the idea of the Combined diesel hob/heater option as against the separate diesel heater and a gas hob. Has any one any experience of the combined unit and what are the pros and cons.

 

[T6Paul]

If it’s N1 on the log book it will always be a van no matter how many windows you fit, needs to be M1 for car speeds to apply, there is a long tread on here somewhere!...

 

[RossRoss]

Im seriously considering improvements to the handling of my new T30. I already have 8.5 x 18 alloys and now Im thinking Coil over kits fitted by CRS. My only concern is just what are the insurance implications ?

 

[VanDamMan]

Im seriously considering improvements to the handling of my new T30. I already have 8.5 x 18 alloys and now Im thinking Coil over kits fitted by CRS. My only concern is just what are the insurance implications ?

Hi. @RossRoss ....The other Question is...your van cost you a few bob...and as time goes on you’ll add stuff ( even ur 18’s if not factory fit are extras )...so better to declare and not risk a payout refusal ( do not declare ..no cover and total loss ).
when I got my van ..I took out GAP insurance to cover the loss over what the insurance would pay out ( 5 years piece of mind ) but you’ll find some useful threads on specialist insurance....

 

[The Van Cave]

Im seriously considering improvements to the handling of my new T30. I already have 8.5 x 18 alloys and now Im thinking Coil over kits fitted by CRS. My only concern is just what are the insurance implications ?

As long as you declare it to your insurers the only implication is possibly a slightly higher premium. Some specialist modified van insurers, such as A-Plan (Thatcham branch) will include a number of mods at no additional cost.

 

[RossRoss]

Thanks for that. I’ll be sure to declare all the mods.
Now what about the VW warranty ?

 

[VanDamMan]

Thanks for that. I’ll be sure to declare all the mods.
Now what about the VW warranty ?

Hi @RossRoss .....Vw warranty ...As I understand once you remove components and use your own the warranty for that individual item is no longer covered..but if you have the 30mm springs done by VW they will come with a guarantee ( 1 or 2 years ..but double check this with Vw ) but most after market components will have there own warranty...but remember that VW stuff is expensive and if buying wheels ..Tamar wheels could work out cheaper and are still OEM quality...but a quick call to VW customer service to confirm will give you piece of mind

ps... also the traders that do suspension work that post on the forum all have excellent after sales service

 

[RossRoss]

Thanks . I will probably be going to CRS for the springs and shocks.
I the meantime i have another question - I have 255/45 tyres on an 8.5 x 18 wheel - Its a T30.DSG.SWB - what tyre pressure ?

 

[VanDamMan]

Thanks . I will probably be going to CRS for the springs and shocks.
I the meantime i have another question - I have 255/45 tyres on an 8.5 x 18 wheel - Its a T30.DSG.SWB - what tyre pressure ?

Hi @RossRoss... I run all my tyres at 40psi....but I never carry anything and the tyres wear flat across the tread ...But you can adjust accordingly....

 

[RossRoss]

Hi VDM. Thanks. That looks good.

 

[minmax89]

1) 150 - more power is always better
2) Auto - easier and love my DSG box
3) Your choice - tailgate looks better but I find barn doors more practical for my use.
4) Yes - better handling, looks.

Ha! this is a perfect answer. Thread closed!!!

 

[MikeB]

The Altera looks like the business. Do think it will work if the the camper is lowered an inch or two ?

We're down 40mm and use the AS DL3 - it's absolutely fine. As to the oven question, I believe we've used ours once in 3 years, to cook a pizza apparently. (I wasn't there).As regards speed limits, there are threads and threads on this. Unless you can somehow justify the thing qualifying as a "dual purpose vehicle", forget any chance of it being car limits as you'll not get it changed to a "camper" with DVLA.

The diesel hob has its fans, but we noted that it seems to take ages to get to cooking temp and opted for gas. There is another issue which is that the heat outlet is quite high, resulting in cold feet in winter - seemingly. This said, one converter we spoke to was very much in favour of them - the people we used advised against them for the reasons noted. A search will find you some threads here.

Enjoy your new van. We went 204 manual as my wife doesn't like autoboxes and the tax was higher. I had a 150 DSG on loan for a day and was very impressed with it - me, I like autoboxes and while the 204 is very nice, the 150 DSG was very similar. The 102 - well, you made a good call.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

Well I've just bought an 84ps and was thinking it was going to be underpowered.. Well I'm pleasantly suprised... Remap on hold now