What Have You Done To Your Van Today?

[TallPaul_S]

Bike wash water storage- you could use an underslung tank to free up space inside.

Hmm.

So I was looking at using the space on the right side, and building a water tank out of 125mm PVC pipe, 2 stacked on top of each other. With a drawer system so I could pull it out if there was any issues. That would give me around 20l of water. There's no pre made tanks that are narrow enough to fit that space.

However, just the 2x 1 metre lengths of pipe, and 4x end caps, comes to £145! That's before any extra fittings to connect the 2 pipes, the hozelock inlet system, clamps top hold the pipes, drawer runners, or making a breather pipe...

The complete 70l underslung tank, with a hozelock backfill attachment and fitting brackets comes to £185 all in.

VW T5-T6.1 60L Fresh Water Tank kit with Hozelock filling system

Get your fresh water kit from Autocraft Motor Caravans. The 60 Litre Tank fits all VW T5, T6 and T6.1 models, and comes with a backfill system for easy installation.

autocraftmotorcaravans.co.uk

This would also give me extra water over the 16l fresh tank under my sink, for times when I'm off grid for more than a few days, I could fill it up from the underslung tank.


Anyone fitted one of these and if so, how much of a b*****d to fit are they?

 

[z1ts]

Anyone fitted one of these

I haven't...

But this guy does it without even jacking the van up! Which seems like it might DIYable.

 

[TallPaul_S]

its an SAE connector for the 12v fridge source.

Takes up less rear space that a conventional Cigarette 12v socket but you need to watch out for polarity as there does not appear to be standard for right or left positive. In my case the positive red on the male was on lhs and in the rhs for this female SAE.

Look up Anderson power pole connector.


You can get wall mounts for them too.

 

[dcpen43]

Look up Anderson power pole connector.
View attachment 238939

You can get wall mounts for them too.
View attachment 238940

can you accidently connect a positive to a negative. That is one thing you cant do with SAE connectors

 

[JLDD]

Apologies for the crap photo but just had both mid-section side windows replaced with “Safari” windows from THQ/Camper Glass

Decided to bite the bullet and pay Darren at Horizon Autoglazing rather than DIY; I’m certainly glad I did, great bloke, reasonable rate and he repaired a few minor chips on the windscreen while he was here.

Recommended service

Mobile Windscreen Replacement Huddersfield - Horizon Auto Glazing

Car windscreen replacement and repairs in Huddersfield, Chip Repairs Huddersfield. Horizon Auto Glazing have over 20 years’ experience fitting windscreens.

www.horizonautoglazing.co.uk

 

[TallPaul_S]

can you accidently connect a positive to a negative. That is one thing you cant do with SAE connectors

View attachment 238941

Nope, you can't connect them the wrong way, so long as you've wired up red and black correctly in the plugs.

 

[JLDD]

Fitted the Evo locker. Really like it.
View attachment 238876

How are these hung please? Self tappers into the steel?

 

[TallPaul_S]

I haven't...

But this guy does it without even jacking the van up! Which seems like it might DIYable.

Cheers, tbh it does look diy-able, with a decent level driveway and a few jack stands.

I tell you one thing, if I was buying a van now, knowing what I know and having done what I've done - I'd probably start off with a panel van/kombi rather than a Caravelle. As fun as it is working around the factory trim and trying to not make any permanent modifications to the van, the prospect of starting with a LWB empty van, and getting all the basic stuff in like water tanks, audio, non leaking windows, pop top, electrics etc in a much bigger space etc would really make up for the loss of a few creature comforts the Caravelle spec gives you! Although, the amount of money I could end up spending frightens me!

Maybe in a few years I'll look at changing to a T6.1 LWB 204bhp 4motion and starting a fresh build

 

[drinfinity]

Hmm.

So I was looking at using the space on the right side, and building a water tank out of 125mm PVC pipe, 2 stacked on top of each other. With a drawer system so I could pull it out if there was any issues. That would give me around 20l of water. There's no pre made tanks that are narrow enough to fit that space.

However, just the 2x 1 metre lengths of pipe, and 4x end caps, comes to £145! That's before any extra fittings to connect the 2 pipes, the hozelock inlet system, clamps top hold the pipes, drawer runners, or making a breather pipe...

The complete 70l underslung tank, with a hozelock backfill attachment and fitting brackets comes to £185 all in.

VW T5-T6.1 60L Fresh Water Tank kit with Hozelock filling system

Get your fresh water kit from Autocraft Motor Caravans. The 60 Litre Tank fits all VW T5, T6 and T6.1 models, and comes with a backfill system for easy installation.

autocraftmotorcaravans.co.uk

This would also give me extra water over the 16l fresh tank under my sink, for times when I'm off grid for more than a few days, I could fill it up from the underslung tank.


Anyone fitted one of these and if so, how much of a b*****d to fit are they?

I did a skirt tank from CAK Tanks. On the plus side - it’s 21L, and fits in the gap. They also do a 17 L option for under the drivers step, and they are the only ones I’ve found that make for this location. On the downside, CAK tanks are as shambolic to deal with as their lousy website suggests.

Once they manage to get you a tank with the connections where you asked for them, fitting is fairly straightforward, despite their terrible instructions.

T5 SKIRT TANK

C.A.K. Tanks strong and reliable Water Storage Tanks for Caravans, Motorhomes, Campers and Specialist Vehicles. Designed and manufactured in Britain

leisurelines.net

 

[TallPaul_S]

I did a skirt tank from CAK Tanks. On the plus side - it’s 21L, and fits in the gap. They also do a 17 L option for under the drivers step, and they are the only ones I’ve found that make for this location. On the downside, CAK tanks are as shambolic to deal with as their lousy website suggests.

Once they manage to get you a tank with the connections where you asked for them, fitting is fairly straightforward, despite their terrible instructions.

T5 SKIRT TANK

C.A.K. Tanks strong and reliable Water Storage Tanks for Caravans, Motorhomes, Campers and Specialist Vehicles. Designed and manufactured in Britain

leisurelines.net

View attachment 238958

View attachment 238959

View attachment 238960

View attachment 238961

Cheers, drivers step location is no good for me as I have the factory fitted Eberspacher heater which sits in that location. Although yours looks quite far back.

I am very tempted by that 70l tank that sits in front of the spare wheel well though...

Might need to add it to the list, and find somewhere who'll let me borrow a car lift...

 

[drinfinity]

Cheers, drivers step location is no good for me as I have the factory fitted Eberspacher heater which sits in that location.

I am very tempted by that 70l tank that sits in front of the spare wheel well though...

Might need to add it to the list, and find somewhere who'll let me borrow a car lift...

Yes, I’ve got a heater too, so no step tank for me. 4Motion rules out the spare wheel location for me, but if you are FWD that would be the best option.

I spent months trying to find a ramp, and then it turned out the classic car storage place right next to my van storage did one! There is a place in Medway that might be closer to you. It is possible to do it without a lift, but a thoroughly miserable experience.

Ramp Hire Medway | Garage Facility Hire

Vehicle Ramp Hire Medway - only £24 per hour. Stay warm and dry whilst working on your own car.

www.octomotive.co.uk

 

[TallPaul_S]

Yes, I’ve got a heater too, so no step tank for me. 4Motion rules out the spare wheel location for me, but if you are FWD that would be the best option.

I spent months trying to find a ramp, and then it turned out the classic car storage place right next to my van storage did one! There is a place in Medway that might be closer to you. It is possible to do it without a lift, but a thoroughly miserable experience.

Ramp Hire Medway | Garage Facility Hire

Vehicle Ramp Hire Medway - only £24 per hour. Stay warm and dry whilst working on your own car.

www.octomotive.co.uk

Yeah my van is FWD so that 60l tank would fit.

My drive has a 7 degree slope to it so no good for jacking it up, it's flat further up but that's next to the house meaning there's only about 1-2ft of space alongside the van there, so also no good for working on the van.

I'm all for giving me some extra storage space inside the van, so I'll probably go this way at some point once I've got the interior finished.

 

[BoroBoy]

Look up Anderson power pole connector.
View attachment 238939

You can get wall mounts for them too.
View attachment 238940

@TallPaul_S - Would these be OK to connect to a leisure battery to enable charging from a portable solar panel?

 

[TallPaul_S]

@TallPaul_S - Would these be OK to connect to a leisure battery to enable charging from a portable solar panel?

Yep, either power pole connector

Anderson PP15/30/45 Powerpole Connector Housing (1.5 - 6.0mm² cable)

Anderson PP15/30/45 Powerpole connectors for quick & easy connection of cables. Modular housings interlock & can be 'keyed' to prevent errors. 6mm2 cable max.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Or the SB connector

Anderson SB Double Pole Power Connectors | 12 Volt Planet

Anderson SB power connectors in 120A (SB50), 280A (SB175) & 450A (SB350) current ratings and to suit cable sizes from 16mm² to 50mm².

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Just make sure your cable and the connector amp rating is correct, the Anderson plugs come in a variety of ratings. @Dellmassive uses the SB connectors for all his DC-DC charger testing etc.

 

[Woodman]

Given the van some tlc ready for camper van campout this weekend

 

[TallPaul_S]

Damn that's a nice colour!

 

[Tanstalf]

Setup my projector screen and projector for evening entertainment.

 

[CJW]

How are these hung please? Self tappers into the steel?

I took the ceiling down, screwed a 40x40 timber batton in sections to the vertical face marked with a red line here. Rear fixings go into the metal shell, front fixings into the batten. This photo is from yonks ago.

 

[DXX]

I did a skirt tank from CAK Tanks. On the plus side - it’s 21L, and fits in the gap. They also do a 17 L option for under the drivers step, and they are the only ones I’ve found that make for this location. On the downside, CAK tanks are as shambolic to deal with as their lousy website suggests.

Once they manage to get you a tank with the connections where you asked for them, fitting is fairly straightforward, despite their terrible instructions.

T5 SKIRT TANK

C.A.K. Tanks strong and reliable Water Storage Tanks for Caravans, Motorhomes, Campers and Specialist Vehicles. Designed and manufactured in Britain

leisurelines.net

View attachment 238958

View attachment 238959

View attachment 238960

View attachment 238961

From experience I’d recommend some channel rubber on the support brackets where they contact the tank and Nyloc nuts on the securing fasteners.

 

[DXX]

I am very tempted by that 70l tank that sits in front of the spare wheel well though...

Might need to add it to the list, and find somewhere who'll let me borrow a car lift...

You can do it with the van on blocks, not easily but possible.