White Van turned Camper Van

[osprey__viper]

Kathleen,

Can you ask Paul if he can do me a good deal on some tarmac for me driveway.

Ya cant beat a pikey for a bit of cheap tarmac, to be sure, to be sure

[Spike]

Originally Posted by toby4594

Tim ,I change the company vans every two years,always gone for vw transporters great vans ,had a visit from the Renault rep and he convinced me to give the Trafic a go ,140 bhp electric pack ,reverse bleepers, air con,and mettalic paint 16k the vw in the same spec 21k,and I have stayed with Renault since ,they are a superb drive ,just like a car and go very well too,40mpg+ when driven sensibly.The first one I had has just done 100k and not cost me a penny,and servicing every 18k can,t go wrong.

I two run 4 Traffic's at the mow & they are a great drive, but was passing a VW dealership & fell in love, Transporter 174bhp with 35hp upgrade now 209hp with 412lbft!!!!! Tiptronic 6 speed, full black heated leather, pearl black paint, electric everything...windows,roof,mirror's,side door's,sat/nav,locking, 18" alloy's, side rail's, polished alloy rear bumper protector, towbar, spot's, A/C,park sensor's, auto light's + wiper's, comfort seat's, the cost? i spend a lot of time in it so who care's & what a van, A1 for towing too, re-sale is great as well. Economy well pend's how you drive it....43mpg at leagal speed's, Im now a VDUB addict
Mike.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Nos, why didn't you like them?

I didn't realise that the Trafic in question was the new shape-I had the misfortune to drive (and destroy) one of the previous model trafics which was a badly designed nightmare.

Plus, I used to work for Renault.I've seen the prices of their spares.

[ian parkes]

Spike , from what I have heard and been reading i would remove that upgrade chip . Its likeley to cost you £1500 for a turbo very soon .
I dunno how you are getting over 40 mpg out of that unless you are doing 56mph everywhere unloaded.
Look here www.brick-yard.co.uk for any VW van info , a helpful bunch

As for caravan breakers , try the A38 on any busy summer weekend , Haldon Hill seems to break plenty .

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

You come home from work tired after a long week...

Only to find Himself Indoors immersed in Camper Van Weekly or somesuch publication.

Any advice on conversions out there?

K (long suffering )

have you still got the galhonian Van?

[The Jackeens]

Nos, thanks for that. He's been lurking around the 2nd hand van places already!

Nauti, thanks for posting the visuals. Helps clarify the plan.

Jono, good link. Added to favourites & brochure downloaded.

Peter R that's good advice. Guess we'll be on tour and looking for Mr. O' Leary!

Tim, Toby & Nos, we haven't any choice on the model but agreed it drives like a car. But it is small, not a high roof therefore needing a roof lift (££), has no windows at the back. This may turn out to be an advantage tho' as we can choose their position to suit the new function.

Originally Posted by Spike

fell in love, Transporter 174bhp with 35hp upgrade now 209hp with 412lbft!!!!! Tiptronic 6 speed, full black heated leather, pearl black paint, electric everything...windows,roof,mirror's,side door's,sat/nav,locking, 18" alloy's, side rail's, polished alloy rear bumper protector, towbar, spot's, A/C,park sensor's, auto light's + wiper's, comfort seat's Mike.

mmmmmm maybe next one. Any photos? Will hold onto Ian's link just in case!

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

have you still got the galhonian Van?

Sadly the top-of-the range 'Galhoonian' has gone to a better home, Stu. But we'll take you for a spin in the jackeenmobile when it's done

Originally Posted by osprey__viper

Kathleen,

Can you ask Paul if he can do me a good deal on some tarmac for me driveway.

Ya cant beat a pikey for a bit of cheap tarmac, to be sure, to be sure

No plans at this stage to make the van a self-financing venture Martin. We may later consider adding those functions, ice-cream machine, tarmac spreader, burger & chips for Festivals. If we do you will be the first to know

It will of course be graphically enhanced. With perhaps even some chav lights.


Thanks for all the advice.

(The idea came from a RIB Cruise we went on with the French RIB Forum members.(Haven't posted details, video as yet, sorry Philippe & forban ) One guy towed a 5m Zodiac all the way from the Ardeche to Concarneau with his little camper van. The same group have been to Arcachon and Banyuls also. But distances are bigger in France and it can help to pull over and have a kip on the way.)

Appreciate all the help (& the funnies too!! )

Kathleen & Paul

[Nos4r2]

If it hasn't got a high roof it might be worth checking the trade-in cost to sell it and buy a hi-top against the price of buying/fitting a raising roof.
It may also be possible to retrofit a hi-top. I know on Transits and LDVs they used to be GRP and relatively easy to fit. They also provided some very useful storage space over the cab which you wouldn't get with a 'Devon Camper' style roof

[Spike]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Spike , from what I have heard and been reading i would remove that upgrade chip . Its likeley to cost you £1500 for a turbo very soon .
I dunno how you are getting over 40 mpg out of that unless you are doing 56mph everywhere unloaded.
Look here www.brick-yard.co.uk for any VW van info , a helpful bunch

As for caravan breakers , try the A38 on any busy summer weekend , Haldon Hill seems to break plenty .

Should'ent cost ME £1500 as VW fitted it, so under there warrentee & yes i do a lot of long distance driving on motorways & at around 60/65 im seeing 43mpg average on the computer.......however when you hit higher speed's it's a totally different story, but you dont have to nail it everywhere although it is fun seeing off BMW 325's. As for loading i had the van fitted out by 'Sortimo' with a custom built lightwight enclosed racking system, top gear i must say, the Scorpion of the racking world. Cheers for the link, interesting reading Post a pic later.
Mike.

[Spike]

Hi Jackeens,
My set up;

[codprawn]

I reckon you should have waited - even I want one of these.

The new Atacama 4x4 concept.

[codprawn]

Having said that I really love the new Transit - the long wheel base ones - great oversteer and really controllable due to the long wheelbase - great fun in the forests. Suprising amount of ground clearance as well - bit lacking on traction though - had to use a hand winch a few times - the hire company would have had a fit. Worse moment was when it ended up cross axled - rear wheel spinning like hell cos it was in the air - I couldn't get out because it would have rolled - had to get my girlfriend to stand on the back step - she's only 8 stone but just enough to get the tyre in contact.

On a side note a white van is better for pulling certain girls than an Aston!!!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by codprawn

On a side note a white van is better for pulling certain girls than an Aston!!!

I hope for your sake your girlfriend isn't reading this

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I hope for your sake your girlfriend isn't reading this

Maybe I should have said EX.........

[JABS]

Have a look at this site!

http://www.jollyinteresting.co.uk/


It is very interesting...............

[The Jackeens]

Nos, point taken but the adjustable height enables access in specific locations/ under barriers etc. He's all enthusiastic about the project now anyway and it's keeping him off the streets. )

Spike, great photos and neat layout. What happens in the rear? (function-wise). What's the leisure use?

codprawn, temptation is a terrible thing. ( the camper van photo that is )

JABS we shall peruse that thanks!!

K & P

[prairie tuber]

You're all making things way more complicated than necessary. Start with the white van, make some inexpensive, yet practical modifications, and go from there...

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Spike

Should'ent cost ME £1500 as VW fitted it, so under there warrentee & yes i do a lot of long distance driving on motorways & at around 60/65 im seeing 43mpg average on the computer.......however when you hit higher speed's it's a totally different story, but you dont have to nail it everywhere although it is fun seeing off BMW 325's. As for loading i had the van fitted out by 'Sortimo' with a custom built lightwight enclosed racking system, top gear i must say, the Scorpion of the racking world. Cheers for the link, interesting reading Post a pic later.
Mike.

I guess keeping it to 65 on the motorway would do it , but how do you do that
I asked about a chip at the VW dealer and they said it would void the warranty . My mate had a 200+ chip on his 174 and said it was too much ?? maybe you foot isn't as heavy .
That sortimo stuff is the Dog's Danglies best i have ever seen . Would love it in mine but have to keep it open for carrying bulky kitchen units and 8x4 sheets etc . So the tools go in stacker boxes .
Certainly a great van though just hope some of the reliability horror stories are limited to earlier models

[The Jackeens]

prairie

Well, we're surrounded by a whole new genre of magazines and brochures. He's booked in for the roof adjustments and most of the modifications will take place come September.

K & P

[Hugh Jardon]

Paul

some inspiration for you perhaps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSCU_f1PK4

and maybe this for the weekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihvJuMlRFVs

[Spike]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Spike, great photos and neat layout. What happens in the rear? (function-wise). What's the leisure use?
K & P

The whole lot is removable so you can do whatever you want with it ie:
Rear seat's, remove one side or other or both or fold the back's down or roll the whole lot foward.
Racking is on a quick releace system so again totally removable.
When the seat's & racking is removed there is plenty of room to camp in it. I usually change the van's after two year's but in the case of this one i am thinking of doing the full camper conversion & keep it & buy another for work.