Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Camping It Up => Topic started by: LEE on 17 August, 2018, 03:58:20 pm

Title: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: LEE on 17 August, 2018, 03:58:20 pm: I'm not sure where Campervans ends and Motorhomes begin but, very loosely, a Campervan is like a Transit van with windows cut out and a bed and kitchen fitted. A Motorhome looks like a Caravan with an engine and steering wheel.

It's a huge area of growth currently so I think it warrants a thread.

I've camped in tiny tents, medium sized tents and huge tents. Camping with a Motorhome is in exactly the same spirit as any of the other camping I've done and I do it for the same reasons, to get out of the house, sit in a field, and/or explore.

It could be a hints and tips thread but I'd like to see some inspirational images, showing where your beloved van has taken you.

My own MH is a base for my landscape photography. It gets me into new landscapes and allows me the quiet time later to process the images.

To get the ball rolling... Here's Humberto The Hymer. My Motorhome. We've owned it 2 years exactly and used it about 150 nights during that time. It's 10 years old now.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/29744260165_1785c97656_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mjp7gP)

The beauty for me is how easy it is to "change the view".

We can carry enough water for about 4 days if careful. We have several weeks of gas on board for cooking/fridge/heating. Solar panels and 2 big batteries mean we can go off-grid (without 240V) full time most of the year (Short winter days can be challenging for the Solar panels to keep up).

Many pubs in the UK are fine about staying in their car park overnight (something we do a lot) as long as you spend a bit of money at the bar (something we do a lot).

Europe is totally geared-up for Motorhomes. Almost every sizeable town has an "Aire de Camping Car", somewhere to stay for free (or cheap) and service your van (empty waste & take on fresh water). It's basically very easy to find an overnight stop in Europe.

The downside is that medieval European towns and Motorhomes don't mix very well, so we have become very familiar with local bus timetables, cycling and walking. A typical Campervan is much more suited to driving around these places.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 17 August, 2018, 04:03:11 pm: Could we incorporate caravans too or is that just going too far? :o ;D
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: LEE on 17 August, 2018, 04:07:13 pm: Quote from: Oscar's dad on 17 August, 2018, 04:03:11 pm
Could we incorporate caravans too or is that just going too far? :o ;D

I'm inclined to say that it's a different topic with different hints & tips.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 17 August, 2018, 04:08:51 pm: Quote from: LEE on 17 August, 2018, 04:07:13 pm
Quote from: Oscar's dad on 17 August, 2018, 04:03:11 pm
Could we incorporate caravans too or is that just going too far? :o ;D

I'm inclined to say that it's a different topic with different hints & tips.

Right ho!
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 22 August, 2018, 11:21:38 pm: Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?

Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?

Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: LEE on 23 August, 2018, 11:41:44 am: Quote from: TPMB12 on 22 August, 2018, 11:21:38 pm
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?

Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?

Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.

Searching on "vanlife" or "van life" on youtube leads you down a rabbit-hole of nice van conversions and videos of the conversion process.

I've never converted one but a Ford Transit would seem like a fairly good platform. There's a Transit variant to suit most needs and literally thousands to choose from on Auto Trader.
If I were to do it I may go down the Merc Sprinter route though (If you go to a Motorhome show you'll be amazed at the price of completed Mercedes Sprinter conversions*).
You could make a decent amount of profit and keep trading-up.

*I've seen new, albeit professionally converted, Mercedes Campervans going for >£80,000 !!! ... and no bigger than a regular Transit.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: FifeingEejit on 23 August, 2018, 01:19:32 pm: If I was spending over 80 grand, I'd be wanting either an A-Type or Coachbuild rather than a van conversion!

Have got a 1988 Talbot Express; it's currently suffering from Italian Metal and French mechanicals and a lack of welders in the area.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 25 August, 2018, 08:10:59 pm: (https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/43545576234_d2a417eec6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29kYsH9)100_0753 (https://flic.kr/p/29kYsH9) by mark tilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yo_stumpy/), on Flickr

here's our little festival bus, called Pamplemousse, (we later discovered that 'pamplemousse' in French urban slang, means.....'blouse puppies' :facepalm: )
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Torslanda on 25 August, 2018, 10:18:57 pm: Quote from: TPMB12 on 22 August, 2018, 11:21:38 pm
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?

Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?

Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.

Flatus has a Toyota Alphard which was supplied by New Acre Cars nr. Coventry Airport and has (I think) a Northstar conversion (https://www.northstarconversions.com/) to a day camper. I think that's a cracking place to start with your enquiries. If anyone has the off the shelf patterns to fit out your chosen ride I reckon it's them.

First thing to do is to choose a base vehicle. Assuming you're not going for a chassis cab then you need as mainstream a vehicle as possible, as new as possible within your budget.
Mentioned upthread is the Ford Transit. Nowt wrong with one of those. Another suggestion would be the Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro/Nissan Summat-or-other. Like wise Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch/Toyota Proace. Ask the company that supplies the conversions for their opinion on van choice. Anyone with deep pockets will be going down the Mercedes/VW route but there's no reason you couldn't have just as much fun in something else.

All the above have extensive use as hire vehicles Enterprise/Sixt/Whatever which means that they come onto the market at 12-24 months old quite cheaply. All of them have extensive dealer networks across Europe. All of them will be familiar to independent garages everywhere.

All available in variety of configurations and wheelbase and as long as you avoid the high top or extra load versions you're pretty much guaranteed to buy a front wheel drive van that is a huge metal box yet is under 2 metres tall. Whether fitting a pop top will still allow you to drive into the tip or a car park is a matter for discussion with your conversion supplier.

I was looking at going down the imported Japanese vehicle route myself but have decided not to. Servicing expertise at independents (and even main dealers) is limited and the vast majority of what's offered is too old, at inflated prices and requires too much to be changed to make things work properly. A roof mounted DVD or bangin' stereo is all very well but if the screen menus are all in Japanese and won't play your fave movies unless you shellout for Pacific versions it's alla bit pointless.

Sorry it's all a bit general . . .
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Hot Flatus on 25 August, 2018, 10:56:34 pm: Quote from: Torslanda on 25 August, 2018, 10:18:57 pm
Quote from: TPMB12 on 22 August, 2018, 11:21:38 pm
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?

Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?

Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.

Flatus has a Toyota Alphard which was supplied by New Acre Cars nr. Coventry Airport and has (I think) a Northstar conversion (https://www.northstarconversions.com/) to a day camper. I think that's a cracking place to start with your enquiries. If anyone has the off the shelf patterns to fit out your chosen ride I reckon it's them.

Correct

Quote
I was looking at going down the imported Japanese vehicle route myself but have decided not to. Servicing expertise at independents (and even main dealers) is limited and the vast majority of what's offered is too old, at inflated prices and requires too much to be changed to make things work properly. A roof mounted DVD or bangin' stereo is all very well but if the screen menus are all in Japanese and won't play your fave movies unless you shellout for Pacific versions it's alla bit pointless.

Sorry it's all a bit general . . .

I haven't found this to be the case. Mine, for example, has a Lexus RX300 engine. Pretty straight forward to service.

There is a wealth of knowledge out there if you know where to look, and the most useful bits are about sourcing non-engine parts. Nothing about the engine scares me...but body panels and bumpers could be time-consuming to find. Again, there are people around to ask.

Ditto the Jap stereos. There is nearly always a workaround, and Paul from NewAcre is the fucking Oracle. Or you can easily get a cheap xtrons unit.

I didn't think mine was over-priced really at £8k. The things are £60k new.

You'd probably be much safer with some sort of VW, certainly in terms of resale value...but I couldn't have afforded anything more than a beaten up old banger for the money that bought me a Toyota that drives line a Bentley, has a V6 3 litre unit that toasts T6s with little more than a slightly wearisome sigh.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 08 October, 2018, 04:54:49 pm: What now puts me off japanese imports are the age and low mileage. 60k for a Feb 1997 van? Seriously that works out at about 2 days commuting for every working week for me, no weekend or holiday use. I don't trust that mileage. Especially if it turns out to be a metric figure! Clocked with either a hand drill or electronically if newer?

I do like the sound of a Mitsubishi delica. Basically a pajero underneath. I know from speaking to the nearest Mitsubishi main dealership (5 minutes walk away) that there is seriously no issue with them servicing and repairing one. I know that dealership as family and friends have nothing but good words to say about them. If they say it's not a problem I believe them.

It's age and mileage I worry about. Saw a £9k 2007 sub 90k delica with satnav. Looked good, 5th gen I think. 6th gen due out 2019. Much newer than 2007 and you're into 12k territory. To rich for me. Although a 2016 for £56k? Tempted not!
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Torslanda on 08 October, 2018, 05:11:40 pm: Mrs Torslanda - of the horned helmet and heavy metal breastplate - tells me she spotted 14 Alphards in the length of one street in Broughton Park this morning.

She says they're too common and we're not having one.

That's me told!
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: orienteer on 08 October, 2018, 08:01:42 pm: Quote from: TPMB12 on 08 October, 2018, 04:54:49 pm
What now puts me off japanese imports are the age and low mileage. 60k for a Feb 1997 van? Seriously that works out at about 2 days commuting for every working week for me, no weekend or holiday use. I don't trust that mileage. Especially if it turns out to be a metric figure! Clocked with either a hand drill or electronically if newer?

Cars in Japan generally do not rack up high mileages, due to congestion, expensive highway tolls and relatively low speed limits, so you can't compare with the UK. Non-highway rural road speed limit is 60kph.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Hot Flatus on 08 October, 2018, 09:06:48 pm: There are loads of clocked Jap imports. But there are ways of checking up. Speak to Paul at New Acre
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Poly Hive on 23 October, 2018, 02:41:11 pm: I have always understood the defination to be this:

A motor home has an ensuite. Loo, shower and wash hand basin plus a cooker, fridge and central heating.

A camper may have the cooker and fridge but does not have the ensuite.

B2
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: FifeingEejit on 06 November, 2018, 05:36:12 pm: Quote from: TPMB12 on 08 October, 2018, 04:54:49 pm
What now puts me off japanese imports are the age and low mileage. 60k for a Feb 1997 van? Seriously that works out at about 2 days commuting for every working week for me, no weekend or holiday use. I don't trust that mileage. Especially if it turns out to be a metric figure! Clocked with either a hand drill or electronically if newer?

I've got not much over that on a 1989 van.
Realistically you drive them no more than 500 miles in a trip and take a trip about 3 times a year.

Mechanically it's fine or at least as fine as a French/Italian collaboration can be*; bodywork and chassis however are showing their age from living in a maritime climate where salt and other stuff gets spread on the roads deliberately and distributed in the air naturally.

* Talbot Express, Peugeot J4, Fiat Ducato Mk1, Citroen something and what ever else they were badged as.

In terms of the difference between a Motorhome and anything else, for VED and Speed Limit purposes it's listed here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

Have all that and you can register it to be allowed to do 70 on a Dual Carriageway and 60 on a Single Carriageway; if you don't it's 60/50 just like all the other van drivers who are ignoring them...

Oh and the Talbot's top speed before the steering gets wobbly and you start to see the fuel gauge moving in real time is around 45mph
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: ElyDave on 07 November, 2018, 06:14:05 am: Mileage on my '03 Discovery is only 77k, all documented, I spend more time sitting in taxis, trains and hire cars than my own car. It gets a few weekend shopping trips and 3 or 4 longer trips a year.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: DrMekon on 09 March, 2019, 09:19:27 pm: Put a deposit down on a Wildax Aurora 3 berth (4 belted seats) yesterday.

Back story is that I separated from my sons' mum nearly two years ago, and she moved down south. The family home finally sold, and I ended up with enough for a place for me and the boys in the North, plus a second hand motorhome that'll live on EHU at my mum's place down south, where I have the boys every other weekend. The motorhome means there's a place down south for them in term time that gives us some independence instead of relying on family so much.

It's LHD (hence I could afford it), and the boys are already suggesting European jaunts.

It's a fixed double bed at the back, double dinette that converts in to a single at the front. All the usual toys, plus an underslung LPG tank that makes keeping it warm cheaper.

It's coming with a fresh MOT and hab check. I'm off to Canada for work and will share more pictures when I pick it up at the end of the money.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/15c67aa8dbeed81331a45f1e5dc6dba6.jpg)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 10 March, 2019, 09:10:32 am: Fantastic! Good on you.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: DrMekon on 31 March, 2019, 10:38:10 pm: Had the boys in all weekend. Dropped them back with their mum, and am parked up waiting to head North tomorrow. Got some work done. Am toasty warm, watching stuff on YouTube via Chromecast, Northbar IPA, feet up. This seems to be working out.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190331/36900aa789425f08d494b19bdb9c47d2.jpg)

Sent from my LLD-L31 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 01 April, 2019, 07:38:22 am: Perfect!
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: trekker12 on 08 April, 2019, 09:31:35 am: There's a Volkswagen Transporter T4 just round the corner from us with a for sale sign on it. It's an R reg so 1997 I think, I don't know the mileage and it's got low pro colour matched alloy wheels and tinted windows - both of which are putting me off. Otherwise it's really rather nice and looks to be in excellent condition. I can sell the wheels on a VW club site I would think.

It's got me thinking, our daily road car is a 135,000 mile Peugeot 206 with limited storage inside for two bikes (on a rack on the back) and a weeks worth of camping gear. If we scrap the Peugeot - next year, not this. We don't actually need a car and we could just get a van (we have two MG sports cars as well but they don't take much camping gear either).

There's no price on this T4, I could ask the seller but we aren't in a position to buy. Looking online I was surprised such vans seem to be really high mileage (not a major issue with a modern VW but Mrs trekker is a bit fed up of my desire to keep fixing old cars) and even then they are in the £8-10,000 ballpark. T5's and T6's are an amazing amount of money.

Options; not a VW - we have VW issues anyway on account of the diesel scandal the other year. Any suggestions? I don't want anything bigger than a transporter and it doesn't need to be fully converted. space for an inflatable mattress and a properly ventilated space for a camping cooker will be fine.

Or convert something ourselves, this sounds like it would get expensive and something I wouldn't ever get round to properly finishing. It would be our daily car as well as a camper - although we both cycle or walk to work at least three days a week so it wouldn't do huge mileage.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 08 April, 2019, 10:24:23 am: There are very good converters around the country. Most are vw but find a good company and a panel van you'll be halfway to a decent camper. Cheaper to buy say a trafic or vivaro then convert with a company than buy an already converted vw. Even buying a vw van as a base only adds 5k or possibly a bit less.

One tip, look for a converter who does other types of conversions like ambulance or industrial. If they do campers as well they'll be coach builders not someone who made a business out of making vans up for family and friends. Nothing wrong with them but coach builders are in another league IMHO.

We're looking for a base van right now. Got our converter lined up and they'll work out the stages so we do what we can when the budget is there. So long as we can get the pop top and lined out the rest can come later for us.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: canny colin on 09 April, 2019, 12:35:17 pm: Another option Is to buy a Japaneses import . Try an Nissan Elgrand or Toyota Alphard . Light years ahead for reliability & driving experience . Not some think designed for the 3 year lease market . I used to work for & still sub to a plumbing firm who try & run Traffics & Vivaros and I would not touch one with a barge pole. We have owned a mazda bongo for 5 years and it has been spot on. It is the only base vehicle designed to be a caravanette from the outset. But it is getting very hard & expensive to find a really good Bongo in japan . Still a lot cheaper than a clapped out T 4/5 . If you can try and see a grey import van before it is underseal. They often look like they are 6 month old not over 10 years plus.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 09 April, 2019, 03:36:39 pm: Bongos do have the issue with the raised section between driver and passenger seat. No chance of captains seats. They're small too. Your might convert one for 4 berth but tbh they're 2 berth only for comfort.

There are issues with japanese imported vans but curiously not the one most often quoted. That is no UK garage will touch them because they can't get parts. Not true at all. Most of those vans are based on the platform for UK sold cars. The Mitsubishi delica is a UK sold 4x4 underneath. Easy for parts and if you ever asked a Mitsubishi dealer about servicing them most of them will be offended at the suggestion you might not work on a Mitsubishi vehicle. My local dealership replied to my question like that with a kind of hurt sounding email. If course we'll service it, why wouldn't we?

No for me there's more wrong with japanese import vans. Unless you get a newer one (bongos aren't made anymore) but then they're mostly luxury MPVs so newer ones can be expensive.

I am curious about what makes you think they're designed to be caravanettes. They're designed for van use or MPV use. It's only the way the mpv version seats fold to the side or for flat makes them good for caravanette use. Put a camping mat over the top and you can sleep OK without converting them.

However if you're lucky you'll find an old bongo camper that's factory made. Simple change of stove gas fittings and you'll get a decent UK campervan if the limitations don't bother you.

Also the Mitsubishi delica is one of a few vans capable of true off road driving. They're popular with shooting estates apparently for taking clients, guns and dogs to the shoot sites.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 09 April, 2019, 03:44:47 pm: Most converters will convert VWs in their spare time to sell on as completed campers. Not because they're the best base but because they know they'll sell well. Not many other vans sell like they do. However there's more and more converters choosing to use Ford transit custom vans. A year old van with full conversion can command £31k now. They look very nice with it IMHO. Other van options includes the hyundai i800. IMHO more van models will become popular campervan bases in time. Even with the VW style brand approval of converters. Right now ford certify a few converters who can buy base vans direct from ford. They're not cheap though.

With everything you need a good base to get a good campervan. It can be most makes including vauxhall and Renault. It's just about getting a good one. FSH is a good sign but you need to know what you're doing or you can get stuck. That's why we're dithering so much with our van putchase. Can't afford to get it wrong.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Hot Flatus on 09 April, 2019, 06:32:36 pm: It's not worth buying a fresh import Bongo, it really isn't. If you want a Bongo type vehicle get an Alphard, and LPG it.

Bought mine 2 years ago, a 2007 model. Sailed through 2 MOTs with glowing comments both times.

I had the local garage check all hoses recently, and the mechanic said the heater pipes looked as of they had just come out of the factory.

The newer shape Alphards are just starting to be imported now, but plenty of older low mileage models flowing in.

I had mine converted with pop top solar panel roof (which runs fridge, USB chargers and lights) and rear conversion for about 6.5k.

I love it. I use a big dome drive-away awning to sleep in and van gets used as living room.

Recommend New Acre Cars in Coventry for imports and he'll do LPG conversions too. Two years on and I still think he is a man of his word. He has just started doing conversions too.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 09 April, 2019, 10:25:58 pm: I've got a local guy who's main business is importing high quality fixings from Japan. He had an interest in cars and vans then got into Japanese imports. Delica was his preference with high quality bongo imports. Now he brings them in and sells them after getting them into serious quality. Always very low mileage and immaculate. Now he had some different Nissan or Toyota MPVs that are a bit smaller than the Alphard. Neo or something like that. Also unusual bongos like unused bongo campers complete with packaging to the kitchen unit that was wrapped around the various doors/lids in the mazda factory when it was put in. Or 4x4 mazda bongos.

If I wanted one he'd do me a good deal because I'm local and he wants to sell more locally. Currently his customers are from everywhere from far north of Scotland to southwest of England but not local. Plus he'll sort out any servicing (drop car off and he'll use the special servicing price his local garages offer him. Full service probably 30% or more cheaper than we'd be charged. Main dealer too for the delica vans.

I think it's good to support local companies if they're good but we really can't get by with Japanese imports. Bongos are OK fit for me but I don't like really old cars or vans. The delica van is too low down for me to live with. I'd be rubbing my head on the ceiling.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Ginger Cat on 21 April, 2019, 05:17:00 pm: I have a Vauxhall Movano (2006-2010 model) long wheelbase van. It was originally a crew-bus, the chap I had if from (part of a business acquisition) had it re-registered as a motorhome. It already was lined out and had side windows, 2 extra leisure batteries with splitter to charge from engine, microwave, diesel heater, kettle, hand-washing water heater, sink, drying cupboard, fridge. Tool compartment in back, seats around a table. He made a few changes to have it re-registered as a motorhome but it was still quite "industrial."

I have done some work to make it more of a comfortable overnighter- I put in a better bed area and a £6 carpet remnant (enough to do the cabin!) adds a bit of luxury. Stage 2 will be to replace the front double seat with a single swivel, and also replace the Drivers' seat and put a removeable table between them. I do a lot of overnighting for work and use the van for staying over as hotels are getting increasingly expensive.

The Movano/Master is a good big van, the front-wheel drive versions drive really nicely and not bad on fuel. I know someone who recently picked up a former crew-bus like mine was originally for about £4k, so not megabucks. There are some downsides to the crew-bus approach- they are lined but not insulated and the seperate rear compartment makes it harder to put a loo in. However it works for me as I put my work kit in the back compartment where it is seperate from the clean office/sleeping cabin.

If I were starting from scratch, I'd get a LWB Movano/Master or maybe a VW Crafter, there's also the Peugeot Boxter/Citroen to consider although there are fewer of them about. They seem to be the tidy big FWD vans; Honest John Vans site is a useful place to get some info on pros/cons. I wouldn't get a Sprinter as (a) looking at the ones I see hurtling past me on the M-way they seem to rot and (b) they get hammered by couriers on stop-start trips. Nor would I get any exotica- a bog-standard van can be serviced easily.

Only thing to watch, if you get a big van you need to know where to take it for servicing/MOT. Not all garages have a lift that will take 2.5 tonnes of Big Van- most standard car lifts are 2 tonnes. I had a local recommendation from a neighbour who is a motorbike mechanic now, but used to do recovery work and always had big vans himself.

I have to admit, I don't get the VW thing. It seems a lot of money for a badge, OK the Crafter is a decent enough van but not intrinsically better than the Master/Movano (same van different badge) or equivalent. But whatever floats a person's boat. I think the thing is to work out what you want from a camper and then get a base vehicle that works for what you want.

GC
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: DrMekon on 24 April, 2019, 12:41:58 pm: Recommendation for Cabbunk. My eldest prefers it to the bed made up from the dinette seat. He slept 13hrs in it on Sunday!

(https://thumbsnap.com/t/28Vh5GOn.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/28Vh5GOn)

(https://thumbsnap.com/t/kQfYmTqG.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/kQfYmTqG)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 24 April, 2019, 12:50:05 pm: Quote from: DrMekon on 24 April, 2019, 12:41:58 pm
Recommendation for Cabbunk. My eldest prefers it to the bed made up from the dinette seat. He slept 13hrs in it on Sunday!

(https://thumbsnap.com/t/28Vh5GOn.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/28Vh5GOn)

(https://thumbsnap.com/t/kQfYmTqG.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/kQfYmTqG)

That's a seriously clever bit of kit, I've just been looking at their website.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: JonJo on 08 June, 2019, 11:10:20 am: Mrs. Jonjo persuaded me that we should buy a motorhome when we retired. I was dubious - you could spend a lot of time in luxury hotels for the price of a decent motorhome.

Anyroad, we bought one and I used it recently when riding the Great North Road 400. Drove to the event HQ the evening before the ride and had a good nights sleep without the need for a really early start. After the ride, which I finished at about 2 a.m. I was able to get showered and into bed within 20 minutes. Bliss. The motorhome paid for itself that night and I'm a convert.

Great idea Mrs, JonJo.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: LEE on 09 July, 2019, 09:37:49 pm: Well it's been a while!!

Basically it's been a hell of a year.

I quit my job in September 2018, cashed in my Final Salary pension and sold the house in May 2019.

We're currently full-time in Humberto the Hymer now (currently near Arcachon in West France.

It feels great and we've probably spent 250 nights in the Motorhome now. I've lost track. All I know is that it's a wonderful way to spend your days.

Humberto is fully winterised, meaning we can go off-grid in sub-zero temperatures without any detrimental effect to our water tanks.

Anyway, you can see what i mean here >> Winter Trip Video << (https://gohumberto.com/video-our-winter-tour-of-normandy-brittany-2019)

On top of that we hd an offer on a French house accepted. It's in the heart of the Dordogne, some beautiful cycling country down here.
I'll be targeting cycling groups to come and stay in the gites/apartments next year so watch this space. It's 15 miles south of Bergerac, 11 miles south of the airport. Extremely tranquil with a pool. Not mine yet though.

Lee (not doing much cycling lately)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: andrewc on 09 July, 2019, 10:50:09 pm: Looks like you are having fun :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: DrMekon on 13 July, 2019, 12:06:53 pm: Sounds like you are living the life Lee!

I'm spending every other weekend with my kids in my MH. It's been brilliant. On the weekends we aren't in the van, me and my GF often disappear in it, and for the first time in my academic career, I'm actually using my annual leave. We had a week in Pevensey Bay at the C&CC site the other week, coinciding with that blast of hot weather - was glorious, and made me wish I was closer to retirement.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: ElyDave on 13 July, 2019, 01:09:24 pm: @drmekon, those wildaxes are quality vans, my dad just recently sold his, only because now he's 70 he'd need to keep doing either medicals or driving tests (can't remember which) due to the weight of it. I spent a few odd nights in theirs and it was very comfy.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Quisling on 09 September, 2019, 10:59:38 am: We borrowed the in-laws short wheel base Renault Trafic camper van for the weekend and liked it a lot. It has a side conversion with a rock and roll bed, and an extending roof with boards up there so you can stick a couple of younger folk up top. We concluded that it was fine for a dry weekend but if we were going for any longer, or the weather was poor, you'd definitely want the awning up to give you more room to manoeuvre.

It's a balance between having a camper that is small enough to pop to the shops and use as a family car, and large enough to be of real use on the road. The Trafic was nice to drive, fairly economical, way cheaper than a VW and (being the same essentially as the Vivaro) is easy to find conversions and parts for.

I think we'll be borrowing it again for short breaks off-season when putting up a large family tent would be tiresome.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Ham on 09 September, 2019, 02:18:39 pm: On Saturday Craig Charles revealed that he has a camper, called Martha

(click to show/hide)
Martha and the van dwellers if you hadn't realised
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 15 October, 2019, 03:49:12 pm: We're getting quotes for a conversion now. Vivaro 16 plate. Lovely blue one. Staged conversion due to money limitations. Asap is lining, windows, partial electrics, flooring and heater. If we could scrape a little bit more it would have crash tested beds made by RIB. No point getting cheaper seats imho
Three RIB ones have a better folding system where the bed surfaces are the opposite side to the seat surfaces which are shaped for comfort when moving

Later on a poptop from SCA and we're not completely sure we want the kitchen bits. That'll give bike room I think if we don't. Might sound a weird choice.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Oscar's dad on 15 October, 2019, 04:45:17 pm: Quote from: TPMB12 on 15 October, 2019, 03:49:12 pm
We're getting quotes for a conversion now. Vivaro 16 plate. Lovely blue one. Staged conversion due to money limitations. Asap is lining, windows, partial electrics, flooring and heater. If we could scrape a little bit more it would have crash tested beds made by RIB. No point getting cheaper seats imho
Three RIB ones have a better folding system where the bed surfaces are the opposite side to the seat surfaces which are shaped for comfort when moving

Later on a poptop from SCA and we're not completely sure we want the kitchen bits. That'll give bike room I think if we don't. Might sound a weird choice.

Please post some updates as I'm interested.

We've just got back from a 9 month caravan tour which included 5 months in France. The caravan was brilliant as we had loads of space and lived very comfortably. We tended to stay on a site for a while, the longest being 28 nights in Provence, so it was useful to have use of the car, not that we used it that much.

At some point in the future we'd like to do another extended tour and have toyed with the idea of a motor caravan. Not that we've fallen out of love with caravanning, its more that we'd like to try the other flavour of leisure vehicles. We don't really fancy a huge motor caravan as it must be almost as much hassle as moving around with our existing rig which has a combined length of 12 metres. A panel van conversion appeals as they are more compact vehicles albeit with much less interior space than we're used to.

As with all types of motor caravans panel van conversions seem expensive (I appreciate they hold their value) and I was wondering if converting one yourself, or in our case we'd get a professional to do it, reduced costs. And of course the van is bespoke to your needs.

So, I'd love to see how you get on if that's okay :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: JBB on 16 October, 2019, 11:33:49 am: Quote from: TPMB12 on 15 October, 2019, 03:49:12 pm
We're getting quotes for a conversion now. Vivaro 16 plate. Lovely blue one. Staged conversion due to money limitations. Asap is lining, windows, partial electrics, flooring and heater. If we could scrape a little bit more it would have crash tested beds made by RIB. No point getting cheaper seats imho
Three RIB ones have a better folding system where the bed surfaces are the opposite side to the seat surfaces which are shaped for comfort when moving

Later on a poptop from SCA and we're not completely sure we want the kitchen bits. That'll give bike room I think if we don't. Might sound a weird choice.

I was under the impression you needed the kitchen bits to register it as a motor home. Maybe you could make them easily removable?
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 16 October, 2019, 07:09:09 pm: I heard the rules changed anyway to make that a moot point. DVLA no longer allow you to change the log book to a motor caravan from a commercial vehicle. Only coach built vans or oe vans like the VW factory built ones can be classed as such.

Also AIUI the ved benefit isn't there.

Van insurance for campers through the caravan clubs doesn't seem to offer that much savings to me
My car insurance is £275 about but the panel van insurance was £250 abouts and that's on a similar basis as the car through a standard car insurance company.

In the old system you couldn't change the log book with removable kitchen or bed units anyway.

Our conversion would be through a local van coach builder whose main business is industrial clients and often big ones too. Plus ambulances too. They've been doing campers for 20+years I think. Very high quality work. They only use good kit in their projects unless forced to by a customer I guess. You'd not want to go against their advice though.

It'll probably be later on this year before anything happens.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Danu on 16 October, 2019, 07:17:27 pm: There are a few criteria that needs to be met for the Dvla to recognize a van as a camper, motor homes are obviously easier to classify
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 16 October, 2019, 08:18:35 pm: It changed July 2019. See this website for a summary. Dvla admit their website is now wrong and they are working with the department for transport to get their website changed.

https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/ (https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: P.P. on 17 October, 2019, 06:38:34 am: Quote from: TPMB12 on 16 October, 2019, 08:18:35 pm
It changed July 2019. See this website for a summary. Dvla admit their website is now wrong and they are working with the department for transport to get their website changed.

https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/ (https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/)

That’s an interesting development, I converted and reregistered a Vivaro in April this year (see my blog for conversion process and pictures etc if your interested) and it was a requirement of the insurance that it had it registered with DVLA as a motorcaravan to get it insured as such. Not that it made much difference, in fact I think it was quite a bit more as a motor caravan, although I did increase the sum insured by quite a bit.

A normal panel van policy won’t normally cover the internal conversion, so if you do have a crash your likely to end up out of pocket. I got the feeling that the insurers were using the DVLA as a bit of a check to ensure the conversion was to an acceptable standard so maybe that’s lead to their change of policy.

I’ve never used them but I believe some of the ferry company’s do a reduced rate for motor caravans and some campsites insist on motor caravan registration (although I’ve no idea how they check) so don’t know where they’ll stand on that one.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: TPMB12 on 17 October, 2019, 01:22:32 pm: Apparently it's related to identification. A window panel van and a campervan might be confused. For example if a member of the general public see a campervan being driven dangerously or a crime related to someone in such a vehicle they might report it to the police as a van with windows. From summer only vans with a modified body can be classed as a motor caravan I think. They can readily be distinguished from vans with windows.

Out course that's what I've read on forums because there's precious little about it from three relevant authorities. Just a rule change without anything on their own website! Pretty poor really imho. I wonder if the insurers have taken it into account yet? If not plenty of people could get caught out.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: rafletcher on 17 October, 2019, 03:12:08 pm: Quote from: P.P. on 17 October, 2019, 06:38:34 am

I’ve never used them but I believe some of the ferry company’s do a reduced rate for motor caravans ...

Maybe Eurotunnel to. A van is commercial vehicle, and goes on with the lorries. A campervan can go on the car trains, and I believe it's cheaper than a commercial vehicle ticket. (And you get to stay with your vehicle during the crossing).
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Paul H on 17 October, 2019, 11:26:35 pm: Quote from: rafletcher on 17 October, 2019, 03:12:08 pm
Quote from: P.P. on 17 October, 2019, 06:38:34 am

I’ve never used them but I believe some of the ferry company’s do a reduced rate for motor caravans ...

Maybe Eurotunnel to. A van is commercial vehicle, and goes on with the lorries. A campervan can go on the car trains, and I believe it's cheaper than a commercial vehicle ticket. (And you get to stay with your vehicle during the crossing).
A van up to 3500 kg travels on the same shuttle as the cars whether it's carrying commercial goods or not. If not, then it can be booked on the same website as a car or campervan, price is the same as a campervan which is a bit more than a car. A hire van full of bikes can be booked this way - I've looked into it though not yet booked, I think the wording is something like private and leisure use. Same van carrying goods, goes on the same shuttle, though you have to book on the commercial website and I don't know about the prices.
Some decades ago I lived in a van and made several ferry crossings, the different operators had their own definitions and the enforcement was varied. I was refused boarding with Irish Ferries in Holyhead for not having an opening window (Despite there being two in the cab and a huge skylight) they weren't interested that it was registered as a camper. It was no big deal, I got on a ferry an hour latter with whatever the other company was (P&O?)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Clare on 24 November, 2019, 10:43:18 pm: That's not a motorhome, this (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-50508590/how-an-ethiopian-built-a-three-bedroom-home-in-a-truck) is a motorhome.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Kim on 24 November, 2019, 10:59:53 pm: Quote from: Clare on 24 November, 2019, 10:43:18 pm
That's not a motorhome, this (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-50508590/how-an-ethiopian-built-a-three-bedroom-home-in-a-truck) is a motorhome.

That's straight out of some crazy manga. :o
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: mmmmartin on 19 June, 2021, 01:38:47 pm: Interesting thread. Any comments on who to use for a conversion, and what sort of cost to convert say a Vivaro type van?
Also, any idea of mpg on one of these Alphards, such as @Flatus has?
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: salar55 on 24 June, 2021, 09:27:11 pm: Quote from: mmmmartin on 19 June, 2021, 01:38:47 pm
Interesting thread. Any comments on who to use for a conversion, and what sort of cost to convert say a Vivaro type van?
Also, any idea of mpg on one of these Alphards, such as @Flatus has?

If you buy a Toyota Alphard its its about 30 mpg , probably a little less loaded up for camping.
We have a 55 plate Vito Dualiner with a factory fitted load area with all the plastic trim and roof linning.
Its been reliable to date with 136000 miles on the clock, as its 15 +years old now no one wants to insure it for Europe . Bought a new Vito before Covid and its been a nightmare trying to source parts like revolving bases (European vendors want £55 postage and perhaps 2 vat bills etc ) UK stuff is mostly out of stock .
As we have all the camping gear its rear seats out , thermarests and sleeping bags do us if the weather turns bad or we can't be bothered to pitch a tent .
Make sure its well insulated, never bothered about rock & roll bed or kitchen as 5 or 6 K buys a lot of meals and nights in a hotel if you want a treat.
Only extras are leisure battery with dual charging for a compresser fridge ,solar panel , Waeco inverter if we need 240 when not hooked up, electrics for the bike rack and revolving seat bases as they free up more space when parked up. If you buy a Vivaro make sure it has one of the bigger engines ,fitting out a van adds a lot of weight . One downside to vans is the cost of bike racks.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: mmmmartin on 24 June, 2021, 11:01:48 pm: Thanks very much that's very helpful. Especially about the extra weight. A kitchen isn't really needed when you have gas stoves, but the rock n roll bed adds two seats for passengers. All these things are a compromise i guess. Hadn't thought about the import problems from the EU. Another brexit bonus i suppose.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: P.P. on 26 June, 2021, 04:59:57 pm: I can't comment on the cost to get someone else to do the work for you, but having converted a Vivaro myself I'd guess that I spent about £5500 (including buying the van) doing mine.

However that was a couple of years ago and the price of vans seems to have skyrocketed recently (along with materials etc). That coupled with the import issues and lack of bits, as everyone's got the same idea, means it might not be the best time to be doing one?

If your going to do one make sure you get a long wheel base version, it's only about 2 feet longer but makes a massive difference and get it looked at by a competent mechanic before buying as there's a number of common faults.

The Vivaro, Traffic and Nissan are all exactly the same van just badged differently, all the parts are interchangeable and made by Renault.

I've got some more spiel on converting mine, including loads of pictures on my blog if your interested. (https://pperratt.weebly.com/the-van-plan.html)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: mmmmartin on 27 June, 2021, 08:55:29 pm: That's the best account of a DIY conversion I've ever read.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: salar55 on 27 June, 2021, 11:06:04 pm: Enjoyed the build write up, well done. Doing the work yourself also means that if it needs a fix its easy to repair ;D
I liked the heater set up on the test bench to check it out running , brilliant .
If they ever pack enough power ( 300 mile range ) into batteries for E-vans self builds will be a no-no due to the batteries under the floorpan.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: grams on 27 June, 2021, 11:56:58 pm: Self-tappers through the fuel tank are a standard feature of self-builds. And more than likely many professional builds too.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: P.P. on 28 June, 2021, 05:52:26 am: Quote from: salar55 on 27 June, 2021, 11:06:04 pm
If they ever pack enough power ( 300 mile range ) into batteries for E-vans self builds will be a no-no due to the batteries under the floorpan.

Quote from: grams on 27 June, 2021, 11:56:58 pm
Self-tappers through the fuel tank are a standard feature of self-builds. And more than likely many professional builds too.

Two very valid points there and its something I spent a lot of time thinking about both with reference to the floor and walls. "If this screws too long or too deep where's it going to come out".

For the floor I bonded laths to the van floor using adhesive and screwed my floor to those, working on the priciple that the less holes through the van floor the less places corrosion has to start from.

I would assume that in the case of EV vehicles the batteries would be fitted from below keeping the load area separate from the power source and keeping them accessible when the vans loaded, so would hope that you could use the same principle.

The new electric Vivaro has a claimed range of 150 miles so I would hope that by the time mines due for renewal they will be available at a sensible price and the improvements in battery tech will have seen that go up a bit.

I don't know what the recharge times like, but 150 mile range would probably just about suffice for my use. I'm guessing that the other issue will be getting power for your living needs, at the moment most charge from the alternator, but that won't be an option with EV. I'm not sure if you'd be able to draw power from the vehicle batteries for extra lights etc?

(Edited for spelling)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: grams on 28 June, 2021, 09:12:15 am: Electric vehicles have a 12V battery and a DC-DC converter that does the same job as the alternator - charging the 12V system off the traction battery.

The bonus is that it’s silent and powered up whenever the key is the ignition, so if you wanted to charge the leisure battery you could do the equivalent of sitting with the engine running without disturbing anyone. The effect on range ought to be negligible.

Some EVs (eg the new Ford pickup) also have very large mains inverters connecting directly to the traction battery, so you’d be able to do things like running a 3 kW kettle or maybe even an electric shower.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Goldcrank on 28 June, 2021, 09:27:35 am: Quote from: P.P. on 26 June, 2021, 04:59:57 pm
I can't comment on the cost to get someone else to do the work for you, but having converted a Vivaro myself I'd guess that I spent about £5500 (including buying the van) doing mine...

(https://pperratt.weebly.com/the-van-plan.html)

An excellent blog. Thanks
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 01:01:21 pm: Also, EV's tend to be designed with battery replacement in mind. It would likely be practical to drop the battery out in order to perform a camper conversion.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: rafletcher on 28 June, 2021, 02:02:05 pm: Quote from: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 01:01:21 pm
Also, EV's tend to be designed with battery replacement in mind. It would likely be practical to drop the battery out in order to perform a camper conversion.

It may be that DIY conversions of EV’s will be illegal - look at the issue with car workshops having to be modified / updated to deal with the HV risks.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 02:26:21 pm: Quote from: rafletcher on 28 June, 2021, 02:02:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 01:01:21 pm
Also, EV's tend to be designed with battery replacement in mind. It would likely be practical to drop the battery out in order to perform a camper conversion.

It may be that DIY conversions of EV’s will be illegal - look at the issue with car workshops having to be modified / updated to deal with the HV risks.

I'm sure the manufacturers would love that.

(Seriously, is a large battery any more dangerous than a tank of petril? Sure they require a few different skills and equipment to handle safely, but mechanics have been learning new skills since, well, cars.)

It might be that you need jacking equipment that's impractical for a DIYer to remove and refit the battery. But I'm sure a company that replaces batteries in EVs would be happy to remove and store a battery for a while so a vehicle could be worked on.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: grams on 28 June, 2021, 02:47:43 pm: Self-build camper vans are normally done over a number of months and sometimes years on street or in the drive way. I doubt anyone want it immobile for that time.

You could maybe just get/need professionals to line the floor. Although there’ll still be countless holes to drill for tanks and plumbing and electrical gubbins.

Anyway, a long time before we get there. For now if it’s not spewing clouds of diesel shite it’s not a campervan.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 03:12:12 pm: I expect as a DIYer you'd just get all the floor-related stuff done at once, so you could refit the battery and do the rest at your leisure. A bit like you might get everything relevant done before a respray. May involve Forward Planning, but many things do.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: rafletcher on 28 June, 2021, 03:16:57 pm: Quote from: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 02:26:21 pm

But I'm sure a company that replaces batteries in EVs would be happy to remove and store a battery for a while so a vehicle could be worked on.

If manufacturers will allow such activities to be carried out by third parties, that is. I can see in future both physical and software impediments being put in place, and the “your warranty is void” rider added.

Already some are locking down their systems - VAG has made certain parts of their systems inaccessible to the likes of VCDS on more recent cars. As the profitability of physical sales erodes the drive to keep aftercare is increasing. Battery exchange is one obvious area for this.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 03:26:48 pm: Quote from: rafletcher on 28 June, 2021, 03:16:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 June, 2021, 02:26:21 pm

But I'm sure a company that replaces batteries in EVs would be happy to remove and store a battery for a while so a vehicle could be worked on.

If manufacturers will allow such activities to be carried out by third parties, that is. I can see in future both physical and software impediments being put in place, and the “your warranty is void” rider added.

The recent Fully Charged episode about replacing the batteries in first generation Nissan Leafs showed that there was already an element of CANbus spoofing involved.

Shirley any warranty is voided anyway if you convert the vehicle to a camper van?
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: grams on 28 June, 2021, 03:41:18 pm: Most camper van setups don’t need to integrate in any way with vehicle systems or electronics, short of 12V for the split charge. I don’t think you can use software to lock down sticking plywood and LLL decals to the walls.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 06:36:23 pm: I am not convinced that a home brew conversion of an electric van is inherently any more risky than a for a fossil van. Vans are already made with an eye on ply lining, rack fitting secure toolbox fitting, seat fitting, etc. and the batteries themselves are mounted well clear of the floor in their own metal casing and each battery pack within the larger pack is also in a metal casing. Campervan services tend to be routed along the sides of vehicles anyway and if a diy'er is such an imbecile as enabling them to damage the battery, more fool them in my view.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: P.P. on 28 June, 2021, 07:00:15 pm: Personally I think that @Polar Bear and @grams have hit the nail on the head there. Pretty much all vans are designed with the load space as a self contained space.

Camper van conversions not really any different to sticking some shelves in and using it as a builders van or for deliveries. The only real difference is cutting windows in but most vans are available in a crew cab form, so the windows go in the same places, or you source a crew cab version to start with.

I'd agree though that most manufactures don't like people working on their vehicles and try to limit that by using specialist fasteners etc. Likewise with software and canbus systems running most things, the options for fixing or changing them yourself are rapidly decreasing anyway and main dealer only fixes becoming more common.

Personally I'd be more than happy to have a crack at converting an EV Van if I could find one at the right price.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: salar55 on 29 June, 2021, 10:32:42 am: Another problem is ease of manufacture, old van has the grab handles with covers over the screws to secure the roof lining. Was an easy job to fit insulation . The new van has clips attached to the grab handles and they are a one shot fixing. To fit the lining its going to be a visit to Mercedes for 6 new grab handles at £35 +vat each, as the clips are not on the spares list.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 May, 2022, 11:23:16 am: Illness and advancing age are likely to cause my brother and his wife to part company with their Romahome Citroen Outlook in the not too distant future. Sis-in-law asked me this week for some advice on such matters, but sadly I'm pretty much starting from scratch in this area.

I know this is a "How long is a piece of string" question but what advice would the panel give on this matter? When I was with sis-in-law during the week we didn't get round to looking at all the details of the van, but it's a 2006 model. Help greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: rafletcher on 14 May, 2022, 11:58:18 am: Sell it through one of the many motorhome brokers they don’t want the hassle themselves. Or google them for comparative prices if selling themselves.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-search?advertising-location=at_motorhomes&model=DUO&make=ROMAHOME&price-from=500
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 May, 2022, 12:21:13 pm: Thanks.

I did take a photo of it and I looked up its reg on VED checker. It's a diesel 1868cc engine, MOTd to July.
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Tod28 on 18 May, 2022, 03:52:32 pm: This is probably the best place to ask re small motorhomes particularly Roma and even to sell through on a private sale https://community.smallmotorhome.co.uk/ (https://community.smallmotorhome.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Motorhomes & Campervans
Post by: Hot Flatus on 18 May, 2022, 05:14:34 pm: Romahome, now called Northstar, on the IOW, converted my Alphard