BS: Campervans (UK)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: kendall
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 04:26 PM

Don't forget the tires. Ordinary van tired are 4 ply and they can't take the extra weight.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 12:08 AM

A prevous thread a year or more ago asked for where to find a kit to convert a van. The "conversion" wanted was the pop-up or elevated roof used in some of them. After some research by quite a few people, the conclusion was that no reputable manufacturer would sell one of the availablle "kits" to anyone other than a professional conversion factory or "custom shop."

The "shell" of most modern vehicles, including vans, is at least a "semi-monocoque" construction that uses the skin as an essential part of "what holds it all together." Once you cut a hole in the skin, it is extremely difficult to add on enough "other parts" to recover anything close to the original strength.

Putting "gear" inside a van is safe enough for a DIY project, provided that you don't grossly exceed load capacity of the vehicle; but that's a "van equipped for camping" rather than what's commonly called a "camper conversion."

John

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 12:03 AM

Hello Maryrrf,
From my experience of rebuilding a coachbuilt 'van some years ago I would not recommend anyone amateur to attempt to convert an existing van (Transit type). The costs are so high that you would never recoup your expenditure. The resale value of a home conversion is very low.If you ever wanted to part-exchange for another 'van a dealer would not touch it!
Just go to a large store selling caravan equipment and look at the prices for the basics! A fridge is nearly £500 and a cooker over £200. Sinks with draining boards are over £100, and a toilet will set you back another £300 or so for the cassette type. I recently had to buy a replacement water pump and pair of taps and the cost was over £100. Household type of units are too bulky and heavy, so specialised units are required and, as you know, anything specialised cost more than average.
Every commercial vehicle has a Gross Weight imprinted on a plate. That weight must not be exceeded or you will fall foul of the Law and probably your insurance would be invalid. The gross weight includes all fittings, passengers, plus any water, gas, food and personal effects, as in kerbside weight. Some older commercially-built 'vans are very close to their Gross Weight when only driver, passenger and minimal equipment are carried. Add in the two extra passengers for which there are seats and beds and those vehicles could be taken off the road at any time, should there be a roadside weight check. Motorcaravans are often pulled in with commercial vehicles by DVLA inspection teams.
To keep within this weight and to keep the balance of the vehicle furniture needs to be properly placed side-to-side and front-to-back, with heavy weights such as the fridge over the rear wheels.
Timber, ply and chipboard from the local D I Y shed is far too heavy and particular framing timber and lightweight board materials need to be used. Cupboard doors, for instance, are made hollow to reduce weight.
You would need the skills of carpenter, auto-electrician, gas fitter, plumber, welder, panel beater, mechanic to name but a few.
I believe there are likely to be laws introduced which will require motorcaravans to pass a "fitness test" before they can be licenced by the DVLA but I don't know how far advanced are those proposals.
If you are still considering doing your own conversion then think very carefully. You would probably spent more that buying a fairly new commercial motorcaravan.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 02:48 PM

Isn't that what they do when they build campervans, convert a van - take a van chassis/engine/cab and add a shed on the back?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 10:55 AM

That's what I'd want to look into - converting a van. Anybody done that?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 04:38 PM

It's not that great. I've seen better tents!
But I don't think I'd put it in the middle of the road though!

What about converting a van? I've had several mates who converted vans. One was an old Dodge van. The owner put a wood burning stove in it and fitted a chimney, well cosy.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: kendall
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 03:17 PM

It will do nicely. Enjoy, and be sure to drive in the middle of the road, it really pisses off the speeders.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 12:27 PM

Yes and were he not dead you could have invited Randy van Warmer too.
G ☺

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 12:19 PM

are you having a van warming party?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 12:15 PM

Warm and cosy on cold wet festival camp sites, and you can make a cup of tea if you're stuck in a long traffic jam.
Don't give that Strolling Johnny a cup, he'll only complain it's too hot too cold or too sweet☺
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 12:10 PM

60mph down the hill 20mph up the hill and 40 on the straight

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 11:58 AM

Joss-stick holder, flower-power decals, speed-limiter on engine set to the regulation 40 mph or slower, I could go on..............(LOL)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Mr Sooz
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 11:01 AM

Its only a little one (atasttb)-by US standards Kendal- power unit is 1925cc turbo diesel- its just over 17'long-theres a double bed over the cab with another at the back- usual gear- fridge,oven,hob,fire,hotwater,shower,cassette toilet,on board water& waste

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 10:20 AM

Looks very nice that there Stitherumbus - Soozes.

Cor wish I had had one of those when I was about 20, it wouldn't have been called that but it would have been called the S***bus.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: kendall
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:54 AM

It looks like a very nice rig. What size engine? Is that a bunk over the cab? How long is this rig?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:48 AM

AS usual, our nutcase control-freak IT dickheads at work have blocked the pix Mike. Bring 'em tonight?
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: kendall
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 07:48 AM

Does it have dual wheels? A floating rear axel?
Some years ago, I bought a Sunraider on a 1/2 ton Toyota chassis. It was too heavy for the rear axel, and the bearing and axel failed. After that, they went to the one ton chassis with a REAL truck axel and it worked fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Mr Sooz
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 07:24 AM

As requested by the villan here are some pix- good innit !

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 10:58 AM

I'll be at Sidders, but I'm booked into the King's Down Tail Campsite not the festival one, I like my electricity and comforts.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 09:53 AM

LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 08:26 AM

Shut up - you're only jealous! Hope to bump into you somewhere Giok!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:54 AM

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:41 AM

Can't do that many trips - at 40 mph there isn't time.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 05:37 AM

Fair weather camper already? Seriously though it's great isn't it, you just can't stop yourself looking out the window at it, just to make sure it's still there. I wish you many happy trips in it.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 03:03 AM

Are you bringing it to Faldingworth on Saturday, so we can all have a gander?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 02:38 AM

It has arrived. It was too dark and cold when I got home last night to play in it and its covered in snow this morning!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 01:37 AM

Mr & Mrs Sooz should only have the best equipment in their new campervan and this useful piece of equipment is surely a must for them.
King & Queen Sooz

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 02:23 PM

Fortunately The Soozes know I'm just joshin' them, although I was a bit worried when I took them to Louth Folk Club last night in case they beat me to death with a kazoo and buried my bloody corpse on Hubbard's Hills! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 02:21 PM

ROFLMAO Giok! You're incorrigible! (At least, you are if that big word means what I think it means!) LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:31 PM

They must know there's a miserable moany bugger behind them ☺
Giok ☻

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:23 PM

I heard it's arriving today. Huge queues off traffic predicted on the road between Gainsborough and Corringham.

Julian, if they ever REACHED the speed limit it would be something! When the limit's 60, why do those dopey old buggers crawl along at 40?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: julian morbihan
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 12:36 PM

Just a thought to those who have posted complaining at the slow speed of some campervans.

"They don't go slow, they just keep to the speed limits."

I await a few comments... ;-)

Cheers

Julian

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:27 AM

how about a picture then Mrs Sooz

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 08:49 AM

is there any particular one you want played, as I will be in the studio, when Tom is talking to Graham Moore.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 06:51 AM

Oh aye, heard him say that. Just thought you had some inside info! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 04:33 AM

I don't know. He said last week on Radio Lincs that he had received your CD, and that he would be playing one of your songs this Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 04:24 AM

Which one?

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 03:23 PM

Your missus has certainly got you under control. :-)
Strollin' doing a stroll of 8 miles in the snow. Thats wonderful. Did you pop in and see Mick Peat?
I see Tom is going to play one of your songs on your new CD this Wednesday.
Things are certainly on the up :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 02:52 PM

Giok, I HAVE white hair, mate! (Round the sides only though - flesh-tones on top! Mrs. Johhny says it's a Solar Panel for a Sex-Machine).

Villan - we were walking! A little stroll of eight miles or so in the snow. It's called e-x-e-r-c-i-s-e !! LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 02:46 PM

Did you meet the White hare?
Giok.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 02:36 PM

What the f*** are you doing there Strollin' ?

Hope you didn't nick Mr & Mrs Sooz's Campervan :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 02:35 PM

Not many campervans up in't Peak District today (in fact not a bugger!). Even hippies and weekend gypsies have limits to their madness! :-)

The Derwent Reservoir and the Derwnt and Howden Dams looked magnificent in the snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 08:18 AM

Save gas......................Fart in a bottle!

G.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 06:36 AM

I suppose that helps save on petrol...

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 04:49 AM

They only need cans of baked beans

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 04:00 AM

Well, that's a major snag for a start in this thread!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 03:49 AM

We're vegetarian!

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 08:23 PM

"What are the snags we might not have thought of? "

Well, you have probably tried pork and beef.

There's lamb and venison, for a start. And of course lots of blends, things like tomato and onion added to beef, for instance. Then there's the 'foreign snags' - like choritizo, and even salami, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 04:23 AM

And effin' cold on winter neets at Walesby Hazel!! LOL!
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Campervans (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 05:11 AM

Will we see it tonight at MRFC Sooz