Fetch Camper Vans

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Gobi Jun 2020 9:50am, 28 Jun 2020 70,466 posts	0 Gobi MandyMoo - I also have an "attachable tent"(driveaway awning) what I need is something a little faster to put up :¬) I already use a towbar bike rack :¬)
auburnette Jun 2020 10:01am, 28 Jun 2020 1,704 posts	0 auburnette Just followed you mandy, we are also on Instagram with our van although I update it seldom! instagram.com Ours is a self conversion of a Fiat Ducato, winterised so we can take it to the Alps.
♪♫ Synge ♪♫ Jun 2020 10:14am, 28 Jun 2020 34,727 posts	0 ♪♫ Synge ♪♫ These driveaway awnings sound popular?
Northern Exile Jun 2020 10:57am, 28 Jun 2020 6,504 posts	0 Northern Exile Tim - Gobi has already alluded to it, but bearing in mind I use my van to launch expeditions into the mountains, having a flip up tailgate is a wonderful thing for sheltering under and getting changed under, getting the mud off under. The camp chairs are also stored in our tailgate, which keeps them nicely out of the way. I know it's one of the first things that the conversion companies look for when sourcing vehicles to sell on. The other good thing is that a flip up door stops stuff getting wet when you open it in rain. We don't use our awning much, but then we are rarely static on campsites. A diesel heater is a good option to have, it's made our van usable all year round. In terms of engine, ours is a T5 with the 140 engine and six speed box. It's OK, sometimes I'd like a bit more grunt when on the motorway into a headwind. Keep away from the 180 engines, more problems than power.
Northern Exile Jun 2020 10:59am, 28 Jun 2020 6,505 posts	0 Northern Exile Just occurred to me that if you are buying new with conversion in mind, then are you going for a pop up roof? If not, I would certainly order a factory sunroof.
Gobi Jun 2020 12:13pm, 28 Jun 2020 70,468 posts	0 Gobi Ne - I dont like pop tops but think I want a long wheel base if I get another for more storage space inside. I dont have an instagram site for my van. It's a shed:-)
Angus Clydesdale Jun 2020 3:06pm, 28 Jun 2020 18,673 posts	0 Angus Clydesdale Hi folks. Thanks for the loads of answers Pop-top roof was on my list of “almost definites” - my only slight concern being about getting it dried before storage. So I’m thinking buy one with a standard roof. Tailgate was on my list too. And a factory tow bar. Diesel heater is a good shout when it’s conversion time. I know a couple of guys that have Eberspachers in their landrovers. Likewise the leisure battery. I’m away to look at Instagram and for a Facebook page. Thanks folks!
Northern Exile Jun 2020 7:24pm, 28 Jun 2020 6,506 posts	0 Northern Exile Angus, getting the bellows of a pop-up roof is a major issue and something that always bothers me. I had a T6 bellows fitted to mine and the fabric drys much faster, but it's still a problem and something that drives us to sleep "downstairs" when it looks like being wet all night (or for a portion of a night). Fitting a pop-up roof to a T5 or T6 is a very topical issue indeed and you can get drawn into it. There's a company down in Cornwall that specialises in retro fitting full California roofs to T5s/T6s (ie. ones that have come from written-off or broken vans) as of course in doing so you get all the lateral strengthening pieces that doesn't necessarily come with a run-of-the-mill aftermarket pop-up, expensive though. Good conversion companies like Birchover etc only fit good ones, it definitely pays to do your research. As I said earlier, if I was buying a new van and it was just me and Bobs then I'd put the investment into fitting out the vehicle and not bother with the pop-up, however that's very subjective and if you're tall or need the space then the pop-up can be an essential item. Flyingfinn had a cracking Birchover conversion done, you might want to consult him on his thoughts> Bobs has just chimed into this: Make sure you get a cooker with a grill, we really miss not having one!
Northern Exile Jun 2020 7:35pm, 28 Jun 2020 6,508 posts	0 Northern Exile p.s. that company I mentioned is called Kernow Conversions. The guy who owns it runs a separate company called CaddyWorks and obv. does extreme things with VW Caddy vans. He's building a project van using a wrecked Golf R as a basis and I've been watching it - aiming for an insane 1000+ bhp !!
Mandymoo Jun 2020 8:18pm, 28 Jun 2020 9,864 posts	0 Mandymoo We didnt go for a pop top as there are just the 2 of us, someday's we regret it but mainly not (oh does more than I do).