Van crew - assemble

[paulshane]

More caravan 🙂

 

Some pics of how i've setup the interior, mostly to add strength as it's pretty knackered really 🙂

 

this is the non towbar end, the two units in the pic are wooden frameworks, screwed to the floor and the sides and back, to tie in the lower side panels, which adds some much needed rididgity. They form part of the table I use when it's setup. They are that tall as thats the max height they can be while still allowing the sides to fold in when the caravan is 'down' for towing.

Left hand side is where the leisure battery lives, the straps are to hold it in place when i'm towing. Right hand side has a pull out drawer for the stove, kettle, etc etc. It has an old skate truck screwed to the back so it tips up and rolls out.

 

 

This is the top part that makes it into a table. Again, a wooden framework with power sockets that connect to the leisure battery (got a load of cheap solderable XLR jacks from somewhere years back, so everything has those on it 🙂 ) Dissapointingly, the top needs to be narrower than the gap, as it needs to sit on the floor just in front of the base when folded down, so needs to clear the hinges and other bits that stick out. The weird looking frames over the windows are home made sun shades, perspex in a light wood frame with limo tint window film on it, keeps the heat down quite well, and stops people being nosy too 🙂 I was originally planning or just applying the film direct to the windows, but they are curved and it would have looked awful with creases on it.

 

 

middle view, the sink unit is just a plastic sink in yet another wooden frame, it drains into whatever i put the waste hose into, just used for washing my hands and face basically. This also has to sit on it's side on the floor, it's proper tetris packing all this away 🙂

 

 

tow bar end, this is the 'bed' end and is the only bit of original furniture that was in the caravan when I got it. I assume there were bolster cushions that made it into a seat and also folded flat to make a bed. I've just used some loft flooring 🙂 roll mats go over this, then a double airbed, then sleeping bag etc. The back panel is missing substantial parts and the guy i got it from was trying to pull off the 'wall paper' and didn't realise until too late that it's actually the inner panel and gives it strength, this was the first panel that I repaired (and needs doing again really) Theres storage under the curved bits

 

 

still got lots of painting to do - some of the panels look mouldy, but thats just previous bits of fablon type vinyl showing through the paint 🙂

It's mostly rain proof, which is all it rally needs to be 🙂

 

[DirtyLurker]

Made a start on painting my Bus - went for a Bokeh effect rather than waves as there, luckily, wasn't as much rust/dints/scrapes as I'd thought.  Tailgate, offside rear panel & touch ups tomorrow... I feel like I've had waaaay too much sun for one day!

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by DirtyLurker

[blutarsky]

4 hours ago, DirtyLurker said:

Made a start on painting my Bus - went for a Bokeh effect rather than waves as there, luckily, wasn't as much rust/dints/scrapes as I'd thought.  Tailgate, offside rear panel & touch ups tomorrow... I feel like I've had waaaay too much sun for one day!

That looks great 😊 

[DirtyLurker]

1 hour ago, blutarsky said:

That looks great 😊 

Thank you 😁 pretty chuffed tbh - need to buy a step stool so I can reach the top of the tailgate randomly it's battered tf up there!  The old branding is quite visible now where the paintwork has faded but I kind of like it, reminds me of his roots as a work van😉 

[yehbutnobut]

Happy Monday Campers!

Big progress on the bang bus yesterday, as we eventually got the frame in for the fresh water tank, diesel heater tank, and the gas bottle locker. Now these are in, things will start moving quicker and we can make some real progress 😅🤞

Also managed to get the bathroom vanity unit in, so it's secure, drill holes through the floor for the waste & water feeds, and fit the trap etc. Have ordered a new tap as the one I was left with is a bit knackered, but that wont take long to fit. Next job is routing all the waste pipes under the van to the grey tank.

There's no way i'll get it all finished by the fest if i'm just working on it at the weekend, so have booked in a whole week on it next week to really break the back of it, so will post more progress pics here.

Also finished sanding and prepping my diy fibreglass bodywork repair, ready for when we come to paint the van. Really happy with the result, amazing what you can do with some wire mesh, expanding foam & fibre glass filler. It's not staying school bus yellow, and after a conversation with a guy who sprayed his own van, i've decided i'm going to Raptor it. 

Have a great week. 😊

 

[blutarsky]

13 minutes ago, yehbutnobut said:

Happy Monday Campers!

Big progress on the bang bus yesterday, as we eventually got the frame in for the fresh water tank, diesel heater tank, and the gas bottle locker. Now these are in, things will start moving quicker and we can make some real progress 😅🤞

Also managed to get the bathroom vanity unit in, so it's secure, drill holes through the floor for the waste & water feeds, and fit the trap etc. Have ordered a new tap as the one I was left with is a bit knackered, but that wont take long to fit. Next job is routing all the waste pipes under the van to the grey tank.

There's no way i'll get it all finished by the fest if i'm just working on it at the weekend, so have booked in a whole week on it next week to really break the back of it, so will post more progress pics here.

Also finished sanding and prepping my diy fibreglass bodywork repair, ready for when we come to paint the van. Really happy with the result, amazing what you can do with some wire mesh, expanding foam & fibre glass filler. It's not staying school bus yellow, and after a conversation with a guy who sprayed his own van, i've decided i'm going to Raptor it. 

Have a great week. 😊

 

Excellent repair work. Like the protective cage for the water tanks - good idea that. Is the wire bottom welded in place? 

[yehbutnobut]

19 minutes ago, blutarsky said:

Excellent repair work. Like the protective cage for the water tanks - good idea that. Is the wire bottom welded in place? 

I was going to weld but it would have been a faff as the mig isn’t on site as I don’t have mains electric at the yard so we only have a little generator for lights & tunes etc. So instead we drilled some extra holes in the frame and fixed with some beefy zip ties. Should do the job 👍

[blutarsky]

31 minutes ago, yehbutnobut said:

I was going to weld but it would have been a faff as the mig isn’t on site as I don’t have mains electric at the yard so we only have a little generator for lights & tunes etc. So instead we drilled some extra holes in the frame and fixed with some beefy zip ties. Should do the job 👍

You’d hope the weight of the water tank should keep it in place as well as long as it’s a good fit in the frame. 

[paulshane]

1 hour ago, yehbutnobut said:

I was going to weld but it would have been a faff as the mig isn’t on site as I don’t have mains electric at the yard so we only have a little generator for lights & tunes etc. So instead we drilled some extra holes in the frame and fixed with some beefy zip ties. Should do the job 👍

some small jubillee style clips might be a bit more hard wearing 🙂

[Twiggy553]

Put new tyres on the van at the wknd.

I couldn’t find any AT tyres in 205/65/16 size but got some M+S tyres that have some reasonably chunky shoulder tread.

[yehbutnobut]

Good morning camper-vanners.

What a week it’s been with lots of progress on the bus. Took the week off (kinda) to really push it forward and have really cracked on with things. Such as:

- Shower cubicle 95% there now, just siliconing, water connections & curtain to be fitted.

- Waste water pipework all routed & connected to grey tank which is now mounted. All left to do is connect the tank sensors & little display unit.

- Side hatch for gas box fitted. 

- Water system connection/feed with pump etc fitted and initial pipe work. Just waiting for a couple more connections to arrive then will crack on with connecting the rest of the system & feeding to where needed.

- Water heater fitted, vents installed & ready to connect up to water system.

- 4 new rear mid flaps fabricated @ installed.

- Outside of bus completed sanded thanks to Mrs YBNB. But whether we’re able to give the bus a new makeover before the fest is time & weather dependent.🤞

Things left to do before we leave for Somerset are to get the cold/hot water system finished and all the gas connected up to where it’s needed. Might attempt on fitting the diesel heater, not that it will be needed, but as long as we can use the water, shower, cook etc when we’re there, we’ll be happy. It’s also going in for a service this week to make sure she’s all tickety boo under the bonnet.

Hope everyone else’s camper prep is all going to plan! 😊 x

[yehbutnobut]

Next question to the campervan crew...

Breakdown cover?

Just had a great quote from Brentacre for insurance, so will most likely go with them. However they couldn't advise on a company for breakdown cover. Any suggestions always greatly appreciated. 😊

[blutarsky]

I got an introductory offer from AA last year, think it was £6 a month. Doubled this year. 

[irnkrtn]

Hi van friends - loving the prep photos, wondering how your other bits of prep are going for the stuff you do WITH the van? I just booked my click and collect slot for my shopping from Tesco in Glastonbury town. I got a cupboard for our awning to store some clothes in, though I suspect I'm going to be quickly dispossessed of it for food storage! 

3 weeks to go! 

[BBC7BBCHEAVEN]

Hi all,

This is going to be our first year in a camper, currently in the middle of converting it still 😬

Any tips for what we should bring? Are there plenty of toilets in the campervan field?

Will have solar power so should be fine for most of the festival (hopefully) but looking into cooking, anyone recommend a good cool box that won't break the bank?

Was just going to use a little camping gas stove for cooking breakfast

[paulshane]

2 minutes ago, BBC7BBCHEAVEN said:

Hi all,

This is going to be our first year in a camper, currently in the middle of converting it still 😬

Any tips for what we should bring? Are there plenty of toilets in the campervan field?

Will have solar power so should be fine for most of the festival (hopefully) but looking into cooking, anyone recommend a good cool box that won't break the bank?

Was just going to use a little camping gas stove for cooking breakfast

Thats exactly what i've done for the last twenty times i've been in East camper. Though the solar array is a more recent add on.

[curiouscat]

I'm in a trailer tent, so kind of relevant to this thread 😂

Ours has a nice built in double burner gas kitchen

Got a big coolbox (Igloo) were going to prep before, to keep everything nice and cool. Going to prep some food that can be warmed up, for when we're not in the festival - Tuesday and mornings. 

As it's got 2 double beds, we use one for sleeping and the other one is for clothes and stuff. The previous owner does have a foldable wardrobe too, unsure if this will be needed though. 

Have a Jackery 240 for power, along with a solar panel. 

Love my trailer tent, packs up nice and small, easy to tow and is nice and big when pitched! 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Lesley2337

[curiouscat]

5 hours ago, yehbutnobut said:

Next question to the campervan crew...

Breakdown cover?

Just had a great quote from Brentacre for insurance, so will most likely go with them. However they couldn't advise on a company for breakdown cover. Any suggestions always greatly appreciated. 😊

The RAC do campervan & motor home specific cover. 

RAC Arrival I think it's called 

[paulshane]

Did a quick check that my stove works, and re-made a little extension so my coffee maker sits on it properly 🙂

bit of steel rod bent up in a vice:

 

not exactly pretty, but it works 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

a small thing, but another item ticked on my prep list 🙂

(and yes, I've cleaned the cooker case as well 🙂 )

Edited June 4, 2022 by paulshane

[paulshane]

Unrelated to anything I'm doing, but if anyone with deep pockets and plenty of time on their hands wanst to build something awesome as a camper for a future festival: 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115408437171?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338817149&toolid=10050&customid=DANSWORKAROUND2&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1

 

how cool would that be litted out 🙂

 

 

[philipsteak]

On 5/30/2022 at 3:15 PM, Lesley2337 said:

The RAC do campervan & motor home specific cover. 

RAC Arrival I think it's called 

I've got normal RAC but my van is a kangoo (fully converted) so possibly only covered up to a certain size/weight maybe? I did check beforehand that it was fine and I've also had a call out since having it so know it's ok. 

Edited June 4, 2022 by philipsteak

[blutarsky]

On 5/28/2022 at 7:13 AM, yehbutnobut said:

Good morning camper-vanners.

What a week it’s been with lots of progress on the bus. Took the week off (kinda) to really push it forward and have really cracked on with things. Such as:

- Shower cubicle 95% there now, just siliconing, water connections & curtain to be fitted.

- Waste water pipework all routed & connected to grey tank which is now mounted. All left to do is connect the tank sensors & little display unit.

- Side hatch for gas box fitted. 

- Water system connection/feed with pump etc fitted and initial pipe work. Just waiting for a couple more connections to arrive then will crack on with connecting the rest of the system & feeding to where needed.

- Water heater fitted, vents installed & ready to connect up to water system.

- 4 new rear mid flaps fabricated @ installed.

- Outside of bus completed sanded thanks to Mrs YBNB. But whether we’re able to give the bus a new makeover before the fest is time & weather dependent.🤞

Things left to do before we leave for Somerset are to get the cold/hot water system finished and all the gas connected up to where it’s needed. Might attempt on fitting the diesel heater, not that it will be needed, but as long as we can use the water, shower, cook etc when we’re there, we’ll be happy. It’s also going in for a service this week to make sure she’s all tickety boo under the bonnet.

Hope everyone else’s camper prep is all going to plan! 😊 x

How was your week in the van? 

[blutarsky]

As you may remember from last summer and my constant posts about the race to have my van in a usable state in time for Beautiful Days and Worthy Pastures, I’m a big fan of a deadline. Must be a relic of my journalism career. 
Anyway, I’ve essentially done nothing to the van since last summer, even though we took it to Glastonbury. Other priorities etc. It’s in a “comfortable enough” state for a night or two. The bed is very comfortable, it has a working heater, lights, toilet and fridge which is a huge upgrade on a tent. There’s a lot of exposed wiring (not live) and insulation though, which isn’t ideal with the now teenage (no, toddler) mini-Blutarsky about. 👶
There’s also a major lack of storage, but that’s not such an issue when we’re only away for a short time.
 

However, we are off to France 🇫🇷 on the Eurotunnel this summer, for three weeks. That means we need a lot more functionality, pronto. The main priorities are as follows: 

- storage
- finished wet room/bathroom with shower - kitchen worktop with sink / hob 
- all plumbing operational 

I have until July 30th 😬 

Mission impossible started yesterday. Who would like to see some pics? 

On display below: 

1. a hole in the side of the van for the water filler cap.
2. said water filler cap installed. 
3. Fresh water tank with inlet and drain hoses fitted. 
4. water heater and pump with piping. 
5. bathroom half lined with waterproof membrane. 
6. some signs I’ve now taken down. 

 

[yehbutnobut]

On 7/10/2022 at 8:23 AM, blutarsky said:

How was your week in the van? 

Ah my good friend Blutarsky 😊 

I was actually going to post a little update of how it went, but what with getting back from 8 days at the festival with a bang with loads of work related issues on the Monday, and the standard feeling of depression & like i'd been hit by a bus... apart from wanting to top myself, i'd just not got around to it. So thank you for the kick up the arse!

So in a nutshell, my biggest issue leading up to the fest was actually getting there without over-heating, as leading up to the fest the week before, had noticed a leak from the rad which after 3 bottles of radweld still hadn't sorted the issue. I'd installed two new rad fans, so at stand still, on the flat and tootling along at 50 there were no issues. But when the engine was working hard (basically up any massive hill) that's when I had issues. After a very nervy drive with a few stops to top up water & constantly looking down to see what the thermostat was saying... although very bum twitchy, it got me there & back home in one piece. And i'll never forget the feelings of excitement and thoughts of "I think i'm actually going to make it!" a few miles outside of Pilton 😅  I've since however sent the rad off to be re-coiled (they don't make them anymore unfortunately) which I'm picking up tomorrow to re-fit.

As far as the stay during the fest was concerned, it was mega comfy. I spent the first four nights in the rear lower bunk which was comfortable and fine for a medium sized grown male (so will be prefect for the kids). I waited for Mrs YBNB to arrive on the Wednesday before getting the fold out double at the front out... which I might add, is a lot sturdier than we initially thought it would be! 😉

The hot water system worked perfectly & surprisingly efficient on the gas. And the shower is AMAZING! Better and more powerful then I'd hoped which was a massive plus point so super happy with this.

Only issues I had inside the bus which i've eluded to below was the fridge, and also the flush on the toilet stopped working, but tbh this was/is manageable, and I think is just a loose connection I need to find somewhere.

Still work to do on it, but all in all though, I would sum it up as a great success 👍

 

Questions I have & suggestions I would like from the Van Crew:

1: I'm after a tall drive away awning for the side of the camper, preferably inflatable, as if we do decide to bring a teenager or two away with us in the future, then we need somewhere for them to sleep.

2: The current 3 way fridge in the camper is shite. Couldn't get it to work properly or fire it up on the gas. Left it overnight before we left plugged into the mains, with the intention of getting it cool by the morning then driving off and switching over to 12v. Although the corresponding lights were on, this didn't work either & just wouldn't get cold and drained the battery even when driving. So i'm left thinking it needs replacing with something up to date that works and is super efficient. A little frustrating as I had reconnected and sorted the gas feed to it.

Anyways. I've been told by a very reliable self-confessed 'off-grid specialist' who's fitted out a few campers whilst also living on a canal boat, that the inlander 12v fridges are the nuts on low energy consumption. So basically i'm after an 12v under-counter compressor fridge, that's got compatibility with mains or a mains adapter, so if anyone has any suggestions that would be massively appreciated.

Photos to follow, but until the next update, I hope all are good & well-recovered from this years festivities... and you're all out enjoying the recent weather! 🚌 ☀️
 

[gazzared]

Regarding the fridge, my fridge doesnt work on gas unless its completely level and my mates t28 is the same ....maybe something to check before getting rid

 

edit my mates van is a t25

Edited July 12, 2022 by gazzared
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