Van crew - assemble

[Kizzie]

3 minutes ago, gazzared said:

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

Yep,ours is the same in our T25.

So much so we've even got a mini spirit level.  

[Skip997]

3 minutes ago, gazzared said:

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

This.

Gas fridges need to be "spirit level" level in order to work.

[gazzared]

4 minutes ago, Kizzie said:

Yep,ours is the same in our T25.

So much so we've even got a mini spirit level.  

ah actually my mates is a t25 mine is the t28 haha but my fridge is a portable 3-way dometic type and when i couldnt get it to work my mate told me it has to be level . The camping gaz bottle lasts about 2 weeks and the fridge stays ice cold, a bit too cold somtimes.

[gazzared]

9 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

This.

Gas fridges need to be "spirit level" level in order to work.

I downloaded a simple spirit level app and it works great

[blutarsky]

I’ve a fridge recommendation. Ours is a 12v under counter, 65L job. Knock off of a Waeco and it’s FANTASTIC. It’s so good we leave it running and use it as an extra fridge when we need more capacity at home and store stuff on the drive in the van. I’ll find the name / model number later. It’s also cheap! 

[Neil]

for the gas fridge make sure the fridge is fully  flat and vertical upright.

[DirtyLurker]

58 minutes ago, Kizzie said:

 

So much so we've even got a mini spirit level.  

I got a mini spirit level to level van on chocks because someone kept parking up not fully level, insisting we were level then rolling with gravity in the night & squashing me against the wall😅  

Can I have a bit of van crew sympathy please, my van is at the Drs (very good garage tbf) we lost 5th gear as soon as we got on the M5 coming back from Glasto so van currently having a gearbox rebuild.  Had to drive home at 50/60mph in 4th, not the best way to end the festival, so much ££££.  And I need it back for Latitude next week!

[blutarsky]

47 minutes ago, blutarsky said:

I’ve a fridge recommendation. Ours is a 12v under counter, 65L job. Knock off of a Waeco and it’s FANTASTIC. It’s so good we leave it running and use it as an extra fridge when we need more capacity at home and store stuff on the drive in the van. I’ll find the name / model number later. It’s also cheap! 

Here you go @yehbutnobut - ours is an Alpicool CR65. Here’s a link, although we bought it through eBay, but that was a year ago and the listing is dead: https://www.autoled4x4.com/en/fridge-freezer-65l-alpicool-cr65.html

Instruction manual below. I had to find this the other day as Mini Blutarsky started hammering the buttons on it and did something that meant it needed a factory reset 😂 

[spg]

2 hours ago, gazzared said:

ah actually my mates is a t25 mine is the t28 haha but my fridge is a portable 3-way dometic type and when i couldnt get it to work my mate told me it has to be level . The camping gaz bottle lasts about 2 weeks and the fridge stays ice cold, a bit too cold somtimes.

Mine that that had a bull's eye level on it, had to be spot on too

[blutarsky]

Busy week! 

Last Sunday I got some shelves built and finished our overhead cupboard. I’ve banged my head on it approximately 700 times since… 

During the week I fitted a couple more sockets, but then yesterday was a big day. While Mrs B slapped paint everywhere, I fitted our worktop. We went for an IKEA one, the Vrena oak laminate. I’m absolutely chuffed with it. It’s only 22mm thick so not too heavy over our 2m length. I also fitted out sink, tap and hob. A plumber mate is connecting them for us during the week. 

I then got started on boarding out the bathroom and making it waterproof. This was NOT FUN. I’m using 10mm hollow core rigid boards and just to get them into the bathroom I had to remove the toilet and front wall of the bathroom. I had to use a heat gun to get a bend into the board and after about two hours the first panel was in place, but with fairly big gaps around the edges which will need covering with considerable amounts of trim. At the moment it’s been wedged in place over night while the Stixall I used as adhesive cures. Fingers crossed it all looks ok when I go in there in a bit. 

Here are some pics. 

[blutarsky]

Did more work on Sunday and a bit of plumbing tonight. Got the second and third bathroom panels cut and adhered one of them. The third needs the shower fitting to it before fixing the panel. 

I also did a fair bit of electrical work, connecting sockets and moving the fuse box - but none of that is really visible. 

Plumbing tonight with the assistance of plumber-at-large and step father-in-law Pete the Leak. Yes, the nickname does inspire confidence. He didn’t bring any jubilee clips with him 🙄 so his help extended to half connecting the taps, pointing out two rather large errors (which I can rectify by buying some more hose and running it) and confirming everything else looked roughly right. 

He was scared of the electrics on the toilet, water heater, and pump so those are for me to figure out on my own. 

[gazzared]

2 minutes ago, blutarsky said:

Did more work on Sunday and a bit of plumbing tonight. Got the second and third bathroom panels cut and adhered one of them. The third needs the shower fitting to it before fixing the panel. 

I also did a fair bit of electrical work, connecting sockets and moving the fuse box - but none of that is really visible. 

Plumbing tonight with the assistance of plumber-at-large and step father-in-law Pete the Leak. Yes, the nickname does inspire confidence. He didn’t bring any jubilee clips with him 🙄 so his help extended to half connecting the taps, pointing out two rather large errors (which I can rectify by buying some more hose and running it) and confirming everything else looked roughly right. 

He was scared of the electrics on the toilet, water heater, and pump so those are for me to figure out on my own. 

Take it to school (get them to do all the work) and make it a project for the kids C.D.T exam 🤣🤣

[blutarsky]

2 hours ago, gazzared said:

Take it to school (get them to do all the work) and make it a project for the kids C.D.T exam 🤣🤣

I wish 

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

On 7/17/2022 at 6:24 AM, blutarsky said:

Busy week! 

Last Sunday I got some shelves built and finished our overhead cupboard. I’ve banged my head on it approximately 700 times since… 

During the week I fitted a couple more sockets, but then yesterday was a big day. While Mrs B slapped paint everywhere, I fitted our worktop. We went for an IKEA one, the Vrena oak laminate. I’m absolutely chuffed with it. It’s only 22mm thick so not too heavy over our 2m length. I also fitted out sink, tap and hob. A plumber mate is connecting them for us during the week. 

I then got started on boarding out the bathroom and making it waterproof. This was NOT FUN. I’m using 10mm hollow core rigid boards and just to get them into the bathroom I had to remove the toilet and front wall of the bathroom. I had to use a heat gun to get a bend into the board and after about two hours the first panel was in place, but with fairly big gaps around the edges which will need covering with considerable amounts of trim. At the moment it’s been wedged in place over night while the Stixall I used as adhesive cures. Fingers crossed it all looks ok when I go in there in a bit. 

Here are some pics. 

I've only just accessed this thread for the first time (to the best of my knowledge) and seen this. I have rendered myself incapable of fully digesting it all right now, but do like to read and see self built campervan projects. It may be a niche market, but I don't think so. I shall now make a note of the thread and come back to it when normal service has been resumed. 

All the best with your project. 

[DirtyLurker]

Should be packing up the van & heading to Latitude right now, in reality my van is still at the garage, which garage I've no idea!  Dropped with our VW specialist 2weeks ago for a gearbox rebuild, have been given 3 (so far) different dates of when it will be ready to collect and the last phone call they told us the whole van had been taken to their gearbox specialist.... so currently have no idea where in the world my van even is☹

The last date they gave was today at "lunchtime" so at 12pm I will be sat on their forecourt, slightly agitated if my van is not in sight!

[spg]

@DirtyLurker good luck 🤞 

[blutarsky]

30 minutes ago, spg said:

@DirtyLurker good luck 🤞 

I’ll echo that! 

Our awning arrived yesterday, or at least one of the two packages did… the other is out for a second delivery attempt today as “you were out when we called” yesterday, despite the fact Mrs B accepted package 1/2 and had it put in the hallway by the courier 😂 - pretty certain the courier forgot package 2 and is having to come back today but said we were out to avoid getting in trouble. 

We’ve gone for a (much-beloved in this parish) Quechua one, the Air Seconds base connect, with an internal bedroom as an extra. Anyone got one? Reviews online seemed good. 

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/6-person-inflatable-camping-shelter-air-seconds-base-connect/_/R-p-310023 

[DirtyLurker]

Thanks @spg & @blutarsky went to garage, van not there.  They rang other garage, heard them say for sure, for definite it's on it's way back today.

I'm sat at home twiddling my thumbs, bags packed waiting go Latitude🙄 

I've not been able to charge any of the battery operated stuff, lanterns etc because everything is in the van!  With hindsight sending van to garage with full camping kit in maybe wasn't the best idea🤷‍♂️

Is a 3.5hr trip over so as long as we've left by 5pm then we're going tonight otherwise it'll be tomorrow... if the van even comes back today😦

[blutarsky]

4 hours ago, DirtyLurker said:

Thanks @spg & @blutarsky went to garage, van not there.  They rang other garage, heard them say for sure, for definite it's on it's way back today.

I'm sat at home twiddling my thumbs, bags packed waiting go Latitude🙄 

I've not been able to charge any of the battery operated stuff, lanterns etc because everything is in the van!  With hindsight sending van to garage with full camping kit in maybe wasn't the best idea🤷‍♂️

Is a 3.5hr trip over so as long as we've left by 5pm then we're going tonight otherwise it'll be tomorrow... if the van even comes back today😦

What a fucking nightmare! Demand the garage cover your ticket cost. 

[DirtyLurker]

1 hour ago, blutarsky said:

What a fucking nightmare! Demand the garage cover your ticket cost. 

Got the van back! 😁😁😁

5pm collected, home by 5.30pm van fully loaded & on way around 6.15ish!  Fasted van pack ever😆 have bought batteries where I'd usually use rechargeables.

About an hour or so out from Latitude so half set up in dark, large gin, bed then full set up awning etc in morn.

The garage threw in a free drive shaft replacement, they said they had one lying about so put it in, we think they fucked about for the 1st 10days having van, realised they'd fucked us about so when actually cracked on with work did that to keep us sweet.  We do use them for all 3 VWs so spend much ££££ with them.

Did have a windscreen washer malfunction for a few mins about an hour into journey, tbf that's a fault I knew needed doing but completely forgot about due to gearbox failure🙄 washer only come on when intermittent switch is in a certain position and you have to find position whilst is raining & you can't see... not the best but sometimes it works immediately.  Will go back to garage when we get back.

 

[Jay Pee]

On 7/18/2022 at 9:01 PM, blutarsky said:

Did more work on Sunday and a bit of plumbing tonight. Got the second and third bathroom panels cut and adhered one of them. The third needs the shower fitting to it before fixing the panel. 

I also did a fair bit of electrical work, connecting sockets and moving the fuse box - but none of that is really visible. 

Plumbing tonight with the assistance of plumber-at-large and step father-in-law Pete the Leak. Yes, the nickname does inspire confidence. He didn’t bring any jubilee clips with him 🙄 so his help extended to half connecting the taps, pointing out two rather large errors (which I can rectify by buying some more hose and running it) and confirming everything else looked roughly right. 

He was scared of the electrics on the toilet, water heater, and pump so those are for me to figure out on my own. 

This is all impressive mafe. Well done with the cracking on with it and the determined approach. Hope you have a fantastic adventure to France is it?

[blutarsky]

6 hours ago, Jay Pee said:

This is all impressive mafe. Well done with the cracking on with it and the determined approach. Hope you have a fantastic adventure to France is it?

Yep, Folkestone to Calais on the 31st. Pressure’s on! 

[DirtyLurker]

@blutarskyyour kitchen area units are <chef's kiss> absolutely stirling work!

[blutarsky]

4 hours ago, DirtyLurker said:

@blutarskyyour kitchen area units are <chef's kiss> absolutely stirling work!

Thank you! Need some interiors, cupboard doors and drawers putting on mind you! 

[Pear_Cider]

On 7/21/2022 at 12:45 PM, blutarsky said:

Thank you! Need some interiors, cupboard doors and drawers putting on mind you! 

Never mind that, what about the important stuff!! Is your Glasto CV fields sticker in place yet? 😂