[Ali]

We were given 6 months to convert by The Camping & Caravanning Club insurance (don't need to be a member). Cost was around £300 but that did include no claims discount

[El Mocho]

Looks like we have just committed to a van (at least I paid a deposit today...)

Transit Custom.

Not doing a full convert but going to do a few things. I'll look through this thread when I get chance but info on the following would be great if people have it handy...

Leisure battery - keen for this + more electrics in back - charging points (maybe for normal plugs as well??) extra lights in back. I'd be keen to do this myself/with a bit of help (in exchange for climbing gear)

Pop top roof - I like the look of the Austops roof, any other suggestions/info.

Whats current thinking on insulation? Both sound and heat? I used the wool type stuff on the old van years ago, just stuffed it into the cavities behind the panelling.

Pretty excited!

[SA Chris]

Eco wool with some of that double sided foil bubblewrap stuff to keep it in place.

[a13c]

Put some flashing tape in the middle of the panels under the insulation to deaden the noise. Made a huge difference to the road noise/vibrations when I was converting my t5.

[Teaboy]

Has anyone any experience of remapped camper vans, I'm principally interested in the difficulty and additional cost of insuring but also any pitfalls (asking in relation to a 2012 T5 which now produces 169bhp,no idea what it was originally).

Also, why are van engines generally so weedy in the first place? Is it to make the engines last longer?

[kelvin]

Has anyone any experience of remapped camper vans, I'm principally interested in the difficulty and additional cost of insuring but also any pitfalls (asking in relation to a 2012 T5 which now produces 169bhp,no idea what it was originally).

Also, why are van engines generally so weedy in the first place? Is it to make the engines last longer?

Lots of builder mates have done this, in various vans - the one issue for some of them is that the gearbox isn't able to cope with the extra power when the van is fully loaded.
If your camper is near the limit, I'd be cautious.

[a13c]

I had mine remapped to 160ish bhp, it's much nicer to drive now as it felt quite sluggish as a fully loaded camper. The economy is a little better, I get a similar mpg now driving everywhere at 70 as I used to (pre remap) driving at 60.
It made no difference to insurance costs which amazed me, 50% more power and no increase in cost...
You are correct they are underpowered to make the engine last longer.
My mechanic explained it as the remap will highlight any problems that were unnoticed at the original power output. Mine was fine for 6 months after the work then it blew a tappet and I needed a "top end rebuild" not cheap... I guess this was always waiting to happen but the lower output avoided it.
If I were to get another van I'd consider remapping to 140 ish, I gather this is a better compromise for power, engine life and economy.

[gme]

Has anyone any experience of remapped camper vans, I'm principally interested in the difficulty and additional cost of insuring but also any pitfalls (asking in relation to a 2012 T5 which now produces 169bhp,no idea what it was originally).

Also, why are van engines generally so weedy in the first place? Is it to make the engines last longer?

I would guess that it was originally 179bhp the same as my california on a 10 plate. I dont find mine weedy at all, far from it and i am not someone who plods about. I have never thought it needed more power even fully loaded with all the family and stuff.

[SA Chris]

Teaboy, to be clear, are you looking at buying one that has already been remapped?

[Teaboy]

Teaboy, to be clear, are you looking at buying one that has already been remapped?

Yes, it's a 2.0 TDI but no idea what it's original output was.

[Teaboy]

We have a VW T5.1 104bhp. Today we took it to get remapped and asked for 140bhp. They did it to 168bhp which I didn't want because of fears of it breaking stuff. They said they'd put it back down to 140 if we want but assured us there's negligible additional risk. Any thoughts on this? Anyone know if the 104 and 140 bhp T5 use the same parts (apparently the 170 uses two. turbos)

[Duncan campbell]

Looks like we have just committed to a van (at least I paid a deposit today...)

Transit Custom.

Not doing a full convert but going to do a few things. I'll look through this thread when I get chance but info on the following would be great if people have it handy...

Leisure battery - keen for this + more electrics in back - charging points (maybe for normal plugs as well??) extra lights in back. I'd be keen to do this myself/with a bit of help (in exchange for climbing gear)

Pop top roof - I like the look of the Austops roof, any other suggestions/info.

Whats current thinking on insulation? Both sound and heat? I used the wool type stuff on the old van years ago, just stuffed it into the cavities behind the panelling.

Pretty excited!

Relatively simple this sort of thing. I did it on my van earlier in the year. Think it gets tricky if your starter battery is in the engine bay. Mine is 7bder the drivers seat. Adding a 3 pin plug requires an inverter which eats battery juice.

I’m no genius but happy to help where I can/answer questions/etc.

Either get me on here or my girlfriend lives with Ryan and Maddie so I’m there when I’m not away working/Climbing

[tomtom]

We have a VW T5.1 104bhp. Today we took it to get remapped and asked for 140bhp. They did it to 168bhp which I didn't want because of fears of it breaking stuff. They said they'd put it back down to 140 if we want but assured us there's negligible additional risk. Any thoughts on this? Anyone know if the 104 and 140 bhp T5 use the same parts (apparently the 170 uses two. turbos)

I’ve limited knowledge on this (and none on vans) but the main hit is on the clutch/gearbox and secondly things like driveshafts/cv joints etc... other stuff like engine mounts might not like increased power too. BUT this is all very model specific.

Had a friend who’s Saab turbo was remapped to 275 - and it Ate the clutch regularly. It also made the torque steer pretty unpleasant.

I’d have thought that your conservative 140 was fairly sensible... might be worth googling if remapping affects the life of the DPF too - as that’s an expensive component to Screw up.

[andy_e]

Whats current thinking on insulation? Both sound and heat? I used the wool type stuff on the old van years ago, just stuffed it into the cavities behind the panelling.

I'd like to echo the mocho's question. Looking to insulate my Caddy Maxi (no ply yet). What's the 411 yo?

[andy_e]

Also, does anyone else have an ex-British Gas Caddy Maxi? Any hints and tips for the fit out would be decent!

[SA Chris]

Eco wool behind the panels seems to be the most common option. Easy to put in, won't make you itch putting in, or afterwards.

[andy_e]

I read somewhere that it rots easily though...

[SA Chris]

I think ours has been in for over 12 years, I've not seen any evidence.

[teestub]

I used this stuff https://www.dodomat.com/products/dodo-thermo-van-liner over a sound deadening layer.

[andy_e]

I think ours has been in for over 12 years, I've not seen any evidence.

Ha, fair enough!

I used this stuff https://www.dodomat.com/products/dodo-thermo-van-liner over a sound deadening layer.

Cheers Tim!

[SA Chris]

We don't sleep in  ours much though, if we did, there could be a lot more condensation and damp, so it might be a different story in another vehicle.,

[andy_e]

I used this stuff https://www.dodomat.com/products/dodo-thermo-van-liner over a sound deadening layer.

This dead mat stuff or something similar? https://www.dodomat.com/products/dodo-van-kit?_pos=3&_sid=12f4091b6&_ss=r

[teestub]

yeah looked similar to that.

[andy_e]

  ta

[andy_e]

Sorry, one more question... Did you put the sound deadening layer everywhere or just 50% coverage like the web page recommends?