[rodma]

T5 knowledge kings... Just a quick one to see if anyone has any pointers to look for.. mechanically wise.. when checking out T5's. I'm looking around 5 years old maybe 100k on the clock, probably unconverted.. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Also I will probably selling my T4 pretty soon, full custom conversion, 195k, R reg, total bomber van, loads done mechanically, just looking to upgrade.. please keep in mind if your looking 

if you're looking to upgrade, why are you going for an inferior van 

[SA Chris]

Nothing apart from being produced by a bunch of deceitful bastards!

What engine you looking at? I've heard the 84BHP one is a bit sluggish, but can be improved with a remap. Ours is the 104 BHP and it runs well, but isn't shit of a stick fast like the 2.5. Be nice if it had a 6 speed box tbh.

Only prob we've had with ours is the remote key giving out and needing replacing a month outside of warranty.

Honest John is a good place for common faults

http://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/volkswagen/transporter-2003/?section=good

[Fultonius]

    New insurance = no breakdown cover...  (it used to be covered on our French insurance)

So, who covers old vans? It's a 1998.

[rodma]

   New insurance = no breakdown cover...  (it used to be covered on our French insurance)

So, who covers old vans? It's a 1998.

Asda breakdown cover, they also repatriate.

[tk421a]

Hey camping gurus, hope I'm posting in the right place
Looking for some reassurance or a whack over the head. 
I'm going road-trip climbing from August to October and February to April, mostly in the UK but also to Font or other euro destinations.
I'm likely to get hold of a family golf mk5 to use. I saw this, http://wonenineencamper.com/late-night-diy-40-euro-vw-golf-camper-early-morning-dieselgate/. Looks like a relatively quick job to get a flat platform, and I'm 5'9 so should fit.
Is sleeping in the back of that going to be miserable? I'm not planning on sleeping in it for many nights in a row, but want it to be a viable option if I go to Font for a few days for example.
What else would I need to do to make it more comfortable? Insulation on Windows. Camping light. Mattress topper or bouldering mats (not sure my Ocun dominator will fit lengthways, but organic full pad should be fine).

Thanks
Jeremy

P.s. I seem to have posted this on ukbouldering.net (which I got to via google), is that an old archived version of ukb?

[Ali]

   New insurance = no breakdown cover...  (it used to be covered on our French insurance)

So, who covers old vans? It's a 1998.

Brittania Rescue cover our older van. It's not cheap but covers us for any vehicle (UK only I think) and includes long trips abroad for the van. Have used it a couple of times over the years and service was good.

[SA Chris]

I'm likely to get hold of a family golf mk5 to use. I saw this, http://wonenineencamper.com/late-night-diy-40-euro-vw-golf-camper-early-morning-dieselgate/. Looks like a relatively quick job to get a flat platform, and I'm 5'9 so should fit.
Is sleeping in the back of that going to be miserable? I'm not planning on sleeping in it for many nights in a row, but want it to be a viable option if I go to Font for a few days for example.
What else would I need to do to make it more comfortable? Insulation on Windows. Camping light. Mattress topper or bouldering mats (not sure my Ocun dominator will fit lengthways, but organic full pad should be fine).

If you can afford it I would get something bigger, but if you are getting the car for cheap / free then needs must!

[205Chris]

Anyone got a drive away awning?

Looking to get one for my T5. Any recommendations? Current thinking would be a Vango airbeam.

[galpinos]

 I was too tight to pay for an inflatable one and now regret it. Mine is OK to put up, though a bit of a fight single handed in the rain but a total pain to take down without getting crushed. I've since used a friend's family camping tent with air poles and it knocks my awning into a cocked hat.

We have a Kampa Travel Pod mini. Our main concern was that it'd make the van feel enclosed so we're looking for one with a lot of windows and, despite my pitching whinge above, has been a really good buy. The extra space has been a god send with two kids and the ability to save a pitch and drive away is really handy.

They are a good buy but try to see it pitched so you get an idea of what you like. A couple we saw online were a bit rubbish in the flesh.

[lagerstarfish]

I used to have a Sunncamp Tourer drive away awning - spacious and really solid thanks to two poles that run along the length of the roof, great design

I could put it up fine on my own, but it took time

[galpinos]

My Kampa Travel Pod Mini:



Not quite on the scale of Larger's megatent.....

[lagerstarfish]

I notice that the Sunncamp Tourer is now available in an inflatable version

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sunncamp-Tourer-Motor-Air-335-Drive-Away-Motorhome-Awning-/201524536595?hash=item2eebcc6513:g:ookAAOSwYmZXMx7~

obviously not exactly what I had, but based on my experience of the previous awning and a HUGE Sunncamp tent that we have, I'm considering buying one (when I get some cash)

[cjsheps]

Does anyone have experience with running an older transit? I'm about to buy my friend's converted Connect off him, but I'm a bit hesitant to sink four grand (~all my savings) into a potential money pit. It's an '04 1.8 Diesel with ~60,000 miles.

I've noticed that you don't see many transits older than '05 on the road - am I going to have a lot of rust problems like I had with my '04 Ka?

Thanks in advance for the advice,

Chris.

[205Chris]

Cheers for the awning advice all. Went with a Vango airbeam one which will get put to the test at Y Not festival this weekend.

Changing the subject, does anyone know a good garage for VWs in the Sheffield area? My T5 is currently crunching into second 

[Paul B]

Autohaus Dolby (ring and speak to Matt).

[205Chris]

Anyone got any knowledge on solar power? I'm thinking more along the lines of a plug in unit to top up the leisure battery rather than a full blown roof mounted off the grid system.

[kelvin]

I actually bought a flexible 100w panel last year, I used to pop it outside the van on 5m cables on a rest day, or for an hour or so in the mornings. Aimed at the sun, it was amazing how much it could pull in. Rather than a Durite VSR, I bought a C-Tek Dual S for £150 ans that gave me the option to use a proper panel, as there is a MMPT controller built in. On the replacement van I bought this summer, I actually drilled the roof for the cables and stuck the panel on.
I think if you bother to get a 30w portable panel out of the van and aimed directly at the sun, moving it every half hour or so, you can gain a fair bit of power but if it's chucked on the dash and left for the day - it's anyone's guess what you'll pull in.

[kelvin]

Got a few more bits to do to mine yet, a burner being the main piece but it's almost there. Just needs to stop breaking down now...

[Bencil]

I'm going to Spain this winter and staying in the van (insulated vivaro.) Just wondering if it's worth getting a heater? Would probs go for a propex if needed.

[kelvin]

I'm going to Spain this winter and staying in the van (insulated vivaro.) Just wondering if it's worth getting a heater? Would probs go for a propex if needed.

I did last winter there without a heater quite happily, even in Albarracin. If you're further south like Chulilla, Costa Blanca, El Chorro - you'll be plenty warm enough.

[Motown]

Just about to buy a 2013 T5. Ex RAC so in a subtle orange but seems to be in good condition. Can anyone recommend an insurance company for it in its panel van status - some months away from camper status.

Initial compare the market quotations were around the £750 mark so if anyone knows of anything lower. No no claims bonus as been out the country for five years, but also, no other insurance ‘issues’.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Paul B]

Ring Brentacre:

http://www.brentacre.co.uk/

[Motown]

Thanks. Read about them in this thread but thought they might have been just for conversions. Thanks again.

[SA Chris]

Is it not Paul B's old one?

[highrepute]

We had our van insured as "will convert in 6 months" with Adrian Flux. I guess this might have made it cheaper.