[Paul B]

One thing......what exactly is a 'rock n roller' bed? Just a fold away hinged type thing or something mre clever? 

Pretty much, the original ones had fancy hinges.

[SA Chris]

Nice, Ritchie. I think it's a seat that can fold down to form a bed? Unless you were planning on carrying passengers in the back, I would just build a bed platform, what I have seen most people do with vans that size, and have storage space underneath it.

[lagerstarfish]

Good morning campervanners!

Came accross this site http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/
usefull stuff on the forums if you are visiting a new area and want to find a quiet spot to park up in for the night without shelling out for campsite fees.

[butters]

Having trawled through the thread I can not find the answer I am looking for so I will ask here.

Been looking through Auto Trader with the intent of buying a van but could anyone shed light on the situation regarding VAT as a private buyer? Is this still payable or not as I assume that the usual scenario would be to buy as a VAT registered company and then claim this back - something that is not a possibility in my case?

Any knowledge on this greatly appreciated as it has a direct bearing on how much I can spend in the near future on the van.

Cheers guys

bluebrad

[soapy]

unless you are VAT registered then yes, you'll have to pay the price plus VAT, eg £10,000 + £1,750 = £11,750


So, sharpen your negotiating skill and get at least 17.5% off the advertised price

[SA Chris]

Any good ideas for insurance?

We are buying as a van, but will be converting later in the year. The only insurance company that will insure before and after is hellishly dear. Insuring it as a van before, then cancelling insurance and insuring as a camper afterwards appears to be cheaper?

[lagerstarfish]

We are also able to provide full cover for camper conversions and self-conversion projects based on almost any vehicle, including cover for vans or coaches in the process of being converted.

from Adrian Flux website

[Drewski Rootbitch]

Try MCIA
http://www.lifesure.co.uk/motorcaravan.php
This is who I used for years. They have a phone line where you can talk to a real British person (maybe a girl if you're lucky).
And the European cover doesn't expire after 30 days and costs (me) £82 a year (including Britain).

[SA Chris]

We are also able to provide full cover for camper conversions and self-conversion projects based on almost any vehicle, including cover for vans or coaches in the process of being converted.

from Adrian Flux website

Was my first PoC. They are just a broker, and didn't come up with much reasonable. Will try (Y)MCIA. Apparently they make real your dreams?

[Paul B]

AF always seem to promise more than they can deliver imo.

[SA Chris]

Van heating;

Had one of these recommended to take the chill off when camping in winter (van is going to be insulated anyway).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Gaz-Campingaz-BlueCat-Heater/dp/B000ZJ97C8

Catalytic heater, so no flame etc.

Recommended? Any alternatives?

[Bubba]

Any good ideas for insurance?

Apparently the National Farmers Union can be good for insuring vans, but not sure if it is classed as a camper.

[soapy]

Van heating;

Had one of these recommended to take the chill off when camping in winter (van is going to be insulated anyway).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Gaz-Campingaz-BlueCat-Heater/dp/B000ZJ97C8

Catalytic heater, so no flame etc.

Recommended? Any alternatives?

carbon monoxide poisoning ahoy unless you're properly ventilated


i'd have one of these

[SA Chris]

Would be ventilated.

Not too keen on one of those without several leisure batteries.

[Bubba]

One of these would be great, but they're expensive: http://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/products.htm

[SA Chris]

well the van now has proper windows in, hoping to have it done for Xmas!

http://www.vwt4conversions.com/page17.htm

[SA Chris]

unless you are VAT registered then yes, you'll have to pay the price plus VAT, eg £10,000 + £1,750 = £11,750

Our van just got £400 more expensive than if we had bough it now

No amount of crystal ball peering would have predicted it though.

[SA Chris]

Any advice on security? We have got a Cat 2 factory fitted immobiliser as standard, getting an upgrade to Cat 1 makes very little difference on insurance, and doubt it will stop anyone breaking in. Short of replacing al windows with bulletproof glass, not sure ewhat else can be done. Got a "safe" fitted.

[Bubba]

Think I said this back on an early page but a barrier deadlock system is going to be the best bet to stop it being nicked. Nothing will stop it being broken into if it has windows.

[SA Chris]

Sorry, hadn't seen mention if it before Just googled it and this came up;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/732669.stm

[Bubba]

Ouch, scrap that then - last time I researched these (when I had a Scooby) they were considered foolproof.

The other thing I used to get fitted to the Scoobs was Clifford Blackjax. It's an anti-carjacking device but just adds another level of protection.

BlackJax5
Anti-Carjacking and Vehicle Self Recovery System

BlackJax is Clifford's unique anti-carjacking response system that puts personal safety first while using innovative advancements to ensure that users can recover the vehicle themselves. If an armed car thief approaches - whether at a stop light or in a parking lot (where most carjackings occur) - immediately turn over the keys and remote and let Clifford technology take over.
Fully automatic: No buttons or transmitters to push when a gun is involved. Just get away from the vehicle. Quick response: BlackJax allows the criminal to drive away a safe distance. Then, a few seconds later, BlackJax blares the siren and flashes the lights to alert other drivers and witnesses. It then pulses down the ignition system to safely force the vehicle to slow to a complete stop. Siren blaring and lights flashing, unable to restart the engine, the carjacker has no choice but to abandon the vehicle.       
Immediate vehicle self-recovery: With the vehicle immobilized a short distance away, the owner can recover it. No special tracking units, monthly fees or per-use charges. Just follow the sound of the BlackJax siren, then enter the PIN code. That's it - it's sabotage-proof. The only way to turn off BlackJax is with a secret user-selectable PIN code. If the carjacker tries guessing codes at random, BlackJax actively ignores his code entries for the next few minutes.

[SA Chris]

A similar thing was developed in South Africa. A friend of mine designed one that included a tear gas canister aimed at the drivers head and hidden behind the visor, but the company he sent the designs to were concerned about it being triggered accidentally, as well as would be thieves being in danger of having the living shit kicked out them while incapacitated. Officially that was their line anyway.

Fortunately Scotland is not known for car-jackings.

[soapy]

armaplate lock covers are a cheap passive deterrent

[galpinos]

A friend is trying to fit some seatbelts in to the rear of his old VW camper. He's got a standard rear conversion, so needs to add an upright on the cupboard side.

Has anyone any knowledge on where he could source an upright or know anyone in the North East who could do it or sell him the bits?

[account_inactive]

From what I gather he could just fit lap belts rather than 3 point ones and still be within the law.  Otherwise it's a bit of a grey area with regards to mods and the tests (or lack of)