Sorry, one more question... Did you put the sound deadening layer everywhere or just 50% coverage like the web page recommends?
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!
Quick background. Intended use: daily commute (10 miles / 25 minutes each way), regular weekend climbing trips and a couple of fortnight trips to Europe each year for me and my girlfriend.My priorities: economy / low emissions (the environment innit), the ability to leave it idling in a car park for 45 minutes without being advised of dickish behaviour (that one isn't serious).Valuing economy has pushed me towards a caddy maxi or similar. So the crux of it is, will regularly sleeping in such a van be a pain in the ass? Will I regret not getting something the next size up (like a Peugeot expert or Nissan nv200 for example)? Obviously getting something larger will compromise the economy but am I trying to go too far in the direction of sacrificing the comfort of larger vans?My second question is about how much to spend. Given that electric vans currently do not have adequate range, what is the risk of this changing in the next five years and diesel becoming obsolete to the point that anything I buy today will depreciate in value much faster than expected? Obviously I don't want to spend loads on something that has completely lost its value in five years time.
Sleeping across the van seems like sh*t beta to me. I'm far from the tallest person but having a bed that was compromised (my Ford Econoline thing) was really annoying. Two mates recently fitted their bed across their van and after the first weekend of use changed it.
Thanks for your replies guys.Stuart: what's your experience of space to cook or hang out if it's wet? Nice and cosy or intolerably claustrophobic?
We’ve got a berlingo with a boot jump. Bennett’s description of car camping has some truth to it, but is too pessimistic for a small van with a good setup. The table and chairs setup allows you to cook simple meals indoors if it’s foul, or in low wind you can cook under the tailgate in the worst of weather.
Going to try the impossible. Describe a 3d layout... ...I should have just uploaded a picture.
Pessimistic? I've never been called that before In all honesty I'd imagine Reeve would be far more positive about the compromises involved.
We could/did cook underneath the tailgate etc. but as Stu mentioned, in general you'll find yourself moving stuff around to get to other things (especially if you take a pad for any reason). Even with a welded platform bed, there wasn't much headroom (it's a balance between storage/foam/headroom) and ours didn't have any way of spinning the passenger seat so this was somewhat wasted space. Even a T4 sized vehicle feels fairly cramped if the weather is sh*te.
For us, and for regular weekend use and a couple of weeks abroad each year, it’s perfect. You’re welcome to have a gander if you like.
Absolutely everything ive read, and from everyone i know that has campervans, and has changed them on logbook, understand it to be down to what its classed as on logbook. So campervan class is 70mph.
In the UK, according to The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, motor caravans are subject to the same speed limits as passenger cars unless they exceed 3050kg unladen weight.The Act also states that “motor caravan” has the same meaning as in Regulation 2(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1979.In this Regulation it states: ' “motor caravan” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users'
Quote from: Adam Lincoln on September 24, 2020, 01:19:13 pmAbsolutely everything ive read, and from everyone i know that has campervans, and has changed them on logbook, understand it to be down to what its classed as on logbook. So campervan class is 70mph.But there is no "campervan class"