DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
The paint on my work van comes up OK with a quick scrub, not detailed by any stretch of the imagination,it gets washed once a year when it's serviced !
The CycleChat White Van Driver/Owner Thread
- Thread starter fossyant
- Start date
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OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
The move to 'part time' camper is progressing. Boot based 'bed system' has been ordered from Van Gear and has a 3-4 week lead time. Two decent Thermarest self inflating mattresses ordered (significantly better than our current ones) and a full set of blinds. Just had delivered a simple awning (Easy Camp flex) which will be secured by a suction 'limpet' awning rail.
First outing as a 'camper' is in March. Going to Shell Island (very windy) with MrsF's friends from the swimming group (quite a few have T6's in various 'stages' of camper - one full camper, then the others generally have an airbed in the back). Two nights there and a third at Portmeirion's camper 'grounds' which includes admission to the 'village'.
First outing as a 'camper' is in March. Going to Shell Island (very windy) with MrsF's friends from the swimming group (quite a few have T6's in various 'stages' of camper - one full camper, then the others generally have an airbed in the back). Two nights there and a third at Portmeirion's camper 'grounds' which includes admission to the 'village'.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Are you planning an awningnof any kind Foss?
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Just this - silly price with additional 20% Didn't want anything more permanent at this stage (e.g. Fiamma)
https://www.blacks.co.uk/19664651/e...OMT6vrgFlelLD2Vl9nn5kdp_RnUfg8L0aAoZbEALw_wcB
We've got the 'Wiggle fire sale' Nordisk Tent and a 20sqm Nordisk tarp for longer camps.
The bed system is getting an update as Van Gear have just updated the T6 system
https://www.vangear.co.uk/products/...o3kyR8DChkvIqf3Sls51OJ-pxAjw1dqj-qA70b-z9sCRT
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I've got the Fiamma F43van and can highly recommend it. I also have the official Fiamma privacy room conversion which turns it into and easy set up enclosed awning. Not cheap, but superb quality.
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
The van had a run to the coast today. It's an incredible mile muncher on the motorway. Very comfy, radar cruise works very well, and then "bing bongs" when someone cuts in-front.. 'Take Control'. Lane departure just "bing bongs" you, no steering grab fortunately. No need to turn off any of the safety stuff.
You really have to watch the speed as a quick overtake has wafting speed gain very easily - a big bonus with the HUD. The big climb on the A55 after St Asaph was dispatched way easier than our previous cars - it just drags it's big heavy ass up the hill with no fuss and with lots of power in reserve - my wife's Qashqai needs a gear change to keep the speed up. No worries with our Wales trips then.
Plus side, big 4x4's can't intimidate you !
It rides well, even relatively empty (most vans are designed to ride well loaded, so empty can be a bit skittish) - certainly a big change from vans I've driven in the past, much more car quality ride. It's also not bad negotiating tight spaces - had to go down a few back streets with a 'police diversion' in place - so lots of traffic down tiny residential streets. Reverse parking is taking some practice, just because vision isn't as good as a car and it's massive but it's got a very useful camera system.
You really have to watch the speed as a quick overtake has wafting speed gain very easily - a big bonus with the HUD. The big climb on the A55 after St Asaph was dispatched way easier than our previous cars - it just drags it's big heavy ass up the hill with no fuss and with lots of power in reserve - my wife's Qashqai needs a gear change to keep the speed up. No worries with our Wales trips then.
Plus side, big 4x4's can't intimidate you !
It rides well, even relatively empty (most vans are designed to ride well loaded, so empty can be a bit skittish) - certainly a big change from vans I've driven in the past, much more car quality ride. It's also not bad negotiating tight spaces - had to go down a few back streets with a 'police diversion' in place - so lots of traffic down tiny residential streets. Reverse parking is taking some practice, just because vision isn't as good as a car and it's massive but it's got a very useful camera system.
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Sadly mine has no camera - that might be something I rectify when the weather warms up. It has sensors but they're annoying. Beep...Beep...Beep...and then with seemingly plenty of room left it suddenly rams on the autonomous braking.
Meanwhile I've been cunning. I painted a small white dot on the wall of the house so when I reverse on I need only line it up with the passenger door mirror to know I've parked proper like.
Mine isn't a ball of lightning, but probably still quicker than a typical small car so no problems keeping up. On the motorway it trolls along well and at legal speeds gives me 44mpg which is most agreeable. It's very comfortable with captains chairs up front, and also feels quite light and car like with electric power steering.
Even by van standards the seating position is quite high, and you feel like a voyeur peering into the cabs of 7.5t diddy wheelers as we overtake them.
Meanwhile I've been cunning. I painted a small white dot on the wall of the house so when I reverse on I need only line it up with the passenger door mirror to know I've parked proper like.
Mine isn't a ball of lightning, but probably still quicker than a typical small car so no problems keeping up. On the motorway it trolls along well and at legal speeds gives me 44mpg which is most agreeable. It's very comfortable with captains chairs up front, and also feels quite light and car like with electric power steering.
Even by van standards the seating position is quite high, and you feel like a voyeur peering into the cabs of 7.5t diddy wheelers as we overtake them.
Jameshow
Veteran
How heavy are the seats? Are they individual?
The T5 caravelle bench is a real dog to get in and out so you end up not doing it.
Re the adblue only but from garages where the turn over is quick, buying from b+q or similar it maybe hanging around and not good for your dpf so I'm told.
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
The two middle 'captain seats' aren't too heavy (should be OK to lift out of the van). The 'table system is easy to move and switch round. To un-clip from the rail, it's fold down back rest, pull the big red handle and then tip the seat froward, and it just comes out of the rail. I was then able to rotate them 180 back to facing forward. Didn't try and lift at the moment with my dodgy hip/pelvis.
The rear bench is split one and a two seater. I believe the two seater is a two person job to get out, but I suspect lighter than a 3 person bench.
The two captains seats have a seatbelt built in. The two and one, uses belts attached at the side of the van, and one attached in the middle of the two seater. The good thing is, there are built in belts in the rear and middle, so the bench seat isn't limited to the back. It can be in the middle of the van. The two singles can be anywhere ! My wife fancies just the two singles leaving in when camping and the table due to them being able to face backwards or forwards.
Looks like even with the bed fitted and in-place, there will be enough space at the end for the porta potty for night time calls.
I'll remember to only get the ad-blue from the garage - it has a limited shelf life anyway (I believe). I'm tempted to use the Wynns ad-blue additive that stops crystallisation as the van isn't going to be high mileage.
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Today I've been routing the coax for my 2/70 transceiver. Almost there but coudn't stand the cold much longer, and when it started to snow I binned it off.
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
TV signal or solar power ? Bit techy for me
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Ham radio.
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I've just plumped for an Anker Solix 800 Plus with camping lights and a solar panel. It should easily run the Halfords fridge for 3 days when we are off grid. We've managed 3 days in summer with ice blocks with it - just. It will also power the battery charger should I ever leave stuff on in the van, but from what I can see, it powers down all the lights after a few minutes.
