So the van is at last mostly complete! We have had our first few nights out, and she is very comfortable. We will deffinetly be buying a drive away awning though to enlarge our space and to ensure we don't get too stuffy inside in the summer..
We have some rough edges to tidy up such as the side of the table obviously, and some other holes in the chassis, the rear doors are still uncovered (might just be painted), and it needs a little more storage. We've got a load more of those little net compartments that are great for holding phones and nick backs, phone charger cables, battery isolator keys, etc etc.
The table was made from a piece of kitchen work surface I found onsite where I work, and then a small wooden frame made with quite cheap wood from B&Q, as I didn't want anything too heavy. It has been screwed in so it doesn't move, but is easily removed to use the van as a van.
Sadly I still haven't put enough into the van to be able to take pictures, send to the DVLA and change it to a converted camper. Still need a sink and tanks, a window (which is why I left the sliding door as it is for easy window installation).
Apparently a common problem with Renault Traffics, Nissan Primastars and Vauxhall Vicars is the EGR Valves. (These vans are all the same minus the badge). I found this out the hard way when the van turned itself off in a McDonalds drive thru. It was just like the key had been turned off. Embarrassingly, I had no choice but to knock on the window that I had just ordered from, as the lady had disappeared. Eventually three guys came and pushed me out, and then one guy came and handed me my order whilst I tried a few things I thought may be the problem and called the AA. Turns out the EGR was blocked and sticky. The AA man smacked the valve with the bottom of a can of Easy Start spray, sprayed some in whilst I turned the key, and she burst into life! After that I removed it and cleaned it, quite well I thought, but sadly to no avail. It stopped a few more times, and I saved myself by smacking it with a readily available hammer in the back. After some research it was decided it n...
So, the van we decided on. We went for a Renault Trafic, to keep size down and ease of parking up. As its also the first conversion, we decided on short wheel base and low roof. Keeping it basic, we decided we could also buy an awning type thing to extend our home from home by the side door. You'll have to excuse the bad picture, my car was the victim of number plate cloning recently and I'm not taking any chances now! It's a nice size van to begin with, assuming we get it right, then maybe that opens up to a larger van eventually. We paid £1150 for it, but with very little history for it. Only came with a few invoices etc. The biggest reason we bought it was because of the new clutch and reconditioned engine, both put in recently, and with paperwork to go with it. Because of this, the first thing I set about doing was to service it completely. New oil, new oil filter, new fuel filter, new air filter, new pollen filter. We then had to spend a little more money on ...
Comments
Post a Comment