LFGSS Camper Van owners?

Ah, pop tops get blown off in high winds?

Not recommended to use them in v. high winds (>60 mph), no, although you can back the van to the wind and take your chances. Also it is like sleeping in a washing machine in terms of noise.

All depends on what your plans for use are, of course.

I was thinking of the pop top as “instant tent”, with the van as storage and living space (if cold and wet).

Still leaves the question of where the bikes go, unless they can be left securely locked to the VW rack that goes on the boot hatch- is that secure enough?

Depends on your bike. It is as secure as any other outdoor locking mechanism, but I don't think the VW rack comes with any integral locking as opposed to roof racks or towbar racks. You can't open the boot with bikes on the VW rack either so it is a pain in the arse if you have anything you need to get to (stoves etc.).

I had actually started thinking of a little trailer as Pivot/Bernard Kerr uses. I guess that makes it easy to steel all the bikes at once however.

My thinking, before "high winds" entered the conversation, was that a T5 Kombi with a pop-top fitted was closest to what I'd want, as something that was mainly transport but could (essentially) erect a tent to sleep in when needed.

When money is not an issue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L738C6f3mLs&ab_channel=MattJones

Yes, that's probably six times as much money as I'd want to spend.

I'm busy converting a Renault Master into a camper van to live in. I expected it to be a lot of work but I still underestimated it haha

3 Attachments

hey Albb, you could look at a VW Caddy and convert it?

Are you planning to insulate ?

Yep the floor and walls are already insulated. The ceiling will be done too but first I wanted to install roof fan and a solar panel which is nearly done

1 Attachment

Very cool

Looks awesome!

looks great but is that bed not way too short? Ot is it just the angle of the photo?

I'm in the process of buying a Transit Connect with my partner to kit out for next year's adventures and in full research mode at the minute and wanted to say thank you to everyone posting on this thread! It's really encouraging for newcomers seeing others' projects.

It's my first conversion and we're on a tight budget, so we'll be keeping it super simple (battery lights, hand pump for water etc). I want to work hard on it to make the finish really nice, even if the materials are modest.

If anyone has any surplus materials they want to shift (wood, insulation, fittings etc) then please give me a shout!

That inside photo is taken with a wide angle lens! The bed is 200cm and the space between the bed and the back of the seats about 120cm

All about the sub-24hr adventures at the moment. Chips in Whitstable and a bracing walk along the coast. Kipped by the sea on Sheppy and back home in time to feed the cat.

3 Attachments

A pump for tap isnt expensive. Maybe 50quid with actuator also. Worth the cost imo.

He probably doesn't want to take the risk of draining his start battery

Yeah fair enough. Just making the point that I was surprised buy how little having a running tap cost in the overall scope.

thanks. I like the setup... seems simple and practical.

No camping, plenty of exploring though

2 Attachments

Mine uses I think a couple of amps and will empty the bottle in 4 minutes, so 0.133 Amp hours max.

Of course camper electrics is a massive rabbit hole so any restraint is admirable.

Leisure battery doesn’t appear to be recharging properly while I’m driving. Any good pointers for trouble shooting? Only got about half an hour of one small light being on before the low battery warning light clicked on.

The power supply is all factory from the motor home fitters that originally built the van so would hope it’s all relatively straightforward and not some crazy diy affair.