I'm a junior in IT so I've not got a lot of money. I am an outdoorsman and mountain biking and hiking were always my hobbies, till an accident took me out of mountain biking forever.
Yesterday I viewed and brought a small transit connect van converted to a camper.
It has a gas burner with two rings, fridge, heater, sink, work surface, a bed with storage underneath, two rear windows tinted, one side window tinted a sliding door and curtain covering the cab. Even has a tow bar.
I've learnt that baby wipes can sit in place of a shower for at least one day if the need is there. I actually tested this today while doing grocery shopping on my bicycle and don't stink after having used them.
You can't just buy a van, put a mattress in it and expect to be accepted with welcome arms to every camp park.
I'm hoping the van will allow me to extend a hiking weekend and save a little money when going to events. Heck, even being able to make a hot cup of coffee after a hike with a friend might be a welcome blessing
Questions.
Poop is my biggest issue if I choose a site without flushable loos. I've discovered non-flushable toilets with the correct bags for them. How or where do you dispose of it though since I won't always be in a site where I can use their toilets, etc. If I can, I'll use proper toilets but I think I need to understand this thing first.
Cooking. My van is small and there is no heat shield around the cooking area. The cooker does not tilt outside of the van so any cooking or at the least boiling water concerns me for fear of damaging the vans roof. I don't want to damage the inside of the van. I presume they have been used, but have seen other, bigger vans with heat shields.
Sleeping. Duvet or sleeping bag? Does it get cold in the van, there is a seperate diesel, silent heater, but I don't think its probably safe to have this on while sleeping. Should I have the windows open a crack to keep some air circulation and is the van likely to get condensation if they're closed? I've read this can be an issue.
My 3 windows are tinted, but should I put something else up for privacy. There is no window bed side.
Some solar panels for charging look like a worthwhile investment in the future, but do they work in cloudy UK when it's not sunny?
I think that's all I can think of for now. This van is slow, but is the best thing I've ever bought.
Thanks for any information you're able to provide. I've got a busy few weeks coming up, but will try and keep an eye on the topic.
In order of questions raised.
1. I have one of those bottle type pee containers they dish out in hospitals; an attachment converts to female use for the wife. No2 is another matter.
2. You don't mention a pop up roof so I assume the van doesn't have one. You could try some blotting paper at a convenient distance whilst cooking to see if any staining occurs.
3. We use a duvet but two sleeping bags are OK if you have a partner.
Any van can get cold inside but if you have a partner it's far less a problem !We have a diesel cooker/heater which when used for warming up the van, we only use the heater if one or both are awake, so don't know if as window open is needed. I guess not compared with gas heating (using diesel).
4. By using the bay of e, we found a full set of magnetic thermal blinds cut to the shape of our windows for our model of van (NV200). Excellent choice.
5. Solar panels are brilliant, especially if you don't have access to hook up. Great for wild camping.
Anyway good luck in your endeavours.
For your toilet needs get a Porta Potti. This. Buy from any camping/caravanning shop like Go Outdoors. Keep in in your van. it won't leak or smell.. You put a bit of blue toilet chemical in the waste tank to neutralise contents & pink toilet chemical in the top flush tank.
For one person it should go 3 days before it needs emptying. On a campsite there will be a toilet tip. Otherwise you could empty it down any public toilet or at last resort dig a hole in ground & bury contents. It's bio degradable.
I would fit wind deflectors they allow you to leave the door windows partially open for ventilation even when it's raining.
If you want a solar panel you will need a leisure battery, depending on what you want to power you may not need a solar panel you can charge the battery with a split charge relay using the vans alternator.
Washing up bowl, soap, flannel and baby wipes, we managed 3 days at the shows in a panel van without a shower... just remember to take the deodorant.
I can't add an awful lot, but would agree that a small 'Porta potti' is the way to go. If you look at many small van conversions, they will have one tucked away discretely in a cupboard.
Windows - not only privacy, but for a bit of extra insulation too, you might add curtains.
You don't mention EHU, and if you don't already have it, it might be worth considering. What sort of lighting do you have? If you do not have a leisure battery and a split charge relay, I'd invest them soon. Use LED lights for their low power consumption.
Other than that, I hope you have a great time with your van.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Hi,
Everything has been covered ,but if you know any laggers or fabricators they might knock you up some heat shields for your cooker out of off cuts on the cheap.
Also don't forget a smoke alarm.
Enjoy your van.
Regards,
Greg
Some, but certainly not all Solar Panels will charge with out sunlight. If it is for yourself only, one double duvet will be enough, 1/3 of it underneath you, and 2/3rd of it over the top of you. Always a cotton cover. Check out, or get someone to do it for you...The gas fittings / pipework. Greg said smoke alarm, you should get a Co2 one also as you have gas and diesel for heat. You should check the lowest parts of your van for drain holes for the venting, gas being heavier than air. Curtains will help to keep the van a little warmer, BUT the insulated screens are better.
You are correct some sites do not accept commercial vans, even pulling a caravan. The windows will be fine, and anything like electric hook up point on the outside will show that you are in a camper. ENJOY.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Hello, excited with questions.
