As this year's season is drawing to a close for me personally, having just completed the last planned trip, and may not take the van out again unless schedules allow and the weather conditions favourable, I thought I should write a reflection of the first year as the proud owner of my PVC.
In no particular order...
Since taking ownership of my van, delayed from September 2020 due to Covid-19, I have stayed 34 nights in 8 different sites in England.
All the issues with the van apart from one have been identified and addressed, with the remaining issue to be addressed in mid-November 2021.
Young Conversions has been brilliant in addressing the issues as soon as they were identified, and there had been a few. Robbie Young allegedly has not fully recovered from this conversion which was their most complicated and challenging to date!
The highlight of the year is undoubtedly the day I took ownership of my van in March 2021, to have a van designed and built to my specifications, as a van for work, rest and play.
Only a couple of design ideas could not be incorporated into my van, namely a flyscreen in the cargo door opening, and a canopy over the back doors when I cook if the weather is foul. I got by without them just fine.
The only thing I might add, is to have an external MiFi for better connection to the internet when I am out and about, so that I can continue to work if required.
Instead of forking out over 400 GBP or more for 5G ready version of mobile WiFi, I bought a standalone MiFi hub from Three instead, as a back up to EE coverage. I found mobile signal blackholes still exist, especially in the rural countryside near or in a forest.
I have learnt to check WiFi availability and mobile phone signal coverage as part of my due diligence when checking out a prospective site.
Emptying the chemical toilet is definitely not something I look forward to doing on a regular basis. However, it is very handy to have an onboard toilet especially when it was raining cats and dogs late at night.
Aquaroll and Wastemaster were handy for trips when I did not need to go out again once I have arrived on site, as it meant I did not have to pack and tidy everything away so frequently just to go and empty the grey waste tank or fill up with fresh water. I found having to tidy the van before driving off tiresome as I am not naturally a tidy person.
I shall remember not to pack in so much driving around visiting friends on a trip, to allow at least a couple of days to stay on the site just to chill and do nothing.
I have yet to go off grid, however, I did stay at a site with just 6A EHU. It meant I was not able to boil the kettle or use the hob or oven on high or use the immersion heater. I could possibly use the air con on heating mode, however, I did not try.
I boiled water using a saucepan to make coffee, and watched what I was using on the power meter in the kitchen when I was cooking so as not to trip the EHU.
The van is equipped with a diesel heater and hot water system, and I had sufficient fuel for both during my 3-night stay.
Hardstanding pitch is a must early and late in the season, and no matter how careful I was, mud would still get in, not helped by the dog for certain!
The low point was probably the death of my beloved first dog. He lived long enough to come with me to camp in our favourite site in April 2021 less than a month before he died of old age. He was the reason why I started to go camping as my main holiday format. Losing him was a real blow, however, I would like to believe he had enjoyed his time with me and the camping trips we had through the years.
Bean the new dog has settled in well, and enjoyed camping, being out and about with me. He has chewed a few things in the van, however, he is still a puppy, so he is forgiven as I blame myself for allowing him the opportunities to chew them!
The retractable canopy was good in the days when it was sunny. However, I would definitely peg in down securely in case of gusty winds, and would only leave it out when I could be certain of light winds only, similar to what I would do with a tarp.
I learnt something new during my very last trip, in that when the end of the hose is smooth and flat, placed at the bottom of the Aquaroll which is also flat and smooth, water flow is greatly reduced!
I discovered this when the water pump struggled to suck water from the Aquaroll for my morning shower. I checked and could not see any kink in the hose, however, when I lifted the hose slightly from the bottom, the flow improved! So I cut the end of the hose at an angle so that it no longer sits flat against the bottom of the Aquaroll, result!
Part of the decal in the front has started to peel, and it will be replaced when I can spare a day to go up to Milton Keynes for it to be replaced by the company who carried out the work.
It has definitely been a season of trial and error.
Going forward, I am planning to stress-test the leisure batteries, to see how long they will last without being re-charged, to see if I could go off-grid for a couple of days. I already have a Cobb, and may carry a suitcase stove too for cooking.
All in all, a very eventful year.
And it may not have finished!
I have provisionally booked to stay on my favourite site in Dorset in the days between the Bank Holidays later this year, providing the weather is dry with light winds only.
I shall pay more attention to the weather - if schedule allows and the weather is nice (as in dry with light winds only), then I shall take the van out to go camping not too far from home, just for a change of scenery.
Finally, thanks to the UKCS community with your advice and encouragement, which is much appreciated.
Happy camping in whatever outfit you have, and thanks for readin!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Sounds like you have had a very good time this year.
We have spent quite a good deal of our time in Lincolnshire.
So spacious and no children on site.
Dorset, up until covid had been our place to go to for at least 4 years.
When you mentioned Wareham Train Station it made me think of the (when you are old enough for a bus-pass) picking up people at the station. And travelling for free all along the Dorset coast. We did Monkey World etc. Never cost a thing other than the entry fee. Swanage for Fish 'n' Chips on the beach. It made me want to be there now.
Glad you are getting to grips with the van, if I were you I would use it a little during the winter as well if you can get a spot of dry weather.
Enjoy it. Thanks for the details.
It's good to take the 'van out for day trips to scenic places. Maybe have a walk, then maybe get some takeaway food and just relax in the 'van. We do this at the seaside. Gives the 'van a run too.
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 25/10/2021
It's good to take the 'van out for day trips to scenic places. Maybe have a walk, then maybe get some takeaway food and just relax in the 'van. We do this at the seaside. Gives the 'van a run too.
I belong to a local V-dub club, and they have a monthly meeting up around the county, and am planning to join them if schedule allows.
And yes to giving the van a run, in my diary to do this every week, as I don't like to risk the van's 12V battery to die as it would be a pain to call out the AA to jump start it.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quite an adventure, but plenty more positives than negatives it seems.
I get the impression you have no regrets, despite your previous adoration of all things canvas!
Sadly, not the best timing of course, when considering Borda's part in all this, but thankfully he at least had the opportunity to give van life a little go before he scampered off, and of course, he took all those wonderful canvas-based memories he shared with you, with him.
New van... new camping buddy... and having personally met Bean back in September... as well as being gifted a grand tour of the fantastic van... I get the impression there's still plenty of wonderful new memories for the two of you to build up over the coming years.
... And he can always come and stay with Uncle Mucker and Auntie Muckerette for a few days, if he fancies some proper camping himself!
Last but not least, I'd like to thank you for your very interesting, entertaining, and informative posts over the past year or so. A learning curve for you certainly, but some truly handy hints, tips, and wise words for the rest of us to digest. Many of whom may well take a similar route some time in the future, and will be far better informed purely because of your selflessly well documented experience(s).
It was a privilege to have met you back in September... but that didn't surprise me. I kind of knew it would be!
Thanks again... and here's to many more van based adventures, for many more years to come!
Thanks Mucker for your kind words and encouragement.
It was great to meet up with you and Muckerette at long last after bantering via UKCS all these years!
It was a shame that you did not meet Borda, however, I am certain he was with us in spirit up across the Rainbow Bridge.
Bean is going to get a very nice birthday present when he is 1yo in January 2022, hopefully it will calm him down a bit!
Hope to meet up with you some time next year, may with another Karsten owner too.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 28/10/2021
Ooh! Only just realised... Did you name your dog after her?
Eh, no! Bean is not purple!!!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: First Year Report
He lived long enough to come with me to camp in our favourite site in April 2021 less than a month before he died of old age. He was the reason why I started to go camping as my main holiday format. Losing him was a real blow, however, I would like to believe he had enjoyed his time with me and the camping trips we had through the years. 
