What did you do to your van today?

DrewFix said:
Took lots of pics, inside & out of our self build camper. Then printed the best ones out, added the necessary paperwork to change vehicle type to Motor Caravan. All posted off to DVLA.
Fingers crossed šŸ¤ž
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Be very interesting what result you get. This process used to be very straightforward then some time back - around 7 years or so? - suddenly it all changed without warning or public consultation And it doesn't really matter that you have ticked every box required to what result you get.
This is a key part of the response from a FOI request in 2019 which 'explains' the reason why the reclassifications plummeted....
".... DVLA has reviewed the use of the body type descriptor ā€˜motor caravanā€™ in conjunction with the Police to ensure it accurately describes vehicles externally. The Police fully support the ā€˜reasonableness testā€™ and are of the opinion that if a vehicle is not first registered as a motor caravan or does not have a custom coach built body, it should not be described as a ā€˜motor caravanā€™."​

There has been a slight backtracking on this, and seemingly when an individual gets some person of influence and recognition involved, such as their MP, but never returned anywhere close to the situation pre 2019. I was fortunate that my reclassifications were before this change.

So best of luck, Drewfix, and fingers crossed, but if you do get knocked back, don't be disheartened that it is something you did wrong.
 
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Today's 'To Do' List is to empty the tanks, and empty the interior as far as possible in preparation for the trip to David @wildebus for Monday/Tuesday. Upgraded Lithium, B2B, extra Solar Panel, Portable Solar Panels system, replace USB- A with combined USB-A/USB-C sockets and replace the bathroom sink tap, plus any other tidying up and/or David's speciality solution [to my speciality question, 'Is there anything that could be done to solve X whilst we have the electrical systems in bits?'], 'Of course, what you could do is ...' :ROFLMAO:

Then, after we get back home, the final stripping out of the redundant kit/'just in case' stuff because the payload will just about be fully utilised

Steve
 
I was tidying up the van a little bit and looking for the best route to fit another internal security camera cable yesterday. Moved a box in a top cupboard and came across another croissant :)
Found two now in the last week that I had forgotten about
1772791107746.png
The interesting (to me, anyway :D ) thing is that I estimate these to be around 7 months old. But they show no sign of any mould and are still soft when you press on the top.
How can they be like this when a fresh crossiant from a bakers goes either hard or green within a couple of days? And surely if these (from LIDL, by the way) are still like this after 7 months, eating this kind of food must be good for prolonging your own life?
 
7 deg C out there so pumped all tyres, cold, up to 58 psi. They were all over after winter.
I normally aim for 60psi in warmer temps so that should be ok. Will be interesting to see if tpms agrees when I next take her out
K :rolleyes:
 
marchie said:
Today's 'To Do' List is to empty the tanks, and empty the interior as far as possible in preparation for the trip to David @wildebus for Monday/Tuesday. Upgraded Lithium, B2B, extra Solar Panel, Portable Solar Panels system, replace USB- A with combined USB-A/USB-C sockets and replace the bathroom sink tap, plus any other tidying up and/or David's speciality solution [to my speciality question, 'Is there anything that could be done to solve X whilst we have the electrical systems in bits?'], 'Of course, what you could do is ...' :ROFLMAO:

Then, after we get back home, the final stripping out of the redundant kit/'just in case' stuff because the payload will just about be fully utilised

Steve
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You got lucky with the battery! It arrived last week and I wanted to order another and they are out of stock now until May :(
 
Shower packed up during last year trip, while I could hear micro switch clicking, pump did not engage. Ended up using the new toilet sink tap with pull out hose and head that can be turned shower setting at tap outlet. Not as good as the actual shower though. When parked in the middle of no where with no one around, we used the outside shower :oops: :giggle:

Anyhooooooo, best to start under sink, far easier than stripping out shower cubicle. Traced wires to shower cubicle tap, with shower tap open (no water in tank) the male/female connector engaged the pump while wiggling connector around. checking M/F pins, I could see no reason why there is this intermittent connection?

Cables cut at M/F ends, then connected using trusty chocolate block. All good, pump activates when asked.
 
Removed NSF brake calliper and popped out pistons as the NSF brake was sticking again so decided further investigation was required.
Found the bore of one side of caliper had rusted inbetween the outer rubber boot and the inner seal.
Removed seals, removed corrosion and washed everything out then rebuilt with plenty of red brake assembly grease between the 2 seals so it wont happen again.
Fitted set of new front brake pads while at it as they were brittle on NS from being scortchio - all ok now and no longer drags from NS.
Next will be wash van inside and out and refit soft furnishings and TV that were removed while off road for winter.
 
runnach said:
Shower packed up during last year trip, while I could hear micro switch clicking, pump did not engage. Ended up using the new toilet sink tap with pull out hose and head that can be turned shower setting at tap outlet. Not as good as the actual shower though. When parked in the middle of no where with no one around, we used the outside shower :oops: :giggle:

Anyhooooooo, best to start under sink, far easier than stripping out shower cubicle. Traced wires to shower cubicle tap, with shower tap open (no water in tank) the male/female connector engaged the pump while wiggling connector around. checking M/F pins, I could see no reason why there is this intermittent connection?

Cables cut at M/F ends, then connected using trusty chocolate block. All good, pump activates when asked.
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We've shower in our thing, I replaced the tap and shower head lastyear as they were both bodged with superglue , probably from previous frost damage - however We've not used it since other than to dry clothes as I'm scared of running out of water halfway through or the shower cubical / tray leaking flooding out the van - I really need to take it all apart and reseal it all. Van is 19 yrs old so I expect the silicone used during initial assembly will be pretty knackered in places, might be wrong but not worth the risk meanwhile.
 
AlyJay said:
We've shower in our thing, I replaced the tap and shower head lastyear as they were both bodged with superglue , probably from previous frost damage - however We've not used it since other than to dry clothes as I'm scared of running out of water halfway through or the shower cubical / tray leaking flooding out the van - I really need to take it all apart and reseal it all. Van is 19 yrs old so I expect the silicone used during initial assembly will be pretty knackered in places, might be wrong but not worth the risk meanwhile.
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The Arto will be 21 year old next month. Had it 11 year come this Sept. Fortunately previous 2 owners gave lots of TLC, as I have too. Issues I have had, have been internal PITA niggles.

Water problems are a pain, I ,make sure if laying up during cold conditions, everything is drained down, taps left open half and half, take van for a spin on a not straight road to remove any trapped water, all should be fine. One year I got caught, I forgot to open kitchen tap, first trip out, water probs from underside of tap into drawers, trapped water froze, which pushed plastic spigots from the stainless pin that hold H&C plastic spigots from tap body. I suspect much of the damage you described may be down to frozen water causing damage?
 
runnach said:
The Arto will be 21 year old next month. Had it 11 year come this Sept. Fortunately previous 2 owners gave lots of TLC, as I have too. Issues I have had, have been internal PITA niggles.

Water problems are a pain, I ,make sure if laying up during cold conditions, everything is drained down, taps left open half and half, take van for a spin on a not straight road to remove any trapped water, all should be fine. One year I got caught, I forgot to open kitchen tap, first trip out, water probs from underside of tap into drawers, trapped water froze, which pushed plastic spigots from the stainless pin that hold H&C plastic spigots from tap body. I suspect much of the damage you described may be down to frozen water causing damage?
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Yes very likely, unfortunately I had zero previous history of van but chassis etc was completely rust free so thats what sold it, was from Londonshire.
We have done lots of work tidying and upgrading the habitation side but probably another 20% to sort out, but non important things that can wait.
We normally stay onsite every 2nd night so not gone full wild camping yet.
 
AlyJay said:
Yes very likely, unfortunately I had zero previous history of van but chassis etc was completely rust free so thats what sold it, was from Londonshire.
We have done lots of work tidying and upgrading the habitation side but probably another 20% to sort out, but non important things that can wait.
We normally stay onsite every 2nd night so not gone full wild camping yet.
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Chassis tend to fair better due to less salt on road around the home counties. If you are handy and can DIY a fair bit internal work, all good, plus you get to know how your motor ticks, which is invaluable.

Cheers........
 
Picked up our new to us van pilote g740,
After 3 months of waiting for braveria to send bits to repair our old van and fiat could not supply a replacement gearbox.,
We returned it not fit for purpose..and selected another van.
 
7 years since we had to stop Motorhoming.
Still miss it.
But we have the memories and a safe, pleasant abode. In the Algarve hills
 
Geek said:
Not the best finish, but the easy way to remove black streaks is to spray with WD-40, leave it five minutes, then wipe down.
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Thanks for the tip but tbh there was a fair build up of general winter grime which needed polishing off anyway šŸ˜‰
Van looks white again instead of like one Peter Crouch's old T-shirts...
Presumably I would need to polish off the wd40 anyway or just wipe down as you say?
K šŸ˜‰
 
Arrived in Kelso for overnight on a quiet Industrial Estate side road, about 1/4 mile past Sainsburys. Preferable to an early morning start and doing battle on the Edinburgh Bypass.
2 days allocated (including overnight curing of adhesive for 2nd Solar Panel) for Solar Panel, swapping Lithium and B2B for upgraded models, fitting new combination USB-A/USB-C twin sockets, fitting a socket plus extension lead for a new Portable Solar Panel, and the replacement of the bathroom sink tap where the micro switches have failed intermittently.

Streetsleeper is en route to the overnight pitch, having kindly offered to help David @wildebus with the Roof Solar Panel, instead of David having to manage with the YTS Trainee (failed) for technical support ... šŸ˜

Steve
 
Vanterrier said:
I have been putting it off since I bought the van in November but today decided that the towbar just HAD to come off. I will never tow with the van and have no intention of adding a bike rack, so... Off it came!
Was not a bad job and the bolts and nuts all unscrewed easily. I have left the 7 pin connector still wired up and tucked away behind the bumper for now. I might keep the towbar as it might be of interest to a prospective buyer at some point in the future? But I might offer it for sale on the bay...
The whole lot came to around 32kg which is a useful addition to my available payload.

So, what did YOU do to your van today?

K ;)
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I borrowed a Ecoflow power pack from my son so connected the xt60i connector to the leisure batteries to get a buffer to the Ecoflow when the wife uses the hairdryer so the solar can boost the leisure batteries
 
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