Alloy Wheels, Potholes and Justice

click here http://www.potholes.co.uk

Some time ago, whilst drivng my Trigano Tribute in West Wales, a local bus suddenly burst into view travelling far too quickly. I had to tuck close into the bank having little time to scrub off any speed. We hit a sunken drain grid with a huge bang. It was too dangerous a place to pull up, the bus had disappeared and the damage to the front left hand damper strut cost over £200. Recently, my son did a similar thing in my car causing a massive £365 worth of damage to alloy wheel and tyres. Millions of £££££’s in claims were made last winter. The new “PPI” ?????

What this site is about. Scroll down using the Archive buttons on the right to see more.

This blog has been running a short while so as a refresher , I thought that I should say again what it is all about. Primarily . it is the diary of having a new campervan built on an NV200 Nissan but it is also about where this will take us. Hence a couple of photos of just one of our favourite regions and campsites in Angers, France. If you look at the very end of the February archive you can see much more detail of our “Day Van Plus” to be. Hope you enjoy the journey!
A “Day Van Plus” for me, is an economical and compact campervan fully equipped to make it very usable and viable for comfy overnight stops and perhaps, a little bit more. It must be all weather, year round , fun.

New (ish) Legislation

motor-caravans construction requirements

For a one off conversion of a previously registered and taxed van ,even if brand new, type approval as a whole is not required. In order to register the converted van as a campervan with Swansea DVL and possibly have the taxation class changed (reduced) you can have the finished vehicle inspected at one of the state run VOSA test centres (where lorries are tested). They can then certify the engineering standards seen and authorise changing the Logbook to read campervan. There are several grey areas not as yet fully addressed or covered by legislation.
NOTE The legislation , in the main, refers to a manufacturer, producing an all new model campervan or motorhome which will then be sold as such. For example, the Lunar Vacanza. Legislation is intended to eventually produce a Europe-wide standard for campervans and motorhomes from all manufacturers.For a one off conversion, the owner should satisfy himself that all modifications are “safe”. The converter is ultimately responsible.

Thinking about decals and graphics

In the long tradition of (mainly) VW camper vans, here are a few ideas on decals. The Japanese symbols above are for Peace and Love. Japanese in honour of their excellent Engineers (I know the engine’s Renault (so may put in some French reference somewhere too !)) I am not embarrassed at all to call for Peace and Love. What better way to travel the world? Saw some super side flashes for the sides but they are only available to Leisuredrive owners. Never mind, will find the right stuff at some point

More about seat swivels and upholstery

The only “approved” seat swivels , that I know of currently are the TUV approved ones from zooom.biz in Southern Germany. They cost a significant £280 each for the mechanism plus about £25 p&p if you buy two. Drivelodge conversions at Keighley can adapt a universal swivel to fit, I believe. You can also try Jennings , Crewe on 01270 257417 , they will make a swivel from a pattern or modify a closely similar version to suit. As for approvals , you would have to check for yourself as to what is on offer.As for upholstery, we are having the cab seats recovered to match the upholstery for the “rock and roll” bed seat. At present we favour the styles shown but using grey in place of the tan vinyl. May even go for leather depending on cost for a bit of a WOW factor. Seen some lovely styles and effects on IH Campers and Shire Motorhomes.

Got an insurance quote today

Found a company which will insure the base vehicle from new and allows four months to get the conversion done. On completion a finished value is agreed for the camper van. We pay a little extra and then you are insured as a camper van.Which is nice……..

Definately going for twin swivel cab seats

The converter can offer swivel mechanisms on both cab seats. It should make a massive improvement when using the camper van on site. Those shown in the photo are the TUV approved versions from zooom.biz in Germany. Zooom make their own versions of nv200 camper vans. Well engineered, as you may expect from Germany!

Spotted this lovely example Below. Our finished version will be very similar. We need decals.

We have been collating ideas to complete the look we want. There are loads of decals for motorhomes available. Considering some small classic black Japanese symbols for love, peace and hope coupled with more commonplace “swirly freehand stripes” but will mock these up before committing. I think the old hippy in me is trying to emerge. Peace man!

Looking around whilst awaiting conversion quotation