MOT Time

Its that time of the year again, where the camper has to go and be judged as too if shes good enough to be able to drive on the road for another year.

Well i dropped it off this morning and a little over a couple of hours and result was in, PASS obviously. 

I was a little worried as they are always an unknown, but with no advisories it looks like the old beast is a strong one and now i don't have to worry about the drive upto Busfest as it would have ran out on the sunday at midnight, so putting a little pressure on the journey home, and then limited time would mean that it might have been a week or two before i could have got it done so early was the best idea.

Now the plan is to find a tow bar supplier and get this done at long last, been too long and its needed for our bike carrying. 

Whats the worst that could happen ! 

Dash Cam

Dash Cam shot from the other week, the vehicle in the hedge wasn't very clear but the van was.

Taking some working out by the looks of the Police.

New Mondeo

Well the replacement is ........

And so far only done a handful of miles but very impressed. 

Passat Gone

Well it's been fun, but after running to the dizzy heights of 112k miles it's time to let the Passat go to a new home. 

I know I said new home, and if the truth be known it's gone too Manheim Auctions in Bristol, where it will be cleaned and given a new home to someone in the motor industry, then hopefully someone that will look after it for another 110k miles. 

It's been pretty good, and there's only one occasion where I had limped it too a garage for repair in the 18months I've had it, and the act that's to follow has a difficult one live upto. 

T5 Done

It's done and home, have only just got it onto the drive. So the future is camping and shows. Can't wait. 

T5 con't

T5

It's only taken around two-three weeks but tomorrow is van collection day. Will add a load of build pics over the next few days, but well happy with how it turned out. 

T5 Build

It's about to start properly, all colours have been made and I think everything is being ordered up as I type. 

DATM 2015

T5 List of Options etc

Its amazing at what you can have on these, so thought i would share a few of the items i've picked from the list.

Its a cut n paste job, so i've crossed out the items i don't want but its a fair shopping list.

4 x Privacy Windows

2 x Opening Windows

pop top roof (colour coded)

Wing mirror & bumper colour coding

20" alloy wheels to the value of £900

Status approved double swivel seat

R&R bed (untested)

Full upholstery retrim into 2 colours

Roof rails

Mk3 cabinet (any colour)

Smev mini grill

Smev double hob & sink

Smev cold water tap

DOMETIC 3 way fridge

Hard wearing Altro flooring

Spray foam insulation & deadening

Acoustic carpet lined (various colours)

Underfloor 27l water tank

Rear bumper protector

Door pillar guards

Chrome handles 

Colour matched dash board/ gaiter

110-amp leisure battery

240v hook up 

10 led lights

Vw embossed roof bed 7 led lights 

Side running boards

LED awning lights 

Gas safety certificate

Electrical test

Removable table

Gear knob

Rear view mirror

Van-x Eco curtains

Front wind deflectors

Gas BBQ hook up

Coloured dash centre

Graphics

Full valet

Photographic build

Extras:

Propex heating system 

Reimo awing rail 

Fiamma wind out awning 

Solar panel 250 watt 

Front valance 

Rear spoiler 

Rear skirts 

Bonnet bra 

Wheel options extra 

Passenger swivel table 

Rear floor carpet 

3rd opening window 

Van-x black out curtains, better ones 

Front screen blind 

Fog lights 

And this means i have already done more post than in the last 6mths of 2014. 

Also we moved house so Sept onwards have been a bit of a mission. 

T5 Build Pictures

Going to post the build pictures i have so far of the VW Van. 

Its going to be a long wait, but progress pictures help. 

T5

Well so much for more blogs in 2014. Think the gap from June till now proves a point, so for now i won't dare promise the usual New Year resolution and pretend to do better in 2015 cause its more than likely going to end in disappointment. 

So this year, i am sure of only one thing, i will do some shows and i will be camping. 

Now this is only going to be in a van, hence the title (T5). Its no secret that i am a VW fan, had two Passats since 2012 and the current black one is showing close to 90k miles now, so thats around the  50k in the Passat, and apart from the usual servicing and tyres, there has only been a sensor that let it down and made me drive a crappy Vauxhall hire car for two week. 

No the real reason is, if you have a camper, and go out for the day, everything you need to stay out all day is in the van. There are facilities to cook, boil a kettle and a fridge, also upto 7 seats and at least 4/5 beds in the van i am looking into the purchase of. 

They are the nicest looking van and also cool, which always sells. 

Been to see this one on Saturday, nice van and long story short if it wasn't for the 172k miles that it had covered i am sure this would have been heading home shortly. As it was the mileage wasn't the only thing, but it was the final straw. Paintwork wasn't brilliant, so the list of jobs was starting to become more of an issue. 

Was a very well put together conversion and a credit too its current owner, who also does the conversions as his job. 

The search continues, and it looks good for having one built so i can add a few touches of my own. 

Build will be ready in Feb so not long to wait, and there are shows starting to advertise camping already, so next job is pick when and where, well after the vans confirmed. 

Running before i can walk again.