The Tardis

[Fisherman]

Whilst at Lochore in Fife we got chatting to a really nice elderly couple from Cumbernauld. They bought this van brand new 18 years ago, and I thought some of you would be interested in it. It’s just under 5m, on a Ford Transit, it has a toilet, a shower room, a full sized cooker, and a double floor. They even have hot water, and they can carry 55 litres of water. The roof is too small for solar but they have four 90ah batteries and a B2B charger. They also had a great wee Jack Russel called Charlie, who would play all day.
Please note how quiet the site was.

 

[caledonia]

It obviously suits them but I find small vans with a lot in them a bit clostraphobic.

 

[Fisherman]

It obviously suits them but I find small vans with a lot in them a bit clostraphobic.

I was amazed at what was packed in there.

 

[mark61]

Looks like, or at least very similar to the earlier Auto Sleeper Symbol.

I half copied the layout, not that's its original to the Symbol.

Anyway, that's a lot of kit in a 2.8 tonne van.

 

[Fisherman]

Looks like, or at least very similar to the earlier Auto Sleeper Symbol.

I half copied the layout, not that's its original to the Symbol.

Anyway, that's a lot of kit in a 2.8 tonne van.

It was built by a small independent company Mark, and they have issues with payload as you said. Not helped by solid wood furniture. But it was well put together. Really well insulated for winter. They enjoy winter trips.

 

[mistericeman]

There is a layout to suit almost everyone in the campervan/motorhome world ...and I'm sure it suits the owners perfectly and they love it

BUT for us that would drive us crackers ...despite (Or possibly because )it packs so much in to such a compact space .

As a long term landrover owner and addict ...

I came close to our first campervan being a ex military ambulance body (Marshal ) being converted ...

5 minutes sat in the back of a spare body ...convinced me that it would've been bedlam for myself and the Mrs and dogs ...

Loads of clever storage and ex military loveliness ...
Mixed with a slow,thirsty seasickness machine ...

And four wheel drive that would never get used other on wet grass .

Bullet dodged .

 

[Robmac]

There is a layout to suit almost everyone in the campervan/motorhome world ...and I'm sure it suits the owners perfectly and they love it

BUT for us that would drive us crackers ...despite (Or possibly because )it packs so much in to such a compact space .

As a long term landrover owner and addict ...

I came close to our first campervan being a ex military ambulance body (Marshal ) being converted ...


View attachment 121802

5 minutes sat in the back of a spare body ...convinced me that it would've been bedlam for myself and the Mrs and dogs ...

Loads of clever storage and ex military loveliness ...
Mixed with a slow,thirsty seasickness machine ...

And four wheel drive that would never get used other on wet grass .

Bullet dodged .

I always wanted a forward control camper and very nearly bought one a few years back, despite it being very short of legroom in the cab.

But the voice of reason told me that I wasn't 'avin one.

 

[Fisherman]

There is a layout to suit almost everyone in the campervan/motorhome world ...and I'm sure it suits the owners perfectly and they love it

BUT for us that would drive us crackers ...despite (Or possibly because )it packs so much in to such a compact space .

As a long term landrover owner and addict ...

I came close to our first campervan being a ex military ambulance body (Marshal ) being converted ...


View attachment 121802

5 minutes sat in the back of a spare body ...convinced me that it would've been bedlam for myself and the Mrs and dogs ...

Loads of clever storage and ex military loveliness ...
Mixed with a slow,thirsty seasickness machine ...

And four wheel drive that would never get used other on wet grass .

Bullet dodged .

They are an old couple just south of 80. They love the van, it’s well insulated, and gives them all of the creature comfort they need in such a small space. They make great use of the van all year round, and have travelled all over the U.K. in this van. The old guy is very knowledgeable about vans, and is still able to do work on it himself. They love pitching up by the sea and blame this for the rust issues they have had with the chassis.
Not my cup of tea, but I thought some on here would be interested in such a small van with so much packed into it.

 

[mistericeman]

I always wanted a forward control camper and very nearly bought one a few years back, despite it being very short of legroom in the cab.

But the voice of reason told me that I wasn't 'avin one.

Ive looked at both FC 2b and 101s in the past (couple of friends run both )
And fuel economy aside (101s v8 are not far off single figures ...though improved with TDI conversion )

Still compact inside ....and almost bought a friend's green goddess to convert (Cummins 6bt and modern gearbox )

Eventually came to the conclusion it was just a fools errand and converted the transit jumbo then moved onto the motorhome ....

Nice idea BUT frankly the 4x4 side,is just a load of extra messing and expense for us personally .

 

[mistericeman]

They are an old couple just south of 80. They love the van, it’s well insulated, and gives them all of the creature comfort they need in such a small space. They make great use of the van all year round, and have travelled all over the U.K. in this van. The old guy is very knowledgeable about vans, and is still able to do work on it himself. They love pitching up by the sea and blame this for the rust issues they have had with the chassis.
Not my cup of tea, but I thought some on here would be interested in such a small van with so much packed into it.

They are an old couple just south of 80. They love the van, it’s well insulated, and gives them all of the creature comfort they need in such a small space. They make great use of the van all year round, and have travelled all over the U.K. in this van. The old guy is very knowledgeable about vans, and is still able to do work on it himself. They love pitching up by the sea and blame this for the rust issues they have had with the chassis.
Not my cup of tea, but I thought some on here would be interested in such a small van with so much packed into it.

Absolutely ...
As I said ...
So many layouts to suit so many different folks ...
Great they love it AND get the use out of it

 

[Fisherman]

Absolutely ...
As I said ...
So many layouts to suit so many different folks ...
Great they love it AND get the use out of it

They are really nice couple, and their wee dog kept me going chasing his ball.
Unfortunately due to a temporary health issue they can only get out for two days at a time. But when you see how they just get on with life no matter what issues they have to contend with, you just have to admire them both.
Without their van, I doubt if their quality of life would be as good.
I hope we see them out and about again.

 

[Robmac]

Ive looked at both FC 2b and 101s in the past (couple of friends run both )
And fuel economy aside (101s v8 are not far off single figures ...though improved with TDI conversion )

Still compact inside ....and almost bought a friend's green goddess to convert (Cummins 6bt and modern gearbox )

Eventually came to the conclusion it was just a fools errand and converted the transit jumbo then moved onto the motorhome ....

Nice idea BUT frankly the 4x4 side,is just a load of extra messing and expense for us personally .
View attachment 121812View attachment 121813View attachment 121814View attachment 121815View attachment 121816View attachment 121817

That's exactly it - "Nice idea BUT"

I'd love to own one, but do I need a thirsty vehicle capable of doing the Dakar, absolutely not. I'm really glad that she pulls the reins now and again and we've ended up with a boring Renault Master PVC, which we both love. Especially now the finishing touches are going in.

 

[mark61]

Dakar! When we going?
Perfectly good roads nearly all the way, but don't worry, we can find a few tracks to make it more fun.

 

[Robmac]

Dakar! When we going?
Perfectly good roads nearly all the way, but don't worry, we can find a few tracks to make it more fun.

I'll bring me bike and tent Mark.

 

[trevskoda]

That's exactly it - "Nice idea BUT"

Especially now the finishing touches are going in.

You meen the bar & stools Rob.

 

[mark61]

You meen the bar & stools Rob.

Trev, your on the wrong forum again!









Oh, I see those stools.

 

[st3v3]

Dakar! When we going?
Perfectly good roads nearly all the way, but don't worry, we can find a few tracks to make it more fun.

As much as Dakar would be awesome, there is a cheap version of the gumball rally that I very nearly did with a couple of mates. One day...

 

[Fisherman]

Trev, your on the wrong forum again!









Oh, I see those stools.

Wrong planet more like.

But can you imagine WCF without Trev

 

[trevskoda]

Wrong planet more like.

But can you imagine WCF without Trev

I can, might get some work done round here.

 

[davef]

There's a lot to like about a small campervan. That one looks quite clever - even appears to have 4 seat belts which would make it as usable as an everyday car as a camper., and so easy to park.