My LDV Convoy Luton motorhome conversion!

barryd said:
I would be interested to hear more about your manual set up.
Click to expand...

The manual system is actually proving to be very good. Steep learning curve to use it whilst travelling (as opposed to being in the same spot where it never needs adjusting!) but I think I'm getting there now. At the start of this first trip, I was finding it impossible to set up, but I've done well for the past few attempts. I will do a blog post dedicated to the satellite, with a video showing what it's really like to set up and how long it takes. I seem to be averaging under five minutes now from parking, to Googling!

EHS isn't the best condition to have when working in IT, but it is what it is, not much I can do about it now - other than play van conversions and travel! Not sure I'd be any good at van conversions for a living though, by the time I've finished this I could have bought a brand new motorhome :lol-049: But it's all good fun and keeps me out (or in?) mischief!

Rich.
 
For anyone interested, or quite simply bored out of their minds, I've written about the life of mv Luton since I bought it :rolleyes2:

All about my Luton!

If you have anything better to do though, such as washing up, you may find it more interesting than my link ;););)

Rich.
 
Great looking van built for comfort and s*d convention,a bit in the style of VANDOGS who comes on here.Its hard to tell but the woodburner looks as big as the one in my front room which is 6kw and heats half the house up do you find it gets too hot ,been told its all extremes with an on board woodburner,but I do like the idea of all that free heat if you source your wood as you go along ,a friend of mine recommends beachcombing for driftwood at the high water mark as a good source of wood.
 
Mike (vandogtraveller) is an inspiration. I only came accross his site once I was almost finished my van but I bought his book and highly recommend it to anyone who is doing a self build. Even though I was so far through my own conversion, I did learn from his book. The main thing I discovered is the refillable LPG tanks, which thanks to Mike's book I researched and went with an underslung tank from GAS-IT (who discount for members of this forum).

The woodburner is a beast. You're not wrong, it does tend to be all or nothing with them in a van. It's 5Kw and I bought it new, along with the flue setup. Must admit, I was shocked at how the cost of the flue setup matched the cost of the burner itself, and more! I'm glad I went for this option of heat though, you really cannot beat it.

All the van windows open, as does the skylight and split door. When it gets too hot, even when it's freezing outside, I just open something. It really is a tremendous source of the nicest, instant heat.

We were in Borth over New Year and ran out of kindling. I then realised how much dry wood is at the top of a beach! Loads. I was filling bags up with it and we literally had free heating whilst we were parked up there.

Kirsty also has a small tea pot which she puts on top of the burner. I may have borrowed this over Christmas for Mulled wine :idea:
 
don't forget pine cones when you're near woods,and old paperbacks and shoes burn well too !
 
Its a brilliant story Rich. So much hard work and dedication and clearly its served you well in all its guises. You should send that story into some of the motorhome publications. I bet they would do an article on it. What will it become next? Mobile night club? :D
 
Wow! What an absolutely gorgeous self build. Awwww that is something really special. Hope you and kirsty have many happy years wild camping in it after all your hard work. Fantastic build.
 
Just finished the outside of the van :)

DSC_0043.jpg

And one from the back...

DSC_0052.JPG

Not forgetting, of course, the sexy WildCamping.co.uk sticker...!

DSC_0056.jpg

I've done a detailed blog post here for anyone who's interested.

Also got a WildCamping.co.uk sticker on the back :D

DSC_0044.jpg

Still a bit more to fiddle with, but nearly there now :)
 
BeyondTheVan said:
Thank you!

Yes, It's just short of 4500Kg.

The van has been uprated properly to 4.5 Tonne so it's all safe and legal :fun:
Click to expand...

Does that include yourself, and any other things that you carry, including water,fuel etc? Have you any spare payload left?

It does look cosy, and very practical too.
 
n brown said:
that's come out pretty ! very nice look !
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, thought I'd make it look a bit different.

Mick H said:
Does that include yourself, and any other things that you carry, including water,fuel etc? Have you any spare payload left?
Click to expand...

It does indeed. Without me in there it's only 3.5 Tonne ;)

There's about 200Kg spare payload left, unlikely we'll need to carry anything else though. The weigh is with both diesel tanks brimmed, LPG tank full, water tank full, plenty of logs inside, and all our stuff too.
 
Looks really great. Very comfy and well thought out and I like the color. Well done, keep posting please as it's so interesting seeing the progress.
 
CAL said:
Looks really great. Very comfy and well thought out and I like the color. Well done, keep posting please as it's so interesting seeing the progress.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Will keep the blog going :D

trevskoda said:
Top job there ,hope the whisky is bushmills.:wave:
Click to expand...

Famous Grouse all the way!! Only because we visited their place when in Scotland. Was half soaked by 10.30am with all the tasters!!! :tongue:
 
Bit of an update...! We've arrived in Poole tonight ready to head to Cherbourg in the morning. Our plan is to head through France and Spain, down to Portugal....!

DSC_0008.JPG

At least we know where to go in the morning now! Managed to find a quiet place to park up and have satellite broadband for the rest of the evening. Happy days :)
 
just thought dont you need reflective plate on the bike rack with the bikes on it
cpoied from caravanclub site
Carriage of bicycles
Bicycles may usually be carried on the roof of a car, provided they are attached to an adequate roof-rack and the total height does not exceed 4m. However, the cross-Channel operator will need to be advised in advance of the total height of the vehicle as this may affect the cost of your crossing.

Bikes can also be transported at the back of a vehicle provided they do not obscure lights, indicators or number plates. Bike racks can only rest on the tow bar if the maximum weight allowed on the tow bar is not exceeded.

Portuguese regulations stipulate that bicycles may not be carried at the rear of a car, but they can be carried at the rear of a motorhome or caravan, provided that they do not extend beyond the width of the vehicle or more than 45cm beyond its length.

In Spain and Italy any overhanging loads must be indicated by a square panel measuring 50cm x 50cm with reflectorised red and white diagonal stripes which can be purchased from Fiamma stockists (Superior Quality Products for Motorhomes, Caravans and Camper Vans - Fiamma). Panels are available in aluminium and plastic and in Spain you can use either however, in Italy the panel must be aluminium
 
ok would hate the thought of you getting a fine for something silly and spoiling your trip all the best with it hope it allgoes well enjoy yourselfs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top