whitevanwoman
Guest
A year ago today I parted with most of my redundancy pay (which I'd kept safe in the bank for a couple of years in case the roof fell in) in cash for my 02 reg LWB Hi Roof White Tranny, with 79000k (genuine) on the clock. I lay awake most of that night in sheer excitement and terror at what I'd done - it was entirely my decision, I hadn't been influenced by anyone, and it was entirely my fault if I'd been ripped off. I had looked at a couple of camper vans but realised that a big dog cage for a big dog was not going to be feasible in a coach built and whatever I could get within my limited budget was 20 years + . So I'd been looking at Transits instead because for the same money I could get something half the age, with a view to using it as a mobile tent. I reckoned that a Tranny would be ideal as parts would be easy to get and pretty much anyone who knows their way round an engine can fix one.
I didn't have a layout in mind, but the one I got had previously belonged to a window fitter and he had built a supporting vertical frame along one side with 2 rows of shelving along the full length. The dog's cage would fit in behind the seats and there would still be room for a 6 ft camp bed plus an extra foot or so at the end of it. It also had a high shelf at head height running the full length of the other side so loads of storage. The only drawback was the full bulkhead which meant that it was pitch black in the back with the doors shut even in daylight.
During the first week of ownership I discovered this forum whilst searching for "how to convert a van into a camper van" and joined as a free member. And what a 12 months it's been....
I've made some very good friends through the forum, I've been to a couple of local meets, I've met up informally with members, I've been to 3 festivals, I've learned loads and loads about vans, Transits, conversions, insurance, driving, geography, 12v electrics, waste disposal, loos, cooking outdoors, the Northern Lights, what the weather in Spain is etc, I've learned how to restrain myself when someone posts something on the forum which gets my back up, and I've learned how to trust in myself and my abilities and to regain a sense of adventure and self-sufficiency.
I've communed with nature in tranquil solitude in truly spectacular surroundings and I've stealthed in urban car parks. I've got myself stuck in mud and got myself out again. I've loved feeling like I'm a lorry driver as I sit up high trundling along the motorway at 60 mph. I've laid in bed listening to the wind howling and the rain lashing and I've also laid in bed listening to owls and foxes. I've slept next to about a dozen different beaches. I've seen 2 sunrises and countless stunning sunsets; shooting stars; salmon leaping upriver at dusk; I've slept through the air ambulance landing about 100 m away from me and I've spent a sleepless night listening to a branch caught in the roof rack tap tap tap against the roof all damn night long. I've also been PNC'd by the police in a forestry car park in the middle of nowhere whilst pretending to be asleep inside; I've scrounged showers and I've stunk something rotten at times.
I've driven about 4000 miles, spent 74 nights in it (only 2 of which were on a campsite although I was surruptiously sleeping in it, pretending to be the missus of a male friend with a caravan there), and have 100s of wonderful photos and memories. I've spent most of my spare time and money on the van, insulating it, adapting the shelving, building a bed and curtains, making a loo, sewing curtains and cushions, painting shelving, organising and reorganising stuff, and with the help of Firefox, removing the bulkhead and wiring in the leisure battery and smartcom relay. But it's still really only a mobile tent, with a camping stove, bottled water and a sun lounger bed. I've had tears and tantrums because of it, but also laughter, companionship and an awful lot of fun.
When I bought the Tranny, I gave myself a year and said that at the end of the year I would look at the costs, at how much I'd used it and whether or not it was worth keeping it.
The year's up and despite it having been a very difficult year for many personal reasons, it's also been one of the best years I've ever had. There is no way I'd get rid of the Tranny now, I'd rather get rid of my house, sod what it's costing me, you can't put a price on happiness, life is too short not to snatch every chance and make the most of it.
Thanks for all the help, encouragement and support to everyone on here who has helped me out in some way over the past year, no matter how big or small, it is much appreciated :cheers:
I didn't have a layout in mind, but the one I got had previously belonged to a window fitter and he had built a supporting vertical frame along one side with 2 rows of shelving along the full length. The dog's cage would fit in behind the seats and there would still be room for a 6 ft camp bed plus an extra foot or so at the end of it. It also had a high shelf at head height running the full length of the other side so loads of storage. The only drawback was the full bulkhead which meant that it was pitch black in the back with the doors shut even in daylight.
During the first week of ownership I discovered this forum whilst searching for "how to convert a van into a camper van" and joined as a free member. And what a 12 months it's been....
I've made some very good friends through the forum, I've been to a couple of local meets, I've met up informally with members, I've been to 3 festivals, I've learned loads and loads about vans, Transits, conversions, insurance, driving, geography, 12v electrics, waste disposal, loos, cooking outdoors, the Northern Lights, what the weather in Spain is etc, I've learned how to restrain myself when someone posts something on the forum which gets my back up, and I've learned how to trust in myself and my abilities and to regain a sense of adventure and self-sufficiency.
I've communed with nature in tranquil solitude in truly spectacular surroundings and I've stealthed in urban car parks. I've got myself stuck in mud and got myself out again. I've loved feeling like I'm a lorry driver as I sit up high trundling along the motorway at 60 mph. I've laid in bed listening to the wind howling and the rain lashing and I've also laid in bed listening to owls and foxes. I've slept next to about a dozen different beaches. I've seen 2 sunrises and countless stunning sunsets; shooting stars; salmon leaping upriver at dusk; I've slept through the air ambulance landing about 100 m away from me and I've spent a sleepless night listening to a branch caught in the roof rack tap tap tap against the roof all damn night long. I've also been PNC'd by the police in a forestry car park in the middle of nowhere whilst pretending to be asleep inside; I've scrounged showers and I've stunk something rotten at times.
I've driven about 4000 miles, spent 74 nights in it (only 2 of which were on a campsite although I was surruptiously sleeping in it, pretending to be the missus of a male friend with a caravan there), and have 100s of wonderful photos and memories. I've spent most of my spare time and money on the van, insulating it, adapting the shelving, building a bed and curtains, making a loo, sewing curtains and cushions, painting shelving, organising and reorganising stuff, and with the help of Firefox, removing the bulkhead and wiring in the leisure battery and smartcom relay. But it's still really only a mobile tent, with a camping stove, bottled water and a sun lounger bed. I've had tears and tantrums because of it, but also laughter, companionship and an awful lot of fun.
When I bought the Tranny, I gave myself a year and said that at the end of the year I would look at the costs, at how much I'd used it and whether or not it was worth keeping it.
The year's up and despite it having been a very difficult year for many personal reasons, it's also been one of the best years I've ever had. There is no way I'd get rid of the Tranny now, I'd rather get rid of my house, sod what it's costing me, you can't put a price on happiness, life is too short not to snatch every chance and make the most of it.
Thanks for all the help, encouragement and support to everyone on here who has helped me out in some way over the past year, no matter how big or small, it is much appreciated :cheers:
Now you have your insulation and basic life support installed, you can look forward to all those little extras and cosmetic touches too!
