Hotel Van Transit

[Wattywatto]

Hello all, just thought I'd post some photos of the Hotel Van Transit before she goes to a new home! Just cleaned the van up today ready to sell and thought I'd take some shots of how my airfix kit, rush-job, 2 day in the making conversion went together. Wanted to be able to remove everything quickly for when I took my bike on trackdays but it turns out my RC8 fits snug down the side of the bed!

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As simple and basic as it is, I've worked away all week, pretty much every week, for the last three years sleeping in this.. sometimes a fortnight at a time.. and holidays with Mrs Watto and the mini Wattos too (relegated to tents ). I installed basic 12v lights, a 1000w inverter and a roof vent. It's all insulated with fibreglass behind the standard ply-lining and there's foam above the roof ply. The batteries came out of a T-Mobile cabin I upgraded, 92ah each so I change the split relay over every now and then to keep them topped up, though they last weeks with a few hours of tele and lights each day without a charge. Use a two hob gas cooker when I feel the need.



The rock and roll bed is just hardboard and strap hinges, so in the seated position just pop a couple of coach bolts through to hold in place. The large box for all the camping kit slides under and supports the bed when down. I put a headboard at the end so's I could put more storage behind. The whole thing's solid as a rock! I wanted a window but they seemed a bit expensive, then I found a door with an original ford opening one on e-bay and won it.. £99! REEEE-SULT! (those windows are £400 new..

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The van has been kept tip-top mechanically and has never let me down... even when the pump went she kept going.. if a little laboured! The dash had a problem working intermittently but got that fixed with a lifetime guarantee by Cartronix in Waterlooville last month. I had the engine remapped by Martyn 'Vantuner' which has transformed it completely from a sluggish lump to a ferrari by comparison.. 85-110bhp! I haven't got a heavy right foot but the difference up hills or with weight in is amazing.
Good points: Cost me about £300 to do, carpet and inverter being the expensive bits.
Comfortable
Get it in 90% of car parks
Can play crazy golf on the astro-turf

Bad points: Confined space and everyone knows when you camp you must eat beans
Stuff under the bed when you've already put it down.. D'oh!
Rain always aims at the side door when you're getting in/out
No seatbelts in back
No climb through due to bulkhead

Do different next time: Fit Eberspacher
Proper R&R bed with belts
Maybe a sink (although I've just bought an ex-RAC and there's an Enviro-wash in it )
Make all the fitting permanent
Toilet?
Captain seats up front
Climb through or remove bulkhead
Rob local post office to pay for all the above
Get it remapped straight away instead of waiting three years like I did with this!

[ake]

LPG gas bottles should not be used sideways, they should be upright, unless they are liquid take off type bottles for use on gas powered forklifts and the like

[Wattywatto]

Thanks Ake, that's just where I store it, the cooker goes on the cupboard top and bottle upright, outside when cooking.

[ake]

Thanks Ake, that's just where I store it, the cooker goes on the cupboard top and bottle upright, outside when cooking.

Good show

[Mr lwb]

Love it

[Frank190]

Seen your van on the "bay" did it sell ? Liked the conversion = practical

[Wattywatto]

Cheers, yeah it sold, cheapo but had pressing engagement with a new van and it had to go toot sweet. Shed a little tear (almost).. it was my 2nd home for the last four years . Onwards and upwards.. next project is underway!..