1988 Ford Transit 120 Autosleeper queries and manual

[Jimimitch]

Hi guys, new to the forum -but looks as though I will be here a quite a bit!!

My girlfriend and I are a couple of Kiwis working in London saving every penny to travel around Europe for 4-6 months next year in our recently purchased a "1988 Ford Transit 120 Autosleeper" (hell yeah). We have done a fair bit of research, but as this is the first time we have ever owned such an awesome piece of kit we definitely have a few queries that I am hoping someone can help us find the answers to................I am trying to be as diligent as possible and get everything sorted before we head off (travel approx 10,000-15,000 miles) but I must admit the task is a little daunting!!!!

Ok, so the chassis is almost flawless underneath, no welding no rust and is as solid as. The engine is the 2l pinto, -which I hear is pretty good? It's done 100,000miles. We have had the spark plugs, ignition leads, oil, filter, antifreeze, temp switch, water pump, cambelt and fanbelts replaced. The brake pads and tyres are in good nick so i think from a mechanical point of view we are good to go....Or is there anything else I have overlooked or should make sure of do you think???????

On the habitation side I don't really know where to start. Yesterday we were half way through a demo on how everything works (just after we had paid for it) when the dealer realised there was no water tank in it!!!!! It was equal parts hilarious and concerning, the swirling emotions left us a little dizzy as we boarded the train to come home empty handed. Just to clarify the dealers are good fellas, we like them, there is no malice from our end -nor do we think they were trying to pull the wool over our eyes, but I feel like I need to inspect absolutely everything now and take some measures to give me peace of mind ( lost a bit of sleep last night over it). Prior to the sale everything was to be checked over and I thought the gas equipment was to be certified, We are certain this has not been done (no water tank or gas regulator on the hose) so have left it with the guys to sort out.

So how do you guys recon we should proceed?????

I think first of I need to make sure all gas equipment is certified and need a demonstration showing clearly everything working.....But are they any key things I should be looking for, if so what are they??

We were intending on running the 3 way fridge on gas (except when traveling) is it safe to do this, I know it is fully ventilated etc, but what happens if he pilot light goes out?....Will the campervan then fill with gas or is there an automatic shut of valve installed?

Finally does anyone have a manual for this Campervan we can get a copy of??? Or can someone direct me where I can find the manual, I have spent bloody ages searching for it online!!!!!!

Sorry for this massive some what ranting post, but we are just trying to sort things out the best way We can and any help will be kindly appreciated.

Kind regards

Jimmy and Lydia
P.s we we post all our 'learnings' before and after we set off on our travels as we hope others can benefit from it..

[Teepee]

Hi there, when you go back, if they have fitted new water tank fill it and make sure pump works. And taps some taps have micro switches in them and can stop working. I would check it has a waste water tank as well. If they have done gas test all appliances should have a nice blue flame and th test includes a new rubber gas hose which has a date of manufacture on it, should be no more than two years old. Don't run fridge on gas while mobile you should have a twelve volt supply to fridge which will only work while vehicle is running and cut out when you switch ignition off. Then make sure all electrics work ie. 12volt and 240 mains electrics work also get a reverse polarity tester for when in Europe as there polarity is different to ours. Good luck with vehicle and your travels. Teepee.

[Jimimitch]

Thanks for the advice Teepee. This might sound stupid mate, but do you know much about how safe it is to use the fridge on gas? Safe enough to leave on overnight while sleeping etc??? I figure it should have an automatic shut off if the pilot light cuts out -but it is 26 years old so.........

While on the topic of gas, what bottle / system do you use abroad? I am thinking of getting a gaslow direct refillable with the EU adapters. I read somewhere that as my van is older I also need another regulator? Wow lots of learning going on!!!!!

[Teepee]

hi there again, fridge should cut off gas if pilot goes out. but if using gas I would fit a carbon monoxcide alarm. not been abroad for a while but the most available gas used to be camping gas only thing is its more expensive. and smaller bottles. gasflow regulaters were problems when first came on the market but I think they have sorted problems out. if you stay on campsite a three way fridge will work on mains electric anyway but test it to make sure it works ok on mains

[Kedishen]

I live I my van and have no problems with leaving fridge on 24/7. If the flame on fridge is not a nice blue colour or there is difficulty starting it (should ignite with 2-3 tries from scratch and 1st time after being used) then you need to remove fridge and clean the burner box on the back and remove the rust from the inside. Its an easy job if you know how to use a screwdriver. I had the pilot light go out once in the 8 years I have been travelling and that was only because of high winds gusting at 50mph+... a mini tornado also formed that day but that's another story

I recommend thoroughly a refillable lpg system. I have used gaslow for 3 years now, but there are many choices of make. If u keep your standard bottles, u will have difficulties fitting bottles from other countries... gas low is expensive but the money u save on refills will pay for it within a year. Expect a 6kg bottle to last 16 - 17 days with fridge running 24/7 and nothing else being used.

A cheaper solution is a refillable bottle adaptor. I've met many ppl that use these and have never reported a problem. Dont let people scare you with stories of bottles exploding. People are the problem, not the equipment. Use it correctly and it is completely safe. Most wait until bottle is empty and then refill with the correct amount (11.5litres for a 6kg bottle).. don't overfill! If you can manage to use your brain then u will be OK...

I personally will never go back to swapping bottles. If i absolutely need to because there are no lpg stations, I have the connectors to use any bottle in place of my gaslow bottles... I also have a bayonet fitting to connect a bottle to the filling point outside and fill the system from a bottle.

[Teepee]

Hi Kedishen, shows me how out of touch I am. I have heard of lpg systems sounds like the way go better than messing around with bottles. Long while since We went to Portugal hope your enjoying it out there.

[Jimimitch]

Thanks Tepee, I thought the pilot light going out would cut out the gas mate - makes sense but I just wanted to be sure.

Sound advice Kidshen, I have read stories of people pulling the fridge out if the flame is looking a dodge yellow. I think i could manage it (with a bit of guidance from this forum). Im with you on the Gaslow front too mate, I recon I will invest in one. Traveling for the length of time I am planning it looks like it will pay itself off and save a bit of hassle.

So am i right in saying i will need a Gaslow bottle (6kg will fit i recon), an adapter regulator (my tranny is clocking 26 years), a uk direct fillable adapter and the EU adapters. Have i missed anything? How have you got yours rigged up?

How long you been living in your beast mate? What is it like in Portugal. Looking forward to spending some time on the coast.

[Kedishen]

The 6kg bottles are the same size as the calor bottles.

After 2001 vans had fitted adaptors for gas.

The one you want is this one - http://www.thegaslowcentre.co.uk/magent ... utlet.html

That's the two bottle version. The important bit is the pushover fitting for the gas hose, so make sure u buy one with that fitting.

Also, depending on the height of your gas cupboard, u should consider the 90deg bend fitting for the top of the bottle(s). But being an autosleeper, should be ok.

My setup is 2x 6kg bottles with braided hoses, the manual pre-01 adaptor and the external filling point + all 3 adaptors for LPG guns. Between uk, France, Portugal and spain I used all 4 fitting types. My previous van was an auto sleeper amethyst and could only fit 2x 6kg bottles, but my current van could fit 2x 11kg bottles with some small changes.

Whether you go for the braided hoses is up to you.. they are more xpensive but i plan to use my system for many many years to come... also how you fix your filling point should be condidered before u purchase. I always put it on the exterior which means cutting holes... you can get a bracket to fit it inside the gas locker or some other place... max length of filling hose connector I think is 1.5m.

I did all my research online, got the best prices I could for everything and then spoke with a local place to match the price + a bit less for forgetting the receipt.in the end, all in cost me 370 with the trimmings , cheap compared to the vat receipt version. Fitting is free if u do it yourself

For reference, 1 6kg exchange bottle will cost:

20-25 € per bottle for initial purchase and replacement agreement (refundable when u bring bottle back with paper agreement)
25 per bottle for exchange.
Also assumes they have a bottle thst fits the puny english gas lockers of the 90's vans. Only 1 french bottle fits, the cube which is a rare one... no Spanish bottles fit and there a is a very rare Portuguese bottle that fits.. just.

To refill both of my 6kg, it costs me between 15-17 € (0.6 - 0.8c p/litre) total.



I find living in portugal very accommodating. If you are willing to learn the language, then the people are always interested... but even if not, a lot of them speaky the English and want to practise. I give them my best Gloucestershire accent if they insist on talking English

I don't use campsites at all, but I would think your van lacks a shower and perhaps even a seperate toilet compartment? Definately get a toilet! Met soo many ppl in smaller vans without... public toilets are not exactly widespread here... shower not a big deal if you are here during summer.. any beaches with tourists have showers and water is available easily without paying the devil campsite owners. I use a solar shower bag during summer (also during winter too sometimes, today was 23c) and several 5 litre bottles out in the sun for hot water. No point wasting gas. I used to think it was improper to use the solar shower in public, but its not uncommon to see people showering naked in beach carparks... and even inthe centre of towns... so now I say when in doubt get it out

[Jimimitch]

Hiya Kedishen, sorry for the super late reply mate.

The build up to Christmas / new year has been bloody mad!!!!!!!......Don't seem to have to have any time to sort the things i need to at the moment....I pick up the campervan on Saturday, the guys have finally put in a new water tank in, will be getting a Gas man to certify all the components on friday. Tried my best to get the dealers to sort the camper out sooner (to allow for any uncertainties) but i was unsuccessful. Fingers crossed everything is Honkey Dory.................

Have had a good look at the gaslow system you suggested, also called the manufacturers for some installation instructions on mounting the filler in the exterior.........To be honest i would rather mount the filler on a bracket inside the compartment, -but i hear some places in Europe wont let you fill it up as soon as they see you open the compartment door??????? Can you validate this problem or know of anyone who can???????? (realize yours is exterior mount).

Any tips on mounting the Filler on the external if i have to do it?

"If in doubt get it out" -Good advice mate, I love it.....My camper does have a toilet and shower compartment (just yet to see it working).

Only 4 weeks until i quit my job and start traveling for the next 5-6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!.......................You got any ideas on where I can find a users manual for my Campervan?????? It could be quite handy if i get in the 5hit somewhere?

Hope you had a good Christmas / New year mate.

J

[Odd days]

Yes they do get funny about the filler point being inside the locker, morrisons in this country do not like it either, gas it is another firm that does refillable bottles cheaper then gas flow. A couple of other forums that might help you on questions are wild camping or motor home fun.

[Kedishen]

Gas it is a good make and I hear they have excellent customer services in germany. I chose gas low because I wanted a UK make.

Unless you take bottles out and start filling them on the forecourt u shouldn't have a problem with an internally mounted filler accessed by a door.

Mind you' if you gotta take the LPG nozzle half way into the van, then yea u will have problems... but I think on those older AS the gas cupboard opens to the rear door.

I could have mounted mine inside, but I figured if I ever sell the van or remove the system, I will just leave the filler in place..

Take a photo of gas cupboard and any exterior access.

[Odd days]

I only know friends of ours got refused at morrisons when they had the filler in a locker. Is it worth the risk putting it in the locker and being left with out gas.

[Kedishen]

In the end up to the aussie, but I met loads of people with it mounted internally... no issues whilst on the continent... never asked about england..

Seriously, on the continent it's abit more relaxed.. what with 600,000 campers visiting france last year and LPG round every corner.

In england, somebody would complain if u squirted ketchup on burger without the proper training...

[Jimimitch]

Auzzie? I am a Kiwi mate, -bit like confusing the English and Scottish!!!!.......But thanks for the response guys. When i pick up the campervan tomorrow, i will have a good look at the gas compartment and post a few pics.

I am leaning toward internal mount if im not going to have trouble abroad, but will do a little more investigation on the matter and let you know.

[Kedishen]

Woops. I typed kiwi but damn auto correct must a changed it