Van conversion is a tricky business.
It can lead to lots of blown fuses. Of the electrical and neurological type.
Firstly, there's the mind boggling range of set ups. Do you want a full camper conversion with three quarter length rock and roll bed, or a day van for your daily drive with a snazzy little picnic pod for those peckish moments when out and about?
It's what makes the VW Transporter so versatile (check out my previous post on this here) but at the same time it can be the basis for some epic arguments.
Our first argument erupted when deciding whether to install very expensive full Caravelle seats and rail system (with inbuilt isofix to keep little treasures trussed up safely in their car seats) or a rock and roll bed which is cheaper and ideal for camping, but not as safe. That's fuse number 1 blown.
Thankfully the other half saw sense and our kids are now being stylishly and safely transported around on Caravelle seats (which may as well be lined with gold the amount they cost).
The next conversion consideration is interior styling, including things like carpeting and lighting. The husband did this all himself (well done, hunny) including the installation of recessed LED decking lights in the roof. These he very cleverly decided to hook up to the interior light.
The theory was that when the doors were opened the interior, as well as the swish new decking lights, would automatically come on dazzling everyone. I say theory as no matter what he did, he couldn't get the flipping things to come on just by opening the doors.
A few hours were spent scatching heads and re wiring, then re wiring and then un wiring followed by a few choice expletives.
Luckily us Transporter owners have access to a wealth of knowledge, experience and recommendations from other Transporter owners all across the UK in the T4 and T5 Forum. Check it out. It's quickly become my bible and best friend.
So, while the husband commandeered a neighbour and fellow VW Transporter nut to help him ummm and ahh and fiddle I did a quick search on the forum whilst feeding the new born and enjoying a cup of tea.
And ping! Some fabulous Forum member had shared a solution to our very same problem.
Yep, you guessed it. Blown fuse.
Not only this, they had uploaded a handy diagram showing exactly where the blown fuse was located. Thanks, buddy!
I left it a few minutes and continued to watch the head scratching in the van. Once the little one had finished feeding and my cuppa was finished I slowly sauntered out, popped the fuse compartment on the dash, deftly located said blown fuse and tossed it to the boys in the back. 'Here's the problem guys', I said. Their faces! Priceless.
Who rule the world? Girls! (And the T4 and T5 Forum).
With all our engine troubles since then (resulting in more blown fuses. Mostly mine.) this is as far as our conversion story has got. But we have plans ;)
Friday 31 May 2013
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Wave after wave of embarrassment
Did you know what the Shaka was in my last post, or did you look it up on Wikipedia? (Refresh yourself here).
If you did, then you'll know us friendly VW van owners give each other a little wave, flash or quick hands up as we pass each other on the road. It's like an imaginary high five recognising each other's mutual coolness.
Thing is, you only do it to proper bona fide members of the VW scene. You don't give the signal to any old Bob the Builder travelling by in his work van.
And that's where we get unstuck at the mo. Despite the DRL lights (devilish sporty looking Audi-like headlights with sparkly LEDs), fat steel side bars and tinted side windows, we have still got commercial steels and our bumpers are not colour coded. In short we are a builders ride with Botox.
As a result sometimes we get a wave, and other times we give a wave and are left hanging. Awkward.
Our daily commute takes us past, what I am told, is a well known dogging spot. I'm very careful not to give any sort of signal whilst driving along this stretch of road as I don't want to inadvertently give anyone some secret coded come on.
I don't just partake in the Shaka ritual. I also enjoy giving truckers' signals too. No, I'm not talking about flicking the Vs (although when the road rage takes me I have been known to give the odd two-fingered salute or two, or three).
Basically when a HGV flashes you to let you know it's safe to move back into the lane when overtaking you pull in then give them a quick left right left of your indicator. Usually your new HGV buddy gives you a flash back for your efforts.
I am far more successful at the truckers' signal than the Shaka at the moment. So to save the red face I might shelve Shaka-ing until the van is fully converted.
In the meantime if you see me, do give me a wave as I promise I will flash back.
The lights...the lights! Jeez, you lot have dirty minds.
One life, drive it.
If you did, then you'll know us friendly VW van owners give each other a little wave, flash or quick hands up as we pass each other on the road. It's like an imaginary high five recognising each other's mutual coolness.
Thing is, you only do it to proper bona fide members of the VW scene. You don't give the signal to any old Bob the Builder travelling by in his work van.
And that's where we get unstuck at the mo. Despite the DRL lights (devilish sporty looking Audi-like headlights with sparkly LEDs), fat steel side bars and tinted side windows, we have still got commercial steels and our bumpers are not colour coded. In short we are a builders ride with Botox.
As a result sometimes we get a wave, and other times we give a wave and are left hanging. Awkward.
Our daily commute takes us past, what I am told, is a well known dogging spot. I'm very careful not to give any sort of signal whilst driving along this stretch of road as I don't want to inadvertently give anyone some secret coded come on.
I don't just partake in the Shaka ritual. I also enjoy giving truckers' signals too. No, I'm not talking about flicking the Vs (although when the road rage takes me I have been known to give the odd two-fingered salute or two, or three).
Basically when a HGV flashes you to let you know it's safe to move back into the lane when overtaking you pull in then give them a quick left right left of your indicator. Usually your new HGV buddy gives you a flash back for your efforts.
I am far more successful at the truckers' signal than the Shaka at the moment. So to save the red face I might shelve Shaka-ing until the van is fully converted.
In the meantime if you see me, do give me a wave as I promise I will flash back.
The lights...the lights! Jeez, you lot have dirty minds.
One life, drive it.
Sunday 26 May 2013
Quick quiz. How VW are you?
After a quick glance at my Twitter and Facebook feeds I feel like the only person not driving over hallowed ground down the M5 to Run to the Sun this weekend. Sniff.
To distract myself I thought I would write a quick quiz to find out how nuts you lot are for VWs. It's a bit of fun for the bank holiday weekend too!
Read the 10 statements coming up and give yourself one point every time you answer yes.
I'm sure you've done those psycho babble quizzes in mags and newspapers before. You know the ones. 'What on screen couple are you and your guy?' (Baby and Johnny Castle. Patrick can put me in the corner or in the play pen or wherever really) or even 'What type of biscuit are you?' (Toughie. If you've read my previous posts you'll know it would have to be ginger nut).
Make a note of your score then see how you measure up at the end of the post.
1. You make an annual pilgrimage to Devon or Cornwall (or insert your nearest available stunning, rugged coastline here.)
Give yourself a bonus point if you go more than once a year. Lucky so-in-so.
2. You bike, skate, surf, hike, kite surf, coasteer or kayak.
An extra bonus point if you do all of the above. Crazy adrenaline junkie.
3. You or your kids own at least one T Shirt or hoodie with a camper van emblazoned on the front. We are on 9 camper van clothing items in our household, and counting ;)
4. You still call Busfest Vanfest.
Minus one point if you don't know what either of the above is.
5. You are doggie friendly.
One bonus point if you have a dog and you kit it out with a VW neckerchief at every VW event you go to. Yep. Marley, our crazy springer has a fetching baby blue one bought at Vanfest some years ago.
6. You own a VW bus themed wash bag/key ring/mug/coaster/canvas/cookie jar/money box/salt and pepper shaker/VW camper van cook book.
One bonus point if you have all of the above.
If you have not got the VW camper van cook book by Martin Dorey check it out. It's a camper's cooking bible packed full of fuss free tastiness. You don't need a VW camper van to enjoy it either.
7. Your taste in music spans all decades and genres. From 60s Beach Boys to acoustic Jack Johnson and from reggae reggae moves with Bob Marley to rocking out with the Red Hot Chillies.
8. You bring out the board shorts and flip flops at the first flash of sun, no matter how bloody cold it is (this one is for the husband). And in true British bank holiday style he is sporting them this weekend. Well, I have switched the heating on indoors as it's that flipping cold.
9. You own at least one item of clothing from Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy, Saltrock, Animal, O'Neil, Fat Face, White Stuff, Weird Fish...
One bonus point if you have at least one item from every brand. Moneybags.
10. You know what the Shaka sign is without checking it up on Wikipedia.
One bonus point if you are sat there giving one right now whether you had to look it up or not.
So, how did you do?
0 to 3 points - Vdub newbie
4 to 6 points - Vdub rookie
7 to 10 points - Vdub devotee
10 points plus - Vdub nutty!
Enjoy the bank holiday, whatever the weather peeps!
One life, drive it.
To distract myself I thought I would write a quick quiz to find out how nuts you lot are for VWs. It's a bit of fun for the bank holiday weekend too!
Read the 10 statements coming up and give yourself one point every time you answer yes.
I'm sure you've done those psycho babble quizzes in mags and newspapers before. You know the ones. 'What on screen couple are you and your guy?' (Baby and Johnny Castle. Patrick can put me in the corner or in the play pen or wherever really) or even 'What type of biscuit are you?' (Toughie. If you've read my previous posts you'll know it would have to be ginger nut).
Make a note of your score then see how you measure up at the end of the post.
1. You make an annual pilgrimage to Devon or Cornwall (or insert your nearest available stunning, rugged coastline here.)
Give yourself a bonus point if you go more than once a year. Lucky so-in-so.
2. You bike, skate, surf, hike, kite surf, coasteer or kayak.
An extra bonus point if you do all of the above. Crazy adrenaline junkie.
3. You or your kids own at least one T Shirt or hoodie with a camper van emblazoned on the front. We are on 9 camper van clothing items in our household, and counting ;)
4. You still call Busfest Vanfest.
Minus one point if you don't know what either of the above is.
5. You are doggie friendly.
One bonus point if you have a dog and you kit it out with a VW neckerchief at every VW event you go to. Yep. Marley, our crazy springer has a fetching baby blue one bought at Vanfest some years ago.
6. You own a VW bus themed wash bag/key ring/mug/coaster/canvas/cookie jar/money box/salt and pepper shaker/VW camper van cook book.
One bonus point if you have all of the above.
If you have not got the VW camper van cook book by Martin Dorey check it out. It's a camper's cooking bible packed full of fuss free tastiness. You don't need a VW camper van to enjoy it either.
7. Your taste in music spans all decades and genres. From 60s Beach Boys to acoustic Jack Johnson and from reggae reggae moves with Bob Marley to rocking out with the Red Hot Chillies.
8. You bring out the board shorts and flip flops at the first flash of sun, no matter how bloody cold it is (this one is for the husband). And in true British bank holiday style he is sporting them this weekend. Well, I have switched the heating on indoors as it's that flipping cold.
9. You own at least one item of clothing from Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy, Saltrock, Animal, O'Neil, Fat Face, White Stuff, Weird Fish...
One bonus point if you have at least one item from every brand. Moneybags.
10. You know what the Shaka sign is without checking it up on Wikipedia.
One bonus point if you are sat there giving one right now whether you had to look it up or not.
So, how did you do?
0 to 3 points - Vdub newbie
4 to 6 points - Vdub rookie
7 to 10 points - Vdub devotee
10 points plus - Vdub nutty!
Enjoy the bank holiday, whatever the weather peeps!
One life, drive it.
Wednesday 22 May 2013
It's all in the name
Come on. Admit it. You have a name for your car don't you.
We love our cars (except when they break down and cost us lots of money. See my very first post here for the eye watering detail).
We spend an awful lot of time in them too. So it only goes to reason that we want to personify them by giving them a name.
Vauxhall have tried to play on this emotional attachment by launching their latest offering as Adam. Apparently it's a tribute to the founder of their sister company, Adam Opel. Personally, I am looking forward to the launch of Eve which I think will be much better model ;)
Our family fun bus has a name. It's Elvis. Why? It's red. And my toddler is obsessed with Fireman Sam. And, well, Jupiter was just too big a name to live up to.
Thinking about it now it probably wasn't the best choice of name. Elvis Cridlington in Fireman Sam is a bit of a calamity, always breaking things and generally ballsing up while the one and only Elvis died on the loo blowing a gasket. Hmmm, I hope the name doesn't turn out to be a self fulfilling prophecy.
My previous cars all had names too:
1998 VW T4 Transporter - Ron Burgundy. As in The Anchorman. As in 'Hey, everyone! Come see how great I look'. Pic below. No further explanation needed.
2002 VW Golf GT TDi - Vinnie. As in Vinnie Jones. As in one hell of a mean machine. It certainly was emotional having to watch him being driven away by his new, lucky, owner.
1996 Vauxhall Corsa - Cory (the Corsa). Original. It was my first car, ok, and my inspiration came from my first pet. A hamster, called Hammie. You'll be relieved to hear my kids do not follow this naming trend.
The folks at at VW Bus T4/T5+ Magazine today put a shout out on Twitter (follow them @VWBusMag or visit www.vwbusmagazine.com) to help a fellow T5 owner struggling to name his bus. The good people of the T-scene shared their van name thinking in droves; Farley, Betty, Dennis, Oscar, Scarlet, Vader, Mrs Slocome...
There really are some great, and inspired, vdub names out there. Wish we had thought ours through a little bit more, but we are stuck with it now.
Ah, well. Let's hope Elvis has 'A little less fight and a little more spark' next time I try to start him up.
What did you name your car and why? Let me know by tweeting me @t5for5 or posting a comment below.
One life, drive it.
Monday 20 May 2013
What your car says about you
We all have stereotypes about what kind of person drives a Volvo or BMW, right?
Skoda have been trying for years to break down their brand's perceived image. Unfortunately even their very clever marketing in recent years has failed to make me forget the bullies in the playground yelling, 'Urgh! Your Dad drives a Skoda' when they could think of no new novel ways to taunt me for being the ginger kid. Eesh, even writing about it now brings me out in a sweat.
And just for the record, my Dad didn't drive a Skoda. He had a very tasty MG Montego. Remember those? Oh, and I am no longer ginger either. I bleach blonde for camouflage.
So what does your daily drive and even the colour of your car, say about you? This is a subject many a psychologist and car advertising guru has delved into and some studies have found:
Red - aggressive drivers who like to tear up the tarmac. Move out the way if you see me coming!
Green - hysterical tendencies. Jeez, just saying.
Silver - safe, sober drivers who are less likely to have an accident.
White - neat freaks that like cleaning. A lot. I mean why would you buy a car that gets dirty without even driving it?
Immaculate inside and out - anally retentive with an obsessive compulsive streak. And no kids.
Of course, I don't take any notice of these stereotypes. Except maybe for Volvo Estates. Bloody Sunday drivers, I told you to get out of my way!! (Sorry, there is just no suppressing the red van and hair in me!)
And I bet if you stopped and thought about it, you would have a stereotype about VW Transporter drivers too.
But you would be wrong.
This is what has really amazed me about the VW T4/T5 scene.
Everyone is welcome and everyone is friendly. From young single lads to retired couples, from hard working plumbers to creative florists, from young families like ours to busy business executives.
And I'm looking forward to getting to know more transporter owners, lovers and drivers as we convert our van.
*Disclaimer. If you drive any of the above I do not think these things specifically about you. I am just writing about image and stereotypes ok? Sheesh, now get back into your shiny big red car and get out of here.
One life, drive it.
Skoda have been trying for years to break down their brand's perceived image. Unfortunately even their very clever marketing in recent years has failed to make me forget the bullies in the playground yelling, 'Urgh! Your Dad drives a Skoda' when they could think of no new novel ways to taunt me for being the ginger kid. Eesh, even writing about it now brings me out in a sweat.
And just for the record, my Dad didn't drive a Skoda. He had a very tasty MG Montego. Remember those? Oh, and I am no longer ginger either. I bleach blonde for camouflage.
So what does your daily drive and even the colour of your car, say about you? This is a subject many a psychologist and car advertising guru has delved into and some studies have found:
Red - aggressive drivers who like to tear up the tarmac. Move out the way if you see me coming!
Green - hysterical tendencies. Jeez, just saying.
Silver - safe, sober drivers who are less likely to have an accident.
White - neat freaks that like cleaning. A lot. I mean why would you buy a car that gets dirty without even driving it?
Immaculate inside and out - anally retentive with an obsessive compulsive streak. And no kids.
Of course, I don't take any notice of these stereotypes. Except maybe for Volvo Estates. Bloody Sunday drivers, I told you to get out of my way!! (Sorry, there is just no suppressing the red van and hair in me!)
And I bet if you stopped and thought about it, you would have a stereotype about VW Transporter drivers too.
But you would be wrong.
This is what has really amazed me about the VW T4/T5 scene.
Everyone is welcome and everyone is friendly. From young single lads to retired couples, from hard working plumbers to creative florists, from young families like ours to busy business executives.
And I'm looking forward to getting to know more transporter owners, lovers and drivers as we convert our van.
*Disclaimer. If you drive any of the above I do not think these things specifically about you. I am just writing about image and stereotypes ok? Sheesh, now get back into your shiny big red car and get out of here.
One life, drive it.
Sunday 19 May 2013
Five and a bit reasons you need a Transporter
I suppose I need to go right back to the very beginning to explain how we ended up with our 'diamond in the rough' T5.
While heavily pregnant with our latest child I finally gave in to the husband's increasing demands to get rid of our trusty, speedy Golf GT TDi and replace it with a tatty around the edges work horse of a Transporter.
It was very calculating of him to play on my raging pregnancy hormones and primeval urge to nest, nest, nest.
I mean the Golf was great - sturdy and like the proverbial off a shovel when your foot hit the floor - but how would we fit in a rugby playing 12 year old, two child car seats with toddler and new born attached, a crazy springer and all the baby and toddler paraphernalia needed for our many family fun days out?
We needed a vehicle with space, style and speed.
I wanted to be sure a Transporter was the best vehicle for us, so we looked at Land Rovers, Shoguns and L200s but once a vdubber always a vdubber. Tourans and Tiguans were nice but the Transporter won hands down. Here's why:
1. Reliability. Ok. Ours may not be the finest example but generally speaking Transporters are robust vehicles. Why does the AA and RAC pick 'em for their patrol cars?
2. Versatility. Transporters offer luxury executive travel (last year's I'm a Celeb contestants were transported from the jungle back to their five star hotel in T5 Caravelles) right through to daily white van man runabout rides. What other car brand covers such a wide and diverse audience?
3. Driveability. I was terrified about stepping from behind the wheel of my lovely little Golf and stepping up into a Transporter cab. But after a shakey practice run or two I have fallen in love with driving our T5. It's a pleasure to motor in. I can even reverse park with no rear windows. Get me boys, lol.
4. Space. We have oodles and oodles of space. Out for a picnic and it starts to rain? Spread the picnic rug in the back of the van and we can all dine al Volkswagen in the dry. We are planning getting a swivel base for our double cab seats in the front so we can turn round and dine with the kids in the back when we feel like it. Kids need a nap? We flip out our caravelle three seaters and hey presto, we have a day bed!
5. Endless options. Twin cab or single cab seats up front, swivel seats, three seats, twin seats, captain seats, rock n roll beds and tables in the back - some that slide in and out on rails. You can get pop tops, drive away awnings and even pull out pods to double the size of your van. (Check it out at www.doubleback.co.uk) It's an adult's pick n mix sweetie shop, albiet an expensive one.
That's five reasons already but before I sign off I really have to add one more. When you buy a VW Transporter you buy into a lifestyle. One where on a sunny Saturday morning you can pack up the van, chuck in the kids and the dog and in a few hours time be parked up at the coast with bacon sarnies cooking and coffee brewing on your custom made van kitchen pod.
Personally, I think any family above the size of the normal nuclear needs a VW Transporter!
One life, drive it.
Friday 17 May 2013
It starts...well just
Today our VW T5 family van didn't want to start.
After three attempts I finally manage to get it started with a belch of white smoke, accompanied by a stomach churning chugging sound. Cue worried phone call to the husband on hands free with kids screaming in the back as we motor to granny's.
His verdict? It was cold last night so the engine wasn't warm enough. Really, darling? It is the middle of May. Granted, it's England so we aren't blessed with temperatures you would normally associate with spring but it wasn't freezing last night.
We motor on, van is running fine. Still worried I pull over, cut the engine, wait ten seconds like you would when restarting a smart phone (my only yard stick for anything remotely technical) and turn the van over again. I use my best ground control to Major Tom voice to manically count down blast off to ease my toddler's screeching.
All fine. No smoke. No noise (except the kids).
We drive on and thankfully there's no replay of last week when we had plumes of black smoke chucking out the back end and a bunny hop in second Bugs himself would be proud of. That cost us a princely sum of 600 quid to get fixed. Yep, 600 smackers up in smoke thanks to a busted inter cooler and turbo hose.
I feel like I spend all my spare time in the VW Van Centre in Cheltenham these days getting bits to fix the van. I know all the salesmen and service staff by name. The salesmen even wave when I amble past in our distinctive dinged red ex panel van. They purr by, taunting me as they take their swish Sportlines out for a spin with some lucky, loaded van purchaser. I just wave back and salivate.
I am worried the van won't start tomorrow. I am also a little worried this blog won't really go anywhere. I'm a vdubber at heart though so I'll just keep dubbing, and writing, and keep everything crossed nothing else breaks in the sodding engine.
Visit again to see if the van starts up and hear more about our journey transforming our van from crusty commercial carrier to fabulous family fun bus. I promise plenty of van chat, insights into family life and not a lot of techie stuff.
One life, drive it.
After three attempts I finally manage to get it started with a belch of white smoke, accompanied by a stomach churning chugging sound. Cue worried phone call to the husband on hands free with kids screaming in the back as we motor to granny's.
His verdict? It was cold last night so the engine wasn't warm enough. Really, darling? It is the middle of May. Granted, it's England so we aren't blessed with temperatures you would normally associate with spring but it wasn't freezing last night.
We motor on, van is running fine. Still worried I pull over, cut the engine, wait ten seconds like you would when restarting a smart phone (my only yard stick for anything remotely technical) and turn the van over again. I use my best ground control to Major Tom voice to manically count down blast off to ease my toddler's screeching.
All fine. No smoke. No noise (except the kids).
We drive on and thankfully there's no replay of last week when we had plumes of black smoke chucking out the back end and a bunny hop in second Bugs himself would be proud of. That cost us a princely sum of 600 quid to get fixed. Yep, 600 smackers up in smoke thanks to a busted inter cooler and turbo hose.
I feel like I spend all my spare time in the VW Van Centre in Cheltenham these days getting bits to fix the van. I know all the salesmen and service staff by name. The salesmen even wave when I amble past in our distinctive dinged red ex panel van. They purr by, taunting me as they take their swish Sportlines out for a spin with some lucky, loaded van purchaser. I just wave back and salivate.
I am worried the van won't start tomorrow. I am also a little worried this blog won't really go anywhere. I'm a vdubber at heart though so I'll just keep dubbing, and writing, and keep everything crossed nothing else breaks in the sodding engine.
Visit again to see if the van starts up and hear more about our journey transforming our van from crusty commercial carrier to fabulous family fun bus. I promise plenty of van chat, insights into family life and not a lot of techie stuff.
One life, drive it.
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