I approve of this though process

I'm having to consider something bigger than my BMW too. Loving the Transporter, top vans IMHO.

There's a lively industry devoted to customising these things. Lowered suspension, neon floorpan lights, that type of thing.....

Green with envy (notice avatar pic). Mines playing up at the moment and is out of favour.... a nice T5 diesel would mean better fuel economy/performance and not so many hours with spanners in hand.

Hello Guys.

I approve of this though process

 

I'm having to consider something bigger than my BMW too. Loving the Transporter, top vans IMHO.

Im glad you approve Bryn! The way I see it is that it looks respectible AND its very practical too. I now just have to avoid the "can you take this to the tip for me?" questions!

Spare a thought for me , I drive a Smart , can just about get a passenger

in that .

Ah ok! Saying that I did have one of those pass me at 90mph+ on the motorway earlier when I was collecting the van, I bet that would be scary!

There's a lively industry devoted to customising these things. Lowered suspension, neon floorpan lights, that type of thing.....

I am very aware of the things that can be done with these vans and am considering a few bits and pieces myself. Lowering - Yes, Neon lighting - Definately not!

Green with envy (notice avatar pic). Mines playing up at the moment and is out of favour.... a nice T5 diesel would mean better fuel economy/performance and not so many hours with spanners in hand.

Its a real shame you moved away as it would have been nice to run ideas / thoughts past you. Are there any VW clubs around here you could recommend?

M.

Hi Missy. Yes there is a VW club in Oxfordshire. They meet at the Bystander Pub in Wootton. Haven't been a member for many years now so don't know what current interests the members have. I recognise a couple of names on the membership list so they have been around the club for a long time (good sign hopefully). www.oxfordshirevwoc.co.uk should give you all the information.

2 magazines available as well, Camper and Commercial and Volkswagen Camper and Bus. Both full of ideas, traders, suppliers of conversions etc. Have a flick through them to see if they can give you an ideas.

Hoping to get back to Abingdon soon to drop of the buildings I have been working on for the Abingdon layout. Managed to get some good progress recently.

Nice van! And much cooler than any Beemer.... (ducks for cover!)

My wife has a T4 which is lovely to drive. Its lowered and fitted out for camping, lots of solid wood in the back. We've driven it to Italy and Chamonix so far. If your thinking of lowering don't go too far, ours is too low at the back, gives a very bumpy ride! New springs will be fitted when we can afford it. Other than that its really reliable and just keeps going.

Paul.

Just a thought here. I've noticed and read that those of you in the UK seem to prefer moving your layouts around in vans, whereas here down under we move our layouts arround in trailers. My Sturminster breaks down to 2 boards of 1100 x 800mm and a 600 x 800mm. These then slip in a set of racks in my 7' x 4.5" trailer. Trailer has a canvas canopy to keep the weather out. Any exhibition you attend down here always has the trailer carpark tucked around the side of the venue.

Are you going to sign write it?

Just kidding - it's a cool idea getting the van and will open up more opportunities to travel with your hppby eh?

Steve

Well done Missy, looks a very nice way to transport Highclere around, although it might be a bit excessive for your Nn3 stuff

Tom

I've wondered whether I should have a larger layout now I have a bigger car.

Can you also fit a workbench in the back along with the layout, bed and kitchenette? You could live in it then and not pay rent or mortgage

lol@rich until "you" go postal from living in a moving padded cell..

Nice wheels Missy - I can see this camper-van idea developing into a whole new hobby!

I'm considering 'downsizing' my RAV4 on the basis it's going to be so long before I finish a decent sized layout that I'll be onto at least the next car by then!

Andy

Nice bus- Warning VW's are as addictive as railways. My bus still in bits

Hi Missy, nice wheels.

Are you planning to fit the back out yourself?

Regards,

Chris

Thanks once again for the comments folks!

Hi Missy. Yes there is a VW club in Oxfordshire. They meet at the Bystander Pub in Wootton. Haven't been a member for many years now so don't know what current interests the members have. I recognise a couple of names on the membership list so they have been around the club for a long time (good sign hopefully). www.oxfordshirevwoc.co.uk should give you all the information.

 

2 magazines available as well, Camper and Commercial and Volkswagen Camper and Bus. Both full of ideas, traders, suppliers of conversions etc. Have a flick through them to see if they can give you an ideas.

 

Hoping to get back to Abingdon soon to drop of the buildings I have been working on for the Abingdon layout. Managed to get some good progress recently.

Thanks for the info Tony, let me know when you are back and I will make sure I go to the club then.

If your thinking of lowering don't go too far, ours is too low at the back, gives a very bumpy ride! New springs will be fitted when we can afford it

Paul.

Thank you for the tip Paul, its things like that which are very useful. The plan is to lower it but I will avoid lowering it too far.

Are you going to sign write it?

Just kidding - it's a cool idea getting the van and will open up more opportunities to travel with your hppby eh?

Steve

Good idea! How about "Missys Modelling Mobile" or similar!! As for travelling with a hubby I will need to get a hubby first!

Nice wheels Missy - I can see this camper-van idea developing into a whole new hobby!

Andy

Nice bus- Warning VW's are as addictive as railways.

Yes, I am very aware of that. My modelling has taken a hit recently already. I dont want the van to take over my spare time so I will crack on with some modelling soon to address the balance.

Are you planning to fit the back out yourself?

Chris

Hello Chris. I have the woodworking skills of a 5 year old so I doubt I could take on such a project! Hopefully my really really great friend can help me

Missy

Are you going to sign write it?

Just kidding - it's a cool idea getting the van and will open up more opportunities to travel with your hppby eh?

Steve

Good idea! How about "Missys Modelling Mobile" or similar!! As for travelling with a hubby I will need to get a hubby first!

... and presumably a respray into chocolate and cream plus GWR inspired interior design too?

Hi Guys

Thanks for the tip-off about the SBMCC, I have had a look and once the van looks a little more like a camper I will think about joining in! The sound system will come in time, I have been thinking a little about it already, hopefully something with a TV too...

I still have the beemer at the moment but it is up for sale, I cannot really afford to run two cars, especially in todays 'climate' but thats another story....

M.

And this is the secret reason that I have insisted on an estate as the new car - the wife has insisted on a small car - so small estate it is.

my previous layout (which never got finished) had baseboards that were different sizes in order to fit between the wheel arches of a fiesta's boot.