Vanfest

Thanks to some last minute negotiations on Jude's part we managed to get some tickets to Vanfest last weekend, this was our first weekend "camping" in the van.  The living accommodation was a bit sparse to say the least, comprising a mattress in the back and a small camping stove but we had a good time at Vanfest and I'm sure that our facilities will be much better on our next weekend away.

Anyway we picked up some bargains including a roll end of Lino, 4 slightly bent pieces of Silent Gliss curtain rail and an aluminium folding table for the awning - the awning that we don't have yet, just one of many things still on the shopping list.  Oh, and we bought a bandana for Harvey which says "Air cooled dog" and very cool he looks too!

 

Most useful though was having the opportunity to view the professional conversions, getting a close look at how they are constructed and we came away with plenty of ideas and lots of pictures of the insides of cupboards!

On Monday we will be taking the van to T4 Transformations in Wakefield to have five windows fitted, then on to JDS Metaltech in Sheffield who will be fitting the Rock and Roll bed.  I am not brave enough to cut holes in the van myself so it makes sense to have the windows professionally fitted, and the bed comes with free fitting anyway!  We are really looking forward to seeing the van take shape, in particular once the bed is fixed in place we will know exactly what space we have to work with.

In preparation for all this work, this week we have been preparing the van, in particular making sure the floor is solid and level before the bed goes down.

The insides of the body panels got a treatment of Waxoyl with underseal applied to the upper and more accessible areas.  Then a layer of loft insulation was added, this is made from recycled plastic bottles.  And to complete the sandwich a layer of airtec foil insulation on top.  The roof panels have also now had a second layer of airtec.

 

The driver's side rear panel has not been insulated yet as this is where the mains inlet will be so there is some wiring to be installed there yet.  I have also made a start on routing mains and 12v cables including a 10mm cable from the starter battery through the bulkhead and to where the relay and leisure battery will be.

The Lino was a bargain at Vanfest, a 3m x 2m piece reduced from £45 to £20 on the Sunday when everyone was packing up.  I am impressed with the quality, it is really heavy duty stuff but very tough to cut as a result.

Finally a rear view mirror from a Passat and an interior light unit from a Golf, £6 and £10 from the local scrappy.