New member and first time Transporter owner

[euan5882]

Hi All, As a new member here I thought I just introduce myself and the van. I'm based in Hampshire and recently got my hands on a T6.1 Highline DSG LWB Indium Grey panel van (2022). Aiming to convert to a campervan over the coming months. I'm excited to join the VW T6 forum which has been a great source of early info for me. Can't wait to get started!

 

[JumpShip]

Welcome Euan , looks nice and tidy

 

[Voodoo_Pirate]

Hello and welcome! Any early plans for it?!

 

[T6ChrisO]

Welcome along

 

[euan5882]

Hello and welcome! Any early plans for it?!

Hi and thanks.

After removing the bulkhead and stripping out the cargo area, I'll start with adding a pop top and getting the windows installed. Beyond that, I am still very much in planning/thinking mode!

 

[JoshB_]

Great base vehicle.

Welcome!

 

[euan5882]

Hi all, after much deliberation (!) i am on the verge on pressing the go button to order a Storm pop top for my van. Before I do so, I would really like to view one in the flesh and was wondering if there is anyone on the forum who has a Storm roof on their van that they’d be happy for me to come and see?

Please send me a pm if you can help and you’re located within (say) a 30 mins radius of Winchester!

Many thanks

 

[Cuffy]

Welcome to the forum, I can't help with your pop top request.

With reference to your conversion, give it some serious thought of what you think you want to what you actually want.
For example, are you happy to cook in the van and potentially have the interior smelling like your local greasy spoon?
If the answer is no, then leave the kitchen out.
Do you really need a wardrobe to hang clothes in when you go away? Or are you happy to live out of the bag?
If it's the latter, then leave this out too.
How many of you will be going away in the van at any given time?
If you end up with a kitchen/units, you'll lose width on the inside, adding to cramped sleeping conditions and potentially your other half given you grief for a crap nights sleep or moaning because they felt you fart on their leg.

I'm only mentioning the above as I have a fully converted van, but never use the inside for sleeping/cooking/hanging clothes etc.
Whenever we go away, we use the awning and use the van as a dumping ground, the only useful thing is the fridge, keeps the beer cold.

If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn't have gone for a fully converted van, would have saved myself a small fortune if I went for a day van.
Horses for courses and all that.

 

[SAJO]

Totally agree with Cuffy on all the above for my first van I went down the full conversion route too, I've since realised the van was used more as a day van and for sleeping, most of the time I use an awning for cooking, so this time around I have started with a new van and it will be exactly as I need it.
Give yourself plenty of time to think and work out what you want and what you need?

 

[CAB]

And just for balance, we (well, Mrs CAB) cook inside all the time.

We can't be bothered faffing about with an awning, and we (well, she) isn't going to hang about outside in Autumn, Winter and Spring, and most Summer days as well, cooking our dinner!

 

[SAJO]

And just for balance, we (well, Mrs CAB) cook inside all the time.

We can't be bothered faffing about with an awning, and we (well, she) isn't going to hang about outside in Autumn, Winter and Spring, and most Summer days as well, cooking our dinner!

Exactly this........ There is no right or wrong answer, to a conversion, its what works for you, as I said above take time to think out how YOU want it!

 

[T6ChrisO]

Good advice above, each user is different. I'm happy to cook inside my van and also as Cuffy mentions, Im happy to store my clothes wherever I possibly can so this time, i've opted to build a low level end to end kitchen with no wardrobe (also going gasless this time)

 

[euan5882]

Welcome to the forum, I can't help with your pop top request.

With reference to your conversion, give it some serious thought of what you think you want to what you actually want.
For example, are you happy to cook in the van and potentially have the interior smelling like your local greasy spoon?
If the answer is no, then leave the kitchen out.
Do you really need a wardrobe to hang clothes in when you go away? Or are you happy to live out of the bag?
If it's the latter, then leave this out too.
How many of you will be going away in the van at any given time?
If you end up with a kitchen/units, you'll lose width on the inside, adding to cramped sleeping conditions and potentially your other half given you grief for a crap nights sleep or moaning because they felt you fart on their leg.

I'm only mentioning the above as I have a fully converted van, but never use the inside for sleeping/cooking/hanging clothes etc.
Whenever we go away, we use the awning and use the van as a dumping ground, the only useful thing is the fridge, keeps the beer cold.

If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn't have gone for a fully converted van, would have saved myself a small fortune if I went for a day van.
Horses for courses and all that.

Thanks for the reply - some really useful advice here. Although I definitely want a bed in the van, I am yo yoing a bit with the onboard cooking and tall cupboard points. The roof won’t be done for a few weeks so once this is ordered, I can devote some serious thinking time in these areas next!

 

[euan5882]

Welcome to the forum, I can't help with your pop top request.

With reference to your conversion, give it some serious thought of what you think you want to what you actually want.
For example, are you happy to cook in the van and potentially have the interior smelling like your local greasy spoon?
If the answer is no, then leave the kitchen out.
Do you really need a wardrobe to hang clothes in when you go away? Or are you happy to live out of the bag?
If it's the latter, then leave this out too.
How many of you will be going away in the van at any given time?
If you end up with a kitchen/units, you'll lose width on the inside, adding to cramped sleeping conditions and potentially your other half given you grief for a crap nights sleep or moaning because they felt you fart on their leg.

I'm only mentioning the above as I have a fully converted van, but never use the inside for sleeping/cooking/hanging clothes etc.
Whenever we go away, we use the awning and use the van as a dumping ground, the only useful thing is the fridge, keeps the beer cold.

If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn't have gone for a fully converted van, would have saved myself a small fortune if I went for a day van.
Horses for courses and all that.

Thanks for the reply - some really useful advice here. Although I definitely want a bed in the van, I am yo yoing a bit withthe onboard cooking and tall cupboard points. The roof won’t be done for a few weeks so once this is ordered, I can devote some serious thinking time in these areas next!

Totally agree with Cuffy on all the above for my first van I went down the full conversion route too, I've since realised the van was used more as a day van and for sleeping, most of the time I use an awning for cooking, so this time around I have started with a new van and it will be exactly as I need it.
Give yourself plenty of time to think and work out what you want and what you need?

Thanks Sajo. I seriously underestimated how much thinking time this project was gonna create!!

 

[euan5882]

And just for balance, we (well, Mrs CAB) cook inside all the time.

We can't be bothered faffing about with an awning, and we (well, she) isn't going to hang about outside in Autumn, Winter and Spring, and most Summer days as well, cooking our dinner!

Fair point! If they’re not too painful to put up, I’ll probably still go for an awning as I like the extra space, especially with our Lab. But I’ll probably wait until we have used the van for a bit before making a decision on this. More to think about

 

[Voodoo_Pirate]

We didn’t think we’d use the kitchen much either and said why would we cook inside with the smells etc…. Then you realise how easy it is to quickly knock up some delicious plain pasta and sauce for the kids without getting out any other kit or leave the van…. Or equally how easy it is to boil some water for a tea!

You may not use it much but it is handy to have if and when.

We still have a 120cm RIB bed so still plenty of sleeping space.

Each will have their own preferences and opinions! Do exactly what you think you want and will need.

 

[euan5882]

So true! A real test of convenience vs space saving.

 

[Srea064]

Welcome aboard