Rob's T6 Overland Camper Build Thread

[T6NOMAD]

Hi Rob,

I am looking to do something very similar, Just out of curiosity how did you get on dealing Uber Bus ?
I have been trying to get in contact with them for months now but they wont respond to any emails or answer the phone ! and I am cautious about buying anything from their website if their customer service is so questionable !

That's an interesting question, and here is my experience summary:

1st Order - spare wheel carrier & HD gas struts. I ordered on the website, paid. Silence. exactly 1 week after placing the order I sent a follow up email to enquire on the order. 2 days later the order was dispatched. (Turn around time - 9 days)
When installing the HD gas struts, the little nipple screw came loose and the 'gas' leaked out. I sent them an email, got a reply 2 days later.

2nd Order - spare wheel carrier for the box. I ordered on the website, paid. Silence. exactly 1 week after placing the order I sent a follow up email to enquire on the order. 1 day later the order was dispatched. (Turn around time - 8 days)

Yes, their customer service definitely isn't 5-star worthy, but their products are 5-star worthy. If you order, expect to get your item 8 - 14 days after paying.

Hope that helps?

 

[T6VanLife]

I'm ordered my spare wheel carrier from Uber Bus earlier this year. They took a few days to respond to my email, but rhey did respond. Similarly, the carrier itself wasnt dispatched until two weeks after it ordered it, but it did arrive.

If in doubt order via PayPal or credit card for the purchase protection.

That's an interesting question, and here is my experience summary:

1st Order - spare wheel carrier & HD gas struts. I ordered on the website, paid. Silence. exactly 1 week after placing the order I sent a follow up email to enquire on the order. 2 days later the order was dispatched. (Turn around time - 9 days)
When installing the HD gas struts, the little nipple screw came loose and the 'gas' leaked out. I sent them an email, got a reply 2 days later.

2nd Order - spare wheel carrier for the box. I ordered on the website, paid. Silence. exactly 1 week after placing the order I sent a follow up email to enquire on the order. 1 day later the order was dispatched. (Turn around time - 8 days)

Yes, there customer service definitely isn't 5-star worthy, but their products are 5-star worthy. If you order, expect to get your item 8 - 10 days after paying.

Hope that helps?

Thanks for that Lads,

I must have sent them a dozen emails from 2 accounts (in case one ended up in spam folder) and tried to call them multiple times and not a peep !
Hardly confidence inspiring stuff when looking to purchase expensive components !

So you both rate their spare wheel carrier and HD Struts ?
Just out of curiosity do those struts hold your tailgate up @T6NOMAD ? thats a fair bit of weight on your tailgate and did you need to make any adjustments to the gassing ?

 

[T6NOMAD]

Thanks for that Lads,

I must have sent them a dozen emails from 2 accounts (in case one ended up in spam folder) and tried to call them multiple times and not a peep !
Hardly confidence inspiring stuff when looking to purchase expensive components !

So you both rate their spare wheel carrier and HD Struts ?
Just out of curiosity do those struts hold your tailgate up @T6NOMAD ? thats a fair bit of weight on your tailgate and did you need to make any adjustments to the gassing ?

I hear you about the no contact. But worry not, you will get your order I have just ordered 2 sets of their awning brackets, the ones I used are average at best.

Yes, the gas struts are certainly Heavy Duty and hold the tailgate up without question. They are 2500NM each, before letting out the gas to adjust. I am almost certain that they would hold me standing on top of the tailgate before letting out gas. They really are strong.

 

[Sasquatch]

The spare wheel carrier is superb. Beautifully welded, seriously good powder coat, nicely designed with good instructions.

I went for the much cheaper THQ 1200N struts. They work fine but on reflection the weight of the wheel and the power of the struts is a lot to put through so narrow an angle so I will probably get the UberBus kit after all.

 

[T6VanLife]

I hear you about the no contact. But worry not, you will get your order I have just ordered 2 sets of their awning brackets, the ones I used are average at best.

Yes, the gas struts are certainly Heavy Duty and hold the tailgate up without question. They are 2500NM each, before letting out the gas to adjust. I am almost certain that they would hold me standing on top of the tailgate before letting out gas. They really are strong.

Really ! I thought they might be just on their limit with your setup, I didn't really expect you to have to de-gas them do they make closing the tailgate with the weight off a struggle ?

Ok colour me sold, if they can take what you have on there they will easily work for me

 

[T6NOMAD]

Yes, If i remove the weight it will be a bit of a struggle to close the tailgate. My setup is designed that the tailgate open, happens very little if ever.

 

[T6VanLife]

Yes, If i remove the weight it will be a bit of a struggle to close the tailgate. My setup is designed that the tailgate open, happens very little if ever.

I thought that would be the case with such HD struts, Unfortunately my setup is the opposite of yours, my Tailgate is in constant use

 

[T6NOMAD]

I thought that would be the case with such HD struts, Unfortunately my setup is the opposite of yours, my Tailgate is in constant use

That's what makes the HD struts great, you adjust them to your setup and they work perfectly. Obviously if you temporarily add more weight then you will need to help the tailgate a bit.

What do you plan to put at the back if you don't mind me asking?

 

[T6VanLife]

That's what makes the HD struts great, you adjust them to your setup and they work perfectly. Obviously if you temporarily add more weight then you will need to help the tailgate a bit.

What do you plan to put at the back if you don't mind me asking?

I intend to get an aluminium box made like yours just bigger 1200 x 500 x 400mm to put our folding kayaks in as they just make a mess inside the camper and are just a pain in the ass inside !

 

[T6NOMAD]

Next stage of the project is dropping the diesel fuel tank, removing the sender unit to fit the feed line for the Webasto 2000 STC heater.

So put the van on some ramps, front seats will go out so I can neaten up some of the wiring and then dropping the tank.

More photos to follow, in the mean time some photos of the van on ramps and 2.0 TDI sibling surrounded by random Swiss Alps scenery.

 

[T6NOMAD]

Did a bit of work on the van this weekend - installed the Webasto ST 2000 heater under the passenger seat. I still need to prime the fuel system and make sure it’s running properly, and once it’s working, I’ll take some photos before putting the underbody covers back on.


I also noticed the rear of the van had started to sag under the added weight (the standard suspension was struggling), so I replaced the rear shocks and springs first, which has now levelled the van nicely. Next up will do the front shocks.



Safety crocs for the win

 

[Sasquatch]

What dampers did you use?

 

[T6NOMAD]

I went with the Pedders 30mm Lift kit - Pedders | Car Suspension Parts | Pedders Suspension EU

The link breaks down the part numbers for the individual pieces.

When I took it for a test drive, the rear already felt a lot better than the factory. So far I am very happy.

 

[Sasquatch]

Brilliant, thanks. How are you finding the damping?

 

[T6NOMAD]

Brilliant, thanks. How are you finding the damping?

I'm taking the van for a longer test drive this coming weekend, and a bit of camping. Will give my honest feedback afterwards

 

[Sasquatch]

Cool. Im happy with the spring rate on mine now but the standard dampers aren't good at all. The springs end up left to do their thing unchecked and and the rear feels like its made from jelly.

Strangely the front is jkt too bad, but I guess most of the weight of the conversion sits aft.

It does make you wonder though. It doesnt cost any more to make a decent damper than it does a crap one, yet still they do...

 

[T6NOMAD]

Finished up the Webasto AirTop 2000 ST heater installation. Had to make a few custom brackets to mount the fuel pump, cold air intake and exhaust under the body. Quite chuffed with how it came out.

Had some hiccups with the installation, kicking out a H88 error all the time... Retracing my steps, I found that I plugged in the fuel pump plug the wrong way around... Quick fix and she was heating up the cabin nicely!

 

[T6NOMAD]

Some more photos of the finished product of the controversial mod.

Its growing on me! Underneath the box will fit my bike rack and 2 mountain bikes.

 

[Sackmycook]

Great thread this. I may have missed it but what is the short awning on the rear n/s quarter (uk)?

 

[T6NOMAD]

Great thread this. I may have missed it but what is the short awning on the rear n/s quarter (uk)?

Its a 1m x 1m shower cube. They're amazing