Rob's T6 Overland Camper Build Thread

Part 1 of 2 (Due to limitation of 20 images)

After waiting for almost 3 weeks for our clutch to be fixed, we got a message saying its done! So on Friday 29 August we got onto a Rynair flight to Cagliari which is the capital of Sardinia, then a train and then a short walk to fetch our beloved Nomad.

We got to the garage, greeted with warm smiles! We got the best service from Gwimar, in fact we have become friends with the owners and on our next trip we plan to meet up for a lekker braai!

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After picking up the van it was time to look for our next camp, we wanted a wild quiet camp where we can repack our van ready for the next week's adventure. We found a few spots and decided to check each one out. Before we were on our way we stopped for supplies, beer, meat and some italian snacks. After leaving the town, we stumbled upon this little place, a small side road leading to a section where a few kite surfers had stopped to set up camp. We found a little bit of wild, quiet paradise.

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The next morning we continued our journey Northwards along the west coast and along our way to our next stop we drove through a Muraled little village called Tinnura, known for its colourful murals that cover many of its walls. The tradition began in the 1970s as part of a wider Sardinian mural movement, with artists using public spaces to celebrate local identity.

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Our next destination is Bosa, now this is an important place our our trip because I have a diamond ring in my backpack where I plan to pop the big question... (Scary stuff). As we drive through the mountains we see this beautiful little town. I had to pull over and get the drone up!

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We arent camping on this day, instead I booked a nice romantic room for the night and check in is a couple of hours away, reading through the guides and tips we decide to make our way to one of the secret beaches which needs a 10 km steep hike (Logic is this would deter most beach goers)... So we make our way to this beach, finding parking in places like this is a nightmare. We park up and start hiking, then I heard the rumble of this beauty... i took a photo and later reached out to them on Instagram.

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He shared some photos with me of his build... fitted a Merc 606 engine into it!

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We are hiking up this mountain for a good hour hating life, sweating in 38 degree heat, the sun is baking us to a crisp and then we get to the peak, catching a glimpse of what awaits..... How beautiful is that? Sadly we weren't alone, probably another 6 people around us but it was PERFECT!

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The next challenging thing was to put this entire plan together, drone up, test flight... works great.... do it again, drop down on 1 knee and it recorded the magical moment!

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Now that the emotional moment has cooled down, its time to hike all that way back... this time it was different, a different bounce in both our steps - haha. Walking through the beautiful streets of Bosa, it was time to find our Airbnb (No cars allowed)...

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Checked in, dressed and now its time to go get a bite to eat - we both burned out all our calories for the day.. First a little apetizer..

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Then the main

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Part 2 of 2 (Due to limitation of 20 images)

The next morning, we got up early to continue our journey up along the coast to our next stop. Along the way we spotted an inconspicuous 'Sosta camper' as the italians call it. We decided to stop and found an arb parking lot which ended up being perfect.

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Our sunset with a view was absolutely amazing

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Now that we are on our final leg of the trip, and being unable to find nice wild camping spots we decided to take the touristy ones in the middle of the towns and villages.

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A random photo of a random road on our walk.

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We spotted this awesome camper parked along a road, how nice is this?!

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We arrived at sunset at our next camp, it wasn't much to write home about but atleast we had a nice sunset as we set up camp.

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On our last night before catching the ferry the next morning, we decided to go back to our first camp on the island, we didnt know if it would be free but it was and it ended up being the perfect finish to our adventurous, eventful and emotional first trip in the van.

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The next morning we got to the ferry port, I ended up parking behind this beast - its the ultimate overlanders wet dream that I have - I want one of these!!!

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After arriving at Livorno, we made our way and camped in Pisa with the plan to get up early and make our way to see the leaning tower of Pisa. We wanted to beat the tourist masses...

When we arrived it was super quiet

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We managed to have a selfie session and took some cool photos

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this was when we left....

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Part 2 of 2 (Due to limitation of 20 images)

The next morning, we got up early to continue our journey up along the coast to our next stop. Along the way we spotted an inconspicuous 'Sosta camper' as the italians call it. We decided to stop and found an arb parking lot which ended up being perfect.

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Our sunset with a view was absolutely amazing

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Now that we are on our final leg of the trip, and being unable to find nice wild camping spots we decided to take the touristy ones in the middle of the towns and villages.

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A random photo of a random road on our walk.

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We spotted this awesome camper parked along a road, how nice is this?!

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We arrived at sunset at our next camp, it wasn't much to write home about but atleast we had a nice sunset as we set up camp.

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On our last night before catching the ferry the next morning, we decided to go back to our first camp on the island, we didnt know if it would be free but it was and it ended up being the perfect finish to our adventurous, eventful and emotional first trip in the van.

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The next morning we got to the ferry port, I ended up parking behind this beast - its the ultimate overlanders wet dream that I have - I want one of these!!!

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After arriving at Livorno, we made our way and camped in Pisa with the plan to get up early and make our way to see the leaning tower of Pisa. We wanted to beat the tourist masses...

When we arrived it was super quiet

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We managed to have a selfie session and took some cool photos

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this was when we left....

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Would it be possible to share the arm you are using for your starlink mini?
 
Thank you, your build is absolutely amazing. I aspire to achieve your levels one day!

Congratulations on engagement 🥳

Do you have a plan for getting the cable through the window in the rain? That’s something I’m trying to figure out myself, as living in the UK rain is unavoidable 🤣
 
Thank you, your build is absolutely amazing. I aspire to achieve your levels one day!

Congratulations on engagement 🥳

Do you have a plan for getting the cable through the window in the rain? That’s something I’m trying to figure out myself, as living in the UK rain is unavoidable 🤣

Thanks so much for the compliments and the congrats - really appreciate it. The build has been an awesome adventure and I already have an itch to do another build - haha.

Cable and rain is definitely something i have been thinking about and my current plan is getting another one of these - Kiravans Vent for Opening Window VW Transporter T5 to T6.1 (2003-2024)

I fitted it to the main door for when we are stealth camping and attached 2 x Computer PSU 120mm fans to it to suck fresh air in, it works an absolute treat! Now I am thinking of getting one for the other side, also fitting 2 fans but these ones sucking air out of the van. Will 3D print a 90-degree vent, and this would be an "extraction fan" when cooking sucking all those delicious smells out the van.

I will also drill a hole and install a plug for the Starlink - this would solve the rain ingress issue... :cool:
 
With the big move to Switzerland, the building of the van has taken a bit of a back seat but the last 2 weeks I have found some time to work on and finish the van. Below are some photos of the van in its completed state, the interior etc.

The reason why I went with a FrontRunner awning instead of a fiama awning, is that there are so many options for the FrontRunner one like mosquito side walls, closed side walls etc. and its friendlier on the wallet.

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The eagle eyes will notice that the panel ont he tailgate is missing, this is because I have the FrontRunner compact chairs and I am currently fabricating the panel to hold the chairs. so a custom job is in progress...

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Spotlights and Running lights are all wired in.

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3 x 175W solar panels on the roof make for charging up the 105AH battery very quickly.

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I have more questions 😂 do you have the details for how the front runner awning is attached? Really like the look of it. Similar to the ARB ones.
 
I have more questions 😂 do you have the details for how the front runner awning is attached? Really like the look of it. Similar to the ARB ones.

haha, feel free to ask away. I used the Thule 4200 awning adapter and modified it a little bit - Part no 426707

Screenshot 2025-09-15 125130.webp
 
Thanks for this heads up
I have both sides coming (I ordered one and a family member ordered the other ;)) as think will fit my turkish windows. Plan is like you, to fit a couple computer fans to extract on the cooker side to remove cooking steam. Will fabricate a small hood to fit the overhead locker as well. Will see when they arrive.

Oh and congratulations on your news and thanks for the superb photos, have really enjoyed following your story :)
 
I have both sides coming (I ordered one and a family member ordered the other ;)) as think will fit my turkish windows. Plan is like you, to fit a couple computer fans to extract on the cooker side to remove cooking steam. Will fabricate a small hood to fit the overhead locker as well. Will see when they arrive.

Oh and congratulations on your news and thanks for the superb photos, have really enjoyed following your story :)

These are the fans I used, they run off USB so they're great as a Plug & play solution and they are ultra quiet too. I give them 5 stars!! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JLV4BWC

I designed a bracket to 3D print that attaches to the window side and then the fan screws in. Can take some photos of mine a bit later today if you want.

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Thanks so much for the congrats and compliments, it's been an awesome journey so far :)
 
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That looks really interesting I would be interested to see a picture of it in situ thanks

The other option I am considering is a gimbled fan like the Seekr Sirocco or Seekr Maestro so slightly more versatile and get really good reviews. Quite expensive though!
 
That looks really interesting I would be interested to see a picture of it in situ thanks

The other option I am considering is a gimbled fan like the Seekr Sirocco or Seekr Maestro so slightly more versatile and get really good reviews. Quite expensive though!
Sure will take a photo later. The design above is for the fan on the door sucking air into the van.. Will have to come up with an extractor fan design that works well and is easily stored.

I have the Sirocco fan installed in my van and it works great to move air around inside the fan but would be an expensive option as an extractor fan I think.
 
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