Mercedes vario 814 self build bus to FLT palace

[busby]

Used them quite a few times on trucks (fire appliances) they work very well at getting out of slippery situations. Don’t be tempted to drive fast with them on. Make sure you fit them correctly as if they are not tight enough they will break and quite probably cause some fairly substantial damage.

They don't take kindly to tarmac, ,Take them off as soon as you leave snow or thick ice..BUSBY.

 

[Al n Val]

This is why i was leaning towards the snow socks tbh

The thought of driving along with chains doesn’t sound good to me especially if they can cause damage but if socks aren’t legal then chains it has to be

 

[glenn2926]

This is why i was leaning towards the snow socks tbh

The thought of driving along with chains doesn’t sound good to me especially if they can cause damage but if socks aren’t legal then chains it has to be

Tried snow socks once, they were pretty poor compared to chains. A bit like putting your socks over your shoes and comparing that to crampons.

 

[Dutch 68]

Don’t forget to do a few practice runs at home, you never get it done if you are roadside and stressed out if you never fitted them before!

 

[Northernraider]

Don’t forget to do a few practice runs at home, you never get it done if you are roadside and stressed out if you never fitted them before!

Did that yesterday

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[Northernraider]

Well after getting all the windows prepped and ready to go my neighbour let me down as he was working later .... tried a few other people to see if i could get someone to hold the panels for me but had no luck .....so i had to make up a pulley system using bungee cords which wasn't ideal and took a lot longer but i got there in the end with sheer determination.

Everything hurts tonight , sore back, sore knees , sore neck and sore hands ...but the 4 panels are up and welded top and sides ...ill do the bottom tomorrow

 

[pagey]

looking good

 

[Jamesh]

Well after getting all the windows prepped and ready to go my neighbour let me down as he was working later .... tried a few other people to see if i could get someone to hold the panels for me but had no luck .....so i had to make up a pulley system using bungee cords which wasn't ideal and took a lot longer but i got there in the end with sheer determination.

Everything hurts tonight , sore back, sore knees , sore neck and sore hands ...but the 4 panels are up and welded top and sides ...ill do the bottom tomorrow

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Tam your are undefeatable and inspirational!

Cheers James

ps how long is your cargo space?

 

[barsteward]

Well after getting all the windows prepped and ready to go my neighbour let me down as he was working later .... tried a few other people to see if i could get someone to hold the panels for me but had no luck .....so i had to make up a pulley system using bungee cords which wasn't ideal and took a lot longer but i got there in the end with sheer determination.

Everything hurts tonight , sore back, sore knees , sore neck and sore hands ...but the 4 panels are up and welded top and sides ...ill do the bottom tomorrow

View attachment 546886View attachment 546887View attachment 546888View attachment 546889View attachment 546890View attachment 546891View attachment 546892View attachment 546893View attachment 546894View attachment 546895

Are you actually hoping to be the first Scotsman to successfully "Rob The Bank at Monti Carlo"

 

[Northernraider]

Tam your are undefeatable and inspirational!

Cheers James

ps how long is your cargo space?

About 5 metres from the back of front seats to the back

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[3DOM]

Looking well good Tam.

Well done for getting it done on your own

 

[Al n Val]

Don’t forget to do a few practice runs at home, you never get it done if you are roadside and stressed out if you never fitted them before!

thanks for the heads up

can you recommend a set btw

thanks

Al

 

[Northernraider]

thanks for the heads up

can you recommend a set btw

thanks

Al

Have a look on ebay and see whats nearby you might get lucky and pick up an unused set the right size .

 

[Drum Major]

Looking really good keep going

 

[Winger]

Great work Tam, your no quitter

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[glenn2926]

That van, bus is looking better every time I see it. You’re making a great job of the body work. Looking forward to seeing it in paint.
Keep us posted.

 

[Minxy]

Are you actually hoping to be the first Scotsman to successfully "Rob The Bank at Monti Carlo"

At least the rear doors won't open so the gold won't tip out ... mind you that might not be a good thing as the whole van might go over!

 

[Chrisallys]

Well done mate. When finished you'll be well proud of what you achieved on your own

 

[CazPaul]

Having followed this one and your travel threads I have to admire you mate for your lifestyle choices, a lot would love to do the same but work, families, fear of unknown and life in general get in the way

We did it for 2 years 2011 to 2013 would love to do it again, pack in work, flog the house and travel, living in the van , you only live once.

 

[Northernraider]

Rewarding myself with a good dinner ...i missed lunch.

So boiled potatoes and carrots , pork loin chops with bbq glaze and fried onions and garlic ....mmmm

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[Jamesh]

About 5 metres from the back of front seats to the back

That's not fair makes my 3.2m seem puny!

Size doesn't matter though....

Cheers James

 

[Northernraider]

That's not fair makes my 3.2m seem puny!

Size doesn't matter though....

Cheers James

Aye its a big van ....7.3 metres over all

Yet i still panic it wont be big enough cant wait for my woodburner though.

John n kerry ( isambard vario ) making me jealous with theirs

 

[Riverbankannie]

Never mind the woodburner…..I can’t take my eyes of that pie!

 

[Northernraider]

Never mind the woodburner…..I can’t take my eyes of that pie!

Cracking aint it ...baked in that stove.

 

[Figaro]

Cracking aint it ...baked in that stove.

Sure is, is that the type of stove your having ?
Cross your neighbour off the Christmas list and tell him there'll be no bottle of Oozo for him this year, lol

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[CazPaul]

Cracking aint it ...baked in that stove.

Is that an oven just above the firebox?

 

[Jamesh]

Aye its a big van ....7.3 metres over all

Yet i still panic it wont be big enough cant wait for my woodburner though.

John n kerry ( isambard vario ) making me jealous with theirs

View attachment 546999

Are you getting that oven? What model is it?

Cheers James

 

[Dutch 68]

thanks for the heads up

can you recommend a set btw

thanks

Al

I would spend a bit more and get one of the ring hoop ones, the basic one are a real pain, konig is a good brand but there are plenty more, the ring hoop ones have a steel flexibele ring which goes over and behind the rim, you then close the ring and wave the front chain through to tighten, you also have automatic tightening ones these days, but even with those I would recommend to drive a few hundred yards at slow speed and then get out and check if they haven’t loosened up. Another thing is if you are likely to be in a mountain environment and you get surprised by a snowstorm or drive into the snow line because you are gaining altitude , if you drive a fully loaded 7/8/9 metre MH I would always choose to have 4 chains on, 2 on driven axle and two on the front ( or rear un driven axle, nothing is as bad for your nerves as sliding down a mountain or backwards sliding whilst driving up a mountain, with a normal car two chains is adequate for most situations but something as large as a MH your better off having chains all around , I have collected raw milk for many years first in wagon and drag 44t and then articulated 44t in Germany and Luxemburg in all weathers and at remote farms, we always had proper winter tyres and snow Chains on all wheels , when I swapped Dairy they invested in automatic snow Chains, they are working at the touch of a button in the cabin, switch on, switch off, they are on a rotator system, short chains which are slung under the wheel, this system is also available for big vans like a MH if you have some spare cash behind the sofa , look it up on you tube it’s a real creative solution and no more sitting in the snow fighting your chains lol

 

[Northernraider]

Sure is, is that the type of stove your having ?
Cross your neighbour off the Christmas list and tell him there'll be no bottle of Oozo for him this year, lol

Ive not decided which one im getting yet ...keep finding others.

 

[Northernraider]

Is that an oven just above the firebox?

Yes ...this stove is actually called the apple pie stove ...and is perfect for cooking on and in .
Its a bit dearer at around £1000 plus the flue etc but could be very handy at saving gas

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