Tam & co the great winter escape

[Just smiffy]

Did I say it’ll be an earth….

 

[Just smiffy]

This is my guess…

 

[Northernraider]

Its always fun fixing someone elses bodges ...usually a "professionals" that charged a fortune to fix something

I gotta peel/scrape off all that lacquer thats basically like a brittle clear plastic film that doesn't quite adhere properly..... The other side isnt too bad but i doubt id get both sides to match unless i strip all the laquer off that side too. Getting the centre piece off the aluminium strip that holds it on is proving quite a challenge and i dont want to break it ..lots of hairline cracks in that bit. So i may have to leave that in place and paint it there. It plastic too not fibreglass which is a pain

 

[Figaro]

Pilote must have used the same supplier that Hymer use, the one that doesn't bother using primer prior to painting

 

[Northernraider]

Pilote must have used the same supplier that Hymer use, the one that doesn't bother using primer prior to painting

Yeah its weird how they do these. Its basically grey plastic that they then laquer. Its not even painted plastic. So of course it flexes but the laquer is brittle so it cracks . I had the same issue on the hymer. Ill spray them with plastic primer then dark grey bumper paint. It wont match the side panels unfortunately but it will have to do

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[Minxy]

No its the motorhome. Not doing anything to the vario for now till i get all the DVLA stuff sorted.

Why are you playing with that one when you have a new toy????

 

[Lenny HB]

Its always fun fixing someone elses bodges ...usually a "professionals" that charged a fortune to fix something View attachment 648741View attachment 648743View attachment 648745View attachment 648748


I gotta peel/scrape off all that lacquer thats basically like a brittle clear plastic film that doesn't quite adhere properly..... The other side isnt too bad but i doubt id get both sides to match unless i strip all the laquer off that side too. Getting the centre piece off the aluminium strip that holds it on is proving quite a challenge and i dont want to break it ..lots of hairline cracks in that bit. So i may have to leave that in place and paint it there. It plastic too not fibreglass which is a pain

Gel coat filler works well on ABS.

 

[Northernraider]

Gel coat filler works well on ABS.

Fortunately i have some of that

 

[Northernraider]

Why are you playing with that one when you have a new toy????

Because this one has to be right for my winter trip. It will also need a new mot before i go . Plenty time to play with the vario later.

 

[CazPaul]

Because this one has to be right for my winter trip. It will also need a new mot before i go . Plenty time to play with the vario later.

Yes and the Vario is about a metre shorter is it? So should be better to manoeuvre around?

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[Minxy]

Because this one has to be right for my winter trip. It will also need a new mot before i go . Plenty time to play with the vario later.

What if you're Mum needs looking after?

 

[Northernraider]

What if you're Mum needs looking after?

Sisters here

 

[Minxy]

Sisters here

Who relieves her?

 

[Dutch 68]

Because this one has to be right for my winter trip. It will also need a new mot before i go . Plenty time to play with the vario later.

How is the clutch these days?

 

[Dutch 68]

Have you ever come across the 5 speed automatic vario van Tam, I would like that for a conversion, the vario I went to see in spring in Norfolk was mint but I couldn’t live with the heavy clutch, I love automatic gearboxes these days.

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[Just smiffy]

Who relieves her?

The sisters quite capable of going to the toilet on her own..

 

[Wissel]

I'm interested how you found driving the new one Tam?

Oddly for someone that lives in a van, I really don't like driving. But I love driving the Vario. Everything outside looks "smaller" and I feel like I'm in a tank. It's relaxing.

When I got back from yours with the van, I had to drive our Boxer. It felt like a toy.

Wondered which you prefer?

 

[Northernraider]

Who relieves her?

She's no incontinent

 

[Northernraider]

How is the clutch these days?

It seems ok but ive only managed 2 short trips away with it since it was done.

 

[Northernraider]

Have you ever come across the 5 speed automatic vario van Tam, I would like that for a conversion, the vario I went to see in spring in Norfolk was mint but I couldn’t live with the heavy clutch, I love automatic gearboxes these days.

Yeah but from what ive heard the automatic ones are really really slow. Most were city busses.

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[Northernraider]

I'm interested how you found driving the new one Tam?

Oddly for someone that lives in a van, I really don't like driving. But I love driving the Vario. Everything outside looks "smaller" and I feel like I'm in a tank. It's relaxing.

When I got back from yours with the van, I had to drive our Boxer. It felt like a toy.

Wondered which you prefer?

I have to say that apart from uphill where you notice a non turbo i like how it drives.. i prefer the drive of it to the fiat and i think the engine sounds much better ... healthier

 

[Northernraider]

 

[Littlewheels]

Nearly as good as an old Gardener! Now there won’t be that many on here that know about them without hitting Google.
l remember going with my father to buy one ,the engine and they fired it up on the ground in the yard.

 

[Littlewheels]

As an aside Tam tell me this doesn’t appeal.

 

[Northernraider]

As an aside Tam tell me this doesn’t appeal.

View attachment 648877

Yes i love those old mercs ...nearly bought a fire engine a few months back

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[Lenny HB]

Boys & their toys.

 

[Minxy]

Who relieves her?

The sisters quite capable of going to the toilet on her own..

She's no incontinent

Boys and their toilet humour.

I was of course asking who steps in to give Tam's sister a break, it's not really a laughing matter.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Tam has explained all this before and to be honest, it's his business, he doesnt have to explain every detail of his personal life.

 

[Northernraider]

Boys and their toilet humour.

I was of course asking who steps in to give Tam's sister a break, it's not really a laughing matter.

Well i have another brother who's contribution so far has been 2 x 1 hour visits in 6 weeks. He's also the eldest. If a break us required its about time he stood up to the table. Mum knows i didn't sell up my house etc and live in a van to stay on a driveway in Dunfermline.
So she would never ask or expect me to stay here. Especially over winter.

She's incredibly independent and we are hoping that she continues to be so . My sister is now retired and lives 4 doors down so she will be here anyway.

 

[Minxy]

Tam has explained all this before and to be honest, it's his business, he doesnt have to explain every detail of his personal life.

Perhaps you could have just let Tam reply seeing as you view it as HIS business rather than coming across, to me at least, as condescending which I hope wasn't intended.

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