Tam n pups winter trip 2022

[Manic]

I’m not sure about the Vario not having a side door, would that not compromise any layout.

 

[Northernraider]

I’m not sure about the Vario not having a side door, would that not compromise any layout.

It gives much more space in the back for layout but it does mean using the passenger cab door as main entry. So then I've to decide on either designing a single fold up passenger seat or no passenger seat at all. Some of the bus based vario builds have had to do this as have the snap on vans with sliding front door.

 

[Manic]

Yes Youtuber’s Kinging it have a Vario with the passenger seat set back

 

[Langtoftlad]

or no passenger seat at all.

Travel space for the hounds?
I'm guessing their space will be limited...

 

[Lenny HB]

It gives much more space in the back for layout but it does mean using the passenger cab door as main entry. So then I've to decide on either designing a single fold up passenger seat or no passenger seat at all. Some of the bus based vario builds have had to do this as have the snap on vans with sliding front door.

Got a jigsaw haven't you.

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[gpat]

Yeah I've been looking at a few caravans at the minute as I need my own space etc so moving in with mum would be a last resort and short term.

I also thought if I bought the right caravan I would just hang on to it and leave it here as a base when I was off travelling and that way I could still hang on to some possessions I don't want to get rid of. My heart says build the merc , I want to create my own space that is mine , but my head and reluctance to lose money is the thing giving me doubts etc. But looking at what's out there the prices are crazy .

It's about money and more importantly time. You can earn money but you can't buy time. Only you know the answer. If I loved converting and building stuff I would go for the Vario build. I do. But not enough. I suspect you are like me. I'd rather be seeing stuff than doing stuff. I don't mind a tinker now and again, but I see from my projects that I am not that committed.

I would go for the first plan. Get yourself a decent van, ditch the Vario and get traveling..

 

[eurajohn]

Here's an example of the crazy crazy prices out there.

Personally I think raptor does not belong on a motorhome.

That was at best a £15-20k van ....

DUSK - A Truly Unique & Quirky Camper **DEPOSIT TAKEN** | Quirky Campers

DUSK is a Hymer like you’ve never seen before! We’ve owned & built many campervans over the years – but few come close to the pure comfort and

www.quirkycampers.com

Self builds are equally crazy money.

Love the way they have disguised the old fridge vents

 

[Gina M]

It gives much more space in the back for layout but it does mean using the passenger cab door as main entry. So then I've to decide on either designing a single fold up passenger seat or no passenger seat at all. Some of the bus based vario builds have had to do this as have the snap on vans with sliding front door.

That passenger door entry, that's the only thing I don't like about the Frankia, it's a pain in the arse climbing over the dogs every time you need to get out for fuel etc.

 

[Northernraider]

I’m not sure about the Vario not having a side door, would that not compromise any layout.

At the moment this is the vario interior

Now my rough idea for interior is this .

I would remove the large bench seat in photo 1. I don't need it and that area would be where my fridge and cooker with a pull out larder like the euramobil has in between them. Opposite that where the kitchen currently is would just be cupboard space and the sink . Water heater below. The bathroom I'd leave where it is ...I'd pretty much reuse what is there but I'd line the walls with plastic sheeting so it was a wet room. Opposite the bathroom between the cooker etc and the rear seats would be the Woodburner. I'd keep the seats and bed in the same positions but I would build the bed in a Murphy bed type cabinet so it could fold away if required rather than fixed . Upper cabinets all the way round the rear and above kitchen areas . 2 max air fans one above kitchen one above the bed. I'd stick with just the 2 side windows as it is now but I'd fit new ones. Full length roof rack, 600watt tiltable solar on the front with option to add more later if required. I'd fit a 3 way fridge I think . Unless I fit 400ah of lithium in which case I'd use the Same fridge I have in the motorhome. Water tanks and electrics would be under the rear bed cabinets.

I can lie flat out in comfort with ease on the bed that's there at present. I can also stand up fully without hitting my head so it's a good height and width it's just narrower than I'm used to at present.


For travelling in I've no doubt it will be perfect at that size and layout. I'm just unsure about fulltime living but not sure why I have that feeling as I keep telling myself if it's fine for 6-8 months of the year it should be fine all of it really .

But I think that's where having the caravan here as a reserve would maybe help with that worry just now

 

[Northernraider]

Love the way they have disguised the old fridge vents

Yeah it's bloody awful

But that same seller sold a converted vario last year for £59k so there's obviously buyers out there

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[Lenny HB]

Yeah I saw that ... jees it's feckin ugly though lol

Looks like a junk room on wheels, is that brick wall around the stove for real.

 

[Northernraider]

Travel space for the hounds?
I'm guessing their space will be limited...

They'd have the whole cab floor if no seat there . They're beds would just go there . And in the back They'd lie on seats or bed most likely.

 

[Langtoftlad]

To my mind, it does look a little compact for four.

 

[Northernraider]

That passenger door entry, that's the only thing I don't like about the Frankia, it's a pain in the arse climbing over the dogs every time you need to get out for fuel etc.

Yeah I have a drivers door too

 

[Northernraider]

To my mind, it does look a little compact for four.

Yep my thoughts at times too but then I've met and seen families living and longterm touring in vans a lot smaller than this and they manage fine.

I know at least 3 vario families with 3 kids so that's 5 people in a van the size of mine. The dogs don't need clothes etc

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[Gina M]

They'd have the whole cab floor if no seat there . They're beds would just go there . And in the back They'd lie on seats or bed most likely.

It is a better size for travelling

 

[Northernraider]

I think the worst mistake I made was when I originally sold the house and bought a van I bought the biggest I could ...the frankia , you then get used to a huge space and you hang on to stuff for the sake of it. I then downsized to.the hymer and with the exception of a few things that bugged me , small toilet area , windows next to fixed bed etc the layout worked for me for 3 years. The iveco was too small and poorly designed. The euramobil is huge but I don't need half the space it has and the compromise is its cumbersome

So everything is a compromise somewhere. There's no perfect van I don't think . And it's basically figuring out how to get 90% perfect and living with the other 10%

 

[Mikey RV]

If you build the vario you have what you want to keep, no more messing with changing vans etc. just plenty of time to travel, somewhere to live and enjoy life on the road. You can tweak it as you go along if you need to.

 

[Northernraider]

If you build the vario you have what you want to keep, no more messing with changing vans etc. just plenty of time to travel, somewhere to live and enjoy life on the road. You can tweak it as you go along if you need to.

Aye well that would be the hope anyway.

 

[CazPaul]

The problem is if you spend a lot of time and effort on the Vario, then you’re the sort of person who likes change, so in a couple of years would you be selling it and getting another?

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[Wissel]

If I was you I'd be doing what you're already thinking - have the Vario well tested and if it's good, convert it.

If not, trade it on and get another - you won't be happy until you have one done

I have CNC facilities next door now, which works out very cost effective. Could easily have the furniture all cut for you.

PS - might actually be able to start your old one next month. Been waiting for a window for A YEAR, but finally got a dispatch notice yesterday. Plus have some time free in June

 

[Northernraider]

The problem is if you spend a lot of time and effort on the Vario, then you’re the sort of person who likes change, so in a couple of years would you be selling it and getting another?

That's why I'm saying something to do me the next 3 to 5 years.

I figure I can't do what im doing forever , at somepoint I will likely have to return to a proper job and possibly bricks n mortar. Or bite the bullet and buy a bit land in Portugal or something. Mum isn't going to be here forever and when I lose my base in the UK things will be more difficult. That and all the incoming changes and restrictions etc.

So for now I'm looking at maybe 3 to 5 more years fulltime and travelling over winter . And then see where I'm at .

 

[CazPaul]

That's why I'm saying something to do me the next 3 to 5 years.

I figure I can't do what im doing forever , at somepoint I will likely have to return to a proper job and possibly bricks n mortar. Or bite the bullet and buy a bit land in Portugal or something. Mum isn't going to be here forever and when I lose my base in the UK things will be more difficult. That and all the incoming changes and restrictions etc.

So for now I'm looking at maybe 3 to 5 more years fulltime and travelling over winter . And then see where I'm at .

In that case I wouldn’t go to all the time and effort of building the Vario.
I would buy ready built like you have been, just a bit smaller.

 

[Northernraider]

In that case I wouldn’t go to all the time and effort of building the Vario.
I would buy ready built like you have been, just a bit smaller.

Problem is the prices folk are asking . Mine is cheap for it's age , miles, condition and spec compared to a lot of stuff out there.

I already own the vario . If I spend 10k building it and using it then it works out cheaper than potentially losing a lot on another van I buy or buying something that's impractical.

So that's why I posted saying if anyone can see anything out there that I might be missing let me know

 

[Rollingwheels]

Is the layout idea you have for the Vario your preferred option or just tweaking what is already there? because when you start taking it apart you can guarantee that there will be more bits to compromise on and alter, might be easier and possibly cheaper to strip it back salvage what is good and put it back to how you want it then at least you remove as many of the compromises with the design as possible and you know what is in there is good.

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[Northernraider]

Is the layout idea you have for the Vario your preferred option or just tweaking what is already there? because when you start taking it apart you can guarantee that there will be more bits to compromise on and alter, might be easier and possibly cheaper to strip it back salvage what is good and put it back to how you want it then at least you remove as many of the compromises with the design as possible and you know what is in there is good.

Well the rear seat and bed is the same place I'd have put it. The bathroom I'd have put right behind the drivers seat had I been designing it , but it already has 2 holes cut in the body for cassette access , a water filler point , and a boiler vent so I'd prefer to just leave the bathroom where it is now. But the plan I have would work quite well anyway. But of course as you say I'm prepared for maybe having to change that when stripped out. I'll definitely have to put another water filler in but I may use the exsisting stainless steel underslung water tank as a second diesel tank .. we will see

 

[Stonemags76]

I would start by getting a caravan - you need a base for now anyway. That would give you time to either convert the vario, or look for another van. Also, you would always have a base at mums & wouldn’t have to make decisions in such a hurry!

 

[Northernraider]

I would start by getting a caravan - you need a base for now anyway. That would give you time to either convert the vario, or look for another van. Also, you would always have a base at mums & wouldn’t have to make decisions in such a hurry!

Yep I'm checking possibilities for that now . Also got a couple of motorhomes under 15k on watch just incase I decide to go that route for now. That would give me a base and potential van for next winter should the vario not be ready etc.

 

[dna]

This thread still keeps me coming back to see your brilliant adventures!

Do you have an idea of the amount of work you'd have to do before you can use the Vario? Could you do enough to be able to get mobile and do some of the work whilst travelling? Obviously that would mean carrying some tools etc but would you be taking them anyway?

 

[golly]

No it's a nice shade of blue , metallic

You should convert it for your next trip

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