YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssss ... at last!!!!

[dabhand]

Enjoy your van.

 

[Minxy]

Looks great. Congratulations. Is there a good place to stay at Withernsea? I love the east coast but have not been with a van.
Enjoy and keep us posted.

We don't go on sites but instead park up on the front along North Promenade where the houses are raised up above the road so don't upset the owners by blocking their views and we haven't ever had any problems there. We sometimes go up to Hornsea from there and find somewhere to stop but you can't stop next to the beach there so you'd have to go in one of the side roads/car parks (if it allows overnight parking) ... don't be tempted to park near Hornsea Floral Hall though as we found out to our cost that they start a disco at 11.00 pm on Saturday nights that goes on well into the wee hours! We tend to go on North to Skirlington market and large car boot sale on Sunday morning, well worth a visit if you're going that way.

 

[Ingwe]

@Minxy Girl-thank you very much for the info on Withernsea, Hornsea and Skirlington. And for the heads up on the disco!
We may go next weekend, weather improving.
Thanks again.

 

[mikebeaches]

Okay ... just for you ... ... here's a photo of Lily laying on our beds in the sunshine whilst I was doing bits and bobs inside ... she loves it! We made the beds up this morning as 2 singles with our pillows at the front against the fridge/washroom walls, that way we are next to the cubbies etc and can sit up without a problem, we'll also be able to slob out with the doors open and look at the lovely views on holiday.

View attachment 228567

The new bedding is great and as a bonus 2 of the pillow cases fit perfectly on the 2 centre bed 'cushions so I didn't have to make any covers for them.

The seat covers I made for the dinette in our FamilyScout fit with a little bit of modification so that's another major job I won't have to worry about as they were a pain to make and I was NOT looking forward to having to start from scratch again. Also I've removed the cab seat covers and have now fitted our fluffy leopard print ones which fit perfectly.

I tidied up the wiring for the washroom tap microswitch in the cupboard below as it was 'in the line of fire' from anything in the cupboard, I also put a shelf in the upper cupboard, fitted the loo roll holder and some hooks.

Over the dinette seats in the panel at the end of the upper lockers I fitted a 12v socket - when I took the panel off to do it I found about 1.5 inches of a screw sticking out from the side! Goodness knows what it's for as it doesn't correspond to anything on the inside of the adjacent locker so I got my hacksaw out and cut it off to avoid cutting my hand to shreds on it whilst fitting the wiring.

View attachment 228569

I also put up the carbon monoxide alarm, fitted the tv on a flip down bracket below the locker over the end of the bed, put up my tea/coffee/sugar caddie shelf and did a few other odds and sods, I'll do some more tomorrow/Thursday all being well and take some photos.

Wow, why am I not surprised how busy you've been already sorting out the Campscout?

Looks like you're getting it just how you want it and I'm sure it will suit you really well.

I must say the photos were a long time coming, but thanks for posting them...

Enjoy!!

Cheers, Mike

 

[Hedgewitch]

Looks fantastic Love the photo of Lily surveying the workers as they strive to enhance her comfort and travelling environment!!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

@mikebeaches ... some more photos!

Today I installed my twin Gaslow kit - the location of the cylinder securing straps meant the cylinders took up all of the space in the locker so I moved them further back to allow me to store my aerosol type gas cylinders in there too (I sealed the original bolt holes to make it gas tight). I put some pipe insulation between the cylinders and also at the back of them to prevent any accidental damage to the piping at the rear of the locker and make the cylinders a nice snug fit, it doesn't look like it from the photo but I was able to get a bit of a drop down for the pipes from the cylinders to the reg so shouldn't have any issues with gunge etc getting into the reg.

I fitted the fill point in the rear nearside corner below the existing reflector and finally got round to making a strap for the daft cover that broke off when I fitted it originally in our other camper. I also fitted some lovely green large bore hosepipe over the filler pipe where it goes out through one of the bottom vents, past the metal plate and up to the back of the bumper to give it some protection ... hubby didn't like it as it could just be seen at the rear of the camper so he's sprayed it black!

I also put the hatch in at the end of the gas locker (sealed all round and in the screw holes too before tightening it up) so I can turn the cylinders on/off as required without having to open the locker door and can read both of the gauges too (I can reach both of them fortunately ... hubby can't as his arm's too fat! ).

I also put some of our stuff into the camper, crockery, cutlery etc, pots, pans etc so our conservatory is nearly back to normal!

I know others have wondered about what cutlery tray to use due to the funny shape of the drawer but I just used one from Ikea which I cut to fit (note that the small compartment is at the back of the drawer), this has all the utensils etc in it, on top of this I place a smaller cutlery tray for knives, forks, spoons etc:

 

[mikebeaches]

Great stuff and very impressive. You put me to shame having somebody else fit our refillable, and only 1 x 11kg at that. Clever idea about the hatch to access the gas locker without opening the door. Where did you get that from? And is it difficult or tricky to open the locker door?

 

[Hedgewitch]

Looks like you’ve had a thoroughly productive and enjoyable day

Well done.

 

[Minxy]

Great stuff and very impressive. You put me to shame having somebody else fit our refillable, and only 1 x 11kg at that. Clever idea about the hatch to access the gas locker without opening the door. Where did you get that from? And is it difficult or tricky to open the locker door?

Oh, and our gas fill point is in exactly the same place as yours.

I was put onto the locker hatch by @Neckender who did it in his camper ... I just bought it off Ebay:



Opening the gas locker door is awkward as it's within the loading/storage area so if there's something stored there, such as our Brompton bikes, in order to get into the locker I'd have to remove one of them, not ideal, hence the hatch.

Between the gas locker and the washroom there's another storage area which only has a slot at the top for access but it goes all the way down to the floor with the wheel arch at the back ... why they didn't put a door on I don't know so I'm looking to put a large hatch/door there and have found these on Ebay ... will have a measure up tomorrow and see if it'll work ... not sure about the depth of the frame ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-ACCE...var=511580657518&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[tonyidle]

@mikebeaches ... some more photos!

Today I installed my twin Gaslow kit - the location of the cylinder securing straps meant the cylinders took up all of the space in the locker so I moved them further back to allow me to store my aerosol type gas cylinders in there too (I sealed the original bolt holes to make it gas tight). I put some pipe insulation between the cylinders and also at the back of them to prevent any accidental damage to the piping at the rear of the locker and make the cylinders a nice snug fit, it doesn't look like it from the photo but I was able to get a bit of a drop down for the pipes from the cylinders to the reg so shouldn't have any issues with gunge etc getting into the reg.

View attachment 229132

I fitted the fill point in the rear nearside corner below the existing reflector and finally got round to making a strap for the daft cover that broke off when I fitted it originally in our other camper. I also fitted some lovely green large bore hosepipe over the filler pipe where it goes out through one of the bottom vents, past the metal plate and up to the back of the bumper to give it some protection ... hubby didn't like it as it could just be seen at the rear of the camper so he's sprayed it black!

View attachment 229134

View attachment 229133

I also put the hatch in at the end of the gas locker (sealed all round and in the screw holes too before tightening it up) so I can turn the cylinders on/off as required without having to open the locker door and can read both of the gauges too (I can reach both of them fortunately ... hubby can't as his arm's too fat! ).

View attachment 229135

I also put some of our stuff into the camper, crockery, cutlery etc, pots, pans etc so our conservatory is nearly back to normal!

I know others have wondered about what cutlery tray to use due to the funny shape of the drawer but I just used one from Ikea which I cut to fit (note that the small compartment is at the back of the drawer), this has all the utensils etc in it, on top of this I place a smaller cutlery tray for knives, forks, spoons etc:

View attachment 229138

@Minxy Girl How are your Gaslow outlets teed? I'm trying to find a straightforward Tee to replace the auto changeover on mine. Gaslow at Peterborough denied that such a thing existed.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

@Minxy Girl How are your Gaslow outlets teed? I'm trying to find a straightforward Tee to replace the auto changeover on mine. Gaslow at Peterborough denied that such a thing existed.

That'll be because they don't sell them ...
I've got 2 x no.1 cylinders so had to make one into a no.2 cylinder ... to do this I used a t-joint on top of one to which the filler hose attaches with another hose going from the t-joint to the other cylinder, thus allowing both to be refilled.

Each cylinder still has it's own 'out' hose which connect it to a further t-joint which is attached to the regulator.

I'm not familiar with an auto-changeover but I suspect simply adding a t-joint in place of it on the regulator would be what you need.

 

[mikebeaches]

I was put onto the locker hatch by @Neckender who did it in his camper ... I just bought it off Ebay:



Opening the gas locker door is awkward as it's within the loading/storage area so if there's something stored there, such as our Brompton bikes, in order to get into the locker I'd have to remove one of them, not ideal, hence the hatch.

Between the gas locker and the washroom there's another storage area which only has a slot at the top for access but it goes all the way down to the floor with the wheel arch at the back ... why they didn't put a door on I don't know so I'm looking to put a large hatch/door there and have found these on Ebay ... will have a measure up tomorrow and see if it'll work ... not sure about the depth of the frame ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-ACCESS-PANEL-WHITE-INSPECTION-DOOR-REVISION-150MM-200MM-250MM-300MM-400MM/322593737257?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=511580657518&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Ah, only just realised your gas locker is different to ours, which is immediately accessible as soon as the nearside back door of the van is opened. However, I think the design of ours might reduce the width of the storage space in the garage compared to yours. Having said that, it works OK for us. But the hatch you've installed looks an ideal alternative to turn the gas on and off and to check the gauges. And a bargain price too! Looks very professional.

Our van is littered with hatches, cupboards and drawers - it challenges my brain to remember them all and what's stored inside them.

Anyway, enjoying seeing and hearing about your various projects and upgrades - thanks!

 

[tonyidle]

That'll be because they don't sell them ...
I've got 2 x no.1 cylinders so had to make one into a no.2 cylinder ... to do this I used a t-joint on top of one to which the filler hose attaches with another hose going from the t-joint to the other cylinder, thus allowing both to be refilled.

Each cylinder still has it's own 'out' hose which connect it to a further t-joint which is attached to the regulator.

I'm not familiar with an auto-changeover but I suspect simply adding a t-joint in place of it on the regulator would be what you need.

I need a tee only on the outlets - the inlets are teed anyway. A direct replacement would have two W20s + the leg of the tee to suit the regulator. I'm sure such a thing exists - I was hoping you could point me to a supplier.

 

[Minxy]

I need a tee only on the outlets - the inlets are teed anyway. A direct replacement would have two W20s + the leg of the tee to suit the regulator. I'm sure such a thing exists - I was hoping you could point me to a supplier.

Can you put up a photo of your existing set-up so I can try to understand what you have.

 

[Treeeev]

I need a tee only on the outlets - the inlets are teed anyway. A direct replacement would have two W20s + the leg of the tee to suit the regulator. I'm sure such a thing exists - I was hoping you could point me to a supplier.

Tony, something like or this ?

Cheers

Trevor

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Tony, something like or this ?

Cheers

Trevor

They're the same as the one I linked to: W20 Female x W20 Male x W20 Male

I'm not sure exactly what he wants unless he needs: W20 Female x W20 Female x W20 Male

 

[tonyidle]

I'm not sure exactly what he wants unless he needs: W20 Female x W20 Female x W20 Male

That is exactly what I need assuming the regulator accepts W20 male - that's what I wasn't sure about.

 

[Minxy]

That is exactly what I need assuming the regulator accepts W20 male - that's what I wasn't sure about.

Our regs have accepted the W20, different makes, so might be standard?

 

[Minxy]

That is exactly what I need assuming the regulator accepts W20 male - that's what I wasn't sure about.

I've put some photos on the below thread:

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/gaslow.175042/page-3#post-2834274

 

[Minxy]

Done a bit more to the camper including:

I mentioned that I'd mounted the TV at the end of the bed under the overhead locker on a drop down bracket the other day, so I've now fitted some securing straps for when we're travelling and a 12v socket next to it, you can just see the TV on the top left of this photo which hubby took whilst I was fitting the socket!

Made storage straps for the folding table and little foot stool on the nearside rear door.

On the offside rear door I fitted a couple of storage pockets and also strapped in my warning triangles so they are easily accessible and which you can just see on the left of the photo (1 grey, 1 red)

I also fitted a shelf in the wardrobe/cupboard under the fridge (my larder) and put a magnetic catch on the door so when parked up we can leave it 'unlocked' but it will still stay closed; a couple of narrow storage pockets on the top of the sliding door itself (inside of course!) like the below for putting bits/bobs/dog poo bags etc in, I didn't take a photo of them, sorry!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[tonyidle]

I've put some photos on the below thread:

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/gaslow.175042/page-3#post-2834274

Thanks.

 

[Basildog]

@Minxy Girl How are your Gaslow outlets teed? I'm trying to find a straightforward Tee to replace the auto changeover on mine. Gaslow at Peterborough denied that such a thing existed.

 

[tonyidle]

Thanks but still not the one. I'm looking for W20F x W20M x W20F. I think .

 

[Basildog]

Thanks but still not the one. I'm looking for W20F x W20M x W20F. I think .

To do what ?
I don't think anyone makes what you are describing?

 

[tonyidle]

To do what ?
I don't think anyone makes what you are describing?

At the moment I have 2 x Gaslow. Connecting their outlet hoses is an auto changeover device (the usual red/green thingy). The outlet from the changeover device is screwed directly into a solenoid (controlled by a crash protection unit and a switch inside the van). The other end of the solenoid is screwed into the regulator. Both Gaslow outlet hoses have the same end fitting. What I'm trying to do is to do away with the auto changeover unit and to replace it with a simple tee so both bottles are in use at the same time.

You might wonder why I'd do this? I have bought a cylinder contents device based on a weighing unit that the cylinder stands on. This has a cord-connected %age contents display and the means to send the read-out to a mobile phone. If I install the unit under one cylinder then, provided any others are teed to it, my %age display will relate to total gas content.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

If I install the unit under one cylinder then, provided any others are teed to it, my %age display will relate to total gas content.

Are you sure? How can a % 'weight' system tell you how much gas is in both a weighed and unweighed cylinder? Surely it will just adjust for the one cylinder it has on top of it?

 

[TinaLes]

Hi Minxy Girl
Have to say well done!, looks like you have owned the new van for years with all your neat little storage ideas and mods.Wishing you every success in getting out as much as possible this summer to try them out and invent a few more no doubt.

One thing that is baffling me, dont know about others, is that in your opening post you mention that your new Globecar was uprated to 4250KGs on your V5, whereas I was under the impression that the max weight on a Fiat Chassis was 3850KGs.
As you know some of the big A class MH,s with Alko Chassis still come as standard with a MTPLM of 4000KG,s which in most cases can be uprated further to 4500KG,s, maybe even 5000KG,s.
Therefore your PVC in standard chassis form has even more payload than its bigger brothers as standard.!!!
Can you enlighten me, as we are a coach build on a Fiat Chassis also, and even with Air assist suspension rear suspension, the max we are told we can go to is 3850 KG,s Thats with a max of 2250KG,s over the back axle.
Wish we could get to 4K, let alone 4.25K

Happy travels, ours in currently in dry dock down at Somerset Dealership awaiting spares for its Dometic tower FF, then I can get on with some of the mods that need doing like you have.

Thanks
Les

 

[Minxy]

Hi Minxy Girl
Have to say well done!, looks like you have owned the new van for years with all your neat little storage ideas and mods.Wishing you every success in getting out as much as possible this summer to try them out and invent a few more no doubt.

I don't like stuff just being 'stuck' somewhere so that when you try to find it it means turfing loads of other bits out to get at it, so prefer to have 'homes' for specific items that I use most. I've got a few more things to sort yet so watch this space!

One thing that is baffling me, dont know about others, is that in your opening post you mention that your new Globecar was uprated to 4250KGs on your V5, whereas I was under the impression that the max weight on a Fiat Chassis was 3850KGs.

It depends which chassis its built on as a lot of MHs are built on the Fiat Maxi Light chassis and that's why they tend to be limited to 3850kg without mods, although they may be able to go higher if they do some mods such as changing tyres, adding air assisted suspensions etc.

As we've got the Fiat Maxi Heavy chassis, which as standard can go up to 4250kg without any mods, that's what we asked the dealer to see if he could register it at that and he did, if not we'd have just uprated again like last time (via John Ruffles) and done it afterwards. We could possibly have gone for 4500kg as that's the maximum of the axles (2100kg and 2400kg) but would probably have had to have supporting paperwork, so 4250kg was sufficient for us - having had our previous Globecar uprated from 3500kg to 4250kg after we'd bought it we knew it was just a paper exercise with no mods needed.

So in a nutshell ... you need to know which version of the chassis you have to work out the maximum it can go to ...

 

[tonyidle]

Are you sure? How can a % 'weight' system tell you how much gas is in both a weighed and unweighed cylinder? Surely it will just adjust for the one cylinder it has on top of it?

It'll only weigh one as you say. But the other one, if they're teed, will be at the same level. So the thing will read, for example, 50% when the cylinder sat on it is half empty. The other, unweighed, cylinder will be half empty too. So 50% of my total gas capacity will have been used.

 

[jezport]

It depends which chassis its built on as a lot of MHs are built on the Fiat Maxi Light chassis and that's why they tend to be limited to 3850kg without mods, although they may be able to go higher if they do some mods such as changing tyres, adding air assisted suspensions etc.

As we've got the Fiat Maxi Heavy chassis, which as standard can go up to 4250kg without any mods, that's what we asked the dealer to see if he could register it at that and he did, if not we'd have just uprated again like last time (via John Ruffles) and done it afterwards. We could possibly have gone for 4500kg as that's the maximum of the axles (2100kg and 2400kg) but would probably have had to have supporting paperwork, so 4250kg was sufficient for us - having had our previous Globecar uprated from 3500kg to 4250kg after we'd bought it we knew it was just a paper exercise with no mods needed.

So in a nutshell ... you need to know which version of the chassis you have to work out the maximum it can go to ...

The Maxi Chassis can be plated up to 4500KG with no modification, but axle weights remain the same. You can update the rear axle weight if you have the correct tyres and the correct air suspension.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}