Wishing you many happy adventures in your CV 40. You’re buying a great van, and I’m sure you’ll be happy with it. ATB, Dave

You’re very welcome. ATB, Dave

Thanks William. Hope to get back to filming in the outdoors in the not too distant future. Thanks for bearing with me. ATB, Dave

Thanks Martin. Glad you enjoyed the video. It's not my normal type of video but I'm pretty much grounded at the moment so it was the best I could do in the circumstances. Hope to get out and about an again soon though. Thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. ATB, Dave

Thanks David. I'm looking forward to getting out and about again soon. This year has been pretty challenging and perhaps also a little unsettling. In particular, it has really shone a light on my need to spend time in the outdoors. Mo and I are working on some plans, which ordinarily wouldn't be too complicated to put into action. Attempting to execute plans and make some modest changes to our lifestyle, whilst the country is still in the grip of the pandemic, seems to be fraught with layers of complications and delays. I'm knuckling down and working my way through, and remain ever hopeful that I'll soon see some light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for sticking with us; your kind comments and continued support for the channel are very much appreciated, by both of us. ATB, Dave

Thanks Graham. I've always owned an expedition vehicle. It started with a an old bike that I built up from discarded bits and pieces, scavenged from the back greens in the council estate where I was raised. These were supplemented by some parts bought at a greatly reduced price from a grumpy, but kindly bike-shop owner in the nearby village. I then progressed to a step-through moped, then a tiny car, followed by an ancient Land Rover. I converted the Land Rover to a camper-cum-expedition vehicle and owned it for 25 years. I then bought a panel van and created a self-build camper. Now, I've really gone up in the world and have a proper camper van. I never though, all those years ago, or even a year or so back, that I'd be lucky enough to own a camper van. You are absolutely correct about these vans and caravans, they make living away from home so much more comfortable. Hope you are safe and well. ATB, Dave

Good morning, sorry for the late reply. I was away in the hills. I looked at all sorts of vans before deciding on the CV40. The underslung 'gear' concerned me, but it does free up a lot of space inside the van. And, the fully winterised vans seemed to be difficult to source, and a fair bit more e expensive. i suppose it is all a bit of a compromise really. There are some good vids on KZfaq, showing how to fit heater blankets etc to the tanks. I'm not sure if I will go down this route, or just use the vehicle 'dry' in the very depth of winter. I'm going to try the 'dry' route first, using my gen-set for electric heating. I'm interested in your comments about midge proofing the van. We camp in the highlands and islands, where midges can be a problem. Out home-made fix works well enough, but looks a bit messy. A pro-fix would be nice. The one thing I would advise in choosing your van, is how it will perform for your living needs. Dividing the space into day and night use works for us. We had an old, self-build van, which was great fun, but we were forever moving things around to make space for 'doing stuff'. It become very tiresome to be forever rearranging the van. So, try to envisage a set up that requires minimal disturbance to live (eat, relax, cook, prepare for hikes or fishing etc, sleep) without the need to move stuff around. At the very most, you should consider a day and a night mode. Any rearranging of gear and facilities beyond this will just become a pain, especially during bad weather, when you can't easily utilise outside space. Hope this helps. Thanks for viewing. i haven't posted many van vids, but you might want to take a look a few of my outdoor vids. ATB, Dave

Good morning Berry Bus, thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. The CV 80 is a great layout and these vans big enough for comfort yet still suitable for a bit of wild camping. It is a big investment, but I don't regret it at all and have already enjoyed a couple of long trips.....many more to come once we're released from lockdown. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 For sure a big investment however when compared with a vw california (my original first choice) its much much more value for money. Now subbed to channel 👍.

@@mrnoisy4883 Thanks for the sub, very much appreciated. I totally agree about the CV vans providing good value for money. I think the CV range is just perfectly priced as a decent quality van with good spec. I looked at a couple of entry level vans and a few higher end vehicles but kept coming back to the Elddis because it seemed best for my needs with an acceptable price tag. So far so good; overall I'm pretty pleased with the purchase. ATB, Dave

Thanks Sandy. I was out on the hill today with the cameras. Hope to get a video up tomorrow or Tuesday. Thanks for viewing and commenting on the van vid. It's not my preferred type of video and I hope to get back to 'business as usual' in a month or so. ATB, Dave

Thanks Ken. Fingers crossed that my plans all fall into place and I can get back to filming. ATB, Dave

Thanks for viewing and commenting Robin. Proper maps and a decent compass for me every time. I’m not a fan of sat nav or gps or phone apps. I guess they have their place but, in the hills, I’d sooner rely on traditional navigation to get around. ATB Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 I am a mountain leader and have taught navigation to many young people but I fear it is a dying art. Personally I could look at a map the same as people read a book, no batteries either, the worst that ever happened was I drove off and had left my map on the roof of the car, at least I had done my walk!

@@robinoldgit1751 I’m totally with you on reading maps. There is great enjoyment to be had from sitting by the fire, coffee in hand and studying a favourite map, Maps bring to life memories of past adventures and conjure up images of roads yet untraveled. I have some favourite OS sheets that are old

Sorry hit send before I was finished typing....was saying that I have some favourite OS sheets in the landranger series that are near worn out with use.

Well spotted Mark. Mathew has a great channel and shares some fantastic adventures. ATB, Dave

Cool vids keep up the great work marky

@@mark140 Thanks Marky

Hi Lee, thanks for viewing and commenting on the video, very much appreciated. I've been really happy with the CV 40 and give it a thumbs-up as a base camp for my outdoor activities. I also considered the auto version, simply for the ease and comfort of driving. In the end, I decided to opt for a manual transmission because of the mountain roads and single track in the highlands and islands, where some of the gradients can be pretty steep and the surfaces loose/slippy. I like being able to select first gear and just crawl up some of the more challenging inclines, especially where there are switchbacks. I also do a fair bit of winter driving, including crossing the Scottish high routes and exploring untreated single-tracks. I used snow chains on my old (self built) van and being able to select a high gear to minimise wheel-spin was essential in tough conditions. I plan to fit snow chains to the cv 40 and might do a wee review to comment on how it handles in the snow. My concern about winter driving in the cv 40 is the lack of ground clearance. They sit pretty low to the road and have a ton of vulnerable underbody mounted gear. In summary, if you plan to spend lots of time on steep and rough roads, I'd opt for a manual. Conversely, if you are mostly on 'normal' roads, the auto could be a significant factor in providing an 'easy drive'. Hope this helps and thanks again for viewing. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 thanks for the response Dave. All the best Lee.

Hi Ian, apologies for the late reply. I've been out and about, enjoying a local hike in the snow. Firstly, thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. You ask two really pertinent questions, both of which I'm trying to gather information on. Here's where I'm at so far. Starting with the underslung tanks: The short answer is they are NOT sufficiently insulated for a Scottish winter, and certainly not for wild camping at 'altitude', for example in Glen Affic or by the higher roads in the Cairngorm area. There are two things you can do about this. The first is only an option if you're prepared to rough it in winter. You can use the van 'dry'. So, no water in the tanks or boiler. That means no heating, no shower and no flushing loo. Although this sounds crazy, in fact it works quite well if you are only out for a night or two. I have a generator, so can hook up and turn on a small electric heater. Because the van is well insulated, it heats up reasonably quickly. I wouldn't describe the conditions are warm, but I can achieve a reasonable level of comfort. And, I have the peace of mind that no matter how cold it gets, the van is safe from damage. The second, more practical approach is to insulate the tanks and pipes and joints and to add a heat blanket. I'm seriously thinking about doing this. But this raises the question; will the van still be safe during the day, when I'm off filming or hiking, or would I need to have the heat pads turned on all the time, which might drain the leisure batteries? Ok, now for the gas tank. This is also exposed so, in theory, will be affected by cold. However, I've not actually experienced any problems. I was not sold on the idea of auto gas, thinking that bottled gas would be much easier to source. However, I've grown to like the ease of filling up at the fuel station. It is cheap and convenient. But, you're right to question availability. I have a few 'go to' places, such as the Co-Op in Bradford, Skye before I head over to the Outer Hebrides. i spend a fair amount of time on the Uists, where there in no autogas available (the nearest is on Lewis, in Stornoway). In other words, you need to plan ahead a little. Having said that, I can easily camp for two weeks (summertime) on a single fill.....in fact, i only used a quarter tank, but that is partly because I use the generator to heat the water for showers). So, bearing in mind Scotland is quite small, it should be possible to weave a route that takes in at least one fill point during any extended trip. And, for me at least, I am fairly confident of getting a two week trip out of a tank, (although please be aware we do use the gas sparingly). I know this is not a direct answer to either of your questions, but I am a 'new owner' and have much to learn. Lockdowns have reduced my usage of the van but I hope to rectify that this year, and plan to upload a few more vids with more detailed info'. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 Good morning Dave and thank you very much for than in depth reply, it was very helpful, one very small question, would the heating not work at all if the van was "Dry"? in other words, would you need water in the system for the Gas heating to work, or am l missing something very obvious and silly? the whole insulation thing is a bit of a worry, but lm going to speak to the dealer to see if there is anything that can be done! I am looking at getting one of these vans, buts at the moment its only coming in white, which lm not overly keen on, can l ask you if you purchased yours in Scotland? and if there were any more in that colour? kind regards Ian

@@ianrennie6794 Good morning Ian. Another good question about the heating, which I've also pondered. I think the heating system is basically a boiler, which heats water. Quite how it transfers the heat to air, which is then circulated through the van, is a bit of a mystery to me. It seems that that some van heating systems can be used 'dry' but I don't think that is the case with the Elddis CV range. The boiler manual states that the system will register a fault if there is insufficient water available, which is a pretty clear indication that water is required. There are two ways to heat the water, by gas or by electric. I bought my van from Perthshire Caravans. They had a showroom model available, in white. This had been taken to some of the shows, so would have been poked and prodded by any number of prospective buyers. Having said that, it did appear pristine. However, I decided to wait for a brand new van to be delivered from the Elddis factory and then prepped by Perthshire Caravans. That gave me the option of getting the van in black livery. It also seems that these vans sell out pretty fast, especially with the recent trend in 'staycationing'. So, I'd get onto your chosen dealer pretty quickly and try to get a clear indication of delivery time and handover date. I was also concerned about the lack of winterisation of the van but felt it was something I could live with, especially since I enjoy spending my winter months camping in my teepee tent, with wood stove. And, looking at alternative vans with all the systems (tanks, boiler, pipes, valves etc) inboard, well they were just beyond my budget, and it was surprisingly difficult to find one. Keep in touch and let me know what you decide and how you get on, especially with the winterisation question. ATB, Dave

Hello Javier, the problem with water is the extra weight. The vehicle is pretty heavy to start with and hauling a full tank of water does make a difference to fuel consumption and handling. If possible, it is better to run with a small amount of water and then fill up as close to your camp spot as possible. I'm not sure about 'pumped gas' in Europe. Having an underslung tank saves space in the vehicle and I like being able to fill the tank from a fuel station rather than exchanging bottles. However, you have to do some research on filling stations that offer pumped gas to make sure you can refill during your trip. I also carry a generator, which allows me to conserve gas. Using these vehicles for 'wild camping' is always going to be a compromise. You just have to find the best vehicle to meet your needs and, perhaps, be prepared to make some modifications to get the perfect set up. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

Hi Javier, with two kids, look at Patented Cabbunk Twin childbeds. They work well in the CV40, only weigh 8kg, much, much cheaper and lighter than the poptop.

Hello Lesley, I have a pair of fairly lightweight plastic ramps, from Go Outdoors. I also bought a military surplus canvas gear bag to store the ramps. There is also enough room in the bag to store some tools, jump leads, a tow strop, a ground sheet and a few other bits and pieces. The bag slides under the table in the galley. I don't take it on every trip. Mostly, I can find a fairly level place to park up. I prefer to sleep with my head higher than my feet so I can use any slight slope to my advantage. Previously, I owned a self build camper, which I was less precious about. I tended to level this up by simply using stones gathered from ditches or hillsides close to my intended camp, returning them to 'nature' in the morning after breaking camp. On the odd occasion that I need to level up the van, my scavenging for rocks always proved fruitful. Im not sure it was good for the tyres, but having said that, I never experienced any tyre problems with the old van. I guess I use the ramps about one night in ten. Having said all that, they are brilliant when you need them because living in a sloping van is not great. If you have storage space, I'd recommend you buy a set, and get the smallest you think you can get away with. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 Brilliant, thanks Dave.

Good morning, Don't mind you asking at all. It's a good question and one that I struggled with before deciding on a CV40 (as opposed to a CV 20 or 60). So, the short answer is I'm 6'2.". I was also concerned that the sleeping arrangement might be cramped, both in terms of length, but also width when Mo is with me. So, the bed is pretty much the size of a standard double, which is quite small. I've put a mattress topper over the cushions. That raises the level a little. And, with a well-filled pillow, it takes my head above the height of the wee 'rail' that I mentioned in the vid. That provides some extra width. I don't have a generous amount of space and, if I stretch out, I can touch either side of the van with my head and toes. You are a tiny bit shorter than me, so will have a bit of extra room. So, what about the width. Well, Mo and I can sleep shoulder to shoulder but there is not much space in between us. On our extended Hebridean trip, we tried out sleeping 'top to tail'. That gave us a generous amount of space. Another consideration is getting up in the night for a loo visit. The person sleeping next to rear doors has to climb over the person sleeping on the inside. It's not a big deal, but is a consideration if your travelling with a partner. So, why I did I opt for a 40 as opposed to a van where you can sleep lengthways? The main reason is that the forward galley space is much more flexible in the 40. And, you have the option of carrying passengers. Mo and I loved the setup. As I said in the vid, we used the forward galley for all our meals and relaxation. Then, in the evening, I tended to set up the bed quite early. Mo enjoyed some quiet time reading in bed whilst I carried on pouring over maps or working away on my youtube channel at the table in the forward galley. It just felt that we had loads of space where we could do our own thing. One thing that really put me off buying a van with the lengthways beds was the fact that some vans, with that configuration, only allow partial swivelling of the drivers seat. Being able to fully swivel both seats was important to me. Hope this helps. My advice is to encourage you to think about all aspects of liveability and try to imagine how you will set things up for each part of the day, i.e. travel, short rest stops, meal times, relaxation, sleeping, and preparing for any outdoors activities that you might get involved with. Van life will always have some compromises, its just a case on making the compromises where it doesn't matter too much. ATB, Dave

Dave Outdoors Scotland Thank you for such a wonderful in-depth reply Dave. We really like the layout of the 40 and it was the width size that concerned me but that shouldn’t be such a worry now I’d think. Love the videos of your outdoor exploits by the way, I was a keen outdoorsman myself until some unfortunate circumstances led me to being disabled. You can’t take the memories away mad watching your clips brings back a wee smile from past endeavours on the mountains. 👍

@@solarcycles1963 Glad to help. Good luck with the van, I'm sure you'll not regret the purchase. In many way, I wish I'd bought a proper camper years ago. Huge thanks for taking the time to watch some of my outdoor vids, very much appreciated. Stay safe and enjoy your van. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 Hi Dave. I’ve just bought a CV40 and the rear bed cushions say on them to sleep on the reverse side. However, both cushions are rounded at one end and one is slightly longer than the other. When I have tried to turn them over as suggested, I can’t get them to fit properly because of this. Is there a way of doing this I have been unable to figure out or do you just ignore it and sleep on the ‘cushion’ side with a topper?

@@lesleylarkins7328 Good morning Lesley. On first use, I configured the bed exactly as recommended. The cushions are a tight fit but they do go in. You need to exert a fair degree of force. I put the two backrest sections in place last. I'm quite tall so was able to lean over the bed (standing beside the shower room door) and squeeze the sections into place, starting from the rear doors and working inwards. The cushions deform a fair amount but do spring back into shape when they are removed and returned to the sofa position. In my opinion, there is little advantage in reversing the cushions since the bed is not 'flat' whichever way round you put them. I get the theory about the rounded ends facing downwards but in practice it didn't make much difference as far as I was concerned. What did make a significant difference was the use of a topper. It takes out all the surface irregularities associated with joining the cushions together to form a mattress. What is essentially a 4-section mattress becomes a single, continuous surface to sleep on. The only problem is the storage of the topper during the day. That's not a big issue for us since we tend to favour using the forward galley during the day. This leaves the rear offside sofa free for the storage filming gear and outdoor equipment, tucked beneath the topper and duvet. When the van is in evening mode, we transfer the gear from the sofa to the driver and passenger footwell area. When using the topper, I don't bother reversing the cushions, since they seem to slip into place more easily 'the right way up'. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

Thanks Jamie. I have two batteries. Not sure what size they are. I asked the dealer to instal them as part of the purchase package and I'm guessing they will be mid-range. I know some of the leisure batteries can be very expensive. I believe mine are guaranteed for one year. I'll have a wee look later today and see if I can find any information for you. The twin battery setup, combined with the wee generator and solar panel meant that I always had plenty of power. We had a couple of back-to-back wet and stormy days on our Hebridean trip. We were holed up in the van and using power pretty much throughout both days (without running the generator) and still had a good reserve of power. Dave

Thanks for that info Dave. We are picking up a CV20 mid Oct and I’ve been paranoid about battery life. I’ve also asked for an extra battery, I rung the dealer today and he said the one fitted is 95ah. I’d imagine they are possibly the same on all the models. You’ve put my mind at rest a bit 👍🏼 This will be our first ‘Base Camp’ and it’s been a bit daunting figuring it all out. We are intending on going to the Algarve for a month or two over winter....if there’s no new lockdown by then 😬

@@Jam001 I'm sure it will all be fine Jamie. I'm no expert when it comes to auto electrics or leisure batteries. However, it seems important to not allow the batteries to fully discharge. So, it is good practice to take the vehicle for a spin, even it is only for half an hour or so. I think the solar panels (which should work well in the Algarve) are really only there to top up the batteries and stop them fully discharging. Driving the vehicle will properly charge the batteries, as will an electrical hook up. Other things to look out for: I had a problem with the doors not locking properly, which activates the hazard lights to warn you of an 'open door'. In fact, all the doors were closed and it was the sensor on the bonnet. There is a micro-switch that is pushed down when the bonnet is closed. But it wasn't going down far enough. I adjusted it with a 12mm spanner and problem solved. I also had some issues with the sticky tape that holds some of the internal plastic panels in place. The one on the the sliding door was loose at the top. A wee touch of superglue was enough to hold it in place. We also had an issue with the indicator panel for water and electric 'levels' It seems this is a common problem. The water level was reading 'full' even after using lots of water. I drained the tank and still had a 'full' reading. It is an intermittent fault, with the indicator giving an accurate reading sometimes and other times, always indicating a full water tank, irrespective of how much is actually in the tank. I've reported this to the dealer but am not in a hurry to get it fixed and will probably wait until the first service. It is mildly annoying rather than disruptive as the system works despite the indicator malfunctioning. There is a chance you will encounter a few niggle. I'd just make a note of them and get the dealer to rectify them when you get back. Overall, I'm very happy with the vehicle. Oh, an important consideration comes to mind. Make sure you consider some additional security if you plan on being away from the vehicle for any length of time. I use a steering lock and a clutch/brake pedal lock. And, I turn the passenger and driver seats round to face each other and padlock them together with a decent lock and short length of chain. All of these 'systems' could be easily overcome by a determined thief but they are very visible and will helpfully deter any would-be thief from attempting to drive off with your camper. I do have a wheel clamp but tend not to take it on my travels as it is pretty bulky and difficult to store when not in use. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

Dave Outdoors Scotland it’s reassuring to know you like your van despite the niggles! The levels on the water and electric sound a bit scary. Mostly the battery, as you say they need to be watched to make sure they don’t go below 50% 😬. I might fit the second battery myself after the dealer told me earlier today it’s going to cost £300 for them to supply and fit it. That seems a bit excessive to me. He said they need to go under the floor and there’s a lot of work involved. That seems a bit suspicious to me as I’m sure you just connect one to the other. As you can see I’m totally clueless about electrics lol. I’m sure if I watch a few KZfaq vids I’ll be able to manage it and save about £200. I asked the dealer for the make and model number of the battery so I could work out how much the fitting cost is but they haven’t got back to me yet. I have a little pile of things I keep adding to when I learn things from peoples videos like yours. I’ve just added superglue to the pile and made sure I have a 12mm spanner in my kit 😂 👍🏼 Security is a bit of a concern. I was thinking of fitting locks to all the doors, maybe the Thule ones. In my house I have Amazon Blink cameras and they work extremely well for me here at home. I will have WiFi in the van most of the time from a mobile dongle and probably not venturing too far away from the van. If someone breaks in I should get a ping on my phone within a few seconds (if I have internet) and hopefully make it back before they’ve gone. The chain on the seats sounds like a great tip! I’ll also have a tracker fitted but I’m more worried about theft from the van then theft of it. Every now and then it gets a bit overwhelming and I think what are doing, then I see a video like one of yours wandering through some amazing scenery and I remember why lol. Thanks for your tips! It’s very much appreciated:) 👍🏼

@@Jam001 Yes, it's a lot of money to spend and I thought long and hard. But, in the end, I wish I'd bought a proper camper van years ago. It really is a game changer. I'm sure you won't regret the purchase. And, in the unlikely event that you change your mind, you can easily sell it on as they hold their value. I was actually offered more than I paid for mine by a chap that was desperate to get one at short notice! The three hundred pounds quoted for the extra battery is exactly what I was quoted. I simply said I would walk away from the deal if they couldn't do better. In the end, they supplied and fitted it for free. I would have a word with your dealer...they should at least offer free fitting! I don't want to raise your anxiety levels, but worth checking that the vehicle is properly registered before you drive away. There is a significant backlog with DVLA, caused by social distancing in the offices as a result of Covid. Please feel free to drop me a message on the channel if you have any more queries. I'm definitely not very knowledgeable but can share my own experiences. Overall, I think they are great camper vans and I'm happy with the purchase. ATB, Dave

Hi Graham, yes the cooker has a lighter. I think it is just force of habit that we use the gas lighter. We used the gas lighter in our old van (self build) and it just transferred to the new van :). However, I would say that the igniter on the cooker works ok, but often needs to be held for a while until the gas ignites, which leaves a smell of gas in the air for a wee while. Have you procured your van yet, and if so, what did you decide on? ATB, Dave

Hello Michael, some good suggestions there. I did take a look at the SOG system (some good vids of the system on KZfaq). In the end, I decided to stick with what I know and use my tried and tested wild camping methods. I know this approach is pretty basic and certainly not for everyone, but it suits us well, especially in our wild camping situations. When out and about, we also do a fair bit of 'roadside' litter picking,. We carry strong sacks for rubbish storage until we can dispose of it properly. With the correct rubbish sacks, tightly tied, we don't get any unpleasant odour in the van. Mostly, we can dispose of the waste (our own, and the stuff we gather up) daily, or certainly after a couple of days. I suppose our primary aim is to Leave No Trace, and, where possible, leave each park-up at least as clean as we found it, if not a little cleaner. Thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated and hope you are able to 'get on the road' soon. I'm hoping to get away in the next few days. ATB, Dave

Hi Graham, sorry you didn't enjoy the vid. Loads of stuff on KZfaq though so hopefully you'll find something more to your taste. Thanks for taking the time to comment. ATB, Dave