Everything wrong with my Bedford Rascal (Good and Bad Points)

Рет қаралды 31,637

4 жыл бұрын

Everything wrong with my Bedford Rascal
My Bedford Rascal had a lot more problems when I first purchased it, mainly to do with the running gear/engine. I since did a lot of work on the engine at the back end of the summer last year to make sure that the Rascal could cope with a decent run without either overheating or cutting out.
There is some rust around the Rascal which is to be expected for this year of vehicle, but it is mainly cosmetic and it is not in a particularly bad way. There are some leaks from with windows, and from the vents in the ceiling, but they are easily remedied. There have been some crack which have developed since I bought the Rascal which are a bit worrying, they should be there which is showing that there are some additional stresses on the rear and the shell has been comprimised somehow which I will also need to sort out.
A tape player sits upfront in the cab which is awful when it works, but that's only when it works, because there must be something wrong with the wiring because it only works intermittently. The audio is very poor anyway because it plays in mono, it needs to be changed.
A big problem for me is the head liner in the rear cabin, the dark grey carpet around the cieling and sides and windows is horrible and poorly fitted, it looks like carpet for the floor which has been stuck on, all this needs to go in a future update and replaced with something a bit more high tech and modern.
There are a lot of good points too, it has a good sink and the pump works, a good leisure battery powering everything, a fridge, yes it only works on mains electric and could do with converting to battery but still useful, and a stove/grill area, and a great area for breakfast and double bed. You could use the Bedford Rascal for anything adventure if you really wanted to and that's what my plans are in the future.
Please subscribe if you haven't already, i'm sure my videos are going to get better over time and I would appreciate your support very much, until next time.
Music used in this video: • Adventures - A Himitsu...

Пікірлер: 97

@MyWagga 4 жыл бұрын

Very comprehensive video's on this iconic camper. Anyone that wants one of these would do well to watch and learn. Look forward to the next one.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Christopher Dawber I’m looking forward to making much more content. Is there anything you would like to see in the next video?

@MyWagga 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 Maybe how you got the back off.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Christopher Dawber that could be quite interesting, i will put that in a video coming up soon.

@joanstorer6370 4 жыл бұрын

OOH I love This bedford rascal. I used to drive one years ago when I was delivering & selling to the motor trade. I am so glad to see it. I have so many happy memories of it. I loved it then and i love it now. So easy to drive and I love the steering wheel as well. I think mine just had 4 gears but some have 5. it is beautiful.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

I'm happy I could facilitate, these little vehicles are getting rarer all the time which is a shame, but this one is here to stay now 😁 thank you Joan 😁

@gwho 2 жыл бұрын

Toilet is easy and cheap. Get a simple 5 gallon bucket (or whatever metric equivalent) at a hardware store. Find a lid. Add rubber grommets to that lid so it can be airtight and water tight. Use plastic bags to line the bucket and just toss that plastic bag whenever you see a trashcan, just like you'd throw away dog poop. When moving, secure the bucket so it doesn't topple over or spill its contents, much like the propane tank you have. Cheap, easy, effective, takes very little space.

@krippleinacaravanxxx707 4 жыл бұрын

OMG It never looked like that when owned it! Glad you are looking after her/him!

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Do you have any pictures of what it was like when you owned it? 👍

@krippleinacaravanxxx707 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan Hi. I will try and find some but alas they may have got lost in the move to Wales. I did have an orsnge vibe going on in the interior lol! I had an awning that went on the back. I think the company was Caravex or something like that they were based in Scotland. It was great as it was sealed and I had a loo and shower in there. I sold the lot to a woman. There was always little things going wrong but i enjoyed having them fixed back up. Its greatcwatching you sort it out. I tended just to get in and go! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@01cosworth 4 жыл бұрын

When all vans get old you get problems mate, it’s part of the journey and even the new ones get problems, I know because it happened to me. Great and honest account of your van. MNM

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes that's true, I just like to put things right and to make things run efficiently and smoothly, I do the same in my business. 😁

@AntSurviveTheNight 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Tristan, just found your channel 👍 I’m thinking of getting one of these, can I ask are you still happy with it? Also, what would you say the going rate for one that is in excellent condition, cheers mate, Ant 👍

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

You should definitely get one, yes I would recommend them and I still love it as much as when I first bought it, the cabin makes me feel nostalgic every time I get in, and the driving experience takes me back. I paid £3,200 for this one which was in good condition for the truck, but the rear pod was not in great condition, although I couldn't tell that when I bought it, I would say around £3k gets you a very decent one, usually cheaper than that.

@philryan7254 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there one of my brothers Kenny have one of these vehicles many years ago it probably wasn't that old when he got it ...he used to go fishing at the weekends we'll joked about it but to be fair it was alright but we did call it his burger van...Cheers Phil from Newark

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Phil, They are pretty cool vehicles, to me it gives me a nostalgic feel when I get inside. I used to think when I was younger that they were funny looking, but as I have aged, so have they, and now I look at it differently. Nobody has one now and they are rare to see, you wouldn't believe the amount of people that wave at me when I am driving past 😁

@davsearle 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Tristan - I havent watched all your videos yet but how is it to drive? Will you change the engine out for a larger one? I am researching these strange little vans and your videos are the best I have seen so far

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Hi davsearle, it's not bad to drive since I changed all of the tyres, and I still have to replace some of the suspension components and bushings as there is a bit of slack. But actually driving it with the romahome on the back it feels very wallowy and soft and it does make me feel a bit uncomfortable on the corners. But as long as you take it easy it's not a problem. Now on the other hand without the romahome on the back and when it's just a pickup truck, it feels completely different and feels like you can really throw it around it's nimble agile much more power understandably, because there is little to no weight on the rear. I have plans to change the engine in the future but it's not something that I'm going to be doing soon.

@ttxela 4 жыл бұрын

Still see a few of these about. Was thinking of one but ended up with Talbot Express based coachbuilt.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

It's surprising, you see one, then you see like 5 in 1 day 🤣 I plan on buying a second much larger motorhome one day 😁

@abingleyboy 3 жыл бұрын

I bet it's great for days out, while most people are looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy a cupper, you can pop the kettle on & sit back as soon as you arrive, but I also bet it's a bit of struggle driving it in a side wind, especially on open roads and the one thing I always think about with caravanettes or camper vans (we were always a tenting family) is anything outside your van at the campsite, chairs tables, bikes etc, all has to be put back into the van every time you go away from the campsite and are gaurenteed your spot when you come back. But my biggest worry would be the safty of them in a crash. There isn't any barrior between the drive and passengers knees & people drive more and more carelessly in today's world. But it's lasted this long & any vehical accident isn't wanted. Just I've been in a couple and both times even though not a big crash, has left me with anxiety in cars and safty fears.

@jemmah4723 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jemma, getting better each time I upload, many more to come, keep watching!

@jemmah4723 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely getting better each time 😊

@lindaelizabethcole3675 3 жыл бұрын

Really keen to buy one of these , but they are as rare as hensteeeth as only 1500 made 1986 - 1992 by Autohomes in Poole , Dorset on a Bedford Rascal chassis , later models had a window over the cab., love the stable door at the back , perfect little micro coachbuilt motorbike , sounds like you need new rubber deal for the skylight !!!

@jaggass 4 жыл бұрын

I've seen a few differences between the Romahome and Bambi. The Bambi looks to be all built into one as you can access the cab from the back unlike the Romahome which still has the rear section of the cab as the body is removable.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

That is something I really liked about the Bambi, which was that you could access the cab from the back and vice versa. However the advantage to have the pickup version with a Romahome is that you can obviously convert it into a pickup truck only. It's a great little vehicle! 😁

@fp4man542 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 The downside of the Bambi is dampness. The joints in the body start to leak, and then water gets into the internal woodwork of the walls. Personally, I like the Danbury camper conversion. It's based on a standard van, but fitted with a pop-top roof. It allows it to fit in a domestic garage.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's what put me off buying one of those instead of the romahome. I do like the idea of a pop top roof though, it depends what you want it to do really. I like being able to turn this one into a pickup 😁

@fp4man542 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 I've got a standard Rascal van. A camper would be nice, buy I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of it.

@khamboo 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Tristan, loving your videos on this camper. We've got one here which has been sitting for a few years due to the same issues you mentioned you had with the engine misfire, may I ask what work you carried out to cure the problem? You'll make my dad a happy camper if you point us in the right direction to a fix

@tristan7734 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, I changed the ignition leads as they were green, new thermostat as original was a problem, I changed the ignition coil also, new oil and spark plugs, new points, these are all cheap and easy maintenance fixes, after that I checked all the earthing of the cables, that also seemed to help, just do one thing at a time and see if it fixes it, it should be running sweet by the time you get through the list 😉

@khamboo 3 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 thanks, we have done a few of these but earthing could be the issue so ill add that to the list. Thanks again

@tristan7734 3 жыл бұрын

@@khamboo I hope you manage to get it sorted, a misfire is usually down to spark plugs, ignition coil or ignition leads, I'm not an expert by any means, but if any of them are damp it can cause a misfire, or even old fuel can cause it. The problem I had, was that it would run roughly, which I worked out to be mainly a timing issue, which can be easily sorted with electronic ignition. I haven't yet fitted this myself. But when I would drive for about 30 minutes it would get very rough and begin to cut out, I worked out that it was down to the thermostat regulator which was causing it to get to hot and would cause it to cut out, new thermostat and coolant sorted this problem for me, also making sure the battery is fully charged and holding its power strong can be a good start to diagnosis, I have a trickle charger which keeps the battery in tip top condition now that I have it stored but it didn't help outside in the cold and damp and not getting charged regularly. I hope this information helps you and your dad out.

@raywite6665 4 жыл бұрын

These were brilliant. Cramped" try a tent, slit trench and shaving out of a helmet, you have properly luxury there.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes they are brilliant, they are build for weekend camping really, not expedition stuff.

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

You can have a Porter potty in your Bambi we did. Put it just behind the passengers and drivers seat on the floor . And put a nice cloth over it . It worked for us . Not ideal but okay for emergences

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

We are considering that also, because that is the only problem with it really. We have an outdoor toilet tent for it to go in too, it is a quick setup, but better than nothing.

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan Do you like your van ?

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes it's awesome, I want to do so many things to it, I like keeping things nice, I don't like things to get tatty.

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan I am going to get one. I used to have a Bambi never let me down. The engine is fantastic. Good luck mate keep the videos coming please 😊👍

@mbd6054 2 жыл бұрын

You can easily fit a Thetford portable loo, between the two bunks. You can make a fabric cover for it, and pop a cusion on top, for extra seating.

@tristan7734 5 ай бұрын

brilliant idea.

@jonahwhale9047 2 күн бұрын

Can you really sleep with a bucketful of zhit, pizz & chemicals right by your head?

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Going to get one . Was going to get a Bambi but I think I am better with one like yours. Not as much damp ? Wot do you think?

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

There is no damp in mine now, as the shell is fibreglass anyway, they cannot rot or get damp, the only reason mine did was because of poorly fitted roof vents, windows and a lack of any insulation or cladding. That's sorted now, I have a few videos I am working on to show this.

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan Your videos are good very interesting. I am definitely going to get one. I have had a Bambi about 4 years ago never let me down. But I never used it but I am retiring in 8 months hopefully. And I think the one you have is better. I will keep looking. Hope to see more videos soon. Take care

@TeenFielder-dj9tv 4 ай бұрын

Interesting, thank you

@happydays9613 4 жыл бұрын

I am looking for a Bedford Bambi and to be honest the issues you have in yours considering the age of the vehicle are not huge. I think your quite lucky. I would gladly take it off your hands with those issues that I could fix myself. Keep up the good work with it. Nothing is perfect when it ages. I am wondering what you paid for it?

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Hi happy days, yes I've noticed that the issues that I do have are not serious ones they are something that can be managed and kept on top of rather than having to replace everything. Actually paid a little over 3 k for the whole thing in the condition that it was, and then I decided to do my remedial works and bits and pieces to it. so personally I think that it was worth the money as it was in a finished and working state, I just wanted to make things better make things my own, as you can see you later videos.

@gromit1971 4 жыл бұрын

Treat the surface before it becomes more serious. Rust converter is cheaper than welding. Great wee vans. Used to have one as a works van. You can drift them in the the snow and ice. 👍

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, in later videos I did actually paint the entire thing with hammerite, however I didn't treat the rust and it's something that I'm going to be doing in more videos in the future. It is a brilliant van 😁

@iamasmurf1122 4 жыл бұрын

Someone blocked off storage above roof, i would look at customising above the roof a bigger space which would take some engineering but put a bed up there

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes they did, and made a small cubby hole for access, totally pointless in my opinion. I would love to make it a bed, but it would be very difficult because the vehicle is very narrow. To make it length ways from that height would defeat the object of installing it there because there is a bed below anyway and you wouldn't be able to use the lounge area when the bed was made anyway. I can see where you are coming from though.

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Look after your Bambi and it will never let you down mate.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

It passed its MOT yesterday 😀

@stuartwrigglesworth9339 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan Fantastic

@ziviaantjeverharius6165 4 жыл бұрын

Like I said in the last video comments I have one and I tell you you will HAVE TO do the arches NOW! Remove all coatings underneeth and check for rust it will be there. You can still buy new once if needed. There are two plates on each other that make the arches and it rots from within. Doing it while you don't see much will save you a disaster later.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

I looked at the arches before I did any work, they have been done already at some point, also the whole underside of the vehicle was wax oiled, what you could see in the video was surface rust, still not happy about that though so I will be remediating that this summer as I don't have a garage. I was considering fibreglassing the arches as then it won't be able to rust if it is completely sealed both sides. What do you think?

@ziviaantjeverharius6165 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 keep things original.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

I will keep things original outside for definite, it's in good condition for the year, so just need to keep on top of it.

@kevinohara8671 4 жыл бұрын

Iv got a bambi and have had an idea to put a plastic tray by the door as the shower tray and use an 18v ryobi transfer pump to take the water from a container to a shower head a plastic curtain round to protect the cupboards it's only in prototype at the moment but it should be ok

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a great idea Kevin! So would there be a plastic container and a drain on the bottom which takes the dirty water away and places it in a grey water tank?

@kevinohara8671 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 I haven't done it yet but the idea is just a plastic tray approx 4 inches deep that fits nicely into the space its amazing how little water is needed to shower it's only to doush down quickly I'm going to get a waterfall shower head so it falls down wards and not all over fill the sink to get the temperature right and use a ryobi transfer pump job done should work will work I'm taking mine to France they have brilliant sites so its only for emergency showers all sites have good facilities I'm putting a generator underneath on a tray to supply 240v and have a charger set up to charge the leisure battery solar is a waste of time hopefully you may like these ideas thanks kev

@kevinohara8671 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 the old water can be put down the sink or down a drain as I say its perfectly adequate to wash in the sink and then quickly douch down my generator is an inverter so it doesn't damage chargers I have ryobi lights that are 18v there great 3 power settings

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely do it, take a few pictures too, because I can get an idea of what you mean, but I would like to see exactly how it looks, it would be something I may consider adding to mine, at current, I have an awning which I attach to the back of the rascal which I put a toilet cubicle in and would do the same for shower

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

I'll have to take a look at them too, thanks for the advice Kevin!

@TINGVELL Жыл бұрын

what work did you do to the engine ? you did,nt say

@tristan7734 5 ай бұрын

just a full tune up, replacing all the parts which had worn, things like the points and fuel pipes ect.

@iamasmurf1122 4 жыл бұрын

That stereo i would find a way to customise the dash and fit a 2 Din with screen CD/DVD and Apple car play , you can plug your apple phone into them and answer calls while driving with a microphone , and also hook up a reverse camera with a good camera to do that i would cut out the ashtray move the ciggarette lighter somewhere else on dash

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

For now I installed the stereo from the rear into the front in replacement of the cassette player. I have plans to make it more high-tech in the future, but for now I am focusing on getting the thing back on the road so I can actually use it haha. A reverse camera would be fantastic to install!😁

@iamasmurf1122 4 жыл бұрын

Tristan reverse cameras are simple to install but you want a quality camera not a super cheap one , the sony cameras are what you want to look at

@owenaylward Жыл бұрын

Sort of MPG does it get?

@tristan7734 5 ай бұрын

Around 30mpg with the pod on the back. a lot more without all the weight.

@melgrant7404 4 жыл бұрын

Where's sooty

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Funny you should say that, I had two cats called sooty and sweep which I named after the show and that camper van! 😁

@melgrant7404 4 жыл бұрын

@@tristan7734 😊😊

@sgw8903 4 жыл бұрын

Nice van. Big fan of small van's myself. Looks like a Romahome body. You won't be able to run the fridge on battery btw. Depending on model, it should run on 12v but the battery won't run it for long. The idea is to run it from the engine charging system while driving and switch to 240v mains or gas on site.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes it is a Romahome body. The fridge currently only runs on 240v which is not ideal for me, so I will be installing a new one, one that has a 3 way power system so it can run on 240v, 12v and gas so then it can be used all of the time when out and about. Really looking forward to getting it done, but been stopped for a while, while the corona virus blows up.

@gbwildlifeuk8269 4 жыл бұрын

My friend had one, so old he insured it against fire, theft and commanche raids.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Haha I like that, Comanche raids! 😂

@PeaceBeTheJourney. 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, can the beast pull 70mph on a level road?!

@tristan7734 5 ай бұрын

Yes it can, I have actually done it, although it felt a little bit dangerous haha

@jaggass 4 жыл бұрын

You sound alot like Alan Shearer but with a bit of a Welsh twang.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm from a similar area to him and my father is Welsh 🤣

@musashibitcoinikov8718 3 жыл бұрын

Is it possible to add toilet and shower on it?

@lindaelizabethcole3675 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry motorhome , not motorbike , also rubber seal, could be a cracked skylight , just needing some superglue to fix , happy travels , so. jealous , .stay safe

@daveevans8256 4 жыл бұрын

If the truck goes , you can buy a new truck and put old camper body on. 👍🇬🇧

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes that's true! I have seen some go for quite cheap, truck only of course.

@Sapp440 4 жыл бұрын

I thought British people said Glass-Fibre instead.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

I just say what comes to my mind haha

@gbwildlifeuk8269 4 жыл бұрын

We say fibre glass

@moonspoonx2 4 жыл бұрын

That's got the wrong camper body on it. It's probably a honda acty camper body on a Bedford pickup.

@tristan7734 4 жыл бұрын

Yes Stuart, someone else also pointed this out which really helped me understand a few things. I don't mind that it is not the proper one but at least it has a Romahome on the back which is why I bought it originally.