Bad Conversions - Poor Quality and DANGEROUS Camper Vans

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Жыл бұрын

Bad Conversions - Poor Quality and DANGEROUS Camper Vans
Converting your VW Transporter is expensive, make sure you spend your money wisely and deal with a reputable converter.
Speak to other owners, find them on Facebook groups and see examples of the companies work before handing over your cash.
There are many poor examples around and I will document more if people will allow me to use their bad experiences.
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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.
The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.
I bought a VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.
Slowly turning it into a camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.
I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.
Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍
There are many great camper adventures to come
Thanks must go to the following:
titantransporters.co.uk - Sourcing my van, providing advice and soon a paint correction and detail
tamarcaravancentre.co.uk - Advising me with many of my leisure equipment purchases, including my Thetford toilet
www.dream-ice.co.uk - Quality advise on my sound system upgrade
plyworxuk.co.uk - Suppliers of my Halo roof and ply products
www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk - 1st class advice and guidance on my electrical system install
stitchesandsteel.com - Seat covers, carpet, roof straps, changing mat
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats
If your looking for some free places to stay, have a look at the Britstops book www.britstops.com
Many choices of places to park up overnight and stay in their carparks including pubs, restaurants, adventure centres and even vineyards and breweries.
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Im a member of Devon & Cornwall Transporters. Have a look at the Facebook group and come along to meet the other friendly members
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Пікірлер: 57

@ceriwllms 2 ай бұрын

I had a conversion from Holbrook dubs. Poor customer service blamed me for problems. The electrics had slices through them where they cut to deep, earthed through the carpet and didn't secure the battery and other stuff regarding the van too many to mention.

@StaycationLifestyle Ай бұрын

Wow, that sounds horrendous. Unfortunately it does seem an issue that’s far too common. It would be much better if the industry was regulated

@mcjjordan Жыл бұрын

As an autoelectrician i can only back up your findings - all the vans i get called out to are shocking! & as you say some of them are from conversion establishments… trading standards need to get involved .

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

It’s frightening, especially when people have paid for the work to be done. I gathered some really bad examples, but wasn’t allowed to use them, one had a fire after getting back from converter 😟

@xgouldiex 6 ай бұрын

The bit that boils my blood is seeing wires running through bulkheads and panels with no grommets stopping them rubbing through just fit grommets they are stupidly cheap

@KI55DUB 3 ай бұрын

So if we were lucky enough to win this book we would head to one of the stops in North Devon to relax after my second hip replacement, will be going anyway even if we don’t get lucky but love this very good informative channel so thanks anyway

@karlbigmore7949 Ай бұрын

I changed my setup 3 times just when you think you get it sorted you goout use it and more to change or re arrange 😥😥

@kristianlaine9579 Жыл бұрын

Good advice! Just a word of caution on your wording about cables. Just to avoid confusion, multi strand (or fine strand) cable is what you should be using not multi core. They are different things. I am an electrician and have seen easily confused when buying cable. Keep up the good work!

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Well spotted, “strand” was the word I was looking for. At least you could tell what I meant, from how I explained it 😳 It’s frightening how some installers are using incorrect cables. I did mine myself, but made sure it was professionally checked prior to turning it on

@chrispalmer8782 Жыл бұрын

Tri rated?

@hrzon2935 Жыл бұрын

This just solidifies why I would much rather convert my van myself might not be the cheapest way but at least I know it's going to be done properly and safely.

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

There are good conversion companies, you just need to find them. It doesn’t help when there are people stating ‘high spec vans’ and they really aren’t.

@hrzon2935 Жыл бұрын

@@StaycationLifestyle tbh I planned to build my own all along but I looked at buying one done and was shocked at the price for the sort of quality that was being delivered.

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Doing your own you know exactly what has been done, what’s behind the surface, components used and it’s been done properly 👍

@catherinejoyce2862 11 күн бұрын

Looking to buy my first camper, yesterday viewed on with the electric hook up in the engine bay, next to the battery, I'm assuming this isn't normal, or safe?

@danielhines5698 Жыл бұрын

I had a van from Big Wave Campers, absolutely shocking. Poor bodywork, really bad messy electrics. Cheap nasty kitchen and bed. But worst of all no gas dropouts even though it had been signed off as safe. Absolutely terrible.

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

That sounds terrible and dangerous. No doubt it would have been expensive too

@JJWilliams-uk3rf Жыл бұрын

As an owner of a Big Wave Camper van I very doubt that this is true. We are on our second BWC and know of several people who also own one and can confirm that on every van there is a round dropout on the right hand side rear of the gas locker. Ok they are not the best, a few loose screws etc. however they do not charge £60-70 thousand for vans that are not worth the money

@T6bus1 10 ай бұрын

BMC transporters in Plymouth Gary miller keep away be very aware

@mcjjordan Жыл бұрын

The one i always pick up is lighting- they have 6+ led lights on a single circuit that you either can operate when in bed or that all come on when you open a door . Instantly blinding you & the whole campsite 👍

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

They so are bright 🤣 Could you give a better answer the the comment here from Gary regarding the camping electrics. I was told they aren’t suitable, as it can make the van live

@mcjjordan Жыл бұрын

230v? Needs to be grounded to the body of the van for rcd protection. & i use 2.5mm arctic cable

@mcjjordan Жыл бұрын

230v? Needs to be grounded to the body of the van for rcd protection. & i use 2.5mm arctic cable

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Perfect, thank you 👍

@scottuh1 Жыл бұрын

Hello, thanks for the channel, some great stuff on here. 1 question, the connector block with a built in RCD/MCB that can only or should only be used in a tent, why should this not be used in a van?

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Thank you. The design of these devices is for tents, awnings etc which aren’t a metal box. A fault could lead to the van becoming live. This would not trip the device. The reasons why was explained to me by an electrician.

@scottuh1 Жыл бұрын

So am I correct in thinking that the land side earth should be connected to a chassis earth? Thanks, @Matt Quinn for the word ‘Float’ it cleared things up in my head.

@PhillipHomer 8 ай бұрын

12:05 can you elaborate on what that thing is please? What should we have in its place?

@StaycationLifestyle 8 ай бұрын

This is the “camping” lead which was designed for use in tents. They cannot be just placed in a van as a fault can make the van itself live. A properly installed electrical system should be used that has been earthed correctly

@T6bus1 10 ай бұрын

If you need any pictures of a bad conversion company I got a lot from my van

@StaycationLifestyle 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark. It’s a common issue, I was speaking to a converter yesterday and they were saying they are being asked more and more to fix poor conversions. The industry needs regulation

@garymewes2194 Жыл бұрын

Can you explain in more detail why you cannot use the camping extension cord in a campervan. I have a VW type 2 without electric so use the maypole camping lead with the built in Circuit breaker. This lead is kept up high in the pop top??

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

I was told that those devices are not designed to be used in a metal box as any stray wire could make the chassis live. They said the van needs a specific consumer unit for utilising 240v.

@brendanryan262 Жыл бұрын

Not an electrician but I believe going by regulation consumer units should be 'grounded' to the van chassis.

@chrispalmer8782 Жыл бұрын

I thought a car was a faraday cage, and if struck by lightning would protect the occupants because of this. Therefore if the car became live you wouldn’t get a belt from it?

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

@@chrispalmer8782 Not if lightning strikes and you touch the metal work 😳

@Tomtimmyturbo15 Жыл бұрын

Sure you could use one if you ran an adequate earth cable from the unit to an earth point on the van

@jefflomas5427 Жыл бұрын

Hi, any ideas for conversions in Manchester. I’ll try and get on some Forums too. Thanks jeff

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Are you looking at buying new or converting an existing van?

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Are you looking at buying new or converting an existing van?

@qomerhussain8176 Жыл бұрын

OK so I'm new on the VW transporter scene. I am looking for someone to convert my T5 to my specs. I have no idea about materials brands and electrical components. How am I to know if the company is using good components or not. If i end up doing so much research on every little component which will most probably take me a year, I would mist probably have become an expert myself. By this time I may as well as convert the thing myself. I've been watching so many videos on dodgy companies that it's putting me off the whole idea. Thanks all the same.

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

It’s not easy and there are a lot of ‘sales’ people out there. There are many choices to be made and various different options. Find a well respected company and take their advice. Find a local Transporter in your area and ask for recommendations

@MrDJLeeE Жыл бұрын

We’re looking for a reputable converter at the moment. Seems every man and his dog is doing camper conversions!

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Best advise is to ask around locally from online groups and see who they have used. Look at the work done and make a decision. It’s a minefield at the moment 👍

@andrewbrowne3885 Жыл бұрын

Hi,give vanlife kapers at yaxley a call,they're a small professional team with over 30 years experience between them

@mickp222 Жыл бұрын

There is a camper van on sale on e,bay at the moment and the fridge flue is run in a flexible flue that runs touching pipes and wires and then goes down hill as it exits the van. Dangerous.

@allanb52 Жыл бұрын

Tell me why the first thing you mention as a bad thing, the use of rock wool. I have converted 3 vans and kept them for long periods of time without any issues. I use rockwool only in the lower hollow sections silver thinsulate in ceilings and floors, boarded and carpeted, in order to maintain head height and wall carpet only the rear "window" recesses to maximise interior space. My van is as warm/cool as others I have been in. The second thing you mention is gluing seats in which seems to be really stupid. You are using the wrong terminology with regards the the wiring, a multicore is typically 2 or 3 conductors, LN, or LNE, what you mean is "stranded" as opposed to a "solid" cable.

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Rockwool holds moisture and degrades when wet. Seen many conversions with this that have rusted due to this. Only becomes apparent when they are stripped back. You are correct, I did get my terminology wrong with the cable 😳

@allanb52 Жыл бұрын

@@StaycationLifestyle how does the moisture get in. Never had a rust problem.

@pauldavies7251 10 ай бұрын

@@allanb52condensation when hot moist air inside comes into contact with cold outside, Rockwool is not breathable & stores the moisture, Dodo fleece & the b+q recycled insulation is breathable

@allanb52 10 ай бұрын

@@pauldavies7251 I know what condensation is and how it is created. The insulation is covered with ply and and wall carpet, so where does this moisture come from? It can't come from the occupants? Plus some of the steel is not protected by insulation and that doesn't rust...and all the steel is painted, this is complete nonsense. A few weeks ago I took part of my roof lining down to modify the lighting, I converted the van 7 years ago and have spent 150+ nights in it with my wife and dog and it is exactly as when I bought the van. Now one thing that was a problem the screws holding the roof panels in went rusty, caused by condensation, so I replaced them with stainless. Put that in the list instead instead of this rubbish.

@stevehunt3078 Жыл бұрын

I had a conversation done by Leisuredrive Over priced and bad quality workmanship And a attitude of we don’t care about customers And they been in business for over 25 years And I did my research and not the first campervan I’ve owned The worst thing was the under slung water tank came loose and took out my brake pipe that right no brakes at 60mph

@StaycationLifestyle Жыл бұрын

Wow that sounds frightening. Hope they took responsibility and rectified the issue. Quality checking and the correct sign off is important before they leave the workshop

@motiv8154 Жыл бұрын

First wooohoooooo 😅

@motiv8154 Жыл бұрын

Ok now that I've watched the video, I can actually comment 🤣 Bloody great info and great video again fella! I've just received a momentary switch that I'll be installing in the inside of the tailgate as a switch to open it from inside rather than getting out and walking around etc.. quite excited to install it 🎉