New build Sis-in-Laws Motorhome

[Squiffy]

Here we are again.
Few photos of progress so far, it doesn't seem much has been done but for those that have not done a full conversion or are thinking of doing one this is the culmination of three weeks hard physical and mental activity, from 10 in the morning till 1600hrs, those that have done one will know what I'm saying.
Today consisted of glueing the bottom rear n/s panel on after cutting and shaping and sorting out the rear side window apertures. Plus waiting for my order from Magnum motorhomes which consisted of Cbe switches, sink, waste pipes and fittings, furniture board 90% angle corners and a cab mat . Phil

 

[MarkJ]

those that have done one will know what I'm saying.

Indeed. If only I'd had you working on my van....

 

[Millie Master]

Here we are again.
Few photos of progress so far, it doesn't seem much has been done but for those that have not done a full conversion or are thinking of doing one this is the culmination of three weeks hard physical and mental activity, from 10 in the morning till 1600hrs, those that have done one will know what I'm saying.
Today consisted of glueing the bottom rear n/s panel on after cutting and shaping and sorting out the rear side window apertures. Plus waiting for my order from Magnum motorhomes which consisted of Cbe switches, sink, waste pipes and fittings, furniture board 90% angle corners and a cab mat . Phil

Great work so far Phil, which is of course what I would expect of you.

You haven't mentioned (or if I have, I have missed it) but what type of fresh water storage and grey water holding tanks are you going to be fitting and furthermore, how are you going to insulate the wheel boxes? Oh and lastly what kind of massive gift is your Sister In Law preparing for you, for carrying out all this work for her?

Phil

 

[Squiffy]

Great work so far Phil, which is of course what I would expect of you.

You haven't mentioned (or if I have, I have missed it) but what type of fresh water storage and grey water holding tanks are you going to be fitting and furthermore, how are you going to insulate the wheel boxes? Oh and lastly what kind of massive gift is your Sister In Law preparing for you, for carrying out all this work for her?

Phil

Thank you for your compliment Phil. Firstly many years ago before I met my wife Eileen who was struggling to bring up 4 children on her own ( Long story) My now Sister in Law paid to have a boiler fitted to Eileen's house at the time, at great cost, and I've never forgotten her kindnesses and this is my way of paying her back, she lost her husband about six months ago and at 80 she has decided to join a Facebook page of independent ladies who own motorhomes and meet up at various destinations, which I think is very brave.
As for the Tanks I'm fitting internal Fiamma 70ltr tanks one for waste and one for fresh water both to be fitted under the cooker/sink unit, one sitting horizontally and the waste vertically, my thinking that full they will wiegh 70kg as she will fill the fresh and empty the waste at the same time. Hopefully as the build progresses it will show in future photos. Phil

 

[Squiffy]

One point I think I should mention is that folks will notice the ply boards are set back from the A&B pillars, although this makes it more difficult to construct rather than straight boards from ceiling to floor which avoids the necessary detailed cutting and fitting, the extra 150mm at the top section makes a massive difference spatially. On going to various motorhome shows over the years I've noticed that when going into a van that has boarding that obscures all the steelwork makes the van feel quite a bit smaller and so I think it is worth the extra effort to have the van as wide inside as possible. Phil

 

[MarkJ]

worth the extra effort to have the van as wide inside as possible

+1.

Yes, that's what I did. I frequently cursed the extra effort of making it work, but totally agree about the extra space. I think we notice it most at 'elbow height'.

 

[Millie Master]

I think it is worth the extra effort to have the van as wide inside as possible. Phil

You ought to try constructing a space saving interior in a Renault Master!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Squiffy]

+1.

Yes, that's what I did. I frequently cursed the extra effort of making it work, but totally agree about the extra space. I think we notice it most at 'elbow height'.

Exactly what we noticed most, .Phil

 

[Squiffy]

Today's offering, I have now almost finished the wiring using a second hand Sargents EC155 and making up my own wiring loom. I've used various wire mainly thin wall auto cable and double insulated aeronautical grade stuff I got from my son who works in the aeronautics trade.
I used 11 amp for all the lighting as it's all LED I would have used even lower ampage but as I already had two large reel of black and red I used it anyway. I purchased some electrician's pull rods from Amazon austentiouslly to feed cable under my loft extention to supply a new Hob from the Consumer box which is the other end of the Bungalow, I have to say that they have made life alot easier with wiring on the van too.
Just a few photos of the wiring so far, because the wiring has no identification colours other than red, black and grey I've had to label each cable on both ends to avoid confusion.
I have also decided to move the gas pipe to its own channel under the floor just incase vibrating wires rub up against the copper pipe it was unlikely to happen but you never know and it only took about half an hour to do. Phil

 

[Alex litchfield]

Here we are again.
Few photos of progress so far, it doesn't seem much has been done but for those that have not done a full conversion or are thinking of doing one this is the culmination of three weeks hard physical and mental activity, from 10 in the morning till 1600hrs, those that have done one will know what I'm saying.
Today consisted of glueing the bottom rear n/s panel on after cutting and shaping and sorting out the rear side window apertures. Plus waiting for my order from Magnum motorhomes which consisted of Cbe switches, sink, waste pipes and fittings, furniture board 90% angle corners and a cab mat . Phil

Alec, 35lt We received a letter from the DVLA today which said we had met the standard inside the vehicle on the outside we had failed, we have solar panels tv ariel,skylights onto the roof, bike carrier and ladder on the back with lpg sticker, vents on o/s for gas cooker and fridge freezer, hot water boiler, and decals. Information would be most welcome.

 

[Squiffy]

Alec, 35lt We received a letter from the DVLA today which said we had met the standard inside the vehicle on the outside we had failed, we have solar panels tv ariel,skylights onto the roof, bike carrier and ladder on the back with lpg sticker, vents on o/s for gas cooker and fridge freezer, hot water boiler, and decals. Information would be most welcome.

How many windows are there Alec on both sides not including the passenger and driver windows, size although not mentioned in their reasons to pass I'm certain that in this case size matters. Phil

 

[MarkJ]

Information would be most welcome.

My bet would be that you met the requirements to the letter of the guidance, but they just said 'no'. Seems to be what happens to lots of people (me included)

 

[Squiffy]

Doesn't seem a lot has been done but building the fridge box is quite exacting and it has taken time to make sure everything is a tight fit but enough room to slide the fridge in. You will see in the photo I have made an opening in the top to allow for easy gas pipe connection and leak testing and also plug in the 240v and 12 volt connection's. The hole will be covered by the floor base of the wardrobe which will be screwed down but easily removable if needed to regain access to the back of the fridge. Phil

 

[Squiffy]

My bet would be that you met the requirements to the letter of the guidance, but they just said 'no'. Seems to be what happens to lots of people (me included)

Hi Mark, only last week Rip Of Britain had a piece on a guy who had been failed by the DVLA, his van was without doubt a motorhome but they refused twice until he wrote to Rip Off Britain and after they got involved it was suddenly "We are very sorry, there must have been a mistake made, and after reviewing Mr ......s case we do agree it is and does look like a motorhome and covers all the requirements" they then changed his van from Van with windows to "Motorcaravan",
I do note that another important reason is lack of an awning for failure, I agree its unfair as awnings are expensive and not strictly necessary but it seems that is one of their criteria though they call it an "Awning rail". Which in reality is where you thread a caravan style awning through a rail not a wind out type awning, however it would seem that folk who make these decisions do not know the difference between the two. Phil

 

[Alex litchfield]

How many windows are there Alec on both sides not including the passenger and driver windows, size although not mentioned in their reasons to pass I'm certain that in this case size matters. Phil

Their are two windows on each side in the habitation area Phil.

 

[Alex litchfield]

Their are two windows on each side in the habitation area Phil.

Main window are 53x24 on sliding door windows are spilt, which is copied on the o/s many for any information phil

 

[Squiffy]

If you have two windows on each side of the Habitation then you have obviously exceeded the window criteria, if you have the decals and the usual protuberances on the outside such as vents, waste tap etc and you have an awning or atleast an awning rail then I would go for an independent arbitration and if they agree it looks like a motorhome externally then argue your case through your local MP.

I would guess though Alec you do not have an awning or an awning rail which is one thing they can fall back on and say it does not adhere to their requirements ,. Phil

P.S. As with all government departments they can make you stick by their requirements to the letter if they want to and barring a change in government policy they are Teflon as far as the public are concerned.

 

[Alex litchfield]

If you have two windows on each side of the Habitation then you have obviously exceeded the window criteria, if you have the decals and the usual protuberances on the outside such as vents, waste tap etc and you have an awning or atleast an awning rail then I would go for an independent arbitration and if they agree it looks like a motorhome externally then argue your case through your local MP.

I would guess though Alec you do not have an awning or an awning rail which is one thing they can fall back on and say it does not adhere to their requirements ,. Phil

P.S. As with all government departments they can make you stick by their requirements to the letter if they want to and barring a change in government policy they are Teflon as far as the public are concerned.

Thanks for the information we will speak to my MP and see where we go from here, Phil. PS awning rail fitted, photo sent with awning up once many thanks.

 

[Squiffy]

Ceiling up and all light wires ready to receive the LED bulb holders, fridge snugged in and ready for service cables and gas pipe and all wiring looms made up and ready to be plugged in once the connections have been made to various electrical items. The ceiling joins are going to have thin strips of dyed light oak wood . Phil

 

[Millie Master]

Phil, I bet your wife is proud of what you are doing............. A truly amazing job .