Inside modifications

Alterations inside

I asked Don Amott not to fit the standard wing mounted radio aerial seen at Earls Court, preferring to locate an aerial over the windscreen, as near to the top of the vehicle as possible.

In order to fit this I had to remove the trim panels at the sides of the over cab storage bin and in doing so found there was a huge amount of space within the bulbous mouldings over the driver and passenger doors.

So I made up a pair of new trim panels, with access ports (see right), reasoning that if I made a cock-up I could at least put everything back as it was.

We now have enough storage space to take spare fleeces and waterproofs, a first aid kit and 12 volt fan for warmer climes.

A polythene bag containing our dirty washing is also stashed up there.

The old bed boards also provided enough material for a folding work surface adjacent to the sink and additional shelves in various cupboards.

The folding work surface is handy when washing up and provides a support for the small 10" TV we use during winter evenings.

In order to prevent the build up of 'damp towel' smells an extractor fan has been fitted in the loo compartment - this is an ex-computer fan, fitted with a variable speed control to enable it to be left on virtually constantly and 'boosted' from time to time.

Alterations inside I asked Don Amott not to fit the standard wing mounted radio aerial seen at Earls Court, preferring to locate an aerial over the windscreen, as near to the top of the vehicle as possible. In order to fit this I had to remove the trim panels at the sides of the over cab storage bin and in doing so found there was a huge amount of space within the bulbous mouldings over the driver and passenger doors.
So I made up a pair of new trim panels, with access ports (see right), reasoning that if I made a cock-up I could at least put everything back as it was. We now have enough storage space to take spare fleeces and waterproofs, a first aid kit and 12 volt fan for warmer climes. A polythene bag containing our dirty washing is also stashed up there.

	The bed boards were replaced with some multiply sheets, suitably lightened with large diameter holes. This freed-up some interior quality veneered plywood that was used to make two shelves for books, spectacles and watches etc. with reading lights mounted underneath.
The old bed boards also provided enough material for a folding work surface adjacent to the sink and additional shelves in various cupboards. The folding work surface is handy when washing up and provides a support for the small 10" TV we use during winter evenings.
In order to prevent the build up of 'damp towel' smells an extractor fan has been fitted in the loo compartment - this is an ex-computer fan, fitted with a variable speed control to enable it to be left on virtually constantly and 'boosted' from time to time.
		The fan output is ducted to a 'mushroom' vent on the roof. I have fitted two 12V cigarette lighter type sockets - separately fused. One up by the front shelves and one beside the power and meter panels to be used for the TV or charging the mobile phone.
The Phillips radio cassette as supplied is adequate but the door speakers are not in the appropriate location for relaxed listening on site. It was also wired through the ignition switch -something common to many 'vans. I solved this by fitting a separate fused supply and additional speakers in the rear. The radio was replaced with one with a CD player and a remote control. I can now control this from the bed!

		When we took delivery Don Amott gave us a very thorough pre-delivery demonstration and concluded by handing us a metal oven tin. "Strange," I thought, "I don't remember there being an oven…" This, we were told was to improve the performance of the grill as the manufacturers had made the space so deep a piece of toast was going to take a very long time!
I later cut the stainless steel liner and raised it to a more suitable height then fitted a draw in the space underneath.
The number of 240V sockets has been increased to three and a small 300W/240V inverter is mounted by the drivers seat and 'hard wired' directly to the leisure battery via a 20A fuse.
A booster fan has been fitted to the fridge. This was also salvaged from an old computer, producing an impressive airflow but with only 0.17A current demand. It can be switched off to reduce noise at night and I can testify that it makes a noticeable difference to the fridge efficiency - we now run our fridge on the middle gas setting, even with outside temperatures in the 30's.
The latest addition has been a Reversing Camera. I tried various aids to reversing over the years. A Senser Kit that failed after 13 months (just outside warranty - don't they always!) and suggesting that the navigator should 'pop out and have a look' were both less than perfect. "I'm not getting out here it's raining/the ground is muddy" etc. I finally bit the bullet and purchased a Camera and Monitor on Ebay. Result? FANTASTIC! Mounted high up, the camera shows clearly how far away objects are and one can reverse with confidence to within a few inches.

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