Modifications

Those people who are familiar with the modifications I made to the original 'Temple' will realise that I cannot resist the temptation to add a little something to make the vehicle 'ours'. So far, I have limited myself to a few 'tweaks', mainly due to the restrictions of the Bilbos warranty.

The gas locker is designed to hold either two Gaz 907 cylinders or a single Calor 4.5kg. Because we are only using Gaz cylinders the gas locker has space to spare at the top.

I have made a drawer using 10mm plywood, painted grey. This makes a useful storage area for the small 'bits and bobs' that otherwise easily get lost.

Draining the Fresh water Tank
Quote from the Handbook: "...open the gas locker, unscrew the two screws on the inside edge of the locker and remove the panel to which the gas locker door is attached."
Well, that was a challenge to improve things.
I removed the panel, cut 30mm off the lefthand side and fitted a piano hinge. Access to the drain tube and tank inspection cap (white disc in the right hand picture below) is now a 30 second job.

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Those people who are familiar with the modifications I made to the original 'Temple' will realise that I cannot resist the temptation to add a little something to make the vehicle 'ours'. So far, I have limited myself to a few 'tweaks', mainly due to the restrictions of the Bilbos warranty.
The gas locker is designed to hold either two Gaz 907 cylinders or a single Calor 4.5kg. Because we are only using Gaz cylinders the gas locker has space to spare at the top. I have made a drawer using 10mm plywood, painted grey. This makes a useful storage area for the small 'bits and bobs' that otherwise easily get lost.
This netting pocket has been added to the wardrobe door to hold books and magazines for reading in bed. Another net is mounted on the inside of this door and because I thought that the Vorenger board furniture might not support woodscrews, both are fixed back to back using bolts painted matt black. I also fitted an additional spotlight so that both occupants can read in bed. These Osram lights are only 5 watt but they are quite bright enough to read by. So far I have been unable to source an LED bulb in this fitting - but am still looking.
	I used Maglight brackets to mount this torch on a panel screwed to the back of the passenger seat base. The Waeco 150w inverter is used to charge laptop and camera batteries when not on site. The inverter is permanently wired to the vehicle battery (with a 20amp fuse) through a voltage sensitive relay to ensure that it only operates when the engine is running. The First Aid kit is attached by velcro pads.
After tripping over the rubbish bin several times it became clear that a semi-fixed location was necessary. It is attached to the bodywork next to the sliding door using velcro stuck onto a plywood panel We re-cycle old supermarket bags as bin liners.
Draining the Fresh water Tank Quote from the Handbook: "...open the gas locker, unscrew the two screws on the inside edge of the locker and remove the panel to which the gas locker door is attached." Well, that was a challenge to improve things. I removed the panel, cut 30mm off the lefthand side and fitted a piano hinge. Access to the drain tube and tank inspection cap (white disc in the right hand picture below) is now a 30 second job.

A GPS is invaluable in locating Aires and Campsites. I use a Brodit mount specifically designed for the Volkswagen T5 to mount the TomTom within vision and reach. It has the added benefit of not leaving a suction mark on the windscreen to tell a prospective thief that it's worth smashing the side window.

We wanted to carry bikes - in a valiant attempt to keep fit! Trouble is, the VW T5 number plate position means that a Fiamma bike rack is going to place normal bikes way over the roof height. Found these folding bikes at the NEC and they fit just below roof level. This will allow us to go into height restricted places and they will produce less drag. Now have to find some way to secure both bikes and carrier.
	Although I was assured that the Fiamma bike rack could not easily be removed when the tailgate is down, I was not happy to rely on just two 6mm bolts, so I used this security cable around both bikes and rack. It is attached to the rear towing eye with a waterproofed padlock
	These deflectors allow the window to be open just a crack when it's raining thus keeping condensation to a minimum. We had these on our last 'van and found them very successful. TUV approved, they were purchased on Ebay.
I fitted this Connect2 adaptor to the back of the standard radio so that I could listen to the Ipod which is located in the glove compartment. The adaptor accesses the Ipod when CD is selected. Removal of the radio is quite straight forward - it requires 4 small keys that are available on Ebay. .
	The display now shows limited track information, just track and CD number. Using the station selector buttons you can change playlists.
We like to take eat outside and this Fiamma leg together with the tripod foot enables us to take the table outside. When we collected from Bilbos I asked them to fit a socket underneath the table. Pop riveted the clips in place and despite using a jig found it difficult to locate the holes in the carpet material after they were drilled.


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