What an epic, unique build using interesting materials. I remember a few years ago that a German company called W.A.S, known for their luxury yacht builds, converted Mercedes Ambulances using composite boards for the door and cupboard construction. This was for durability, weight saving and ease of cleaning. Perhaps not the cheapest, but very robust.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
I think that’s what I’ve learned with filming these. Less warping and moving than timber, very resistant to wear and tear, no issues with water in terms of expansion or mould etc and weight saving!
@Alvio642 ай бұрын
Sorry if i missed it in the video but what is the lightweight material used for the cabinets called?
@niekklein8725Ай бұрын
Plastic
@ringonotts2 ай бұрын
I really enjoyed this. Not just because my next van will hopefully be a MAN TGE 4x4 but because its a really well thought out and excellently produced video! Subbed! Ringo
@happyglampers90532 ай бұрын
What an epic build fella👏👍💪 And to have that come in at 3,250kg is awesome. We used lightweight ply (and it’s not that lightweight either). We’ve upplated to 4,050kg to allow us to have capacity for what we have fitted. Weirdly, having the towbar on ours has assisted taking weight off the front axle. Recently completed a front axle lift with BFG’s too. Nice work👌
@ahoyleisureАй бұрын
Haha no, lightweight ply is defo an advertising con.
@happyglampers9053Ай бұрын
@@ahoyleisure indeed. I remember doing the calcs back in 2019 and where we used Morland boards and despite the industry claims of being lightweight it is still relatively heavy per sheet at about 25kg compared to a standard 18mm ply sheet of about 36kg. The only plus was the choice of laminate colours available (see our build)👍
@wilty52 ай бұрын
What is the plastic that he used in his build and where can it be sourced?
@stevewilliams97533 ай бұрын
The Tambour Doors make a lot of sense. Quite surprised these arent used more often in van builds ... especially in the kitchen/galley area. Any chance of a link to where he sourced them from? Thanks.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@stevewilliams9753 I did ask they were just standard fittings and runners, the standard Tambour style. so they are available from ebay etc pin lots of different colours. Yeah you can see me looking and the penny dropping - thinking oh yeah so bloody simple good ol Tambour door works a treat. 😂
@jameshofton3 ай бұрын
Awesome, good job. Loving all your videos. More please
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
Cheers James. Really appreciate it. It spurs me on to do more 👊
@BarryKeenan-x1o2 ай бұрын
Really well thought out build. Very impressive. Are you experiencing flex in your right hand rear door with the mule vans box fitted?
@ahoyleisureАй бұрын
No not from what I’ve been told.
@paulstockell75173 ай бұрын
Loving the videos. They are really informative and giving me some great ideas for my build. I will be looking to convert a Crafter in the near future and I am really interested in the plastic panelling for lining and furniture. Do you have any details for a supplier, finishes and costs please?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
I’ve chased and will come back on this. We are hoping to get the keys on our showroom this month and start to have samples and stock soon.
@jamescollins44893 ай бұрын
Another great vid Mark, thanks to you and John for sharing. Amazing that he has all that kit for less than 3.5T. I'm sure the Clayton is helping with the weight saving. What provides the heating and hot water? I've been looking at autotherm for heating and underslung Incline or Isotemp water system.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
Thanks James ✌️ He’s using the truma 14ltr electric hot water tank which is working well for him. He basically runs it while driving to full temp and the it retains heat in the jacket only losing 1 degree every hr. I will double check on heating the van but I think it was the factory fitted heater. I will double check.
@jamescollins44893 ай бұрын
@ahoyleisure thank you. Interesting, so free hot water whilst driving from the alternator charging the Clayton and that heating the water. The 2 I have been looking at heat whilst driving as well by heat exchange with the engine coolant system and can be topped up with electric as needed. Food for thought.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@jamescollins4489 Yeah I looked at calorifier on my build. Great idea but you do need to tap in to your hot water in the engine to get the heat from the heating matrix to heat the water in the tank. But with just an electric only heater it’s a super simple fitting and you can effectively do the same thing👍🏼.
@Zippy0George0Bungle3 ай бұрын
Any more information on the plastic sheet material and trims please? Great idea. Great video. Thank you.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@Zippy0George0Bungle I’m hoping to have some news tomorrow or monday.
@Zippy0George0Bungle3 ай бұрын
Thank you. I’d imagine there will be a lot of interest in the material, and how it’s worked etc.
@melvindevries_nl3 ай бұрын
Interested in the hollow plastic sheet material too...
@benpryce2 ай бұрын
would love that info on the plastic sheeting chosen, and some construction details would be cool too!
@iamjamesmannion48532 ай бұрын
Yeah some info on the plastic sheer material would be appreciated as it's kinda brushed over!
@alancutchey98922 ай бұрын
Is there any build videos of this van or links to the lightweight materials used ?
@ahoyleisureАй бұрын
Coming soon!
@commuterbranchline81323 ай бұрын
I see that VW have approved the Clayton LPS for fitting and connection to the VW iD Buzz. I fine endorsement indeed, I wonder if other vehicle manufacturers will follow suit?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
Yes well spotted. The Clayton can also recharge when the VW BUZZ or CARGO is being charged too. It’s perfect for trades or campervan 🤙
@Kevin-zf5kn3 ай бұрын
Thank you for a very interesting and helpful video. Where did the roof topography come from?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
I think it was designed by a friend. and printed on to the sheet.
@davidmcloughlin42253 ай бұрын
Brilliant video. Which Clayton system did he go for?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@davidmcloughlin4225 The LPS 3000 unit in the end David. He’s also using the Truma 14ltr electric boiler too which I recommended - which I forgot to mention!!! I was so excited about finding another drive on beach that I forgot all my notes and questions. 😅He’s left a space for the Clayton G4 add-on battery, so always has that in his locker. Literally 🤣
@davidmcloughlin42253 ай бұрын
@@ahoyleisure Cheers, I’m so tempted.
@ericcadoo89703 ай бұрын
Such an interesting vid. How is the Clayton system coping ?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
He’s had zero issues with his Clayton and loves it. He was going to get the extra Clayton G4 battery but is doing without for now as he’s not feeling like he needs it.
@brycon2323 ай бұрын
Any idea what the measurement is from finished floor to bottom of the bed frame actually is?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@brycon232 Let me ask john. I will also get the measurements from mattress to ceiling.
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
900mm below bed 680mm above bed 👍🏼
@cyclingtothemoon25393 ай бұрын
Great video! Is that 3250 fully wet?
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
No that’s was with fuel and without fresh water but all the kit. After that he removed the tow bar assembly so he saved another 30kg. So just his son, food and fresh water to add. Pretty impressive considering the added weight of the auto, 4x4, LWB spec van . Also has offroad protection plates underneath. Knowing John he will add, remove and save as he uses the van.
@cyclingtothemoon25393 ай бұрын
I’ve got a LWB 4x4, manual though so some weight saving there. If he’s gone to that much effort to save weight and landed on 3250 I’m going to have to be very creative
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
@@cyclingtothemoon2539 It can catch you out. The best way to go is as I worked out on my last video. Get the weight from the MAN PDF then add in fuel inc water and passengers. and see what’s left. So much weight can be saved with the plastics. I have another video lined up with another builder who has used plastics too. Another adventure build. It’s just the fixing and trimming with plastic. It need thought. But narrow aluminum corners and corner trim generally work well. The solid surface counter top and table were heavy so using bamboo which lasts very well and is good with water is a great alternative. The biggest thing i’ve learned is lightweight ply is bloody heavy. The 8ft laminated sheets I bought as extras for my build (shower sides) were very heavy. I think there are new methods that will be adapted by younger people without C1 and I’m on the hunt to help them 🤙
@luxduoverland6742 ай бұрын
What was the suspension kit fitted to this build couldn’t quite catch the name of it in the video ? I’m looking at upgrading suspension on my build currently and there’s not many options out there that I can find.
@ahoyleisure2 ай бұрын
Seikel was the name. Speak to Rob at Volkstrek in Wales
@luxduoverland6742 ай бұрын
@@ahoyleisure thanks
@steved21893 ай бұрын
Whats the name of storage bags above passenger seats in the van ??
@ahoyleisure3 ай бұрын
They are vandermoon if you use our code on their website you get 10% off and it buys us a coffee 😇 AHOYMOON
@rstormo682 ай бұрын
Very nice build ! to dark for my taste and an stupid placement of the toilet casett door..
@ahoyleisureАй бұрын
Yeah we have dark cabinets but have softened it up with lighter woods on the floor and ceiling. Hahah yeah but he wanted fewer things on the outside I did think that myself I will check how he’s getting on with that.
@dannyburnside7393 ай бұрын
Great video. Was that weight with a full tank of fuel and John on board?