Mercedes Vito Camper News & Toilet Installation | The Carpenter's Daughter

Hi everyone,
I'm hitting you with great news this week and it's all to do with the insurance side of things and being able to go on dog friendly trips abroad.
I also thought I'd capture me on film installing the bed's kick board at the back where we can easily remove it to access the toilet.
Hopefully it's useful to some of you as we couldn't think of any other way for the layout we chose.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links.
5 of these magnetic catches: geni.us/ZpCnqf [Amazon] *affiliate link
Drilled pilot holes with my 2.5mm drill bit: bit.ly/2mG0j30
Fixed with Screwfix self tapping dry wall screws (I've used these on LOADS of things, not just plasterboard): bit.ly/2rTz4oN
Old Black + Decker Screwdriver
---------------------------------------------------------------
You can also find me at the following places
🛒Shop in my Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/shop/CarpentersD...
My Patreon:
/ thecarpentersdaughter
The Carpenter's Daughter Blog:
www.thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk/
Instagram:
/ thecarpenters_daughter
My Vikkie's Vintage Facebook Page:
/ carpenters-daughter-15...
Pinterest: / carpenterslass
Twitter: / carpenterslass
---------------------------------------------------------------
FOOD:
My Food Channel:
/ tastefullyvikkie
My Food Blog:
www.tastefullyvikkie.com
My Food Facebook Page:
/ tastefullyvikkie
Instagram:
/ tastefullyvikkie
Pinterest:
/ tastefullyvik
Twitter:
/ tastefullyvikki
---------------------------------------------------------------

[@richardkaz2336]

A tip for hot climate and mozies (mosquitoes) get a cheap fine mesh curtain form Ikea or similar. cut it down to a size a bit larger than the opening of the rear hatch approx 1600x1600. Then as you discovered with the rubber door surround opening you can slip the carpet in. The same applies to the rear hach opening. When you stop you can pop the mesh under the rubber mold up, over and down the other side. Along the bottom you should have enough bundled to stop them getting in. The next with the remainder of the mesh make two large pockets with ties so you can slip over the front doors. and tie off around the mirrors. this allows you to leave the front windows open ~ 60-150mm, get your selves some weather shields. to secure the back hatch in a partial open position get a 250-300mm 5-7mm steel rod have one end bent up in a '?' shape and the other in 'b' shape. the ? end feeds through the 'D' striker on the van the 'b' end of the rod position and close down the hatch so you get two clicks, with that the hatch will be open enough for good ventilation on hot nights because the hatch will be open by a bout 150mm. When you go inside the van and close all the door you can press you key fob to lock all doors including the hatch and no one can get in. Also you can lock the door from inside the van via the front consol button. if you want any additional info message me.

[@alanscott5942]

another good film very informative, have had no experience of gas attacks when abroad, but have seen this reported elsewhere, my advice is stop where it's safe to do so ie Aires would be cautious around stopping on motorway rest areas though. with regards to your van insurance did your insurance company ask for any additional information? ie who carried out conversion?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

thanks Alan Scott. Good question! this time the other half sorted the insurance and he said when he tried getting quotes online, some companies don't insure self builds. I'll bring this up in another video soon. We're with camping and caravanning club and they just asked us for photos to be sent to them too.

[@shauneaton23]

great video AGAIN👍 what if one of you guys have to take a real smelly dump lol especially in a van.... have you not thought of one of those small toilet tents 😀 or something you could hang from the rear door?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

lol... That's true love, that is... We're share everything haha. Yes, we do have a toilet tent, so we'll probably set one up on a campsite. Maybe not wild camping though.... but we need a to buy a better wind shelter soon ;)

[@iangeorge8253]

Hi try to park in service areas in Europe as all of them have cctv but your better having a early crossing by staying in Folkestone,which will give you plenty of day time running the best area if you fancy germany get on the Rhine plenty of camp site as I'm a European coach driver I travel all over Europe if you want any ideas message me back, as I have looked at sites when I go out in my vito in Europe.

[@CamperVanHandyMan]

I had forgotten about a loo ! hmmm where to put that..... Hiding the camera to leave the van..... lol, sounds like paranoia heebie jeebies or did I miss something lol

[@smallweights]

look up campervan cultures channel! some good travel vids to Europe and further! its vw based but it has some good tips for using "aires" think that's how its spelled! and ferries on the cheap

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

thanks so much, smallweights, I'll definitely take a look!

[@smallweights]

no worries, there are a good few videos on campervan cultures channel, so my take some time to find the one with the info, I cant remember which trip it was, but Jarrod the chap that does the vids was chatting about return ferries - camping in French aires, and there are lots of other tips, its a decent channel, keep up the good work and vids yaself! for safety I have just parked up in residential roads and shit the curtains, not ever been bothered as I change to a different road each night when I camp in my van - I do use camp sites as well of course, certain industrial estates can be very quiet with no movement at all, not very picturesque but ok for a night if traveling to a new destination over 2 weeks for instance - that's how I do it anyways!

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Not a good advertisement for van insulation .. "Gee, i'm hot and sweaty .. whewww!" . this is why a second AC unit is essential, something that runs off Solar preferrably. When you're overseas it will probably be hotter.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

no, you're right lol. Serves me right to film during one of the hottest weeks ever!!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

We also have air con for that very reason ;)

[@tracykeenan4449]

A smoke detector and a gas detector

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

+Tracy Keenan it's hidden just under the sink top 😀

[@Merc-Rover]

The gas thing is a complete urban myth (or a load of bollocks if you're a northerner). It's your own paranoia that's making you uneasy!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Lol, I've heard that too. And yes, load of bollocks is totally acceptable lol... I'm a Northerner ;)

[@Merc-Rover]

The Carpenter's Daughter :-D

[@andrewdavies1312]

Bet that was a crap job to install....or was it a piece of piss..Sorry...I'll go now

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

😂 I'll go with the pun crap 😄 We've since changed where we have the toilet 🤣

[@andrewdavies1312]

But on a different note. What if you convert a van and don't inform insurance? Is the insurance void in a crash?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Oooh, quite possibly. Especially when they try to catch you out anywhere they can not to pay out.