Problems with my VW Transporter T6 Camper Van

Problems with my VW Transporter T6 Camper Van
I have a few problems with my recently purchased campervan, to be.
I'm speaking to batteriesandsolar.co.uk to rectify my electrical problems, with more videos to follow shortly.
More videos to follow on the other issues also, including the parts I buy, how i install them and my opinion once fitted.
Please subscribe to find out more and let me know if there is anything else you would like to see
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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.
The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.
I bought a VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.
Slowly turning it into a camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.
I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.
Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍
There are many great camper adventures to come
Thanks must go to the following:
titantransporters.co.uk - Sourcing my van, providing advice and soon a paint correction and detail
tamarcaravancentre.co.uk - Advising me with many of my leisure equipment purchases, including my Thetford toilet
www.dream-ice.co.uk - Quality advise on my sound system upgrade
plyworxuk.co.uk - Suppliers of my Halo roof and ply products
www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk - 1st class advice and guidance on my electrical system install
stitchesandsteel.com - Seat covers, carpet, roof straps, changing mat
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats
If your looking for some free places to stay, have a look at the Britstops book www.britstops.com
Many choices of places to park up overnight and stay in their carparks including pubs, restaurants, adventure centres and even vineyards and breweries.
Amazon Audible is great for listening to books on longer journeys, I have used it for years.
Free 30 day trial - amzn.to/3Pj8qR6
Carista is available from Amazon amzn.to/3Ln58tu
If you click on my Amazon affiliate links, I may receive a commission. I will only link products I use and believe in.
Im a member of Devon & Cornwall Transporters. Have a look at the Facebook group and come along to meet the other friendly members
#vanlife #vanlifeuk #campervan #transporter #vwbus #adventure #rv #rvlife #camper #vwcamper #camper #staycation #wildcamping #offgrid #travel
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Broken Spring
1:25 No Sound Deadening
2:01 TV IS USELESS
2:53 DODGY PAINTING
4:00 5. WIRES NOT CRIMPED
4:46 LOOSE WIRES
6:00 DANGEROUS ELECTRICS

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I bought this particular van as it’s a great project, with upgrades required to make it my own. It was straight from trade in and I didn’t want the seller to rectify and make good because I wanted to do it myself. Hence I paid well below the market price. Mechanically all good as had assessed. Mistake I made was not disconnecting electrics immediately

[@bondubasher]

Wow!! Lucky you found them issues I feel...especially that last one, already looked like it was having a melt down! 👍

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Yes it could have been worse, I should have disconnected it straight away 🙈

[@shanewaller2864]

Holy crap ,this is the problem when you both any such camper, as so much is hidden from view you take it on face value that all alterations to the van have been done to a very high standard. I've ordered my next van from van haven in Blandford Dorset. Their workmanship is outstanding and every one of the guys and girls take pride in their work .slap dash work has no place at van haven. When I see that someone has the same OCD as me the quality of work speaks for itself. So pleased you got the the route of the problem and that it never caught fire .at least now what ever you do to your van you will have root and branch knowledge of it inside and out 👍keep the videos coming 👍

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I just can’t believe someone was paid to do that work 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve started the work, so there will be a steady stream of videos. Using all top quality materials and parts. Struggling with TV/Monitors though, there aren’t many around. Best option seem Xtrons. I’m picking my electrical gear up tomorrow, as I need to get that in before recarpeting. Although not solar yet as it’s stuck on a cargo ship like a lot of other things at the moment. Thank you

[@jonnylugz2601]

Yikes, ..... but I love that you've been bold enough to post this: it's a lesson for everyone buying used to get it checked. I would have expected a basic AA or RAC survey to pick up the majority of the issues you found. If you paid way below market value and can get the problems dealt with and still stay below market price good luck to you! Enjoy..... because there is value in taking and making it your own.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Hi Jonny, have a look at my follow up video to this. I explain why I bought it. You wouldn’t believe the state of some vehicles before the dealers sort them out. I fancied doing all this myself 👍

[@jonnylugz2601]

@@StaycationLifestyle nice one….. 😊after much research, test drives, used search and visits I have decided on a new LWB ps150 Highline panel van as my blank canvas for a day camper self fit. Enjoy seeing your updates.

[@mikes8210]

I used Rayne automotives. Absolutely superb service, not cheap but bespoke and every cable labeled would recommend. What ever route you go though I wish you success.

[@Badjamin]

It's great you found the problems and looks to be a clear example of what can happen when buying a used van to convert - but just how far do you strip it back? I know if it were me I'd have stripped it all the way back - you wanted to get straight out in it first and that's totally understandable and perhaps wise. I think you've done the right thing and that the van is a good choice especially externally it looks mint! a good beginning despite it's false starts with previous work. Look forward to seeing more of your journey. I'm pre start of my camper van build journey on not much of a budget and spend most of my time just looking through autotrader website, and watching youtube time-lapse builds etc when I should be working and trying to figure out how to go about it and all the endless options and dilemmas. I'm glad there's another conduit for my VW T5/T6 camper fascination and potential midlife crisis :D

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I have stripped it back to the metal, carpet, insulation and panels all removed. The flooring is out and all metal being sound deadened, insulated x2 and carpeted. It’s a solid van and a great project. Next lot of videos will be what I have done and used, but then I will be following up why and what other cheaper options are available.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Now see how I rectify these problems in future videos. Any headrest TV/ monitor recommendations? Must have HDMI input?

[@jonathanwrighton9913]

Cello TVs are a great 12 volt tv for campers you can buy a bracket that you can attach to your head rests to mount the tv cheers Jon

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I agree, I have one in the caravan and it’s pretty good. They don’t make them small enough for headrests though 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@stevezodiac491]

The trouble with those head rest mounts is that they place the TV right above the hob glass leaf. I bought one and have reverted to having the TV free standing. The other double seat is no good either to mount from because when you are stopped they are swivelled the other way around.

[@garethsmith5726]

The drop down tv's are not really any good, I have one in my van and the remote control does not work correctly making it hard to use the TV as I cant change channels I think a lot of its down to vibrations unless you can mount on rubber bush's they will shake to pieces. I would go for Ipads / tabs or just plain Monitors attached to the seats if you need two there are some good options for mounting out there. The best one I have seen was a mount that can be removed and a little cap put in place makes a real tidy job. like this "Scanstrut ROKK Mini Tablet Mount Kit"

[@stevezodiac491]

How much did you pay for this second hand VW van with problems ? I bought a brand new Fiat Talento onyx edition lwb combi van in black 70 reg, with alloy wheels, side runner bars, good sound system, android auto for £25 k including vat at the time. I admit they are now 31 1/2 k plus vat now post pandemic but my van is problem free and will be for many years. Loving the carefree campervan motoring post full professional conversion, which saving money on the initial van purchase allowed me to do.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Admittedly more than your van, however I haven’t lost any money on mine. I could comfortably sell it for more than I paid for it. With all the other manufacturers, values drop. In 2/5/10 years I will still have a valuable asset. Arguably other manufacturers have ‘better’ vans, but depreciate hugely and the parts for modifications, conversions etc aren’t as available. Regardless of brand of van, age, value, money spent, it’s van life and it’s amazing

[@Shutityou]

I bought a new caravelle in 2018. Gear box replaces at 20k miles. Electric doors are playing up. Aircon and heaters have packed up. Now the gearbox have packed in again at 60k miles. Absolutely shite.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Wow, thats a horror. There is always a bad one. Worst car I ever had was a 5 series BMW, engine, brakes, air con, water leaks, was dreadful

[@Shutityou]

Vw have offered me what I paid for it new! Mercifully I paid for an extended warranty so I’ll be offloading it.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@Shutityou Sounds like a good offer. 5 year ownership and not losing money, can’t don that with many vehicles (I know the supply has affected this to a greater affect than usual)

[@Shutityou]

@@StaycationLifestyle I bought an Octavia 1.6 technology 2 years ago and have just sold it with 20k more miles on the clock for a 2k profit. Strange times.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

With supply still uncertain, I’m not sure that prices will plunge as people say they are. New vehicle prices are increasing, which means the used prices are higher.

[@karlsteadman5173]

Surely, Apart from some hidden wiring most of these problems should have been been picked up on initial purchasing checkout and inspection of vehicle, by taking a mechanic/auto electrician to go over it, once these initial and obvious problems presented themselves alarm bells would have rang about everything in this van especially reguarding inferior parts and poor obviously poor DIY painting all that was missing were stickers on the van over stating its specification/model..

[@StaycationLifestyle]

When vehicles are traded in, the problems are sorted by the garage before reselling and the buyer is usually completely unaware of the previous condition. I knew about the problems from an inspection prior to purchasing, my only error was not removing the electrics straight away. The van has been completely stripped now and is sound, as are the mechanics, as checked before I bought. I could have bought after the garage sorted it all out, however I wanted a project. Looking on the forums you can see the cheap work that is being done to these vans. I saw a lot worse before buying this.

[@karlsteadman5173]

@@StaycationLifestyle Completely understand, perhaps an more detailed introduction about your plans before, during and after purchase, outlining your skill and observations this may avoid negative posts, be helpful to others about potential pitfalls and what you can/should/worry and expect in a conversion carried out by DIY and poor supposedly trained installers/converters, perhaps adding similar one about the pros cons about buying just a plain van and doing everything from scratch thus avoiding others botch ups and thus taking more time remedying the problems...

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Thank you Karl, I genuinely appreciate your comment. You are right, I got ahead of myself, I’m new to this KZbin stuff and should have explained myself better. I have a whole plan of videos which include those items you mentioned. Maybe my next video should be explaining my buying process and why I bought the van I did

[@karlsteadman5173]

@@StaycationLifestyle Good idea, give people an idea of what to expect, so many shysters and con men around at least if they have an idea it will help them 👍

[@_bav]

Firstly, who sourced this van for you and why were they rummaging through skips to find you a van? Yes, some of the issues were hidden, but others would have been immediately obvious to a competent outfit. Secondly, do you really want to spend further money on this van? It's a self-build bodge and I'd cut my losses - how can you ever have confidence in this van going forward?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It was a direct trade in and therefore hadn’t been through the rectification. I bought with full knowledge of condition and history, because I wanted a project myself. The previous work was done by a “professional” conversion company and there are many more vans like this before they are corrected by true professionals and resold. It’s been mechanically checked and all good. Springs are a common problem, I knew the TV was old and I was replacing the electrical system in its entirety anyway, as advised

[@orphix9001]

What was the proffesional company called who done the shoddy work?