VAN TOUR: Our VW T6 After 7 Years & 120,000 Miles!

[@maxinemackender1848]

Great to stumble across you. We’re just about to convert Skye our t6.1 panel van with one eye on an early ish retirement! Will watch rest of content. Welcome all the tips!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad you enjoyed the video and found it of use 😊 we have done a few VW videos over the last couple of years you can check out 🚐 we have absolutely loved having our van Nelson and can’t believe the places he has taken us - hopefully you will love vanlife as much as us (it was a slippery road to retirement once we got the van as all we wanted to do was travel!!!

[@Ko-gl2dd]

Useful information, very good presentation style.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Many thanks- we are glad you found it of use. Thanks for the comment👍

[@alexrutterford6358]

Just stumbled upon your channel - very professional and absolutely love it. We too purchased our T5.1 two weeks prior to lockdown 1 and soon became our 'lockdown project'. Love the content 🙂

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you 🙂 We have absolutely loved our VW camper - we sometimes pinch ourselves when we think about the places our little home on wheels has taken us over the years 🚐

[@MargaretTaylor-v7e]

Thanks. Very informative. I entirely share your views on the sink and its associated water tanks. This was what led me in the direction of the Beach Camper. It is very minimalist and won't suit everyone but coming from a camping background we find it extremely functional and flexible. Annoyingly you do need to buy quite a few optional extras to get it like that.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

After skiing in the van for several weeks we got into the habit of not using the water tank (incase it froze and cracked) - instead just having a couple of the big 5l Aldi water bottles that we refill at the campsites as we know that it is always clean drinking water too - we have never used the waste tank as we don't use the sink. We did notice when we hired an RV in America how much easier it was with a proper big sink but not practical in a small VW van - the plastic washing up bowl does us well 😂🚐 Thanks for watching

[@motorroamingaround]

Nelson has been fantastic for you guys. The amount of places he has taken you is phenomenal. Thank you for sharing. Keep safe. Irvine & Karen.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We absolute love Nelson - he is definitely getting a little tatty around the edges now but that is just a sign of how much we love and use him 😂 We find it hard to get our head around the fact that we have slept in him is such an array of places from the North Shetlands to Croatia 🚐

[@WendyPinney]

We do all the washing up in our sink with an even smaller bowl! It saves on water and I've never needed anything bigger. It's always interesting to see what other people consider essential as we are all so different 😄

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

😂 we just use the foldable washing up bowl - I don't think we would fit some of the pans in the sink! To be fair we never use the grey water tank either as we don't use the sink. It is really interesting seeing what other people do 🚐

[@andrewdegnan7300]

The safe is really not safe, and is the first place anyone will look. Seconds to break into. Great video though, with some great ideas. Thanks !

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Andrew- or it could be a case of bluff and double-bluff😉 Anything really to slow them down or make them move onto an easier victim. Thanks for the comment👍

[@stenewton5175]

Thank you for the van tour, im wondering what width the bed is as im thinking of making a rock n roll in my van too Thanks for the vids 👌

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Steve the bed measures just over 110cm wide - Thanks for watching 😊

[@FredFox-m9v]

I bought some LED replacement lights from ledperv for my FiatTalento. The original lights in mine were naff as well but the MOT man told me that if just LED bulbs were fitted, into an original housing it would fail the MOT, as the law has changed now and doesn't allow it. You need to buy a whole new LED lighting unit casing, with and designed for LED bulbs at manufacture stage. The other thing is, If you have got a lighting load adjuster, it can make the lighting much better, if it hasn't been set right and isn't pointing at an optimum height level. I found that adjusting mine improved my lighting no end but obviously not as good as LED lights. Getting into the side cupboards is an issue for SWB vans, particularly with rick n' roll beds, my LWB van with a RIB bed gives good access to all cupboards with the bed down or up, or even under the bed also I haven't any issues at all with ad blue, just filling it like I do for the diesel tank. Although my van also has had a few problems, it doesn't seem that a VW badge is a panacea for problem free vanning. Your pop up roof tucking in regime, should have been demonstrated to you after fitting, mine was. Mine is elasticated somewhat at the scissor hinge end but I do take great care tucking each side as I lower the roof. I find that I can do it myself by doing it in stages, locking the tie chord off, then tucking in as I go down by myself without any problems.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

When we first got the van Richard followed all sorts of threads on the forums about the issue of the naff lights and all solutions sounded bigger and more expensive than simply replacing the bulbs 😬 To be fair we have just got so used to it now - when we are in my Fiat 500 driving around the dark Dales lanes it feels like they are search lights 😂. We saw some vans with rib beds at the show last week and the space they create does look much better than ours - oh well all things we will think about when we eventually change our van! Thanks for taking the time to respond - you are definitely right that the converter could have given us a heads up about the pop top canvas! It would have saved some of the duck tape art work.

[@ashleighpeel2116]

Hi both! Really lovely the Channel! We are having the same problem with the fridge you've described with it not working on EHU. Any chance you can let us know what mains power converter you bought? Hoping that solves the issue. Thanks!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Ashleigh, it was the one that was marketed for out Dometic Fridge, produced by Dometic. Sorry we don't know much more detail as the garage sourced it and fitted it. It really helps in the summer when we are on hook up- we can ramp the fridge to the max on mains and get a quality supply of ice😉🍹

[@grahamclarke2319]

It was very interesting to take a tour of your van, your setup and how you use it. It’s given me some thoughts about how best to use my van and how not to as well. I’ve just come back from a 3-day trip to Holland, although not a camping trip. What a brilliant vehicle the VW Transporter/California is to own and drive.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

They are fab vehicles - Richard has used our van as his daily drive for the last 7 years as it will go anywhere and can be parked pretty much everywhere! There are probably some things that we could make better use of in the van but we have just got into a good routine now that suits us. Hope you enjoyed Holland - it is a country we have never visited yet!

[@tmaz3654]

Mine is 250,000 and going great just did mot with no probs. So you should have loads of life left in yours!!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Great to know🎉 That's what we had hoped for. So far we have been really lucky with Nelson...apart from trying to unpick the Adblu issue...more of that next week. Probably not something you have to worry about with your van? Thanks for the comment👍

[@FrugalMrB]

Really interesting to see a different van set-up. Looking forward to watching the follow up video on Sunday.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hope you are enjoying your new van - did you get my email?

[@FrugalMrB]

Yes I did - I’ve sent a reply and some photos!

[@clivemillington8452]

We have the same set up on our vw t5.1 .we just use it for our 3months abroad , as allowed , (would stay longer ) sometimes use a compact caravan as well . New subscriber ,as we can relate to your setup 👍👍👍👍😉😉😉😉

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

They are a great size van for travelling as you can get almost anywhere and no problems finding parking spots. In the summer it is great as you can just live outside the van - it was a little more snug when we did 7 weeks skiing last winter 😂 🚐 Thanks for subscribing

[@ridgewalker74]

Hi folks, my wife and myself seen you two wandering around the vans at the NEC yesterday. We hope Nelson wasn't aware of this 😊 We were checking out the Crafter conversions as we'll be getting our first van very soon. Hope you found something 🚐Ewe & Alex.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Poor Nelson had to drive us there 😂 I think he is safe for another year as we need to get our pensions first! There were some absolutely gorgeous vans - wow the crafter conversions (and the transporters) were so expensive! But they were all on another level to our van 🚐. Hope you got some inspiration for your van 😊

[@alanbenham4139]

Well done Nelson!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you - he has done us proud over the years 🚐❤️

[@raulmur4772]

We did a very similar purchase and conversion but with a Ford Transit Custom which we found much more affordable. Just need to get out there more and use it fully.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We loved the freedom of just being able to pack up and get away for the weekend - sometimes really close to home. Hope you have some adventures planned for the new year? 🚐

[@shamsoni]

Got an oasis vibe - brilliant mot

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We have not come across any of those vans yet - maybe at the motorhome show this week?

[@ryangolds]

I'd definitely think about upgrading to a lithium battery. You can run those to flat where, as AGM lead acid you can only run to 50% before they degrade. 210ah of AGM is really 105ah. 210ah of lithium is 210ah and in a smaller size with built in BMS and heater.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Ryan- it is something we have seriously considered and a few companies have come forward offering us a collaboration. We looked into it and unfortunately it would involve us changing all the power management system as well. They look fab and as you say, can be ran flat- offering the full aH capacity...as well as being lighter. What's not to love? We are definitely looking for Li in our new van...whenever that may be, but for now, the cheaper batteries last a good 4 years and meet our very modest power needs. Thanks for the comment. 👍

[@ryangolds]

@earlyretirementwanderlust totally understandable. Looking forward to seeing the new van whenever that day arrives!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

@ryangolds it’s a good 18months to go until we swap 🚐

[@potusuk]

Nice & simple, love it.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you! 😊

[@joodm5641]

Enjoyed watching this. I find it hard to believe you're in your 50's and manage without even a portaloo! Apart from the lack of a loo, great use of space! 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Touch wood, we have never really needed a pota loo - we are not averse to the odd wild wee in the bushes 😂

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

😂 To be fair we have never really felt the need for a porta loo yet and we are not averse to the odd wild wee - there are always public loos and cafes around to use 🚐 Thanks for watching 😊

[@FredFox-m9v]

We have our portaloo out all the time as a stool, covered by a bag when not in use. Ours is a LWB van and that extra length helps fitting it in. Travelling, we just bungee it to the double seat base frame, so it doesn't tip over.

[@05glisedan]

Looking forward to part 2. Thanks for sharing.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

You are welcome. Part 2 is very unlike us, as we always like to be positive...but even Nelson comes with a few niggles😉 Thanks for the comment👍

[@annajeram9251]

Great to see inside your van, it makes me miss our T6 (sold to buy a static in Cornwall) especially love your captain chairs upholstery 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Anna- sorry that you miss your T6- but Cornwall is such a beautiful part of the world- you are very blessed! The upholstery is a little battered after 7 years...but more on that next week😉 Thanks for the comment👍

[@julian-1955]

Very interesting to see what you've managed to squeeze into quite a small space. Thanks for sharing. It's always tricky to think ahead to how you're going to use the van when one hasn't had such a vehicle before. But I'd say 7 years and 110,000 miles later with no major changes means you planned well. We made a few mistakes with our motorhome choice 6 months ago, but we'll be smarter next time. Above all, it clearly shows in every video how much enjoyment Nelson and van life brings you. Rock ('n roll) on you two! 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Julian- glad that you enjoy what we do and that you have found it of use. It is with a heavy heart that we are thinking of going for a slightly larger van- but we have to think about it as a 10 year project. We will have very different needs in those 10 years. Thanks for the comment👍

[@julian-1955]

​@@earlyretirementwanderlustyes, I remember you mentioned a little while ago that you were looking to replace Nelson. I'll certainly be watching out to see your thinking and final choice. We made a mistake with our first motorhome 8 months ago. It's so difficult to know exactly how one will use the van if you've never had one. We're trying to sell and replace too.

[@bunnobear]

Great video of your van. Our campervan has the same sink and oven combo as a pull-out kitchen, and I agree with you; I would love to change out the sink for added storage.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Agreed- we would never have thought of it in the design process, but a cheap collapsible washing up bowl meets our needs. Seemingly every production van has one...it's like no one questions it! Thanks for the comment👍

[@crivensro]

Thank you very much for the van tour. I am newly retired and thinking of getting a WV van. Your tour is very useful!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

You are quite welcome. As you can tell- we love our van and what he has brought to our lives. He really has made our adventures a reality. Would recommend hiring one to test it out- it's quite snug and not for everyone...but we love it. Thanks for the comment👍

[@janetbowen7854]

Thanks this is really interesting. We have a LWB VW converted by Bilbo's which we love. Two years in, we're still learning. We haven't yet wild camped, but maybe one day😊 Looking forward to your next videos 😀🚐❤️ xxxx

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Maybe next summer will be the one for getting out on a nights wild camp. There are some lovely places out there and some that have honesty boxes so you know you are wanted there - maybe that would be a gentle start to wild camping for you 🚐

[@geebutteree4755]

Love a van tour , thanks guys 🤙🏼💙

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Our pleasure! We like watching other peoples van tours - it is interesting to see how people do things differently (or the same) 🚐

[@geebutteree4755]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust spotted you today by the way, just didn’t get chance to say hi, didn’t want to shout across the garage forecourt at threshfield , maybe next time 👋

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

@geebutteree4755 no way! We are staying up at masons campsite in Burnsall for the night - you should have said hello 😊

[@geebutteree4755]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust that’s a great site and the weather is good, enjoy , I am local so I’m sure il see you both again , have a lovely time 🫶🏼😊

[@laurakelly9255]

Great video guys Would you go for a LWB starting again? Looking forward to part 2 Thanks

[@merrybrown6407]

Really interesting TY

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Your welcome 😊

[@ChrisEvans-nj2mv]

Another very informative video. I retired myself two weeks ago and am now on the hunt for a VW camper, so this video is very timely. Thank you both.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad it was of interest to you 😊 We are going to the motorhome show in the week to look at what is out there in the 5.4m vans - there were lots of van builders there in February with some absolutely stunning VW vans... at a price! But it is good to look and see what we might want in our next van 🚐

[@ChrisEvans-nj2mv]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust I’ve retired a little late at 67, but this has allowed me to build a little nest egg for the camper-van purchase. I’ve been looking at the Cali Ocean 4WD with around the same mileage as Nelson when you purchased, so that will be quite a bullet to bite financially. But comforting to hear how reliable yours has been during the last 7 years.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

@ChrisEvans-nj2mv the Calis are really nice vans 🚐

[@DaveH-t9s]

great tour and used to love my VW T4 in a lovely camo wrap! Now our season is over we have px our MH for a Wildax Solaris with bunk beds. This is our last van hopefully. Any idea for your next van or are you sticking with Nelson?Thanks Dave

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hope you are enjoying the new van. We are going to the motorhome show in Birmingham tomorrow to have a good look around - we know the size and base van that we want so now want to get an idea of what is out there with the different manufacturers. It will be a good year before we can swap the van financially 🚐

[@jayhernandez-f2l]

are you missing the end cap off the awning rail?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

🤣 yes - it is in the glove box - we keep meaning to stick it back on! Very observant 🧐

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Very similar story about our T6 too other than ours was a panel van with a tailgate window. We bought the year after you so again just got in before the prices shot up. I still find we have a lack of space and seeing your van saw the external gas tank, that is one thing that would make more space and indeed where we keep our gas bottle is a pain to get to so puts us off bother switching the gas on to cook. Great vans and we love ours but I think if we were to buy again we would go for the DSG and also the Long Wheel Base, it’s only 400mm but makes a lot of difference.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Agreed- the LWB seems to offer so much more room than the 400mm reality! We know a lot of people rave about the DSG- but it would probably be too rich for us😂 We are so thankful that we bought when we did- similarly we don't think that we could have got the same van if we had to buy it now. Have a great week👍

[@paulcoombes8657]

Another great video guys. We have just changed from a T6.1 pop top SWB to a LWB with a permanent high top. The difference inside is amazing. May I ask where you brough the VW/ Nelson decal that is on the back door?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you - the van we are looking to swap to in a couple of years is a Fiat Ducato 5.4m so would probably be very similar in size to your new van so I am glad you have noticed a big difference inside 😊 I found a company on Facebook that did the decals - I can't remember the name but will have a look and add another comment if I find it 🚐

[@bardock_gg]

Curious! I have a vw T5 and I got a sink installed, didn't want a hob in there as I felt I could just use a portable camping stove and take it out of the van to cook outside if the weather was good. But I felt I needed a sink for hand washing, and a bit of washing up (though its flow power is quite low). I also have a rock and roll bed, and find it a bit tedious to unroll and make the bed everynight, I'll be going for an elevator bed one day!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

How funny! It is great to hear how differently people use the vans - If our sink was bigger maybe we would use it. I have got used to getting the bed out now but I would like to keep it for longer than Richard who is real early bird. In our next van I want a permanent bed and Richard can have the front seats area 😂

[@jonathanmchugh5978]

Superb tour of a lovely camper van. I’m sure once people get used to all those gadgets it makes travel a breeze. I keep hearing about amp hours but what exactly does that mean? Thankyou as always. Have a great week.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Johnathan- thanks for the question. Ah is a measurement of a batteries power capacity. This rating tells us how much current a battery can provide at a specific rate for a certain period. So, for example, if you have a fully-charged 5-Ah battery, in theory it can provide five amps of current for one hour....HOWEVER... With normal lead-acid leisure batteries that we have, if you take them below their half capacity, it causes irreparable damage. So our 220Ah battery bank only has a maximum usable capacity of 110Ah- which is more than enough for us. With Lithium batteries- you can use their full capacity without damaging them- so a 110Ah Li battery would provide 110Ah capacity. Hope this helps? Have a good one👍

[@jonathanmchugh5978]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust perfect and thanks for taking time to reply.

[@paulredman1496]

Very interesting video your of your van. How do you look after your underslung gas tank? We have just had ours replaced due to the previous owner not looking after it. It corroded badly. Thanks for any advice.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Paul, we don't do anything specific, but whenever we have Nelson in the garage, we get the team to look at it. They all say that the tanks should really be changed after 10 years, but they have never flagged it as an issue. You have got us worried now...luckily Nelson is in for a bit of TLC in the next few weeks🤞 Thanks for the tip. Have a good one👍

[@paulredman1496]

@earlyretirementwanderlust ours was on the van 6 years, and it was drawn to our attention on the habitation service by someone we have used for years. We had the van from a dealer when it was 5 years old. We believe it had never been cleaned or wax oiled (to give it some protection). Hence, its life was very short. Some people use hamerite paint to protect it or even under seal. We will probably use the paint and clean it regularly. I wouldn't worry. You just need to check it. Once we saw ours, the neglect was obvious.

[@ishbOutu1]

I have a white t6. Perfect colourful for hot weather. Why didn't you want a white van?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We had a white car years ago that was always a shade of murky brown as we are not great at cleaning it regularly 😂

[@TinaD-qm6mu]

Great tour! I have two questions: 1. did you travel in Nelson as a family? I can't remember if you have mentioned that before or not and I'd be curious how you went about traveling as a family in the van 2. was the solar panel accident a minor one? I hope so because I'm sure there is a good story behind that experience. 😉

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Tina - we got Nelson the year after youngest went to uni and we had our weekends to ourselves again 😊 Up until then we spent most weekends at an athletics stadium as our daughter Georgia was a national pole-vaulter and Luke played rugby and cricket! Luckily the road was quiet as French motorways tend to be and it flew off flapping on the bike rack and tail gate still attached to the van by the wire 😂 No damage to the van and no solar for the rest of that French trip!

[@lenafietst8237]

Thx a lot for this interesting tour in Nelson. I am looking forward to part two!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad you enjoyed it! We have loved our years with Nelson and all the places we have been in him!! We called the van Nelson after one of favourite places we visited in Canada when we did a tour of BC 🚐 The van is just under 2.10cm with the pop top roof and the solar panel so we can park it in most places - to be fair most of the places we visit are not big on height restrictions but we did come across a lot in Cornwall and Devon which made just parking up for a few hours by a beach or town tricky 😊

[@pauljosephhealy]

With the DVLA were you able to get motorhome status or just van with windows? Do you have a chemical toilet? On my Nissan NV200 conversion I never got the DVLA motorhome status they kept moving the goalposts. I was considering the Lithium battery upgrade too but couldn’t justify it plus they said in winter they don’t work so well and I like to go skiing so far only in Scotland but the Bourg St Maurice campsite you suggested looks fantastic. Yet to brave going to Europe with it as my workplace won’t give me enough time off only two week blocks whereas I’d rather take my six weeks annual leave at once. Happy travels.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We were really lucky with the timing of our van conversion as we managed to get it changed on the V5 to a motorhome with no issues before they tightened up on the criteria. We do not have a toilet in the van - just an emergency bucket! We did 2 weeks one easter in northern France and on the Il de Re which was great but I know what you mean - it is a long drive down from Yorkshire before you even get to France for us now! Thanks for watching our channel 😊 🚐

[@naumanzakir8005]

Quick- if you don’t use sink for washing, then where do you wash your plates and cutlery, etc?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We use a collapsible washing up bowl which is bigger than the sink and either wash up outside the van in the summer or inside the van in the winter. Works a treat and it means no food waste ends up in the grey water tank👍

[@lenafietst8237]

Another question: how high is Nelson (in meters)? Was height important in your decision?

[@callumhoskins4028]

Great video guys, just a heads up though. Highline isn’t the highest spec in the lineup, both Edition model & Sportline models are above Highline in terms of spec.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for this Callum- glad that you enjoyed the video. We forgot the prestigious sports line...mainly because it was never in our price bracket😂 Have a good one👍

[@callumhoskins4028]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust Enjoy Every video guys! Every days a school day & yes they’re out of my budget to😂.

[@jillchew-tetlaw3388]

I’m curious to know with the small sink which you don’t really use, how you manage for washing up when you are not on a site. Is it a case of a washing up bowl outside or inside if the weather is bad?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We always use a small collapsible washing up bowl and wash up out side in the summer or at the table in winter and wet weather. If we are on a campsite we always use their facilities which is much easier than boiling a kettle 😊

[@louisesymonds9963]

Lovely conversion. I bought a self build from a local couple & have made a few changes. Flora (used to be a florists van) is a LWB and does have that bench seat and no pop top! She’s got us started and is a great little van. I’m hoping to do a lot more camping next year in my senior gap year/mid life crisis year! I can’t remember if you’ve ever said why you named your van Nelson? Do you watch ‘Life is too short’ Carol and Ken? They upgraded to a Consort Nova, 5.4 meter van.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Louise- great name for Flora❤️ We named Nelson after a beautiful little town we visited in British Columbia called Nelson that had a really laid back vibe and a great vanlife community. That was where we made the decision to finally get a van. Of course, there is also the link to the great Lord Nelson who adventured around the world c/o the British Navy. We do watch Carol and Ken and love their work. Thanks for the comment. Have a good week👍

[@louisesymonds9963]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust thank you for the reply. That’s a very inspiring name. X

[@MrSnicol]

Well done for sticking with something old and a little worn out…..the van is nice though!!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

There are definitely some bits of the van that are getting worn out after 7 years - we worked out the other day we have spent 772 nights away in Nelson! 🚐 And we love it 😊

[@lenafietst8237]

O, by the way, why have you called him Nelson??

[@67fereday]

I can't believe how poor your seat covers are really let's down your van 😢

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Sadly they are really bad now! 😢 In our next video on Sunday we talk about some of the niggles we have with the van and the seats being a big one - I wouldn't have the seats covered in pleather again. They looked fab for about 4 years but have been slowly delaminating ever since - we need to find some good seat covers 😂