The
SBMCC say that many self-builds are on-going projects because their creators are constantly making changes and upgrades. That's true of my van:
Firstly, I found that it's all very well having a nice, dry van to go back to, but that's no use if it has all your kit locked-up inside so there's no space for you to get in and change. Secondly, I found that even when insulated the van is colder to sleep in on a cold night than a tent is. I also found that despite having all the facilities available to me in the van, I prefer cooking outside. And I also have discovered that the A-Team van was a TV myth and just having red stripes on the side of a black van does not mean that it can drive anywhere.
Alternative FuelWith the escalating price of fuel I have considered running the van on Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO). A bit of research has shown me that the Mercedes-Benz Vito 108D is one of the most adaptable vehicles for WVO, and plenty of folk are running them on cooking oil without any conversion or special parts. The following sites make interesting reading:
Merc 108 Chip Fat Diaries | Veg Oil Conversion | Veg Oil saves the planet | DieselVeg Gimme Shelter!
I've put some thought into plans to have a series of canopies attached to the van that are quick to put up and strong enough to withstand the elements. The pop-up gazebo is OK, but bulky and needs a bit of TLC as it's not as easy as it looks to put away. So I'm working on an idea using polytarp and a couple of uprights with guylines. I've also got a plan for a tent hung from the open boot door (click here to see diagram).
(click images to enlarge)
Extended Living Space One option for speeding-up the camp set-up and breakdown process, and to allow standing space in the van for changing and cooking would be to have a pop-up roof (see inspiration galleries). I found that these are easily available for VW vans, but not so for the Vito. That said, I did find something for around £1000 that could probably be adapted.
Then yet another internet search found a small German outfit building expedition vehicles with aluminimum, telescopic roof (click images to open gallery). I took this as inspiration to sketch out a version for my van using marine play with rubber seals, and cutting out that back 4 (of 5) roof panels to create the opening. It would be a 'no-going-back' development so would require a lot of modelling and testing before build. Work-in-progress?Van Seating & Utilities
I'm keen at some point to change the front bench and drivers seats in the Vito into two single seats that can swivel round to face the inside of the van when not in transit. Given that swivel plates are around £100 each, and I'd need another driver seat and base to install on the passenger side, I've considered the option of buying a set of seats from a Renault Espace from a vehicle dismantlers, using two or three of the rear seats as removable rear passenger seats. On Gumtree I found a set of 7 seats for £50, but when I got in touch the vendor had already let them go. Maybe another time?The proposed layout would see the kitchen units move to the rear, and be removable - either on a fixed frame and stand, or as a free=standing unit, but would most likely inhibit the ability to cook within the van.Developing on this and the outdoor kitchen concept I have in mind, I've also looked at creating a more modular seating system, allowing more seating configurations, storage, and the ability for utilities to be used both in and outside the vehicle (click images to enlarge):