View from/of your van.

[Barbara]

And, is it my imagination or are there fewer and fewer stations offering a bucket and squeegee these days? I know that we don’t have as many bugs to hit windscreens in the UK, but even the hot countries seem less willing to help the driver in this way.

The garage I usually go to in Spain always cleans my screen after putting in fuel. This garage put in the fuel but I had to clean the screen myself, an interesting exercise as I am only 5ft tall. I stand on the door way and to drop water on then use a long cleaner. If really bad I get out a step. I also squirt water or cleaner at the screen. It must look odd. At least Spain still has bugs. This was in a wine area.

 

[Daveb999]

All setup for a couple of days in Bordeaux. Next stop Catalan area

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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Camping Einwaldli in Engleberg Switzerland.

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[sidepod]

Beautiful. Very inspiring. We’re heading for Jungfrau at Christmas. Can’t wait.

 

[sbmcd]

Camping Einwaldli in Engleberg Switzerland.

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Nice view and van, is your high top insulated, that's the one issue we find using the pop top in late season / winter.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Nice view and van, is your high top insulated, that's the one issue we find using the pop top in late season / winter.

Thank you! Yes, it is insulated for the most part. I used to have a pop top van, it as I work in my van 4 days a week year round I swapped to this for that reason. However, Westfalia didn’t do a perfect job and some sections can get colder than others so I had to do some additional insulation myself.

The front cab area roof wasn’t well insulated and I had to add additional to prevent the foot area when sleeping getting cold. This required taking out part of the upper beds frame to add some, but was only necessary as I’m sometimes in areas with -10C to -20C in peak winter.

Some of the side and rear areas of the door panels can also get colder than others but this isn’t as big a deal with the dual zone diesel heater. I haven’t modified those as additional insulation adds weight and I wanted to keep the available payload. Overall it’s great as is in cold winter, and having a hot shower in a small van like this is a dream.


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[sbmcd]

Thank you! Yes, it is insulated for the most part. I used to have a pop top van, it as I work in my van 4 days a week year round I swapped to this for that reason. However, Westfalia didn’t do a perfect job and some sections can get colder than others so I had to do some additional insulation myself.

The front cab area roof wasn’t well insulated and I had to add additional to prevent the foot area when sleeping getting cold. This required taking out part of the upper beds frame to add some, but was only necessary as I’m sometimes in areas with -10C to -20C in peak winter.

Some of the side and rear areas of the door panels can also get colder than others but this isn’t as big a deal with the dual zone diesel heater. I haven’t modified those as additional insulation adds weight and I wanted to keep the available payload. Overall it’s great as is in cold winter, and having a hot shower in a small van like this is a dream.


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Thanks, we use our van during the winter for skiing and find the lack of insulation and issue, but it's never stopped us . Using the topper in winter makes a big difference.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Thanks, we use our van during the winter for skiing and find the lack of insulation and issue, but it's never stopped us . Using the topper in winter makes a big difference.

View attachment 141867

Absolutely! I’m a data driven person so added Ruuvi tags in all the areas of the van I wanted to monitor temps (and get alerts on my phone if something is off). Last night was just below 0C. This is what I see now:

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[sbmcd]

Absolutely! I’m a data driven person so added Ruuvi tags in all the areas of the van I wanted to monitor temps (and get alerts on my phone if something is off). Last night was just below 0C. This is what I see now:

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I do like that, never heard of those before, I'll need to Google that one.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I do like that, never heard of those before, I'll need to Google that one.

They are awesome. Just make sure to get the IP67 Pro ones for anything outside that can get wet. I also used those for inside the fridge and freezer. Anywhere else I use the standard ones for indoor.


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[sbmcd]

Absolutely! I’m a data driven person so added Ruuvi tags in all the areas of the van I wanted to monitor temps (and get alerts on my phone if something is off). Last night was just below 0C. This is what I see now:

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Just had a look at their website, battery life seems short, how do you use yours?

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Just had a look at their website, battery life seems short, how do you use yours?

Let’s drop into a DM so we don’t disrupt the thread and respect others. I’ve had the batteries last on average 1.5 years before swapping out. Not expensive and not a big deal.


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[JAG7001]

Not from the Cali, it’s parked at the airport and I feel guilty ,

 

[SusiBus]

Not from the Cali, it’s parked at the airport and I feel guilty ,

View attachment 141880

I thought this was a try and see if you can find the Cali picture.

 

[acer]

I thought this was a try and see if you can find the Cali picture.

We need a “Where’s Wally? / Cali?” thread…
for those with the red and white paint job

 

[wildslammer22]

They are awesome. Just make sure to get the IP67 Pro ones for anything outside that can get wet. I also used those for inside the fridge and freezer. Anywhere else I use the standard ones for indoor.


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I used the standard one inside my fridge and it works well for 18 months now. I have the pro on the roof though, I’m thinking of adding another pro underneath the van as you suggested for a better exterior ambient reading. The one on the roof gets cooked in Summer!

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I used the standard one inside my fridge and it works well for 18 months now. I have the pro on the roof though, I’m thinking of adding another pro underneath the van as you suggested for a better exterior ambient reading. The one on the roof gets cooked in Summer!

Just be careful as there are different Pro models. Only the 2in1 IP67 one is suitable for under the van.


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[Daveb999]

Made it over to Blanes (Catalonia) today and staying for a few days. Amazing place and im pitched right beside the beach.
View from the van

Some helpers to setup the van

 

[Daveb999]

I had this little guy visit me at the van yesterday, a Mediterranean Praying Mantis. Then a walk along the shore line to the pier in Blanes. (No photoshop etc on the pier photo, the sky was amazing)

 

[AscotGreyCali]

Burn O’Vat , Aberdeenshire

 

[sbmcd]

Burn O’Vat , Aberdeenshire

View attachment 142021

View attachment 142022

Great wee free stopover with toilets, water and a nice walk round the loch.

 

[Phase one]

Evening glow over Cairngorms

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[The Merle]

Evening glow over Cairngorms

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Looks like nethy bridge by the castle to me, some great walks near by

 

[Phase one]

The Merle - Top marks!


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[The Merle]

The Merle - Top marks!


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Nice van i see there’s a t5 version at Inverness for sale but doesn’t have the drop down bed. Have always liked them wingamm