[Van-Blanc]

I'm interested in how this progresses as going Crafter has always been in our thoughts. Age and time may be against me converting one though having to start from scratch with the design. T5s & 6s have been no problem as I've done four of them.

We are also thinking of going to the NEC again this Autumn just to see what others have come up with.

Van-Blanc what is the delivery time on your order?

Just one more question, has anyone studied the MAN version as sold in some parts of Europe? Is it exactly the same except for the badge?

Rod

I said about the last 2 vans that they would be our last but this one has to be as its coming straight out of the pension pot. However if we want to be able to travel for the next 10-15 years while we still can it has to be done. Who knows, the way things are going we might have to live in it

The van is on order - should be 12 weeks but have provisional January until we get confirmation. Meanwhile I have it set out on CAD and got everything spreadsheeted. ATM we have a pretty well defined spec so are playing with details and waiting to find an unlined van that I can get accurate dims from.

Going to NEC on the Thursday with moolah in hand. TBH having spent 5 weeks touring Norway and looking at just about every variant you can imagine and some you can't we don't expect to see too many new big ideas just details of kit.

MAN is the same thing, they are VAG, but being the truck market may be slightly different spec. I believe someone else uses the chassis design - might be Iveco.

If you are serious I would recommend you go and talk to a dealer now. The price we got isn't going to be around for long.

 

[Van-Blanc]

@Bryn23

Is the Votronic EU6 ready?

 

[pedrod316]

I'm interested in how this progresses as going Crafter has always been in our thoughts. Age and time may be against me converting one though having to start from scratch with the design. T5s & 6s have been no problem as I've done four of them.

We are also thinking of going to the NEC again this Autumn just to see what others have come up with.

Van-Blanc what is the delivery time on your order?

Just one more question, has anyone studied the MAN version as sold in some parts of Europe? Is it exactly the same except for the badge?

Rod

I had a look at a MAN version, i would say identical except badge and owner said it was dearer than the vw version?

 

[Van-Blanc]

I had a look at a MAN version, i would say identical except badge and owner said it was dearer than the vw version?

Thought it might be - the VW version is a very good price for the next few weeks.

 

[Bryn23]

@Bryn23

Is the Votronic EU6 ready?

I just had a look at the catalogue at the Triple charger, it does say it is EU6 suitable.

 

[Van-Blanc]

I just had a look at the catalogue at the Triple charger, it does say it is EU6 suitable.

I have had the conversation with the man in Germany and it looks like a good contender albeit an expensive one.

I am looking at;

Votronic VBCS 60/40/430 Triple
Votronic VPC Jupiter 400
Votronic Inverter SMI 1700 ST NVS

 

[Bryn23]

I have had the conversation with the man in Germany and it looks like a good contender albeit an expensive one.

I am looking at;

Votronic VBCS 60/40/430 Triple
Votronic VPC Jupiter 400
Votronic Inverter SMI 1700 ST NVS

Thats a nice package, thats what i'd be going if i had a bigger van, and you are right, it is pricey.

Ive also got the SMI 1200 ST inverter, hard wired through a RCD to a power point above the bench and then have the control panel mount under the jupiter panel


Im debating to add the bluetooth module, but i don't really need it.


I'd also look at Victron as well, they also have some great products that link well together and the charging settlings are fully adjustable.

 

[Van-Blanc]

Thats a nice package, thats what i'd be going if i had a bigger van, and you are right, it is pricey.

Ive also got the SMI 1200 ST inverter, hard wired through a RCD to a power point above the bench and then have the control panel mount under the jupiter panel


Im debating to add the bluetooth module, but i don't really need it.


I'd also look at Victron as well, they also have some great products that link well together and the charging settlings are fully adjustable.

1700 Pure Sine would leave plenty for fridge, microwave and chargers together and NSV shuts batteries to inverter off if on MHU

The GBP price compared to Euro seems good ATM and I get a small discount for C&CC membership.

BT would be fun but do I really need it I:

I have Victron seperates at the moment but I cant seem to make make a sensible package of what I am trying to do from their range.

 

[Van-Blanc]

Got an estimated build of week 47 which would probably mean delivery early in the new year in which case I would hang it out and get a 2019 van.

 

[Van-Blanc]

New Crafter Insulation

Looking at the order of doing things when I get my hands on it.

First job will be to fit the wind out canopy thereby doubling the working space.

There are a few early things to sort such as cable and pipe routes.

Insulation will be high on the list but I am not sure which route to go. I am between all spray foam or Space Blanket and fill the structural members with spray foam. Foam would be about £25/m2 to about 40mm but Space Blanket has a much better U value. I guess my only concern with SB is moisture. Thoughts alone?

 

[Van-Blanc]

Time to buy some of the longer lead items so that we can start work as soon as we get the van.

We are off to the Motorhome show at the NEC this week looking for detail ideas and with CC and Cash to buy bits and pieces.

 

[NYLONZ]

Will be looking closely at your build thread.

Am about to hit the buy button on a LWB 4Motion Auto 177 Crafter.

outsidevan.com Have some amazing Sprinter Builds & Products for inspiration.

Good Luck

 

[Van-Blanc]

Will be looking closely at your build thread.

Am about to hit the buy button on a LWB 4Motion Auto 177 Crafter.

outsidevan.com Have some amazing Sprinter Builds & Products for inspiration.

Good Luck

You do realise that a 4Motion has a 100mm higher floor so before conversion is only 1800mm head room?

We were going to but honestly would rather have space that rarely used 4WD. After all that was the purpose of going Big Van.

 

[Mickyfin]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

Insulation will be high on the list but I am not sure which route to go. I am between all spray foam or Space Blanket and fill the structural members with spray foam. Foam would be about £25/m2 to about 40mm but Space Blanket has a much better U value. I guess my only concern with SB is moisture. Thoughts alone?

I would avoid spray foam insulation. Go for the recycled plastic bottles wool, and DoDo insulation to form a vapour barrier.

https://www.deadening.co.uk/collections/dodo-mat

 

[Van-Blanc]

So came home from the Motorhome show with;

Fiamma F64S with New Crafter roof kit
Wallas XC Duo
Vitifrigo SLIM150
Votronic VBCS 60/40/430 Triple
Votronic VPC Jupiter 400
Votronic Inverter SMI 1700 ST NVS
Votronic Bluetooth-Connector S-BC
Votronic Tank Sensors
Aguti Seat Swivels

As well as identifying some other kit that needs ordering our visit confirms for us that we have a better plan for our conversion that just about all of those on offer from converters / builders.

 

[Van-Blanc]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

I would avoid spray foam insulation. Go for the recycled plastic bottles wool, and DoDo insulation to form a vapour barrier.

https://www.deadening.co.uk/collections/dodo-mat

Yes I killed that idea initially on the grounds of the difficulty of repairing accident damage but also because it is expensive and messy.

So now am going for good quality high thermal value synthetic with a good vapour barrier although I may still have to foam fill a few impossible to get to nooks and crannies. Using conventional materials will mean paying special attention to holding it in place to avoid shake down.

Using a Wallas Hob / Heater will have the additional benefit of not generating moisture and I will have a fan ventilation in the toilet & kitchen areas to remove moist air.

 

[Mickyfin]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

Cool, look forward to your build updates, as I understand it, your waiting on a 2019 Crafter correct? I already have ours, had it since May of this year, and my plan is to convert it like yourself, I have around 85% of everything that needs adding, with just the underslung water tank, and LPG to sort out, oh and the roof raking system, and solar, I have x 2 150W solar panels to go on the roof along with a pair of fantastic fans.

 

[Mickyfin]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

Damn, can't appear to be able to edit my post above to correct spellings, is that n normal on these forums, the edit function not available for newbies?

 

[Van-Blanc]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

Cool, look forward to your build updates, as I understand it, your waiting on a 2019 Crafter correct? I already have ours, had it since May of this year, and my plan is to convert it like yourself, I have around 85% of everything that needs adding, with just the underslung water tank, and LPG to sort out, oh and the roof raking system, and solar, I have x 2 150W solar panels to go on the roof along with a pair of fantastic fans.

Yes WK47 build so will be here end of Dec / early Jan. What spec is yours?

Our layout is a large front salon using a SmartBeds Evolution II to give us maximum day space, a mid kitchen and an across the back toilet / shower with a little bit of "garage" space accessible from the rear.

Will get tanks from CAC. They haven't done a kit yet although they have supplied a couple of converters each with different tanks. However they do so many variations it will be easy to work something out.

We are not going to use gas. Have ordered a Wallas XCDuo again and will get a diesel water heater. Saves all the grief of carrying gas and doesn't create moisture. We have used one in our T6 for a couple of years and it has been brilliant.

I will put a couple of 200W panels on the roof and 2 x 200Ah batteries. Should give us plenty of juice.

What windows and roof vents are you using? I am erring toward S7s for a nicer frame with a Midi Heiki in the roof and a Fiamma 280 in the toilet / shower.

Damn, can't appear to be able to edit my post above to correct spellings, is that n normal on these forums, the edit function not available for newbies?

Have to be paid up subscriber

 

[Mickyfin]

Re: New Crafter Insulation

Final interior layout has yet to be decided, but there will be a full shower, and compost toilet.

Specs of our Crafter are 2.0TDi Diesel, Manual, 136hp, no windows at all right now, but plan on two flares with narrow window in each. Currently there's a twin front passenger seat, this will be removed =for a single on swivel, my drivers seat has the air ride, and no swivel available for these type seats as far as I can tell.

This is the only photo I have of our van at the moment. Taken the day I picked it up.

Picked up my new van by S STEEL, on Flickr