Zero budget just get out there adventure van

[JamesReddish]

Hi all, firstly an introduction from me, my name is James and I live in the UK. I've stalked this forum for years and finally decided I should join and show what I'm up to.

So I sold my car and bought a van with the intention of it being a 'adventure van' - something I can use to more comfortably go walking/cycling and camping with.

Most of this is done with the minimum budget possible.

 

[JamesReddish]

*edited to add actually the first thing I/we did was give it a damn good clean! So right after buying the van I dived in so do a full service, all filters and all fluids, fixed a couple of pieces and some preventative maintenance elsewhere. Installed a decent radio, then the tyres needed replacing so replaced with michelin Crossclimates with a bodge it and scarper refurb.

 

[JamesReddish]

Finally I could begin to actually use it as intended.

A porta potti gifted from my parents with a box made to fit over it and strapped in means there's a toilet always there (handy for me and my partner who always need a wee haha)



Then a bike rack and coat/bag rack

My sister made me some car seat organisers to hold essentials.



Then my dad helped make me a shelf for the side

 

[JamesReddish]

So far the Van has performed great in taking us walking around the peak district, cycling a few times, camping once and around the NC500 in Scotland. (With a simple bed made up with some 12" legs, a 4x6' 1/2" plywood sheet then airbed thrown on top. No insulation type things done and some simple stick on window blinds - I did say this was zero budget haha)

 

[F800]

Amazing. It’s great and I don’t think you need much more than that to be honest. Good luck ahead!

 

[JamesReddish]

Amazing. It’s great and I don’t think you need much more than that to be honest. Good luck ahead!

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[BobPeanut]

Most of this is done with the minimum budget possible.

Very nice! I have the same style and love using what I can find for free or already have lying around.

Are those actual bike racks or something you put together? I’m interested in making some removable/collapsible bike holders but haven’t looked into them too much yet.

Have you stayed overnight anywhere that was cold? We camped in our factory-insulated minivan at -10° one time. It was cold, but okay enough under a down comforter. I’m trying to decide if (or how much) insulation is worth it.

Do you have any areas that you feel need to be changed?

 

[JamesReddish]

Very nice! I have the same style and love using what I can find for free or already have lying around.

Are those actual bike racks or something you put together? I’m interested in making some removable/collapsible bike holders but haven’t looked into them too much yet.

Have you stayed overnight anywhere that was cold? We camped in our factory-insulated minivan at -10° one time. It was cold, but okay enough under a down comforter. I’m trying to decide if (or how much) insulation is worth it.

Do you have any areas that you feel need to be changed?

Yes they are actual bike racks, normally around £20 each and designed for square roof bars, then simply screwed into CLS timber to create the frame. I didn't want anything permanent as I still like to be able to use it as a van.

The coldest it reached in Scotland whilst sleeping in the van was around 5°C so not really cold. Currently there are no plans to sleep in the van any colder than that so we'll manage without at this point.

To change immediately I think not, I did buy the wind deflectors which should allow me to have the windows down a little which will help with the condensation. Just use it is the plan.

 

[texasnielsen]

Nicely written thread about your efforts. Once again proving its not necessarily about how much one spends to enjoy themselves! Keep us posted.
Cheers!

 

[JamesReddish]

Nicely written thread about your efforts. Once again proving its not necessarily about how much one spends to enjoy themselves! Keep us posted.
Cheers!

Appreciate that. Cheers

Went through my first ford (what we call a stream over the road in the UK) in a new to me area of the Peak District whilst walking to 'thor's cave's

 

[JamesReddish]

The van has received some suspension work, the annual mot highlighted slight play in a ball joint then 1 morning I came out to find a snapped front spring.



So new lower control arms, springs, drop links, anti roll bar bushes and an alignment have the front end solid again.

Then I did my annual big polish/wax, repaint the wheels/calipers, and waxoyled the underside ready for another year of use.



With that completed off we went for a picnic in the peak district and camping in North Yorkshire/Lancashire for a week.



Still going strong and still loving it and the opportunities it gives us!

 

[Scotty D]

Very cool minimalist van. I have wanted to put together something like this in europe for years now rather than ship one of my vans over there.
Do you mind if I ask what you paid for it?
Also what might I expect to pay for a ten to 15 year old builders van over there in this new market ? I know they were pretty cheap a few years ago but everything has changed

 

[Regcabguy]

Hi all, firstly an introduction from me, my name is James and I live in the UK. I've stalked this forum for years and finally decided I should join and show what I'm up to.

So I sold my car and bought a van with the intention of it being a 'adventure van' - something I can use to more comfortably go walking/cycling and camping with.

Most of this is done with the minimum budget possible.



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You're good to go mate!

 

[Johnboyy]

Love it, simple functional van. Really want to check out the NC500, was suppose to head that way Easter 2020 but we know how that went

 

[JamesReddish]

Very cool minimalist van. I have wanted to put together something like this in europe for years now rather than ship one of my vans over there.
Do you mind if I ask what you paid for it?
Also what might I expect to pay for a ten to 15 year old builders van over there in this new market ? I know they were pretty cheap a few years ago but everything has changed

I paid £4000, however vans were definitely at they're peak price then (mid 2021).

Over here VW's command a premium over everything else, Ford Transit's remain the cheapest/most common to find. I prefer the Mercedes for a variety of reasons.

Cheers