Vic's Campervan Conversion - Some items to be added etc
Vic said
10:04 PM Jun 15, 2011
Here's a couple of shots, still have a couple of things to add myself, but mostly finished.
It has one sliding window with flyscreen, can be used for single or double bed, rear lift up end on bed that can be accessed from outside (as well as inside) for easy access to storage, LED reading lights, roof light and bench light. 80ltr Waeco fridge, 12/24V, extra battery, microwave, removable spirit stove (also have a small gas cannister stove if I need it), sink/water tank and electric pump etc.
I'm not read to hit the road yet, but will do a shakedown when I have finished it off to my satisfaction.......The conversion was done by Dove Campervan Conversions in Perth, they were excellent and will do the conversion anyway you want them to, fittings etc, I had the beds made longer than normal.
-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:06:24 PM
Wow Vic! that looks great! Agree with your choice of fridge, we have one of those, and its excellent.
I love your new avatar, check out the chimps expression as hes groping her!!
Vic said
10:15 PM Jun 15, 2011
Who are you calling a Chimp Gerty, just because I hadn't shaved.....I'm bringing our son up the same way......
Sheba said
10:16 PM Jun 15, 2011
Looks great Vic. Are you going to get Solar too ? Thanks for the peek.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Cruising Granny said
10:28 PM Jun 15, 2011
Looks pretty shmick. Travelling in the comfort zone.
Vic said
10:30 PM Jun 15, 2011
No I don't want to load it up with too much stuff Sheba, I don't intend doing a lot of bush camping, I think it was Gerty that said before you can get about 3 days fridge power camped in one spot off the battery before recharging (either with 240V or when driving) that will be enough for me, most of the time will be spent in caravan parks or rest stops with plenty of driving distance between them to recharge the auxillary battery.
Although they are dam expensive, I decided to add a nudge bar which I am waiting to put on, wasn't too keen on doing it (dam heavy, so more weight on the front tyres to scrub out and added weight on the steering joints etc) but decided for country travel it may be best for radiator protection, also can fit some mesh with reasonable ventilation for going through those pesky locust swarms I struck last year over east, better than being stuck in the radiator etc, almost impossible to get out without damaging the core etc.
Anyway, that's more or less the plans at the moment, add some indoor/outdoor carpet or mats to protect the vinyl, a couple of weathershields (one each side of the cab) new rubber floor mats and dash & steering wheel cover and still haven't sorted out the bedding yet. Have lots of bits and pieces from my previous caravan I can use, but really want to restrict what I carry so some I won't .
Does anyone have any good hints for seat covers for the High Ace please, types, material (eg; lambswool/synthetic etc)? I will only do the driver and passenger seat, not the dicky seat in the middle.
Thanks for the compliments all, just hope it fullfills the purpose, time will tell, have had two campers before but a long time ago!
-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:32:59 PM
Sheba said
10:56 PM Jun 15, 2011
This is what my sister has on her Motorhome. It only comes off to be cleaned when necessary. She made it herself. You can see it's attatched with Cable Ties.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:57:07 PM
milo said
11:10 PM Jun 15, 2011
nice work!
ChiChi1 said
11:22 PM Jun 15, 2011
Very nice Vic.
Esmeralda said
11:33 PM Jun 15, 2011
Looking good Vic!!
Helena said
06:29 AM Jun 16, 2011
Campervan looks great Vic we had two before we bought the A'Van and loved every minute in them I am sure you will enjoy yours. Helena.
Vic said
08:15 AM Jun 16, 2011
Thanks All, i've had an A'liner before too Helena, they are great, had mine for 7 years and did an around Oz trip in it.
Hi Sheba, good pics of your sisters van and handy hint with the mesh, those Iveco's have a very good engine in them too. I have exactly the same type and colour mesh as a privacy screen on our front see through fence panel (villa unit).
When I told the mechanic about having an insect screen he advised about not having too tight a mesh as the vehicle radiator/transmission cooler needs all the ventilation it can get. Last year I used a similar mesh tied to the nudge bar of my X'Trail, but a prior vehicle I got some bird wire (smaller than chicken wire) and had that over the front, gave a bit more ventilation although let some of the smaller insects through, but stopped the locusts. I have also gone through a swarm of bees, and once up north a large swarm of all things dragon flies, never seen a swarm of them before or since.....
Any suggestions for seat cover types etc? Are sheep skin covers worth the cost? Synthetic? Thanks.
gubby said
08:29 AM Jun 16, 2011
Just a word of warning, that green shadecloth is too thick to allow enough air through. Down here in Vic when the locust plague was at it's worst a lot of people made their own screens with the green shade cloth and had big problems, the one's recommended were a tan coloured cloth, it wasn't as dense as the green. Also a lot of vehicles these days the main air intake is not through the grill but from below the bumper, people were protecting the grill but still getting a radiator full of rubbish.
Vic said
08:36 AM Jun 16, 2011
As I said I have the same shade cloth on my front fence and when the wind is blowing it doesn't let the wind through, it's like a sail on a boat, even with a few holes in it. There are some cheaper shade cloth with looser knit (bigger holes) in it too.
My mechanic said the same thing as you Gubby....
patrolst said
09:02 AM Jun 16, 2011
Hi Vic
The van fitout looks good. to answer your question on the seat covers we purchased the 4star natural fleece 20mm pile lambswool covers from Auto Barn for the Patrol we find it the very hot days of driving they are very comfortable, They have the natural lambswool on the seat and back but have the synthetic lambswool on the bottom skirts and around the sides and back of the seats.
The pair with seperate head rests cost $295.00
Regards Jim
Firefly said
09:17 AM Jun 16, 2011
Wow Vic, thats beautiful mate. A lot of sensible thought gone into it to give you maximum space by the looks.
I would go for lambswool for all the reasons Jim stated and they wash up a treat too. Warm in winter, cool in summer, can't ask for more than that. They may cost a bit more but if you have seatcovers, thats the ultimate comfort isn't it.
Vic we do the shade cloth as well and for the same reasons. One thing we didn't count on was hitting an eagle, big wedgie in fact. If it wasn't for the shade cloth at the time, the radiator would have been compromised big time. I will see if I can find a picture and put it up later.
bill12 said
01:37 PM Jun 16, 2011
Looks great! What sort of motor does it have, and what model is it? I have a hilux diesel with a slide on and a tinny at the front, but would like a van for simplicity.The late crd hiace vans look great.Hope you have great time in it. Bill
Dunco said
02:10 PM Jun 16, 2011
Looking bloody good there Vic !!!
Vic said
02:13 PM Jun 16, 2011
Thanks for the feedback on seat covers Jim and Fly, will check the sheep ones out.
Love to see those eagle pics FF, I hit one near Uluru with a previous campervan, hit the front roof but never saw it again, I did pull up but it was gone, no damage to the vehicle, don't know about the wedgie though.
Bill, it is a 2007 2.7 Petrol Auto High Ace. Dove in Perth did the conversion and I'm really pleased with it. I have seen a few Frontline Hi Ace conversions from over east (main factory in NSW, branches in Ballina, some other states and Queensland) google Frontline Campers and it will bring them up for the Queensland one. I see one also specializes in fishing gear, just to make you feel right at home! Frontline do both conversions and sell used camervans as well, same as Dove in Perth does.
Happywanderer said
02:27 PM Jun 16, 2011
Love your van Vic. Well set out, a lot of thought has gone into it I can see. Love the newness and freshness of it after poor old Myrtle. Re: seat covers. In the heat I can't stand the sheepwool covers. I find them far too hot, but thats just me. So I have the velour ones, you will have seen the purple ones with the swarm of dragonflies all over them!!
villatranquilla said
02:37 PM Jun 16, 2011
Hi Vic - looks great. Jayco Gypsy is trying to organise a weekend get together (9th and 10th July) possibly Heron Pt (free with flushing toilets but no water or power) - a good shakedown trip maybe??????????? cheers Barry
Vic said
03:49 PM Jun 16, 2011
Thanks Dunco and Marg, Jen and Barry. Hmmm......not sure about the seat covers, the sheep skin ones certainly look comfortable for long trips, but hot to sit on I do not want, although I think most are even then if you sit on them long enough....hmmmmm.......
Hi Jenny and Barry, did go to Heron Point for a day picnic with the group in January 2010, I think Jayco Gypsy may be changing it to Dwellingup in July as some want showers etc, not too sure how we will be situated then but will see either location. Here is a pic of our last meet there;
Also not sure about the sheepskin covers. From my experiance, they tend to shed a little. Not good with dark clothes. Also I find they have a bit of an odour. But, they do wash up great. My experiance goes back to when they first came out and were the flavour of the month. Hubby sold heaps through accessories outlet (about 30yrs ago)
Vic said
04:15 PM Jun 16, 2011
Thanks Chi Chi will bear that in mind too, good to hear from someone who sold them.
Marg, Myrtle will serve you well once you get the bugs sorted out, it cost me heaps to get what I wanted but I won't go into that here, selling my caravan and tug paid for the better part of it. I am also using mine like you for my shopping cart too, can't afford two vehicles.
Toyota's are pretty reliable and easy to fix and parts there are so many around, yours will be fine and give you lots of pleasure, bling is not everything. Only five more days now and you will know the outcome of your checks etc, we are all keeping our fingers crossed for you
Ma said
04:47 PM Jun 16, 2011
patrolst wrote:
Hi Vic
The van fitout looks good. to answer your question on the seat covers we purchased the 4star natural fleece 20mm pile lambswool covers from Auto Barn for the Patrol we find it the very hot days of driving they are very comfortable, They have the natural lambswool on the seat and back but have the synthetic lambswool on the bottom skirts and around the sides and back of the seats.
The pair with seperate head rests cost $295.00
Regards Jim
I bought the same ones as you P, about 12 years ago now. Just keep changing them over to each tug we get. They are still as good as new and like it's already been said they was up really well. I just use woolwash and a little bit of fabric conditioner in the rinse.
Never had any trouble with them being too hot in summer and they do tend to make you feel just that tad warmer in winter I find.
Gerty Dancer said
08:23 PM Jun 16, 2011
We have sheepskin covers in the Prado, no shedding, warm if its cold, and NOT hot or sweaty if the cars hot. The only downside I can see is that they are a bit of a fuss to wash, or expensive to dryclean.
In my little car (which I havent seen for ages, its at home in the garage all alone) I put a sheepskin on the drivers seat, and a cheaper synthetic one on the passenger seat. My passenger complained about that seat cover, said its sweaty, so I asked him to provide another sheepskin... maybe next year?
Sheba said
09:03 PM Jun 16, 2011
I've copied an Idea from my sister. Got a couple of large Bath Towels, and stitched the tops to fit over the Headrest of the seats. Sewed Elastic about 1/3 rd of the way down from one side to the other, and fitted them over the Seats.
Easy to take on and off to wash when necessary. Easier than cleaning Seat Covers.
Cheers.
Sheba.
Cruising Granny said
10:19 PM Jun 16, 2011
gubby wrote:
Just a word of warning, that green shadecloth is too thick to allow enough air through. Down here in Vic when the locust plague was at it's worst a lot of people made their own screens with the green shade cloth and had big problems, the one's recommended were a tan coloured cloth, it wasn't as dense as the green. Also a lot of vehicles these days the main air intake is not through the grill but from below the bumper, people were protecting the grill but still getting a radiator full of rubbish.
I installed fly screen between the radiator and the grill, behind the grill. It's been there since I bought the car in 04 and I have no problems with over-heating. It was very handy in the grasshopper plague in the Barossa a few months ago. The screen was from a van which did a new one when I was in Broome. Very simple, non-obtrusive and can stay there forever, or as long as it lasts. Fly screen is available at Bunnings by the metre.
Esmeralda said
10:38 PM Jun 16, 2011
Vic I have sheepskin covers and they are terrific. Granted they weren't cheap ones but they don't shed and they are very comfy.
Vic said
10:45 PM Jun 16, 2011
Sheba wrote:
I've copied an Idea from my sister. Got a couple of large Bath Towels, and stitched the tops to fit over the Headrest of the seats. Sewed Elastic about 1/3 rd of the way down from one side to the other, and fitted them over the Seats.
Easy to take on and off to wash when necessary. Easier than cleaning Seat Covers.
Cheers.
Sheba.
Do the towels only fit over the upright part of the of the two seats but not on the seat part itself? If it covers the seat part too how do you keep it on the lower section?
Flyscreen sounds good too CG.....thanks also Essie, Gerty and Ma, glad yours are ok and work fine for you.
Here's a couple of shots, still have a couple of things to add myself, but mostly finished.
It has one sliding window with flyscreen, can be used for single or double bed, rear lift up end on bed that can be accessed from outside (as well as inside) for easy access to storage, LED reading lights, roof light and bench light. 80ltr Waeco fridge, 12/24V, extra battery, microwave, removable spirit stove (also have a small gas cannister stove if I need it), sink/water tank and electric pump etc.
I'm not read to hit the road yet, but will do a shakedown when I have finished it off to my satisfaction.......The conversion was done by Dove Campervan Conversions in Perth, they were excellent and will do the conversion anyway you want them to, fittings etc, I had the beds made longer than normal.
-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:06:24 PM
Wow Vic! that looks great! Agree with your choice of fridge, we have one of those, and its excellent.
I love your new avatar, check out the chimps expression as hes groping her!!
Who are you calling a Chimp Gerty, just because I hadn't shaved.....I'm bringing our son up the same way......
Looks great Vic. Are you going to get Solar too ? Thanks for the peek.
Cheers,
Sheba.
No I don't want to load it up with too much stuff Sheba, I don't intend doing a lot of bush camping, I think it was Gerty that said before you can get about 3 days fridge power camped in one spot off the battery before recharging (either with 240V or when driving) that will be enough for me, most of the time will be spent in caravan parks or rest stops with plenty of driving distance between them to recharge the auxillary battery.
Although they are dam expensive, I decided to add a nudge bar which I am waiting to put on, wasn't too keen on doing it (dam heavy, so more weight on the front tyres to scrub out and added weight on the steering joints etc) but decided for country travel it may be best for radiator protection, also can fit some mesh with reasonable ventilation for going through those pesky locust swarms I struck last year over east, better than being stuck in the radiator etc, almost impossible to get out without damaging the core etc.
Anyway, that's more or less the plans at the moment, add some indoor/outdoor carpet or mats to protect the vinyl, a couple of weathershields (one each side of the cab) new rubber floor mats and dash & steering wheel cover and still haven't sorted out the bedding yet. Have lots of bits and pieces from my previous caravan I can use, but really want to restrict what I carry so some I won't .
Does anyone have any good hints for seat covers for the High Ace please, types, material (eg; lambswool/synthetic etc)? I will only do the driver and passenger seat, not the dicky seat in the middle.
Thanks for the compliments all, just hope it fullfills the purpose, time will tell, have had two campers before but a long time ago!
-- Edited by Vic on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:32:59 PM
This is what my sister has on her Motorhome. It only comes off to be cleaned when necessary. She made it herself. You can see it's attatched with Cable Ties.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 10:57:07 PM
Hi Sheba, good pics of your sisters van and handy hint with the mesh, those Iveco's have a very good engine in them too. I have exactly the same type and colour mesh as a privacy screen on our front see through fence panel (villa unit).
When I told the mechanic about having an insect screen he advised about not having too tight a mesh as the vehicle radiator/transmission cooler needs all the ventilation it can get. Last year I used a similar mesh tied to the nudge bar of my X'Trail, but a prior vehicle I got some bird wire (smaller than chicken wire) and had that over the front, gave a bit more ventilation although let some of the smaller insects through, but stopped the locusts. I have also gone through a swarm of bees, and once up north a large swarm of all things dragon flies, never seen a swarm of them before or since.....
Any suggestions for seat cover types etc? Are sheep skin covers worth the cost? Synthetic? Thanks.
Just a word of warning, that green shadecloth is too thick to allow enough air through. Down here in Vic when the locust plague was at it's worst a lot of people made their own screens with the green shade cloth and had big problems, the one's recommended were a tan coloured cloth, it wasn't as dense as the green. Also a lot of vehicles these days the main air intake is not through the grill but from below the bumper, people were protecting the grill but still getting a radiator full of rubbish.
As I said I have the same shade cloth on my front fence and when the wind is blowing it doesn't let the wind through, it's like a sail on a boat, even with a few holes in it. There are some cheaper shade cloth with looser knit (bigger holes) in it too.
My mechanic said the same thing as you Gubby....
Hi Vic
The van fitout looks good. to answer your question on the seat covers we purchased the 4star natural fleece 20mm pile lambswool covers from Auto Barn for the Patrol we find it the very hot days of driving they are very comfortable, They have the natural lambswool on the seat and back but have the synthetic lambswool on the bottom skirts and around the sides and back of the seats.
The pair with seperate head rests cost $295.00
Regards Jim
Wow Vic, thats beautiful mate. A lot of sensible thought gone into it to give you maximum space by the looks.
I would go for lambswool for all the reasons Jim stated and they wash up a treat too. Warm in winter, cool in summer, can't ask for more than that. They may cost a bit more but if you have seatcovers, thats the ultimate comfort isn't it.
Vic we do the shade cloth as well and for the same reasons. One thing we didn't count on was hitting an eagle, big wedgie in fact. If it wasn't for the shade cloth at the time, the radiator would have been compromised big time. I will see if I can find a picture and put it up later.
Love to see those eagle pics FF, I hit one near Uluru with a previous campervan, hit the front roof but never saw it again, I did pull up but it was gone, no damage to the vehicle, don't know about the wedgie though.
Bill, it is a 2007 2.7 Petrol Auto High Ace. Dove in Perth did the conversion and I'm really pleased with it. I have seen a few Frontline Hi Ace conversions from over east (main factory in NSW, branches in Ballina, some other states and Queensland) google Frontline Campers and it will bring them up for the Queensland one. I see one also specializes in fishing gear, just to make you feel right at home! Frontline do both conversions and sell used camervans as well, same as Dove in Perth does.
Re: seat covers. In the heat I can't stand the sheepwool covers. I find them far too hot, but thats just me. So I have the velour ones, you will have seen the purple ones with the swarm of dragonflies all over them!!
cheers Barry
Thanks Dunco and Marg, Jen and Barry. Hmmm......not sure about the seat covers, the sheep skin ones certainly look comfortable for long trips, but hot to sit on I do not want, although I think most are even then if you sit on them long enough....hmmmmm.......
Hi Jenny and Barry, did go to Heron Point for a day picnic with the group in January 2010, I think Jayco Gypsy may be changing it to Dwellingup in July as some want showers etc, not too sure how we will be situated then but will see either location. Here is a pic of our last meet there;
Thanks Chi Chi will bear that in mind too, good to hear from someone who sold them.
Marg, Myrtle will serve you well once you get the bugs sorted out, it cost me heaps to get what I wanted but I won't go into that here, selling my caravan and tug paid for the better part of it. I am also using mine like you for my shopping cart too, can't afford two vehicles.
Toyota's are pretty reliable and easy to fix and parts there are so many around, yours will be fine and give you lots of pleasure, bling is not everything. Only five more days now and you will know the outcome of your checks etc, we are all keeping our fingers crossed for you
In my little car (which I havent seen for ages, its at home in the garage all alone) I put a sheepskin on the drivers seat, and a cheaper synthetic one on the passenger seat. My passenger complained about that seat cover, said its sweaty, so I asked him to provide another sheepskin... maybe next year?
I've copied an Idea from my sister. Got a couple of large Bath Towels, and stitched the tops to fit over the Headrest of the seats. Sewed Elastic about 1/3 rd of the way down from one side to the other, and fitted them over the Seats.
Easy to take on and off to wash when necessary. Easier than cleaning Seat Covers.
Cheers.
Sheba.
I installed fly screen between the radiator and the grill, behind the grill. It's been there since I bought the car in 04 and I have no problems with over-heating.
It was very handy in the grasshopper plague in the Barossa a few months ago.
The screen was from a van which did a new one when I was in Broome. Very simple, non-obtrusive and can stay there forever, or as long as it lasts. Fly screen is available at Bunnings by the metre.