I thought when I wrote the previous post that I'd given up on any further work for today, however it didn't quite work out that way.
One of the things I'd decided on straight away was to replace the radio in Little Dai. I wasn't too keen on the one installed when I bought it and I fancied going for a DAB one as I tend to listen to Smooth Radio these days. Having a DAB car radio saves carrying a separate one for camping.
I'd found a Philips radio on special offer with money off and the DAB adapter thrown in. An added bonus is that not only does it have front and rear USB ports it takes an SD card as well. There's no CD player but I can't remember when I last put a CD in the car. I also picked up an active windscreen film aerial. Reviews on these are a bit mixed but I felt it worth a try.
Having tried, and failed, to get the radio out yesterday the first thing today was to head to Halfords for the correct Sony removal tools. That proved to be a total waste of time and money! At that point I decided to give up, particularly as it was raining.
After lunch I decide to give it one further go. It turned out that instead of being mounted in a cage as normal the radio is bolted in on two brackets which also hold a dashboard storage bin. The only way to get it out (and the new one is) was to remove the front of the dash, although this proved quite easy. Once that was done I could get everything unbolted. I had to modify the brackets slightly to get them to fit on the new radio but at least having the dash out made routing the aerial lead relatively easy.
A quick test before putting it all back together proved successful, with a decent DAB signal. I had some further modifying to do on the bezel and it may need a dab of glue just to hold it in place but overall I'm very happy with the job. Later on I'll sort out an SD card (I have plenty) and get it programmed up with all the required music.
In the mean time I did also source some cheap floor mats from Wilkinson which I've cut down for the back to protect the carpets and make it easier to keep clean. I will get some proper fitted floor mats for the front though.
Monday 26 May 2014
Curtains & Kit
I took advantage of some reasonable weather on Saturday afternoon and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend to get things ready for my first trip away. The good news is that I've managed to get everything in! I may add some photos later but for the moment rain has stopped play.
I wasn't all that keen on the curtain wires stretching right across the front doors and the fixings to the front visors were fairly grotty so I took the decision to go with the conventional arrangement. I'll use the stick on blinds for the windscreen and front two doors and curtains for the remainder. I've modified two of the brackets for the curtain wires and shortened them so they now run to the B-Pillars and, for the moment, used one of the very front curtains as a replacement for the missing one. I also found that although there were curtains and a wire for the rear screen there seemed to be a lack of any way to fix it in place. Fortunately we have the technology and two new brackets were quickly fabricated and screwed onto the tailgate. I'll shortly be hunting around on the 'net and ordering a new set of curtains, preferably in a blackout material, but the existing ones will work for next weekend.
After a lot of sorting through the kit I removed from the folding camper, the box of stuff I used for tent camping and the sheds I've managed to pack everything I want in. There had to be some compromises. I would have liked to take the Double Skillet as it's very versatile but space just doesn't permit. I was determined to fit nearly all the cooking & eating stuff onto the shelf below the sink and I achieved that by removing the outermost pan from the camper pan set. If I ever do have guests though I'll have to consider taking extra bits. The kettle and a mug will live in the sink when travelling - they're usually the first thing out anyway.
I'd noted when I looked the motorhome over before deciding to buy that the coolbox and Porta-Potti both needed a good clean. I only realised whilst sorting out that the Dealer had resolved this by replacing them with brand new ones.
With the cooking and crockery, etc. stowed as I'd hoped I've got a decent sized cupboard for food storage. I've already stocked up with a few tins and packets ready so I'll just need to add fresh when I go away (although in theory I will have absolutely everything I need to just take off if I feel like it).
I had to remove the shelf from where the gas bottle stows, clearly it had been used with a smaller Camping Gaz 904 bottle. As I've already got a 907 bottle (or three) and the 904's are a horrendously expensive way to by gas I felt the modification was justified. I've still been able to pack a few bits around the bottle.
The remaining bigger bits of camping kit, i.e. the level ramps, fan heater, etc. have stowed in one of the two rear seats. If I was away for a fortnight I'd need that space but they can stay there for day-to-day use. I know that for longer trips with the awning (when I get it) I'll be travelling with some kit stowed on the floor - I've bought a small plastic dustbin which can easily be chucked in with everything inside then chucked out into the awning.
Curtains
I thought I had a full set of both curtains and stick-on thermal blinds however when I checked closely this isn't the case. There are blinds for all the windows, although storing them takes up quite a bit of room, and curtains for the sides and back window, or there should be however the side curtain for behind the stove is missing.I wasn't all that keen on the curtain wires stretching right across the front doors and the fixings to the front visors were fairly grotty so I took the decision to go with the conventional arrangement. I'll use the stick on blinds for the windscreen and front two doors and curtains for the remainder. I've modified two of the brackets for the curtain wires and shortened them so they now run to the B-Pillars and, for the moment, used one of the very front curtains as a replacement for the missing one. I also found that although there were curtains and a wire for the rear screen there seemed to be a lack of any way to fix it in place. Fortunately we have the technology and two new brackets were quickly fabricated and screwed onto the tailgate. I'll shortly be hunting around on the 'net and ordering a new set of curtains, preferably in a blackout material, but the existing ones will work for next weekend.
Kit
Kit packing in such a small vehicle is always going to be a cross between an art and a science. One of my reasons for this particular one though is that I reckoned there is sufficient storage.After a lot of sorting through the kit I removed from the folding camper, the box of stuff I used for tent camping and the sheds I've managed to pack everything I want in. There had to be some compromises. I would have liked to take the Double Skillet as it's very versatile but space just doesn't permit. I was determined to fit nearly all the cooking & eating stuff onto the shelf below the sink and I achieved that by removing the outermost pan from the camper pan set. If I ever do have guests though I'll have to consider taking extra bits. The kettle and a mug will live in the sink when travelling - they're usually the first thing out anyway.
I'd noted when I looked the motorhome over before deciding to buy that the coolbox and Porta-Potti both needed a good clean. I only realised whilst sorting out that the Dealer had resolved this by replacing them with brand new ones.
With the cooking and crockery, etc. stowed as I'd hoped I've got a decent sized cupboard for food storage. I've already stocked up with a few tins and packets ready so I'll just need to add fresh when I go away (although in theory I will have absolutely everything I need to just take off if I feel like it).
I had to remove the shelf from where the gas bottle stows, clearly it had been used with a smaller Camping Gaz 904 bottle. As I've already got a 907 bottle (or three) and the 904's are a horrendously expensive way to by gas I felt the modification was justified. I've still been able to pack a few bits around the bottle.
The remaining bigger bits of camping kit, i.e. the level ramps, fan heater, etc. have stowed in one of the two rear seats. If I was away for a fortnight I'd need that space but they can stay there for day-to-day use. I know that for longer trips with the awning (when I get it) I'll be travelling with some kit stowed on the floor - I've bought a small plastic dustbin which can easily be chucked in with everything inside then chucked out into the awning.
Thursday 22 May 2014
Little Dai Comes Home
With finance and insurance finally all in place it was time to fetch Little Dai home. A friend, Steve, kindly agreed to drive me up to the dealer's near Nottingham and to hang about to make sure all was OK.
There were no problems with the handover - the chap reckoned it was the fastest he's ever done! That's partly down to the very simple systems on Dai and partly due to my existing knowledge. One positive was he confirmed there is already a leisure battery on a split charge relay, it's behind a panel. I also got the details of the 3 year RAC warranty. It's limited, but adequate and a bit of a bonus.
Steve decided to follow me home, a decision he might have regretted! The first problem was actually getting out of the dealer's gate due to the volume of traffic. We managed in the end but I was distracted and forgot to pull in to the garage opposite to fill up. As the tank was showing empty I carried on past the M1 towards Nottingham as I knew there was a garage down there. Quick fill up (very quick, it's a small tank) remembering to put petrol in and the darn thing wouldn't start. Lights came on, but it just wouldn't turn over. I was on the point of phoning the dealer when I thought to try with the clutch depressed - well I know now!
The weather at this point was OK but it didn't last. It deteriorated rapidly to the point where it was a very unpleasant drive. The Daihatsu seems more comfortable at an indicated 60-65 than 70, I fully expected that being honest and don't consider it a problem. In general I'll plan journeys around A roads where possible and just leave a bit more time.
It's now out on the drive and I'll be spending the evening emptying the Citroen and starting to fill Dai up! I'm going to have to be fairly ruthless in how much I carry but there's enough space I think. I don't think I can live with the existing radio for long so I've also got to decide whether to lift the one out of the old car or just buy new - I'd like one with DAB capability for when on site so the latter is likely.
There were no problems with the handover - the chap reckoned it was the fastest he's ever done! That's partly down to the very simple systems on Dai and partly due to my existing knowledge. One positive was he confirmed there is already a leisure battery on a split charge relay, it's behind a panel. I also got the details of the 3 year RAC warranty. It's limited, but adequate and a bit of a bonus.
Steve decided to follow me home, a decision he might have regretted! The first problem was actually getting out of the dealer's gate due to the volume of traffic. We managed in the end but I was distracted and forgot to pull in to the garage opposite to fill up. As the tank was showing empty I carried on past the M1 towards Nottingham as I knew there was a garage down there. Quick fill up (very quick, it's a small tank) remembering to put petrol in and the darn thing wouldn't start. Lights came on, but it just wouldn't turn over. I was on the point of phoning the dealer when I thought to try with the clutch depressed - well I know now!
The weather at this point was OK but it didn't last. It deteriorated rapidly to the point where it was a very unpleasant drive. The Daihatsu seems more comfortable at an indicated 60-65 than 70, I fully expected that being honest and don't consider it a problem. In general I'll plan journeys around A roads where possible and just leave a bit more time.
It's now out on the drive and I'll be spending the evening emptying the Citroen and starting to fill Dai up! I'm going to have to be fairly ruthless in how much I carry but there's enough space I think. I don't think I can live with the existing radio for long so I've also got to decide whether to lift the one out of the old car or just buy new - I'd like one with DAB capability for when on site so the latter is likely.
Sunday 18 May 2014
Buying Little Dai
Why?
I've been camping, caravanning and boating at various times since I was a few years' old. Most recently I've owned a succession of folding campers, the latest being a Pennine Pathfinder. These are about the largest of the folders available with 4-6 berths, fitted cassette toilet, oven, hot & cold water, etc. At the time I bought it I was often away with friends at boat rallies but more recently I've tended to be away by myself. The camper was great for a two-week holiday but generally too much hassle to put up and take down for shorter breaks or for touring. On my own it would take a good hour+ to set up and the same to take down. I also suffer back problems which made it even harder and sometimes painful.I'd had thoughts about motorhomes for quite a while, with the stipulation that I couldn't realistically afford to run two vehicles.
Criteria
The exact criteria for a motorhome did change as I was looking at examples and thinking about the subject. The key points were:- Must be usable as an every day car, that means it would have to fit into standard car parks easily and go under height barriers. I was aiming for a maximum height of 2m but prepared to accept up to about 2.2m (there's a car park I use regularly that's set at that). That ruled out any high-tops and many of the van conversions were just too big. It also ruled out all but a few coach-builts.
- Standing head room wasn't on the list initially but I crewed on a boat for a while where even I couldn't stand up (and I'm not tall). The owners (family and friends) changed to a larger boat and that was one of the reasons - it's not easy doing everything in a crouched position. Combined with the height limits that meant it had to be a pop-top.
- A toilet! I wanted to be able to stop in places without facilities and I hate the 3am dash through the rain to site facilities so some provision for a toilet was essential. I'm not squeamish about such things and as I'm usually on my own I was quite happy with a small Porta-Potti tucked into a cupboard. Good job really as that's what I've got.
- A stove and sink with running water were also essentials, as was some sort of worktop space. You can manage with a camping stove and a washing up bowl but if I was going to do that I might as well camp. Worktop space is the one thing lacking on the folding camper and it was always a nuisance.
- Practical sleeping space for 1 person seems obvious but that didn't seem to be the case. Quite a few conversions I looked at had huge double beds that once they were pulled out and set up filled the entire area meaning you'd struggle to even put the kettle on without packing the bed away. I wanted something where you could still move around a bit with the bed(s) set up. The two single beds in Little Dai are ideal, although I'd have preferred ones that didn't include the front seats. In a vehicle that small there had to be a compromise somewhere and that's it.
- I wanted something ready to go. I looked at, planned and seriously considered my own conversion. I've just about got the skills and equipment to do this but in the end decided it would be a lot of work and there would always be issues around insurance and things.
- Whatever I got needed sufficient storage space that I could go away with everything put away. I'd accepted that for a longer trip I'd have the awning, etc. on the floor but that was my limit. I definitely wanted to be able to go away for a weekend without worrying about having loads of stuff "on show".
Looking Around
I looked at various options all over the country (well from the South Coast to Yorkshire to be exact). These included a very well done conversion on a Citroen Berlingo that ultimately failed the storage test and was really just too cramped. I also didn't like how the beds made up.For quite a while I was keen on a Mazda Bongo. I think if I'd found one with the right conversion I might have gone that route although I had a concern about the driving position. They're also not the most economical vehicles. I looked at a few but none suited me.
Looking at the smallest conversions I rejected one, a Suzuki Wagon R must be about the smallest motorhome conversion ever! It looked very well done but was clearly just too small. There were a few Daihatsus and Suzukis coming up on Autotrader so I focussed my attention on these. I took the opportunity of a weekend trip to Leeds to do some looking and, on my way up, looked at Little Dai at a dealer's near Nottingham. As soon as I got in I felt it was right. It fulfilled all the criteria mentioned above, was sensibly equipped (just the lack of fitted mains electric to worry about) and was sensibly priced. I did the right thing though and walked away for a think.
Whilst in Leeds I looked at a couple of Suzuki conversions as well. The workmanship was very good but ultimately I felt they'd crammed too much in - the pop-top was almost wasted as there wasn't enough floor space to actually stand up.
Buying Little Dai
Having left the dealer's for a think about things I very nearly turned round and went back. Sensibly I waited until my return journey on the Sunday having cogitated for a couple of days. I had another good look around and had a brief test drive then decided that yes, it was the right option for me. The business side didn't take too much sorting and I arranged to collect it a week later when I'd sorted the finance and insurance - I'd forgotten though that it was a bank holiday weekend!Finance should have been easy, search the 'net, select a provider and complete the online application. That's how it should work, but they contacted me to say they couldn't trace me at my previous address (after all I only lived there 38 years)! It was easily resolved but that was another day lost and coupled with the post meant the forms didn't get back to them for a week or so.
The difficulty with the insurance was the requirement to have cover for commuting to work. Some won't cover it at all, others wanted a huge premium. Some also wouldn't cover more than about 10,000 miles a year. Fortunately the Caravan Club came through with a very sensible quote, with all the cover I need.
Next Steps
That's about where it rests at the moment. The money is in the bank ready, I've arranged the pickup and a friend to give me a lift there, and can't now wait.In the mean time I've been assembling equipment, mainly from "stock" as I've been clearing the old camper ready for sale and I've also got some kit stored away. I'll set up a page about equipment later.
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