A lot has been happening over the last couple of months. A new job and a new house in a new city. New schools for the kids that have been received with happiness by the youngest who is always up for a challenge and by sheer misery leading to acceptance and then indifference by my eldest who hates any sort of change, isn’t 13 a wonderful age!
Where the move was concerned I happily started ringing around various hire companies to rent a large truck to do the move in but the prices they charge these days seem to be through the roof. So I sat outside drinking my morning brew looking at my old Transit wondering how many 150 mile round trips it would take in it when a large black LDV Maxus van turned into my Cul de sac with my Dad sitting in the driver’s seat grinning like a mad man. After pulling up he informs me this is his latest project and also a means to move us up north to our new life.
Now when you think of a van you automatically conjure up images of tradesmen, loads of tools and equipment piled high in the back and cabs full of half eaten breakfast rolls and rubbish. Of course there is always a copy of the Sun newspaper as well.
Well my old man has not decided to come out of retirement and start up in the building trade and thankfully he has not lost his marbles either by buying a bloody great big van as his daily run around oh no he has decided that after owning many types of campervan it is now time to build one of his own design from scratch.
Now this is not a challenge for the faint hearted, the hassle with the insurance companies alone is a nightmare then you have to pass an inspection to officially get the conversion onto the V5 registration document.
Isn’t it incredible how diverse vans can be? It’s amazing how many different types and variations there are. So why choose an LDV Maxus? This wasn’t a case of pick any van and get on with cutting the windows out of it and sticking a bed in. Oh no I am assured that it has taken weeks of careful consideration between makes, lengths, heights and width let alone engine sizes, reliability and what toys they come with. It’s a very individual choice as to what you want from your conversion. Some people like a large bathroom whilst others want at least
Where the move was concerned I happily started ringing around various hire companies to rent a large truck to do the move in but the prices they charge these days seem to be through the roof. So I sat outside drinking my morning brew looking at my old Transit wondering how many 150 mile round trips it would take in it when a large black LDV Maxus van turned into my Cul de sac with my Dad sitting in the driver’s seat grinning like a mad man. After pulling up he informs me this is his latest project and also a means to move us up north to our new life.
Now when you think of a van you automatically conjure up images of tradesmen, loads of tools and equipment piled high in the back and cabs full of half eaten breakfast rolls and rubbish. Of course there is always a copy of the Sun newspaper as well.
Well my old man has not decided to come out of retirement and start up in the building trade and thankfully he has not lost his marbles either by buying a bloody great big van as his daily run around oh no he has decided that after owning many types of campervan it is now time to build one of his own design from scratch.
Now this is not a challenge for the faint hearted, the hassle with the insurance companies alone is a nightmare then you have to pass an inspection to officially get the conversion onto the V5 registration document.
Isn’t it incredible how diverse vans can be? It’s amazing how many different types and variations there are. So why choose an LDV Maxus? This wasn’t a case of pick any van and get on with cutting the windows out of it and sticking a bed in. Oh no I am assured that it has taken weeks of careful consideration between makes, lengths, heights and width let alone engine sizes, reliability and what toys they come with. It’s a very individual choice as to what you want from your conversion. Some people like a large bathroom whilst others want at least
six beds so they can take the whole family and the dog with you. Dad wants neither of course he wants a warm van he can potter around the country in with a small cooker a comfy bed and plenty of light for reading the map to choose the next stop off point.
So the van he chose is an extra high top, long wheel base LDV Maxus. It has a 2.5 Litre common rail diesel engine with manual gearbox and the gearstick is dashboard mounted to create as much usable space as possible.
Now I make him sound like an old man which is not true as he is only in his early fifties and campervans are not only for those who are looking for ways to pass the last of their time in this mortal coil. They are as popular with the young and trendy as well as families for a fun cheap break. Now the break only becomes cheap once you have paid out a small fortune on buying a camper and by building your own you can save thousands on a purpose built van.
So as Dad accumulates the many parts he needs to commence this ambitious project we will keep calling back in to see him to check on his progress, how much hair he loses and to keep a tab on how much money he spends.
The next time you see a van go by don’t just think of parcel deliveries and builders, think of what it could be, where you could be travelling and what sights you could see in it.
An Interesting Project...
