Discussion
Yet more caravan/camper shenanigans this week.
Last week I borrowed my brothers VW T2 for 10 days in devon/cornwall for an experiance.
first thoughts?
the steering wheel is huge, and requires reasonable force to turn at low speeds, but frees up nicely when moving. Brakes? well there was a middle pedal, but what it was connected to i couldn't fathom.
inertia was removed with wind resistance and changing down, the middle pedal was merely a foot rest in the proceedings.
the engine? well it sounded like a disgruntled pig, snorting and snuffling on over-run, and provided very little in terms or forward momentum. added that to the comically short gears (1st 5mph, 2nd 15mph, 3rd 45mph, 4th anyones guess..) meant momentum was king.
I urge everyone to drive and old VW camper, it makes you realize so many home truths in driving.
Braking distances are a start, i ended up leaving 3 car lengths behind most cars at all time. With no servo you have to 'earn' the right to stop, using all weapons at your disposal (engine braking helps immeasurably). New cars with ABS, and hair trigger middle pedals do not help drivers realize just how long it takes to stop!
Traffic. I was stunned to see during that week how pathetic our roads, and standard of driving really is. The twinport 1600 had at best 60bhp. pushing a garden shed. So how is it i spent my week literally 'pushing' cars along dual carriage ways/motorways at 56mph, at out cornering cars on NSL roads at 30mph?
Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
one of the negatives of the week was having to pack everything away before you move off, something you wouldn't have to do in a *shudder* Caravan.
Other than that, it was a great experience, and i almost faceplanted my steering wheel in the megane whilst trying to move it!
Matt
Last week I borrowed my brothers VW T2 for 10 days in devon/cornwall for an experiance.
first thoughts?
the steering wheel is huge, and requires reasonable force to turn at low speeds, but frees up nicely when moving. Brakes? well there was a middle pedal, but what it was connected to i couldn't fathom.
inertia was removed with wind resistance and changing down, the middle pedal was merely a foot rest in the proceedings.
the engine? well it sounded like a disgruntled pig, snorting and snuffling on over-run, and provided very little in terms or forward momentum. added that to the comically short gears (1st 5mph, 2nd 15mph, 3rd 45mph, 4th anyones guess..) meant momentum was king.
I urge everyone to drive and old VW camper, it makes you realize so many home truths in driving.
Braking distances are a start, i ended up leaving 3 car lengths behind most cars at all time. With no servo you have to 'earn' the right to stop, using all weapons at your disposal (engine braking helps immeasurably). New cars with ABS, and hair trigger middle pedals do not help drivers realize just how long it takes to stop!
Traffic. I was stunned to see during that week how pathetic our roads, and standard of driving really is. The twinport 1600 had at best 60bhp. pushing a garden shed. So how is it i spent my week literally 'pushing' cars along dual carriage ways/motorways at 56mph, at out cornering cars on NSL roads at 30mph?
Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
one of the negatives of the week was having to pack everything away before you move off, something you wouldn't have to do in a *shudder* Caravan.
Other than that, it was a great experience, and i almost faceplanted my steering wheel in the megane whilst trying to move it!
Matt
Edited by _Batty_ on Friday 6th August 09:52
_Batty_ said:
Traffic. I was stunned to see during that week how pathetic our roads, and standard of driving really is. The twinport 1600 had at best 60bhp. pushing a garden shed. So how is it i spent my week literally 'pushing' cars along dual carriage ways/motorways at 56mph, at out cornering cars on NSL roads at 30mph?
Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Nicely showing that those who claim "under-powered cars are dangerous" are talking out of their arses. Idiot drivers are dangerous.Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Sounds like a fun trip and a good reminder of driving rather than piloting a car (well, van
).ewenm said:
_Batty_ said:
Traffic. I was stunned to see during that week how pathetic our roads, and standard of driving really is. The twinport 1600 had at best 60bhp. pushing a garden shed. So how is it i spent my week literally 'pushing' cars along dual carriage ways/motorways at 56mph, at out cornering cars on NSL roads at 30mph?
Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Nicely showing that those who claim "under-powered cars are dangerous" are talking out of their arses. Idiot drivers are dangerous.Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Sounds like a fun trip and a good reminder of driving rather than piloting a car (well, van
).and not once did i pass 60mph!
Nice write-up! These old things are a lot of fun, but they bring it home to you how far car technology has come in the last few decades. That van is probably running on its original drums and very likely they were out of adjustment. Remember when you had to regularly adjust stuff just to keep it working? No, me neither, and I'm old.
I do think they need more power and better brakes, so I put a twin carb 1776 engine and front discs on mine. Some people claim that slow speeds are all part of the charm, but they're wrong. You need to be able to outrun HGV's because if those things overtake you, the van gets sucked into the slipstream, you lose control and the word 'charming' isn't even on the list. They're hardly the last word in passenger safety after all, so I reckon these mods are a good investment... When I first bought it and drove it back on its original engine, I was surprised to find that there are actually hills on the M25, something I never noticed before.
Mine at the British GP this year
Jenson Buttons at the British Grand Prix this year
I do think they need more power and better brakes, so I put a twin carb 1776 engine and front discs on mine. Some people claim that slow speeds are all part of the charm, but they're wrong. You need to be able to outrun HGV's because if those things overtake you, the van gets sucked into the slipstream, you lose control and the word 'charming' isn't even on the list. They're hardly the last word in passenger safety after all, so I reckon these mods are a good investment... When I first bought it and drove it back on its original engine, I was surprised to find that there are actually hills on the M25, something I never noticed before.
Mine at the British GP this year
Jenson Buttons at the British Grand Prix this year
The Crack Fox said:
I've seen a few Campers about lately, must be the season for 'em, always look great but the prospect of doing a few miles on the motorway in one must be a bit daunting. Unless it's that nutter with a 911-engined one... 
This is VW show season; there's a show somewhere virtually every weekend over the summer and it's safer to go in convoy because breakdowns aren't exactly unheard of! Oh, and several people have put 911 engines in the backs of their vans (they don't drop straight in whatever the guy down the pub says). I'd originally planned doing this with mine, but you know there are many good reasons why supercars are low and wide, the ability to go round corners with all four wheels still connected to the tarmac being one of them. All camper vans are way to go..... T2,T3,T4,Toyota HiAce,Regius, Mazda Bongo's,Nissan Elgrand....as well as some smaller ones.....
They are great....travel anywhere, roll out the awning, pop the top....then off next day... some may be slow but at least you have beer in the fridge...
I have a 4wd Bongo..great fun, goes anywhere, ,met with some Bongo's and T2's at Windermere, great fun and swapping of notes and tips....
They are great....travel anywhere, roll out the awning, pop the top....then off next day... some may be slow but at least you have beer in the fridge...
I have a 4wd Bongo..great fun, goes anywhere, ,met with some Bongo's and T2's at Windermere, great fun and swapping of notes and tips....
I know my old T25 2.1 injection monster was very poor on the MPG. But I did love the chug, chug no hurry affair about them.
Oddest problem I found was fitting a stereo. I found it would not fit properly into the housing. After jiggling the wires and block connectors it took me a while to find the problem why it would not go back any further. It was hitting the FRONT of the van.
BTW: How many waves / flashes did you get....dude
Added: There is a nice T25 floating around town and is an absolute s
t heap and is covered in dirt/moss and green slime. It annoys me so much as I really want another one but they are making too much for me now.
Oddest problem I found was fitting a stereo. I found it would not fit properly into the housing. After jiggling the wires and block connectors it took me a while to find the problem why it would not go back any further. It was hitting the FRONT of the van.
BTW: How many waves / flashes did you get....dude
Added: There is a nice T25 floating around town and is an absolute s
t heap and is covered in dirt/moss and green slime. It annoys me so much as I really want another one but they are making too much for me now.Edited by Morningside on Friday 6th August 22:33
Superb write up.
I am very, very jealous.Ive done 2 eninge changes on those bloody things now , and numerous oil seals , you had a crossover batty , early bay front with the later rear , my mate had one , and it was sweet as , but oh no he wanted an early bat with teh small rear lights half moon air intakes , so he got one of them , had the same pop top as yours and let in more water than my tap does into my bath! to drive , let just say its an experience !
_Batty_ said:
ewenm said:
_Batty_ said:
Traffic. I was stunned to see during that week how pathetic our roads, and standard of driving really is. The twinport 1600 had at best 60bhp. pushing a garden shed. So how is it i spent my week literally 'pushing' cars along dual carriage ways/motorways at 56mph, at out cornering cars on NSL roads at 30mph?
Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Nicely showing that those who claim "under-powered cars are dangerous" are talking out of their arses. Idiot drivers are dangerous.Why do you need to brake in a 1 series approaching an open corner at 30mph in a 60 zone? are you expecting it to lunch into the sky like Webbers Redbull?!
it is a 50 year old camper and yet i was being held up?! this shouldn't be so.
Sounds like a fun trip and a good reminder of driving rather than piloting a car (well, van
).and not once did i pass 60mph!
It is nice to "drive" a car but can be difficult to fully account for the brain dead who don't take any notice of a cars vintage and assume they can cut back in front of you at the drop of a hat and then brake hard for their exit (just one example)!
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