Not very PH - VW T5 Camper
Discussion
Having taken some baby steps with the suspension and wheels it was time to swallow to pull on my big boy pants and face both the prospect of someone cutting some monstrous holes in my new pride and joy... and the large bill that follows doing so.
Windows were a relatively easy decision, the rear tailgate was already pre glazed from factory and I knew I needed some windows so that the back wasn’t like sleeping in a coffin. There’s plenty of options for windows, sliders, posh new flush sliders, and the list goes on. I opted for the original single slider on the drivers side where the kitchen would end up and a non slider window in the sliding door. The rear quarter panels if you hadn’t clocked already are false, just the panel blacked out and the window bonded over the top. This serves two purposes, one it provides some privacy in the back (plus one would be covered by the kitchen) and two from the outside it provides a more balanced look. The factory tailgate was then tinted to match.
The roof was the major sticking point, there are LOTS of options out there varying not only in price but also build quality. You can spend £1800 fully fitted for a non M1 crash tested newcomer brand upto a mind blowing £7000 for the worlds latest and greatest big brand offering. Me? I went somewhere in the middle with a Skyline M1 crash tested roof with some extras such as the scenic canvas option and gas strutted bed platform. Skyline stood out for a couple of reasons, their customer service is second to none and all of their reviews rave about how good they are. The fact they were from where I lived as a child topped it off.
A roof for me was essential, it provides not only an additional two “berths” ideally the kids when they get bigger, but also the ability to stand up and not spend time doubled over like a hunchback.
I found a local installer (more on them later!) and got the ball rolling with a lead time of 3 months! Skyline offer a mad array of colour options for both the roof shell and the canvas fitted, I played it safe with a colour coded shell and a black canvas to match into with general colour scheme.
During the installation the installers insisted on sending me proof of the butchery I was subjecting my poor defenceless van to!
And this is the finished article in various configurations, roof up and down and the scenic canvas clipped back opening it to the world.
It was a huge expense but worth every penny not fitted opening up so many more options.
Windows were a relatively easy decision, the rear tailgate was already pre glazed from factory and I knew I needed some windows so that the back wasn’t like sleeping in a coffin. There’s plenty of options for windows, sliders, posh new flush sliders, and the list goes on. I opted for the original single slider on the drivers side where the kitchen would end up and a non slider window in the sliding door. The rear quarter panels if you hadn’t clocked already are false, just the panel blacked out and the window bonded over the top. This serves two purposes, one it provides some privacy in the back (plus one would be covered by the kitchen) and two from the outside it provides a more balanced look. The factory tailgate was then tinted to match.
The roof was the major sticking point, there are LOTS of options out there varying not only in price but also build quality. You can spend £1800 fully fitted for a non M1 crash tested newcomer brand upto a mind blowing £7000 for the worlds latest and greatest big brand offering. Me? I went somewhere in the middle with a Skyline M1 crash tested roof with some extras such as the scenic canvas option and gas strutted bed platform. Skyline stood out for a couple of reasons, their customer service is second to none and all of their reviews rave about how good they are. The fact they were from where I lived as a child topped it off.
A roof for me was essential, it provides not only an additional two “berths” ideally the kids when they get bigger, but also the ability to stand up and not spend time doubled over like a hunchback.
I found a local installer (more on them later!) and got the ball rolling with a lead time of 3 months! Skyline offer a mad array of colour options for both the roof shell and the canvas fitted, I played it safe with a colour coded shell and a black canvas to match into with general colour scheme.
During the installation the installers insisted on sending me proof of the butchery I was subjecting my poor defenceless van to!
And this is the finished article in various configurations, roof up and down and the scenic canvas clipped back opening it to the world.
It was a huge expense but worth every penny not fitted opening up so many more options.
Ill have to go back when I get chance and fill in the gaps.
But essentially of late (well last 10 months!)
It was featured in one of the VW mags (VWT if you must) and labelled up as a modernish take on the classic “cal” look.
... and I was happy enough.
But I had a think and it wasn’t doing it for me, it was 8/10 and it began to knaw at me.
Queue version 2.0
Much Much lower (surprisingly still practical) and the wheels were sent off banded out and chrome powder coated, which isn’t chrome but more a raw metal finish.
Things were good , it went on a holiday trip to cornwall swallowing 1100 miles over 5 days.
Then things weren’t good. Earlier this week I was faced with a decision of a head on with a muppet cutting a junction, or risk squeezing into a gap against a parked car .
I think we can see which option I chose, and the other driver drove off.
But essentially of late (well last 10 months!)
It was featured in one of the VW mags (VWT if you must) and labelled up as a modernish take on the classic “cal” look.
... and I was happy enough.
But I had a think and it wasn’t doing it for me, it was 8/10 and it began to knaw at me.
Queue version 2.0
Much Much lower (surprisingly still practical) and the wheels were sent off banded out and chrome powder coated, which isn’t chrome but more a raw metal finish.
Things were good , it went on a holiday trip to cornwall swallowing 1100 miles over 5 days.
Then things weren’t good. Earlier this week I was faced with a decision of a head on with a muppet cutting a junction, or risk squeezing into a gap against a parked car .
I think we can see which option I chose, and the other driver drove off.
Stussy said:
Very nice T5! I must admit I’m a fan of the sportline look, and currently thinking about trading in my C350 for one.
Normally I hate the non colour coded bumpers, but along with steel wheels this one looks perfect, I’m also a huge fan of red one too, as you say, they’re not very common. I’ve been looking at some ex fire ones, are they the same red as the Miele ones?
Miele ones are Miele Röt, got a feeling Fire service stock is Tornado Red. Normally I hate the non colour coded bumpers, but along with steel wheels this one looks perfect, I’m also a huge fan of red one too, as you say, they’re not very common. I’ve been looking at some ex fire ones, are they the same red as the Miele ones?
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