Craikeybaby's VW T5 Bike Van

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Craikeybaby said:

Thanks, what size Five out of interest? I'm on a medium Four

LRCX3328 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

Medium too but it's a 2022 prototype so a touch longer/slacker.

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks. It should be OK then - we often take the single rear seat out for longer trips anyway.

[Craikeybaby]

I managed to fix the bonnet catch on my lunchbreak yesterday - it was just a case of forcing the latch over with a long screwdriver, then lubing the pivot point. Something to keep an eye on in future, but will take a free fix as a win!

Whilst I had the van round by the garage I took the opportunity to try my bikes in the back without their front wheels, they don't quite fit straight in, but it should work:

[Craikeybaby]

The van is booked in at my local Transporter specialist, Rising Sun Campers, for the following work next month:

• Minor service
• Brake fluid change
• Insulation/carpeting of the back section
• Fixing the rear screenwash (investigation requires the back to be stripped, so it will be done as part of the above)
• Awning rail fitted
• Some minor paintwork issues to be addressed

I will also ask them to investigate the intermittent starting issues again, as it failed to start the first time a couple of times over the weekend. Previously it was only happening about once a month.

Edited by Craikeybaby on Sunday 23 April 21:32

[Craikeybaby]

Today I took the van to Bicester Scramble, I was meant to be going in my MR2, but it has got a sticky calliper that I haven't had a chance to investigate. At least going in the van meant that I could sling my bike in the back and go for a short ride on the way home!

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Pic of my bike setup. Since I took this pic I normally just put the single rear seat forward which lets me slot the Five straight in, not on an angle.

https://flic.kr/p/2oczvi9

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks, I need to start looking at options for fork mount bike holders now, as it isn't too long until the van goes in for the work. I have left it a bit late, as I am now getting a reminder for inspection/oil change whenever I start the van.

[Craikeybaby]

The van has been dropped off for an oil change/inspection, insulation and carpeting of the rear and a few other little jobs. Hopefully, I'll have it back by the end of the week. Over the weekend the intermittent starting issue, which the garage wasn't able to identify last time, happened 3 or 4 times, so hopefully, it will happen again whilst they have it so they are able to investigate it.

For bike storage, I have decided to go for a Loaded Bikes set-up, it isn't the cheapest but should give me the flexibility that the cheaper systems won't. Just holding off ordering it for now until I get the final verdict from the garage doing the work this week.

I have got a couple of trips coming up at the end of the month, so it will be good to have the Transporter upgraded.

[Craikeybaby]

Got the dreaded call from the garage whilst they were working on the van...

One of the Kombi windows are leaking (a known issue with the factory Kombis), so I am getting both replaced with aftermarket versions. I knew this would happen eventually, so may as well get both done in the same visit.

[Craikeybaby]

Got the van back earlier in the week, it looks good inside. I have also fitted the Loaded Bikes bike rack, and have got my spare bike in there at the moment. Sadly no photos yet as have been super busy this week. Annoyingly, they forgot to fit the awning rail, so I had to go back today to get that fitted and looking out of the window at it, it isn't exactly what I was expecting, but it will do the job. One of those times where I should have just ordered the exact part I wanted and fitted it myself.

On a more positive note - we have 2 family trips in the van coming up, starting with a trip to Somerset tomorrow to explore around Cheddar Gorge, then go to Cruise to the Prom is Weston on Sunday.

[Craikeybaby]

The disappointment of Friday was quickly forgotten after a great weekend away in the van! Yesterday it passed an important milestone



Waiting to cruise to Weston-Super-Mare by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

Today we did the VW "Cruise To The Prom" - never having been to a VW event I thought there my upper estimate was 100 VWs, but there were prob 2 or 3 times that at the meeting point to drive in the Weston-Super-Mare, and many more of the lawns when we got there. Most of them were Transporters, but it was nice to see the classics too. We didn't spend too much time at the show and mainly enjoyed a sunny day at the seaside. It is an event I will be keeping an eye out for next year too, as the whole family enjoyed it.

[Craikeybaby]

The van is great for carrying big things, like bikes, but rubbish for little things. As there is a decent amount of space under the double seat on the second row, I thought that could be a good place to store smaller things - previously we had our camping chairs etc under there, but they would escape over time - a box was needed.

After some research, and measuring to confirm it seemed I had 680mm x 400mm x 200mm to play with - I couldn't find anything off the shelf with those exact dimensions, and lacking the skill to make something bespoke, I found this 40l Euro Container from Screwfix which seemed to be the closest I could get. The framework at the back of the seat stops it from sliding into the back of the van under harsh acceleration from the mighty 140bhp TDI engine, and a bungee around the front legs of the seat stops it from coming forward under heavy braking. It is slightly too small for the awning and bigger seats, but perfect for all of the smaller stuff we tend to carry in the van day to day.