AeroNautiCal
Explorer
Gorgeous! 
I can see the John Speed influence.
I can see the John Speed influence.
Intro and Our Mercedes Vario Home -Gen rack pg.5. Ideas on uprating rear suspension?
- Thread starter Anton2k3
- Start date
RepairmanSki
Observer
I'm digging how compact the bath is, can you provide any more info about it? Was it a one-piece or did you add/insert the commode and floppy sink into an existing shower surround?
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Hi RepairmanSki,
The bathroom was built using ply, then cladding in 3mm pvc sheet. The shower tray is a standard RV/camper one, as is the toilet. We routed out a groove so that the show tray sat level with the raised floor, then glued a pvc sheet over it. We then routed out the 'hole' where the shower tray is using a router bit with a guide bearing on it.
Hopefully these pics will make it clearer:
Note: the curved bit is the sliding door runner which we had to contend with!
If we were doing it again, we would probably do it a little differently. The first time it was used in the winter, the head which accumulated inthe bathroom distorted the pvc causing it to come away from the wall. This is probably in part due to the fact we didnt allow for any expansion. Thus, we had to cut and rebond/screw the pvc back on. If we did it again from scratch...maybe we would consider a different material, with lower expansion properties, or allow for it from the start!
Hope that helps.
Ta,
Anton
The bathroom was built using ply, then cladding in 3mm pvc sheet. The shower tray is a standard RV/camper one, as is the toilet. We routed out a groove so that the show tray sat level with the raised floor, then glued a pvc sheet over it. We then routed out the 'hole' where the shower tray is using a router bit with a guide bearing on it.
Hopefully these pics will make it clearer:
Note: the curved bit is the sliding door runner which we had to contend with!
If we were doing it again, we would probably do it a little differently. The first time it was used in the winter, the head which accumulated inthe bathroom distorted the pvc causing it to come away from the wall. This is probably in part due to the fact we didnt allow for any expansion. Thus, we had to cut and rebond/screw the pvc back on. If we did it again from scratch...maybe we would consider a different material, with lower expansion properties, or allow for it from the start!
Hope that helps.
Ta,
Anton
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
Nice bathroom. You sure made the most of the space you have.
andylod
Tea Drinker :-)
Hey Anton
found this site and thought you might be interested. http://vps.paymentgroup.de/uli/vario/ . Just come back from a very successful trip to france in our camper. Went over for a couple a weeks, through the Alps on the Route de Grande Alpine, Switzerland, and Italy right down to South coast. The Van never missed a beat and we were very pleased with the layout and features. never hooked up (electric) the whole time away and the 100ltr fesh water lasted approx 6 days with normal use
I'll post some internal pics soon. 
found this site and thought you might be interested. http://vps.paymentgroup.de/uli/vario/ . Just come back from a very successful trip to france in our camper. Went over for a couple a weeks, through the Alps on the Route de Grande Alpine, Switzerland, and Italy right down to South coast. The Van never missed a beat and we were very pleased with the layout and features. never hooked up (electric) the whole time away and the 100ltr fesh water lasted approx 6 days with normal use
I'll post some internal pics soon. 
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Hey guys,
Great looking van andylod, 4x4? Really wish we had 4x4, but at the very least have decided we need a difflock. I'm just trying to figure out how to do that at the moment. Great pic of the van with snow coverd mountains in background. Looks nice and tidy from the outside too, something I need to sort on ours!
No major updates at the moment. The recent work has included:
-LED Spotlight in the cab
-Replacement of webasto diesel water heater for Mikuni Mx-40. This has been a very worthwhile upgrade ,the mikuni is excellent. Its a good job too, as the webasto diesel air heater has given up so we have had to rely on the 'wet' system aux heater.
-Added a whale gulper to the shower drain, with a non return valve. This means we can park at any angle, and use everything as normal (shower, sink etc). Before, we had to park either level, or slightly nose high so that the shower would drain. Any other angles resulted in water going from the sink to the shower! In hindsight, a simple non return valve would have fixed this, but decided to go the whole hog and put a pumped system in. The Gulper activates automatically when the shower is operated (inline pressure switch in cold feed to shower), and can be turned on manually to clear the shower when done.
Next mods are a new eberspacher D2 diesel air heater.
Pics on request if anyones interested.
Very jealous of the 815D 4x4! Be sure to get a copy of John Speeds 'Travel Vans'.
Great looking van andylod, 4x4? Really wish we had 4x4, but at the very least have decided we need a difflock. I'm just trying to figure out how to do that at the moment. Great pic of the van with snow coverd mountains in background. Looks nice and tidy from the outside too, something I need to sort on ours!
No major updates at the moment. The recent work has included:
-LED Spotlight in the cab
-Replacement of webasto diesel water heater for Mikuni Mx-40. This has been a very worthwhile upgrade ,the mikuni is excellent. Its a good job too, as the webasto diesel air heater has given up so we have had to rely on the 'wet' system aux heater.
-Added a whale gulper to the shower drain, with a non return valve. This means we can park at any angle, and use everything as normal (shower, sink etc). Before, we had to park either level, or slightly nose high so that the shower would drain. Any other angles resulted in water going from the sink to the shower! In hindsight, a simple non return valve would have fixed this, but decided to go the whole hog and put a pumped system in. The Gulper activates automatically when the shower is operated (inline pressure switch in cold feed to shower), and can be turned on manually to clear the shower when done.
Next mods are a new eberspacher D2 diesel air heater.
Pics on request if anyones interested.
Very jealous of the 815D 4x4! Be sure to get a copy of John Speeds 'Travel Vans'.
andylod
Tea Drinker :-)
Hey Anton
I am in the middle of doing my diff lock at the mo. Purchased all parts from Merc and just need to get the diff casing machined. I have parts lists and pics of stuff, been a bit of a mare getting it right but hopefully we are there now. Spent £1100 so far !! Did you checkout the link to the german site with the 4x4's on ?
Ifandor
I went to have a look at your van and i must say you have a bargain there. The armour plating may make it a little heavy but very quiet .... unbelievable build quality as well, as-new van ...... good luck with it and keep us posted...
Any tech stuff or data on these vans would help as there isn't a lot available on the net.
Andy
Quick trip last week to Austria to pick up our new Trailer Stage
I am in the middle of doing my diff lock at the mo. Purchased all parts from Merc and just need to get the diff casing machined. I have parts lists and pics of stuff, been a bit of a mare getting it right but hopefully we are there now. Spent £1100 so far !! Did you checkout the link to the german site with the 4x4's on ?
Ifandor
I went to have a look at your van and i must say you have a bargain there. The armour plating may make it a little heavy but very quiet
.... unbelievable build quality as well, as-new van ...... good luck with it and keep us posted...Any tech stuff or data on these vans would help as there isn't a lot available on the net.
Andy
Quick trip last week to Austria to pick up our new Trailer Stage
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Hey guys,
Getting some great little tips off you Anton thanks, I ordered Travel vans yesterday as it happens so looking forward to getting that. Heres a link to the 4X4 815 if you're interested,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261023632...1313&_nkw=261023632788&_sacat=0&_fvi=1&_rdc=1
Just getting it registered, its gonna be a while before I get working on it but I'm planning a trip across Europe to Finland in 2013 so I'm gonna take my time and hopefully have it ready this time next year, I'll post the progress when I get going on it.
So you saw the van Andy, didnt get a chance myself but I reckon its def good value, been looking for a 4x4 vario for ages.
Getting some great little tips off you Anton thanks, I ordered Travel vans yesterday as it happens so looking forward to getting that. Heres a link to the 4X4 815 if you're interested,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261023632...1313&_nkw=261023632788&_sacat=0&_fvi=1&_rdc=1
Just getting it registered, its gonna be a while before I get working on it but I'm planning a trip across Europe to Finland in 2013 so I'm gonna take my time and hopefully have it ready this time next year, I'll post the progress when I get going on it.
So you saw the van Andy, didnt get a chance myself but I reckon its def good value, been looking for a 4x4 vario for ages.
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Aaaaah, yes, remember you let me know about the diff conversion a while ago. I'd be super interested in getting a parts list and procedure off you when it's done if you don't mind. £1100 doesn't seem that bad when aftermarket kits for landrovers etc are near that sort of money. Is yours 2x4 too then Andy? Are you on silk route?
Ifandor, that's a sweet van, with some trick stuff on it. Going to try and strip everything you don't need and sell it on? Having the aircon and generator on board already saves a massive hassle. If you want any advice or anything just drop us an email. Where abouts are you?
Ifandor, that's a sweet van, with some trick stuff on it. Going to try and strip everything you don't need and sell it on? Having the aircon and generator on board already saves a massive hassle. If you want any advice or anything just drop us an email. Where abouts are you?