Better call me BUTCH
We are also making progress with our T6.1 SpaceCamper - I have already written that we are modifying it a little and adapting it to our wishes. - We've already been asked several times why we wouldn't convert our camper ourselves. DIY campers, i.e. "do it yourself" campers, are all the rage and would be so much nicer and more individual. - We have also seen some really beautiful conversions. - So what can I say, this is certainly a question of time and expertise. When we decided on this project, I was still fully immersed in my day-to-day work. On the other hand, I am also willing to admit when others can do something better. That's why we preferred to entrust our expansion to SpaceCamper. They don't just live it, they can do it. And the concept still gives us enough freedom to adapt our personal wishes. - But first things first:
MARPAT:
We don't just want to camp "wild and free", but ideally in such a way that we can be overlooked. - That's why our vehicle ends up being wrapped in various shades of gray. This digital pattern is not only coincidentally reminiscent of the so-called MARPAT (abbreviation for MARine PATtern), also known as pixel camouflage. This is used by the US Army. You can see a foretaste on our test print. The guys from the army should know a thing or two about camouflage. And, as we all know, there's no accounting for taste. - We like it.
Bull catcher:
My first car was a Suzuki "Jeep" 413 with a so-called bull catcher. - (My mother may now remark that it was hers. - But it felt like it was mine 😉 - Two later Land Rover Discovery models also had the aforementioned bull catcher.
As you can see, I was already great at digging cars back then. - But that's another story.
Today, bull bars are no longer called bull bars, but personal protection bars. But when I happened to see a photo of a VW bus with a bull bar from the company delta 4×4, it was clear that BUTCH needed one too.
A few days later, a huge package arrives at the door - supposedly this personal protection bar is designed to reduce the consequences of a collision for pedestrians. I want to believe that. It comes with an EU certificate. This means that the bar does not have to be presented to a TÜV inspector or entered in the vehicle documents - it is sufficient to carry the EU certificate in the vehicle. Top!
Bicycle carrier:
Our VW Logo bike carrier is designed to transport more than just bicycles. This carrier is already quite light and perfectly designed. But more load also requires more safety. We found what we were looking for on the website of Terranger, a specialist in off-road and travel technology. They offer a modular rear carrier, suitable for the tailgate of the VW T6.1, for bicycles, spare wheel, jerry cans, etc. - exactly what we are looking for.
In addition, Terranger will also be installing our future VB Airsuspension air suspension and underbody protection. But we will report on this separately. Actually the perfect solution, but the price. Thanks to my brother and his expertise in steel (he runs DHM, a steel construction company), we are trying to find a cheaper solution. This is certainly not quite as perfect as the Terranger package. I was able to see their quality for myself at my appointment yesterday.
"We know that we are expensive," says their boss. - He doesn't even try to use phrases like "good value" or "quality has its price". - He is just as confident about his product as he is about his price. If I didn't have the big brother, it would have won me over despite the price. Anyone looking for information on the Terranger rear carrier can find it in the attached link. - But we are still working on our "replica". I'll post pictures as soon as it's finished.
- Terranger offroad modifications
Sand trays:
I already pointed out above that I seem to have a certain knack for burying cars. That's why I'm looking for a way to avoid this. An alternative to the relatively heavy sand trays comes from Australia. The company Maxtrax manufactures recovery aids made of plastic. "Integrated studs, grip into the tire tread and the ground and thus offer traction in sand, mud and snow" - sounds good to us. But where to put them? There's no more room inside and I find various fastenings on the sides with so-called airline rails online. - But this solution doesn't work for VW vans with a second sliding door. So it doesn't work on ours either. I found the idea purely by chance in a photo. There, a Mr. Seikel has simply mounted the plates on the hood. Mr. Seikel is the owner of SEIKEL GmbH, an off-road chassis specialist. He will know what he is doing. Thanks for the tip. I seek help with the installation at PerfectCAR in Cologne - it hurts to see the drill in our new hood. But Carsten, the boss of the company, just grins - I'll add pictures later. - To avoid the question of whether this is allowed, I advise you not to make a copy.
Solar bag:
In the chapter Camper energy management I have already written a little about PV, solar energy & co. Our independence will continue to be largely limited by electricity and water in the future. I don't even want to talk about self-sufficiency. That's why we're focusing on even more solar yield and better storage in the future. We want to generate electricity using two super-flat roof elements installed by SpaceCamper, which are designed to generate 200Wp. Our Offgridtec FSP-2 Ultra KITWe have upgraded to the 200Wp solar pocket. Allegedly currently "the most powerful panel in this category on the market." We were particularly impressed by the compact dimensions of 560 x 440 x 100mm when folded.
Only when mounting the corresponding Victron Energy BlueSolar controller it got a bit cramped under the seat. This is where our RELiON Rb100 D, a lithium-ion camping battery, is already located. A small power station with 100 Ah. (the "D" stands for the standard DIN housing in this country).
Lithium ion batteries:
Lithium ion batteries offer a number of advantages over lead batteries: Significantly lower weight, longer service life, low self-discharge, fast charging thanks to high charging currents. - We will report on how this makes itself felt on our tour.
If all that was too technical for you today, there will certainly be more emotional topics as soon as we get going again. Office and bookkeeping are on our agenda for the coming week. There's still a bit left over from our old life.
Supplementary links:
PS: Here you can find our SpaceCampers Equipment details, our SpaceCamper Expansion, the SpaceCamper Detail equipment "Last Call, as well as SpaceCamper Insider tips.
Here our TERRANGER Offroad modifications, info about the topics Terranger off-road driving training, Energy management, DIY Water tanks, DIY Rear carrier system, pit stop at delta4x4, Vehicle foiling and Ceramic sealing.
To round off the topic Product piracy with offroad tuners.
The topics Packing list, Tips & Tricks, BUTCH & Friends, Home port, the Travel blogs, the subject HAPPINESS MUSCLE as well as About us we have dedicated separate sections. You can contact us here.
And last but not least here is our link overview "Follow the Sun". So you know where you can still follow us.
You will find your way around. 😎 If you like the posts, tell and share it, thank you!
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