Swopping drive side (1 Viewer)

6pm Cowboy

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I am sure I have read somewhere ( in the dim distant past, like last week ) that it is possible to change the drive side on a vehicle from left to right ( or whatever ). Anyone come across this ?
 

zaskar

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Sep 25, 2007
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I am sure I have read somewhere ( in the dim distant past, like last week ) that it is possible to change the drive side on a vehicle from left to right ( or whatever ). Anyone come across this ?

You caaaaaaan, but flippin' 'eck, it's expensive!!!!!:Eeek:
 
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6pm Cowboy

6pm Cowboy

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:Smile:

So.... what do you call expensive ?
and would it be possible to have the workings left on both sides so it could be easily swopped back again ?

and why do I feel like i am being stupid here ?:ROFLMAO:

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zaskar

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:Smile:

So.... what do you call expensive ?
and would it be possible to have the workings left on both sides so it could be easily swopped back again ?

and why do I feel like i am being stupid here ?:ROFLMAO:

Your talking thousands, possibly "10s of" for an RV. Just not worth it TBH.
If it's a motorhome, say fiat/citreon, all the parts are readily available BUT, its expensive, it can cause probs re registration and as most motorhome cabs are higher than most cars, you can see over the top anyway:thumb:
For an RV, I would guess that by the time you'd payed for the conversion (that's IF the parts were available!) you be better off importing a right hand drive Winnebago from Australia!!!!
I wish!, have you seen the price of the Aussie units!:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:

..........and it wasn't a stupid question.
there's no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer!:ROFLMAO:
 
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6pm Cowboy

6pm Cowboy

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Thanks for that zaskar. It will be a motorhome rather than an RV, and just trying to see if I can make things easier for SWMDI ( She Who Must Drive It )

I take your point about seeing over the top. Hopefully that will be the case but many talk about using the passenger to see whats coming and that just aint going to happen :ROFLMAO:
 

ArenqueRojo

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Nov 10, 2008
260
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Anywhere in Europe, so fa
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I guess you will have considered the various tricks to make life easier, viz:
1. Forward facing mirror on passenger side.
2. Secondary video on passenger side. We had our second input "reversing" camer mounted of thr front of the roof on the passenger side so that we could keep an eye on those "should fit under" bridges as well as for overtaking.
3. Lazy tongs for use at toll booths

I don't know what your experience of driving on the wrong side of the road is, but if you haven't tried it you will be amazed at how easy it is to get used to...
The biggest problem, we find, is when joining a main road at an acute angle. Some vans are quite blind at 30 degrees. The best answer to this is the "trucker" type little convex mirrors under the main passenger side mirror.

I might consider swapping the driving position if I were equipped to do all the work myself but I suspect the red tape that would result might cause me to lose the will to live:Angry:
Patrick

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Gonewiththewind

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Sep 13, 2007
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Lazy Tong's for toll booths.
Tell me more, I am sick of jumping out and running round to pay for my toll :ROFLMAO:

I am thick, so please, tell me more.

Don
 
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6pm Cowboy

6pm Cowboy

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I guess you will have considered the various tricks to make life easier, viz:
1. Forward facing mirror on passenger side.
2. Secondary video on passenger side. We had our second input "reversing" camer mounted of thr front of the roof on the passenger side so that we could keep an eye on those "should fit under" bridges as well as for overtaking.
3. Lazy tongs for use at toll booths

I don't know what your experience of driving on the wrong side of the road is, but if you haven't tried it you will be amazed at how easy it is to get used to...
The biggest problem, we find, is when joining a main road at an acute angle. Some vans are quite blind at 30 degrees. The best answer to this is the "trucker" type little convex mirrors under the main passenger side mirror.

I might consider swapping the driving position if I were equipped to do all the work myself but I suspect the red tape that would result might cause me to lose the will to live:Angry:
Patrick

Thanks Patrick. I had considered the forward facing mirror and didn't think that would work...... but a forward facing roof mounted camera sounds like a good idea.

I guess the lazy tongs are those gripper tongs used by short people to get stuff out of tall cupboards :Smile: I think I will be capable of handing over toll money ( or maybe even getting it into a slot ? )

SWMDI has no experience of driving on the wrong side, or driving a MH yet for that matter. I am probably worrying about nothing but just considering what will make it easiest for her :Smile:
 

vwalan

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when i ran the vw garage one of our common jobs was to change from lh to rh campers and beetles. the parts were readily available and still are. its still being done with the newold style t2 campers . there was no probs registering or for insurance. took 2/3 dayswork. even though i did it i cant and never understood the neccasary reasons . they are not racing cars and as soon as you cross that water lh is the way to be. it should take only a short time to be acustomed to the driving style of lhd,in some instances it easier. but is it worth the change never in a month of sundays . save your money .buy rhd if thats what you. want .there is enough specialist builders in this country to build exactly what you want. van ,box, coach built ,a class . just visit your local truck builder many are looking for a new venture, they have the skills and contacts to build that special camper for you. have fun .cheers alan.

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pappajohn

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would you like a short list of componants to convert it.

steering rack.

complete dashboard.

pedal box.

handbrake assembly.

gear lever cables....maybe.

wiper mechanism......sweeps the wrong way.

possibly new underdash wiring harness.

UNDER BONNET

move servo.

move fuel filter.

move air filter housing......maybe.

new brakepipes

cheaper to trade it in for a R/H drive model.
 
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hilldweller

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would you like a short list of componants to convert it.

Trust you to come up with the hard way when it is sooooooo simple.

Just buy 2 MHs. One LHD, one RHD and a bit of cunning work with a MIG welder you have a superb stretched MH which you drive from one end in the UK and 'tother end in the EU.

Sorted.

The Mk2 will have a hinge from a bendy bus in the middle.
 
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6pm Cowboy

6pm Cowboy

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Ahhh Brian...... A pushme pullyou. Why didn't I think of that ?

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6pm Cowboy

6pm Cowboy

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Jun 26, 2009
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would you like a short list of componants to convert it.

steering rack.

complete dashboard.

pedal box.

handbrake assembly.

gear lever cables....maybe.

wiper mechanism......sweeps the wrong way.

possibly new underdash wiring harness.

UNDER BONNET

move servo.

move fuel filter.

move air filter housing......maybe.

new brakepipes

cheaper to trade it in for a R/H drive model.

Point taken Pappajohn. Daft idea.

Still struggling with the idea of which is worse lhd here or rhd over there. I would like to spend an equal time each side of the water.

truth be told I think my eyesight is beginning to make me into a nervous passenger:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

pappajohn

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old mini's where easy.

change the steering rack.

move the wheel and pedals to the other side......hole already in floor for pedals and bracket for steering wheel.

new brake pipe under bonnet.

job done....drive away.
 

vwalan

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i used to build trikes but then you are stuck in the middle .dont know if its rhd or lhd .must be why i,m confused . cheers alan.

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scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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How about thinking out of the box.. Convert a centre steer Landy ? ...:roflmto:

maurice-wilkes-centre-steer.jpg
 

vwalan

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hi jim think if you had the center steer landy you could afford lhd/rhd most things . bit pricey i think think sundowner might like it or landy lover.
 

hilldweller

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Still struggling with the idea of which is worse lhd here or rhd over there. I would like to spend an equal time each side of the water.

It's not a problem, don't worry about it.

Maybe, since the driver is used to RHD then everything is more familiar in RHD so stick to it.

The biggest problem is "Where is the danger?".

You want to cross the road, where do you look ? Inevitably the wrong way. Same when driving, you just have be very careful and look all ways. Roundabouts and bollards also are confusing, but this is nothing to do with RHD/LHD.

You'll probably survive so get on with it, you're not getting any younger. I'd like to still be alive when you say "You were right Brian".

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tco

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This year (2008) is our first
herewith picture of lazy tongs.
Lazy_Tongs.jpg


Tco
 

dazzer

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There is a company in Blackpool that converts a lot of USA vehicles to RHD. It costs about £10-15k :Eeek: but they do a really good job (and so they should at that price!!!!) but only do USA vehicles.:cry: see here Link Removed

This crew convert anything to RHD Link Removed but ive not had any dealings with them so cannot comment on the costs or workmanship.:winky:

Might be cheaper getting a new wife :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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Apr 27, 2008
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I really would try it before thinking of parting with mega cash. I have driven LHD and RHD motorhomes here and on the continent and really its no problem either way round:thumb:. MHs are high enough to see over most vehicles i f you need to overtake, but as the're not the fastest vehicles in the world you don't need to do it very often.
 

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