What to do with your old patio doors! (1 Viewer)

[dabhand]

How about this for starters spotted at Evora Portugal.

 

[makems]

I've seen that van before. About 4 years ago at Carrapeteira, Portugal.

 

[dabhand]

Two sides to every story!

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[movan]

Well my daughter would LOVE it.... I'm not so sure.

 

[DiggerJon]

Such craftsmanship and aesthetic good taste - is it a production model??

 

[dabhand]

Will check it out!

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[laird of Dunstan]

do you think they are full timers?

 

[buttons]

New Age comes to mind.....

 

[dabhand]

I posted this not to take the piss actually, although I do think the way they have recycled the doors is quite amusing, but I love the fact that this life we lead travelling around doing your own thing can be led by all for a little or a lot, just doing it, that's the thing, cool! Happy travels to all!

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[DanielFord]

I notice that it is on Brit plates, so obviously the owners leave Portugal every 6 months. And bring it back to England for MOT etc every 12 months

 

[Zepp]

Also saw it in Portugal last year

 

[Armytwowheels]

I love seeing the inventiveness of the alternative campervan brigade. Some of them are brilliant and some look like a disaster waiting to happen. There are many of both types in Morocco.

The only ones I don't like are the old ones THAT NEED TO WARM UP FOR EVER BEFORE THEY MOVE OFF!! So what if the brakes won't work, just move! And breath

Have seen a spare wheel turned into a herb garden, a hammock bracket that swung out for when parked, a few with decking, etc etc.

The work that has gone into them is incredible.

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[fred chase]

we are sure that we met this van, well it's owners actually, in Sanlucar de Barameda (near Jerez), in December last year.

 

[Badknee]

Wood burner chimney in the second picture by the look of it.

 

[Forestboy]

Love it

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[PeteH]

I. Rather like it. But I doubt if SWMBO would!. Reminds me of the "Wombles".

Pete

 

[boroboy]

I wonder what the caravan club wardens would make of that if it turned up

 

[Melvin]

I really admire people who build their own only wish I had the ability to do it .Then I would not only get the layout that suited me but also a more practical colour scheme inside and not looking like a large fridge outside.

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[Gromett]

That looks like an Optare Metro Rider. I converted one of those before I got this van.

Those double doors are a pain because they are pneumatic and have no locks on them. This looks like a pretty good solution to me

https://www.fulltiming.info/self-build-motorhome/metrorider-pictures-prior-to-start-of-work

 

[Gromett]

I wonder what the caravan club wardens would make of that if it turned up

I got turned away from a cc site in mine, however CL's were happy to have me

 

[vwalan]

I love seeing the inventiveness of the alternative campervan brigade. Some of them are brilliant and some look like a disaster waiting to happen. There are many of both types in Morocco.

The only ones I don't like are the old ones THAT NEED TO WARM UP FOR EVER BEFORE THEY MOVE OFF!! So what if the brakes won't work, just move! And breath

Have seen a spare wheel turned into a herb garden, a hammock bracket that swung out for when parked, a few with decking, etc etc.

The work that has gone into them is incredible.

if on air brakes they need the air to build up or the brakes dont come off .
air takes the brakes off . very powerful springs put the brakes on .
but yes there are loads of amusing conversions out there .
so long as the owners are having fun thats good .
mind there are alot of boring plastic fantastics out there as well. hee hee

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[Speve]

As an ex builder it's great to see things like this they may well be recycled from an old building and a lot cheaper than a new Hymer hab door I bet

 

[Gromett]

The only ones I don't like are the old ones THAT NEED TO WARM UP FOR EVER BEFORE THEY MOVE OFF!! So what if the brakes won't work, just move! And breath

Try pulling off before the air tanks get up to pressure if you like

One thing I did like about it though was the retarder system. Brilliant for long down hill stretches and scary if you forgot to switch it on....

 

[vwalan]

one of the best things with my mitzy is the exhaust brake .
used correctly you hardly have to press the brake pedal even on the steepest of mountain roads .
lets the pads and shoes last years .
lots of coaches have telmar retarders great bits of kit . very often tankers do as well. can make for very smooth rides .

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[Gromett]

one of the best things with my mitzy is the exhaust brake .
used correctly you hardly have to press the brake pedal even on the steepest of mountain roads .
lets the pads and shoes last years .
lots of coaches have telmar retarders great bits of kit . very often tankers do as well. can make for very smooth rides .

Not sure what type was on the MetroRider but it was excellent. You just touched the brake pedal very lightly to engage it and it maintained the current speed going down hill.
The only thing is if you forgot to switch it on or used the brakes heavily the brakes overheated and stopped working very quickly. Had a scary moment or two until I learned the technique.

 

[vwalan]

there are various systems .
some can be very noisey ,like on big trucks . the telmar you switched on and had a control bit like a indicator arm on the steering column. some you only have to take your foot off the accel pedal and they brake .
mine is like that. as a switch but afterwards is automatic .
many dont use the brake shoes but use a separate system.
but you arent going anywhere if the air is down on air brakes .

 

[Gromett]

I believe the Optare uses some kind of magnetic system on the back axle or prop shaft. I just know it was brilliant once I figured out how to use it.

I learned very quickly not to pull away without a full air tank

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[scotjimland]

I got talking to a Swiss couple with a very badly painted blue home converted overland truck.. .. it was the colour that drew my attention.. that and the fact it was badly done.. They had been refused entry into Morocco as it was painted Nato Green.. so they had bought a gallon of blue paint and brushed it on by hand ... and it looked ghastly.. .. but were then allowed entry at the port ..

So if venturing into Africa, no Nato Green paint.. apparantly they don't like anything that could be mistaken for an army truck