Thank you. If doing again i'd do it slightly differently and arguably use a darker carpet, along with doing what i did on the final 2 panels and spraying both the carpet and the ply... First few i just sprayed the ply.
I need to see if i have to put a secondary panel where the bar-ends will sit on the side, i could use a piece of carpet tile for that which will be a lot harder wearing.
Other than that, i'm pretty happy as this sort of stuff really isn't my strong point.
Coming on
Another tip for you that works well and is an easy solution. Instead of a secondary panel buy a couple of tennis balls and cut a circle out of them that is the same size hole as the grip. slide the ball onto the grip and you have instant protection for the van wall and bar end. being doing it for years and never had any damage to bar or vehicle. you should only need 2 for three bikes
There's a fine plan !
The grips we use are rubber ended so it should be minimal in that context, but yeah, great tip 😀
Another tip for you that works well and is an easy solution. Instead of a secondary panel buy a couple of tennis balls and cut a circle out of them that is the same size hole as the grip. slide the ball onto the grip and you have instant protection for the van wall and bar end. being doing it for years and never had any damage to bar or vehicle. you should only need 2 for three bikes
Tip of the day @tracey - two of my bikes lean on an outbuilding wall, I put an old Thomson seat post bag over the bars but this is far better.
Just make sure its a tight fit, you can always trim a bit more off, and have some superglue handy for if you slip with the knife
Van heating....
I guess in the rear compartment... but up for ideas on whether I'd be better in the front or the back, and heating with either firing up the van engine for 15 mins, or using a 1200w generator (quiet type) and one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233331893952?hash=item3653aa26c0:g:Th8AAOSwgGFhngKl&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4FjBXSCKXsRts4kT%2BvBf4SU%2B%2FIhhIMm7zJLxd4WWfmuitiwAqeHj5HzIHlq%2BXIllH8tmvutykyXJzuRmNSSH6p7hQ9NpULFvPmzJScDsSlMF6l3IPSDjMTO8p1XNZDWwUeD4YIOuny2mFzvZ9hlllnDyO7IxLke53FHkz26ivW53vtTraDlcyUIOkVcXVrAgHXzBly1QY6A36PzzFSHEJEfVo7VFNFi1%2ByJ8tCdPWpPl6QZ%2BtlEovQbBn48cceNcR8ja6MJ1HyWfMR6kH0pLYFxGB15hAgu7LosGI4lFx2d1%7Ctkp%3ABFBMhKG07bdh
We're at Bringewood at the weekend and the boy is riding but i'm not... So it's going to be somewhat chilly for me.
So do i sit in the front and use the blower... or sit in the back and throw on a little heater?
Front compartment is smaller and will get up to temp much quicker than the rear. Not as comfy though
Just take some warm clothes, a chair with some foam under you to insulate (while sitting in the back), and then a big cosy blanket or similar. Or maybe pick up a battery pack heated gilet if it's a regular thing
You can get portable "Tent heaters" some run on Propane others have a monster battery and a heating element, normally with an integrated fan to blow the heat in your preferred direction, basically mini space heaters.
I've not tried one but it seems a bit less complex, faster and directable than firing up a Generator and plugging in an oil filled Rad, that would take a while to come up to temp and really needs a well sealed volume to keep warm, you/your lad will be in and out of the Van surely over the course of the day.
Set up yourself in a camping chair with a blanket, point the heater at yourself (Then probably nod off)...
get a chinese diesel heater and install maybe under the seat box if you can, tap into the diesel tank, the whole van will be toasty warm in the back and front (split the outlet hot air), also ideal for defrosting in the morning.
yeah a diesel heater sounds much simplier than turning diesel into movement then into electricity then into heat
that sounds way above my pay grade... and certainly above it for this weekend 😀
Get a jerry can of diesel and use that to run the diesel heater...just make sure it is vented so you don't gas anything...
Get a big warm coat and a duvet😜. Or just sit in the front.
Or just sit in the front.
IT's sounding like the easiest plan isn't it 🙂
Stick the heated seats on and just lie there burning dinosaurs.
I might even get the bike out to warm out riding round too.
I do love my heated seats. 3 first thing in the morning and then a 2 once I’ve warmed up. Gods I’m getting soft in my middle age
I bought one of these lights.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155077277327?var=455253380488
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It's actually pretty decent. Also magnetic so i can stick it up on the van side/roof/door/wherever needed.
I've just bought a 2nd one actually.
It'll last 4-6 hours between charging, which is plenty in truth. But plugs into a USB charger to charge up which is fine too.
We have one of those in OAB's van - it works really well and ace at sticking on any metal surface (including outdoors) when needed. He has 2x other wired in similar lights in main van, and a triple USB charger port - so he can charge that light, bike lights & phone.
That looks great - I've a rear light pack in my van but I'm sure one or two of these would be useful.
We have one on the roof inside of the garage in the camper. We tend to remove it when travelling as on a couple of occasions its fallen off, its not mounted permanent and the magnets could do with been a bit stronger
The thing that I love about the van is days like today, ride, have fun, throw bikes in back and drive straight to the brewery for a pint or two. Don't have to think of plans or ideas.
It's the absolutely no faff I love.... Put bikes in, take them out. No boot/tow mounts, taking wheels off/on etc. 👍 Even a small van is great.
And no worrying about whether a passing scrote is currently unbolting various parts from your bike as it sits locked to the rack...
