maybe not, but it has those annoying brace bars behind the rear seats.

Great looking dogs.

I, like you CG, would love a dog but cannot justify one at the moment. I have never owned a dog before, or been around them when I was growing up but one day I will be the best master a dog could want.

Fingers crossed for stability some time in the future.

I'm goofy and bike right foot forward.

This was mainly on-road. The trailer was unhitched when I wanted to do a playful loop in the woods en-route. It did handle pretty well off road as long as it wasn't too gnarly and you remembered the width!

Inbred

saw that caddy on here at 4 grand the other day and thought **** that

That is my van. A fair price I think for a 4 year old van. Not many around cheaper with a £1300 camper conversion! The VW's do attract a better used price, that is why they are a savvy purchase. Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder T-R!

I think the Scudo (and variants) are the smallest vans you get with 3 seats. Very practical sized vans.

Tea here too

Cheers Andy – not sure specifically what I will be doing as its the grad scheme i'm going for so I guess it will be a bit of everything with a management bias.

I guess being a civil service there is a LOAD of red tape, but as you say the pension is good (if you stick with them).

Pbase? not sure if it's free though.

Hope the above helps in some way

Well, it confirms a suspicion…

Cheers HH, I shall seek her out!

I have no quarms about sleeping in a car – as long as it's flat and i can fit in (5'9"). Slept in a car for 5 weeks straight in Oz as well.

I would like a V70 but the MPG will kill me I think – what do you guys get on average?

EDIT: Plus my budget doesn't stretch to the V70 diesel.

Sorry to dig this old chestnut up but…

can someone confirm whether a 2001 Octavia estate has a totally fold-flat load area? If someone has one, and has a tape measure, could you tell me the max load length of the flat area?

shimano AM40's rock my world.

This is the one I own and can totally recommend it.

Make sure you get an undyed one or else everything else will get stained by the cheap dye used.

Silk sleeping bag liner / sleeping sheet.

Bed bugs can't bite through silk – most hostels require a liner and it has uses after travelling. I've had mine for about 8 years and have traveled extensively including two RTW trips, and the first thing that I pack is the silk liner.

There are two standards of taper – JIS and ISO. make sure you have the right taper for the bb/cranks.

Fenwicks concentrate – about a tenner for a bottle that will make about 10 refills of your muc-off spray bottle.

Search has never worked well for me – even if I search for obvious things only a few posts arise. Sorry, this doesn't help you.

23 – volunteer gardener

Are Sony HU's any better than Alpine? The two brands have two very similar units for a similar price – which are usually better?

Not a DS, but I have a PSP in pink if that floats your boat?

Well, I'm 5'8" with my shoes off so It shouldn't be too bad if I kip diagonally!

I know the TDi is a great engine, but I like the idea of the relative simplicity that comes with a petrol engine. Ok, so there is the ignition circuit, but no turbo is a bonus – seeing as I have had to shell out the best part of a grand on my current TDi.

Can you fold the rear seats totally flat to the boot floor? It would be useful if I could lay down in the back to avoid having to erect a tent – This is something that I am most smug about owning a van!

EDIT: Was the 2.0l petrol engine? My mother has a MK4 gti with that engine and its a good one – but pretty thirsty.

Cheers guys, I currently have a 55 plate Caddy 1.9tdi 105 and TBH it has been nothing but trouble. It's currently in getting a new (recon) turbo fitted as the actuator has failed (non-repairable). I guess I just got a pup. Shame, as I thought this would be my ultimate vehicle. I had a T4 1.9Td before and although it was gutless – it was bomber.

Sweet 😉

eVan

And what does PSA mean at the start of a post?

My Juicy 7's are the same – I've just gotten used to it.

170 on road and full sus, 175 on SS.

EDIT: i'm 5'9"

Yup, just been to Mole Valley Farmers this arvo and got the aforementioned bin-bags aka non-breathable waterproofs but being so use to breathable fabrics ill have to see how it goes. Mine you gardening is a little less aerobic than biking/mountaineering!

Old bike now 🙁

Had Midge bars running Dia-Compe levers for V-Brakes and XTR brakes. Levers were crap so changed to a flat bar – much better (for me).

if you need hot water it's gas all the way

An alternative is a meths stove such as an Origo 3000 – you don't have to worry about carrying a gas bottle (and the subsequent venting that is required). Some insurance companies will frown on a permanent gas stove unless it is installed by a registered person. Mind you – any home conversion can be hard to insure.

+1 for Labcraft led's

For the lining usually 3-4mm is used – the thinner stuff is lighter and fine if you take the care to secure things in the back – the thicker stuff is good if you will treat the interior like a tradesman. You can get pre-cut kits – google is your friend.

9mm minimum for the floor – 6mm will crack up.

Insulate with sheepswool – smells it a bit for the first few day but it will get better with time and its so much nicer to work with than glass-fibre and you won't be inhaling fumes as foams degrade. Check this video out for helpful tips. you can buy the insulation kits from amdro too. There are other useful vids on his youtube channel.

Covering the ply floor in contract vinyl flooring is a good idea.

LED's are good, wire them to the LB that is charged via a split charging relay taken off the engine battery with the signal wire taken off the alternator. Remember to fuse it all properly.

Leisure batteries come in all shapes and sizes – find one that fit the space you have.

Since 2001:

GT Arrowhead
Billy's 'Peashooter' jump frame build
DMR Switchback
On-One Inbred SS
Surly Steamroller (on eBay now)
Ellsworth Moment
Surly Karate Monkey
On-One 456
Cove Hustler (still got)
Planet-X Kaffenback (still got)
New Inbred 1×9 (still got)

you stalking me…?