Site News
It's with considerable sadness that I report Ian Lang passed away on the 29th of March 2019 after losing his battle with a long term illness. This site will remain online as a memorial but will not be updated.
Thank you to all those that contacted Ian with questions and thanks. Your emails from around the world gave him great joy.
Rob Lang, April 2019
This is an on-going record of how we took a brand-new Fiat panel van and cut big holes in it to convert what remains into a motorhome. We hope anyone contemplating building a motorhome will find encouragement here. With careful planning, modest diy skills, a few basic tools, and a little determination it can be done.
Whilst the van is fully converted, some pages may be incomplete as there is still some work to be done. It is surprising how, over time (and as one grows older!), things that were fine when one started no longer work so well. Also, if we believe we could have done something better - we'll change it!
Our first trip in 2018 and enjoying the June sunshine at Ashridge Caravan Club site. Good to be back in our van!
Well, we finally got away in Deep Red after some health problems; unfortunately our trip to France and beyond had to be shelved. As it had been quite a while since our last trip we made some careful checks of all the equipment. Having satisfied ourselves all was well, we were about to set off when the battery light on the dash came on unexpectedly. The alternator had died - luckily at home and not on a remote road somewhere.
We had the work done at a Fiat dealer as I particularly wanted a Fiat replacement alternator - it appears from the bill it is a 'reconditioned' item - time will tell if it is any good. Beware it was very expensive and I suspect a new Bosch alternator fitted by a local garage would have been a far cheaper option.