Next time??

hi Ron

Not much we would change as we took a lot of time to design ours. Hubby said he wouldn't put in an exhaust hatch in the shower as the small window does the job well.

We did put in a thin cupboard for DVD's and Videos etc and that has been good. Extending the footlockers out to the end of the bed and raising mine up about 50mm was good as I am a little on the vertically challenged side.

We are very happy with our van.

Angie

Hi Ron,
We have an 18' 2004 BT and there is very little I would change except the length. I think our next one would be 20'. We took out the long cupboard just inside the door and haven't regretted it at all as I have oodles of bench space, I would put in pantry baskets in the cupboards along the side as I get sick of getting down on the knees to find stuff at the back, and I would put in that small cupboard by the ensuite for bits and pieces.
Hubby would have extended drawbar too.
We love our BT and it is comfy without being all prissy. I notice lots are having those plexiglass hatches put in over the bed area and would love to know why? I think it would just allow one more dust entry and would require cleaning!! Can someone fill me in?? I think they look god though.
Prue

The number of water tanks (non-potable), batteries and solar panels needs to be carefully worked out according to the areas covered by your expected travels. Consider: should the drought continue some country towns may have stiffer controls on supplies. Showers are very pleasant after a hot and dusty bushwalk. How many before that next water fill? I find approx three and a half per tank.
Lots of overcast weather means less solar generation. Therefore how many panels/batteries or would a genny be a good idea. I have a genny for the air-con which is 240V. So three panels and four batteries has been ok for me. Only ever got down to 12.5V with two laptops and lights on til late.
I would definately have at least one of the largest cargo doors.
I have fitted lights in the ensuite and food cupboards. Also both sides of the cargo bay.
An exhaust fan over the stove would reduce the mess above it. I instead thought opening windows would work. Wind either blows the flame out or it's so cold cook gets sworn at.
Microwaves are more weight and will fall to bits on rough roads no matter what your tyre pressure is. If you can't do without. Mount somehow on cushioning feet.
That's enough from me. Should be plenty of more experienced BT'ers respond. cheers. Neil.

Hi Ron,
I don't think we would change anything on our 19' BT - we really like the layout and live in it full-time. We have the long style of lounge and one of those 'cranked' and swiveling table tops that works very well. We would put the fine mossie mesh on all the window screens instead of 50% as we have now.

We have: Full extension on the drawbar, Three Jerry holder rack, Ensuite with plus an outside shower, extra water tight locker in the ensuite and waterproof toilet roll holder, Table top across the rear with cupboards underneath with a slide out computer table. Full length foot lockers and no hanging cupboards - originally had one but changed it to shelving. Remote starting on the water heater and lights in the underbed storage area plus large access hatches.

Cheers John

We have had our 21foot van for nearly 6 years and it has been used extensively during that time. We have made a number of modifications to it during that time and as there is now very little that we would change on a new van we will be keeping what we have.

THINGS WE HAVE CHANGED ON OUTSIDE
AT-35 Hitch to Hyland swivelling ball coupling
3 by 120 watt solar panels to 4 solar panels.
Mains water supply
Mains water tap on draw bar
Suction water hose on draw bar
3 water tanks changed to 5 tanks with one moved from rear to front to increase ball weight.
Filled Jockey wheel
Support legs on rear of van.
Step made removable to prevent damage in rough conditions.
Outside Bulb light changed to Fluoro light.
Fly screen changed to Midge screens
Pole carrier put across rear of van.
Wind deflector fitted to clear dust from rear.
Jockey wheel filled to make solid.
3mm hand brake cable changed to 4 mm.
Fridge outside vents closed off.
Had rear view camera fitted.
Sullage drains re-routed so that they didn’t rise up over chassis and hold water, and also plumbed so that they go to one outlet instead of 2.

THINGS WE HAVE CHANGED ON INSIDE.
Fitted a shelf in the cargo bay so that chairs can be stored there from under bed. This gives a lot more storage area.
Fridge now vented from under and beside at base to top rear.
Fridge fitted with internal fan to circulate air.
240 volt transformer fitted to fridge
Sealed light controller wires with silicon to prevent breaking
Strengthened resistor wire in fridge with plastic shrink wrapped along it.
Put support bracket under lower fridge door.
3 batteries to 4 batteries
Put heavier cable between batteries and fridge to prevent voltage drop.
Batteries, Inverter & charger moved forward to give more ball weight.
Full length mirror fitted on outside of ensuite wall.
Mirror fitted to cupboard door in ensuite.
Towel rails fitted in ensuite
Towel rails fitted beside fridge for bath towels
Towel rail fitted for hand & tea towels
Sink basin drain plug enlarged to household basin size.
Webasto diesel heater fitted
Steps beside bed made into full length steps / shoe cupboards
Pantry cupboard changed to drawers to get access to back.
Water filter put on drinking water tank.
Tank level gauges fitted to 3 tanks.
Replaced broken glass cook top with stainless steel cover.
30 amp solar regulator changed to 40 amp.
Reading lights changed from halogen to LED globes
Supports put on inside of cupboard doors to prevent hinges breaking.
Hook & Eye catches put on cargo doors.

THINGS WE WOULD DO DIFFERENT IN ANOTHER VAN.
Replace 190 litre fridge with 220 litre fridge.
Install a Swift stove instead of Dometic.
Fit a full reverse cycle air conditioner, instead of the standard roof type.
Have an extended A- Frame.
Fit 130 watt solar panels instead of the 120 or 125 watt panels.
Fit double glazed windows all round.
Put a 12mm piece of ply under toilet before fibre-glassing so that water does not run under toilet.
Have leather seat covers rather than material.

Brian

Is it just me, or is that an overly-sensitive response from BT? An owner has simply listed a whole lot of relatively minor changes that have no doubt added to his enjoyment of his van. He has not presented his list as "advice" as claimed, nor can I read any sort of attack or stirring implied in his posting, unlike the response from Steve. By all means hide the issue, if there really is one, in the Owners' Forum, but that's of little help to people who are viewing this site with an open mind.
I'm left with the unfortunate impression that I should steer well clear of a second-hand BT but have no idea why.

Michael