I'm the victim of a cowboy converter. Gas connected via a rubber hose instead of copper to the gas locker. Wiring done with 13 amp house wire and ring main cable with no fuse box. My friend warned me to check mine- we had ours done at the same time by the same person. Hers set on fire when she used it when the wiring combusted. She messaged me to say her van had been wred with ringmain cable and her gas had been illegally fitted. I checked mine- I had to remove panels to check but yes, mine too was done with grey ringmain cable and there was an orange rubber pipe six metres long directly connected to the twin burners and no copper pipe. I supplied everything to go into the van other than the wiring. All he had to do was fit electrics, kitchen and gas and trim the walls. I had already sound deadened, insulated and vapour barriered the walls and fitted the windows. I've ripped everything out and am in the process of redoing it. the electics kit and wiring loom have been provided by my friend who is an auto-electrician and the gas has been correctly done by my cousin who is a gas safety engineer. He went mental when he saw the gas connections. The cowboy converter was reported by myself to trading standards and to the gas saftety people by my cousin.I believe they closed him down. I'm thankful that because of engine problems with the adblue, I hadnt used the van to go away in before discovering his total botch up. Funny thing is, he was reccomended on one of the facebook camper groups by a good few people(in hindsight, probably his mates and relatives). Just goes to show that this industry needs regulating and regulating NOW.
Given it's the insurers that pay out for claims arising from unsafe conversions, it is they that have a significant role to play in ensuring conversions they insure are safe. They should be insisting on engineers reports, gas/electricity certifications and habitation checks as a prerequisite to obtaining cover. Some specialist insurers already do this and others have a list of "trusted convertors" , but the vast majority simply overcharge for the risk a safely-converted campervan represents, hoping this will cover the costs arising from unsafe conversions.
220/240 volts have a lot more tolerance than 12v, 12v with inverters and big fuses etc are a fire waiting to happen, massive lithium batteries with over 500amps are a recipe for disaster wrongly wired. I’ve seen a brand new Autotrail with dodgy everything at 70k
The incorrect cabling on the 12v can be part of this problem too. There are so many potential pitfalls out there, accidents waiting to happen and unfortunately some are, but thankfully no injuries
I tried telling him but he wouldn't listen. My father (in the70's) tried to connect a generator to our ring main with a double 3 pin plug lead to cover us in power blackouts. Fortunately, we never had an accident. I cringe just thinking about it.
You simply have a vehicle checked by a specialist and do your research before purchasing. You're looking at superficial fit and finish which are not a risk. The wiring is using quick connections but its clipped so shouldn't be effected by using the storage area, and by the looks of it 12v which should be protected by a battery fuse. I agree about mains electricity and gas fitted properly to the British safety standard not manufacturers standards which may differ from British standard. The cheap Chinese diesel heaters are a copy of the ebaurspacher D2 since the patent ran out.
Considering your paying £65,000 for a brand new Highline Transporter with all the mods then your talking a minimum of £25,000 for a full top end conversion. So expect to pay telephone numbers if you want a VW t6.1 if you don't then buy a different van and get a less expensive conversion but that's something you have to decide on. VW have been allowed to monopolise the market because everyone wants a Vdub campervan whuch truly shouldn't cost any more than 35,000 grand. If your paying less than £70,000 for a vw t6.1 be wary.
You can brand new really high spec conversions from £53k or £64k for highline DSG with RIB bed, sprung mattress in poptop. Those are proper NCC registered vans, not cheap conversions.
Cool video once again.What is your advice for those who are not sure if their van is safe or not?A lot of people buy them & just drive them.And maybe completely ignorant?/unaware? of what danger lies beneath..
Thank you. This video wasn’t planned, I just couldn’t believe what I saw. I think an MOT style test should be brought in for campers, to ensure the highest levels of safety are met. Possibly at NCC approved workshops, of which there are many around the country. In the meantime, paying a reputable converter and hour or 2 labour to thoroughly check the van.
Thanks for your videos. Please name any dodgy converters so folk can avoid them. Also might be good to help promote tried and tested converters who offer a prep purchase inspection type service. Thank you.
You preach and advocate for certification but you ask any dealers of habcheck etc to give gas safe certificates to a camper van and they won’t give you one even if everything is done to uk requirements.They will give you a safety or working test but no gas safe cert.I had to travel 160 miles to get one.Its like a club that doesn’t want any new competition.I have got my landlords gas safe cert and told me those campervans so called reputable converters wouldn’t pass.
Where they gas safe registered 🤷🏻♂️ Many are not. A lot of converters won’t sign off other peoples work. If they do and there is a problem they could be held liable. Seat beds can be asked to be checked, but a visual check isn’t enough. Did the person try and save money and buy some cheap bolts off a cheap site on the internet. There are lots of cheap inferior parts around. Cheap wheels that are copies of proper wheels. And all that is why regulation is needed.
It was not a camper dealer it was gas safe engineer and a common misconception is that down vents under cabinet is not classed as a ventilation inlet.They are solely for gas to escape.You know that you say-Then show me the proper floor vent that’s dedicated for the ventilation and wall/roof vents?Show all those on your conversions because they are needed to pass gas safe register.If there’s not 37bar pressure to each appliance running at same time it’s not gas safe.Please start showing these on your professional conversions?
@@ADRIANBENNETT-c9w You won’t find the vents on many vans, as a lot converters have no idea. The floor vent is often found in the passenger step of a VW. NOT to be confused with the diesel heater vent. There should also be a vent in the poptop and a warning stating the poptop must be open whilst in habitation.
Yes, but only from the 0.1% of converters who are Type Registered like Jerba. Sadly not the case for the rest of us since 2019. Unless we have a high top van ( not pop top) and fulfill all the other requirements. VWs Cali is registered as an MPV....crazy world.
@@TheLittleRedCali Yes, apologies , I should have said the California was MPV only for a time in 2019 when DVLA messed everything about with their changes. It amused me at the time, even though it is actually a great MPV! You are right of course, a Cali is back to a "Motor Caravan" now as VW register a brand new vehicle and have full type approval which very, very few professional converters do. Hence 99% of Transporter size camper conversions coming back from DVLA as "van with windows." Still a crazy world!
Yes it is something I have considered, however I don’t think I will, for a few reasons. Pointing out what to look for might be a better route. Will have more directed positive advice coming soon
I saw it whilst I visited for something else and spotted the carpet through the window. It was in for some other work. I asked for a closer look and took some photos. The problems were being highlighted to owner, so they are aware and can be rectified. The converter is a one man band, the name of whom I wasn’t told.
I feel the need to unsubscribe to this channel- whilst I understand the importance of safety and standards, I am struggling with the constant negativity, especially when the sum of recent works actually carried out on your van has involved Amazon/ebay lights and a loud speaker, lashed up with double sided tape and scotch lock/piggy back connections, so that you can have “fun”- seriously, how can you possibly have such strong views on safety/regs etc? I honestly get it, but we can all find fault in anything and perhaps you don’t have the actual skills to be so judgmental, of traders and those that pick the wrong ones
Sorry you feel that way. This video wasn’t planned, in fact there have been no “negative” videos planned at all. However I came across this and it stood out to highlight just what is happening. It’s not about being judgemental, I’m not naming anyone, it’s hopefully highlighting potential problems so people are aware. It’s all meant to be with the best intentions. Plus also know for a fact I have helped a converter make a change as they weren’t aware of something. The “negative” videos are highlighting the facts so people don’t make the mistakes and I know for a fact I have helped people out right problems, so I have to be happy with that. The speaker was a joke. I would love to buy a new van and carry out proper conversion etc, but I don’t have the money. There are going to be some changes to the channel this year anyway, some will like, some won’t, but that’s later in the year. Thanks for supporting this far and maybe will see you back in the future 👍🏼
I'm the victim of a cowboy converter. Gas connected via a rubber hose instead of copper to the gas locker. Wiring done with 13 amp house wire and ring main cable with no fuse box. My friend warned me to check mine- we had ours done at the same time by the same person. Hers set on fire when she used it when the wiring combusted. She messaged me to say her van had been wred with ringmain cable and her gas had been illegally fitted. I checked mine- I had to remove panels to check but yes, mine too was done with grey ringmain cable and there was an orange rubber pipe six metres long directly connected to the twin burners and no copper pipe. I supplied everything to go into the van other than the wiring. All he had to do was fit electrics, kitchen and gas and trim the walls. I had already sound deadened, insulated and vapour barriered the walls and fitted the windows. I've ripped everything out and am in the process of redoing it. the electics kit and wiring loom have been provided by my friend who is an auto-electrician and the gas has been correctly done by my cousin who is a gas safety engineer. He went mental when he saw the gas connections. The cowboy converter was reported by myself to trading standards and to the gas saftety people by my cousin.I believe they closed him down. I'm thankful that because of engine problems with the adblue, I hadnt used the van to go away in before discovering his total botch up. Funny thing is, he was reccomended on one of the facebook camper groups by a good few people(in hindsight, probably his mates and relatives). Just goes to show that this industry needs regulating and regulating NOW.
Given it's the insurers that pay out for claims arising from unsafe conversions, it is they that have a significant role to play in ensuring conversions they insure are safe. They should be insisting on engineers reports, gas/electricity certifications and habitation checks as a prerequisite to obtaining cover. Some specialist insurers already do this and others have a list of "trusted convertors" , but the vast majority simply overcharge for the risk a safely-converted campervan represents, hoping this will cover the costs arising from unsafe conversions.
220/240 volts have a lot more tolerance than 12v, 12v with inverters and big fuses etc are a fire waiting to happen, massive lithium batteries with over 500amps are a recipe for disaster wrongly wired. I’ve seen a brand new Autotrail with dodgy everything at 70k
The incorrect cabling on the 12v can be part of this problem too.
There are so many potential pitfalls out there, accidents waiting to happen and unfortunately some are, but thankfully no injuries
I tried telling him but he wouldn't listen. My father (in the70's) tried to connect a generator to our ring main with a double 3 pin plug lead to cover us in power blackouts. Fortunately, we never had an accident. I cringe just thinking about it.
Oh my, that’s frightening. Lucky nothing happened
You simply have a vehicle checked by a specialist and do your research before purchasing.
You're looking at superficial fit and finish which are not a risk. The wiring is using quick connections but its clipped so shouldn't be effected by using the storage area, and by the looks of it 12v which should be protected by a battery fuse.
I agree about mains electricity and gas fitted properly to the British safety standard not manufacturers standards which may differ from British standard.
The cheap Chinese diesel heaters are a copy of the ebaurspacher D2 since the patent ran out.
A plug like that we call a widow maker, found one on a moveable bar in a nightclub before
Or a suicide plug. That’s shocking 🫣
Looks like grey twin and earth solid core cable inside that cupboard too 🤔
Sure does. I also have no idea why all the cables go into the white enclosure as thats 240v and 12v 🤷🏻♂️
Did you know that VW don't insulate their factory Van's so why do you say that not insulating is an issue?
When a van is sold as being done and isn’t.
The cali has internal plastic panels rather than carpet
Considering your paying £65,000 for a brand new Highline Transporter with all the mods then your talking a minimum of £25,000 for a full top end conversion.
So expect to pay telephone numbers if you want a VW t6.1 if you don't then buy a different van and get a less expensive conversion but that's something you have to decide on.
VW have been allowed to monopolise the market because everyone wants a Vdub campervan whuch truly shouldn't cost any more than 35,000 grand.
If your paying less than £70,000 for a vw t6.1 be wary.
You can brand new really high spec conversions from £53k or £64k for highline DSG with RIB bed, sprung mattress in poptop.
Those are proper NCC registered vans, not cheap conversions.
Cool video once again.What is your advice for those who are not sure if their van is safe or not?A lot of people buy them & just drive them.And maybe completely ignorant?/unaware? of what danger lies beneath..
Thank you. This video wasn’t planned, I just couldn’t believe what I saw.
I think an MOT style test should be brought in for campers, to ensure the highest levels of safety are met. Possibly at NCC approved workshops, of which there are many around the country.
In the meantime, paying a reputable converter and hour or 2 labour to thoroughly check the van.
Thanks for your videos. Please name any dodgy converters so folk can avoid them. Also might be good to help promote tried and tested converters who offer a prep purchase inspection type service. Thank you.
You preach and advocate for certification but you ask any dealers of habcheck etc to give gas safe certificates to a camper van and they won’t give you one even if everything is done to uk requirements.They will give you a safety or working test but no gas safe cert.I had to travel 160 miles to get one.Its like a club that doesn’t want any new competition.I have got my landlords gas safe cert and told me those campervans so called reputable converters wouldn’t pass.
Where they gas safe registered 🤷🏻♂️ Many are not.
A lot of converters won’t sign off other peoples work. If they do and there is a problem they could be held liable.
Seat beds can be asked to be checked, but a visual check isn’t enough. Did the person try and save money and buy some cheap bolts off a cheap site on the internet.
There are lots of cheap inferior parts around. Cheap wheels that are copies of proper wheels. And all that is why regulation is needed.
It was not a camper dealer it was gas safe engineer and a common misconception is that down vents under cabinet is not classed as a ventilation inlet.They are solely for gas to escape.You know that you say-Then show me the proper floor vent that’s dedicated for the ventilation and wall/roof vents?Show all those on your conversions because they are needed to pass gas safe register.If there’s not 37bar pressure to each appliance running at same time it’s not gas safe.Please start showing these on your professional conversions?
@@ADRIANBENNETT-c9w You won’t find the vents on many vans, as a lot converters have no idea.
The floor vent is often found in the passenger step of a VW. NOT to be confused with the diesel heater vent. There should also be a vent in the poptop and a warning stating the poptop must be open whilst in habitation.
VW Transporter campervans registered as "Motor Caravan" on the logbook? Ah those were the days...
You can still buy them brand new
Yes, but only from the 0.1% of converters who are Type Registered like Jerba. Sadly not the case for the rest of us since 2019. Unless we have a high top van ( not pop top) and fulfill all the other requirements. VWs Cali is registered as an MPV....crazy world.
@@peakpanther5136not true. VW California’s are registered as motor caravan on V5.
@@TheLittleRedCali Yes, apologies , I should have said the California was MPV only for a time in 2019 when DVLA messed everything about with their changes. It amused me at the time, even though it is actually a great MPV!
You are right of course, a Cali is back to a "Motor Caravan" now as VW register a brand new vehicle and have full type approval which very, very few professional converters do. Hence 99% of Transporter size camper conversions coming back from DVLA as "van with windows." Still a crazy world!
List of good and bad converters
Yes it is something I have considered, however I don’t think I will, for a few reasons.
Pointing out what to look for might be a better route.
Will have more directed positive advice coming soon
Name and shame, that's shocking work!
I saw it whilst I visited for something else and spotted the carpet through the window.
It was in for some other work.
I asked for a closer look and took some photos.
The problems were being highlighted to owner, so they are aware and can be rectified.
The converter is a one man band, the name of whom I wasn’t told.
Terrible job for sure! More fool them for taking it back for pop top 😵
It seems the customer is someone who wants to pay the absolute rock bottom price.
Just hope it’s going to be dry inside afterwards 🤦🏼♂️
That’s disgraceful
I feel the need to unsubscribe to this channel- whilst I understand the importance of safety and standards, I am struggling with the constant negativity, especially when the sum of recent works actually carried out on your van has involved Amazon/ebay lights and a loud speaker, lashed up with double sided tape and scotch lock/piggy back connections, so that you can have “fun”- seriously, how can you possibly have such strong views on safety/regs etc?
I honestly get it, but we can all find fault in anything and perhaps you don’t have the actual skills to be so judgmental, of traders and those that pick the wrong ones
Sorry you feel that way. This video wasn’t planned, in fact there have been no “negative” videos planned at all. However I came across this and it stood out to highlight just what is happening. It’s not about being judgemental, I’m not naming anyone, it’s hopefully highlighting potential problems so people are aware.
It’s all meant to be with the best intentions. Plus also know for a fact I have helped a converter make a change as they weren’t aware of something.
The “negative” videos are highlighting the facts so people don’t make the mistakes and I know for a fact I have helped people out right problems, so I have to be happy with that.
The speaker was a joke.
I would love to buy a new van and carry out proper conversion etc, but I don’t have the money.
There are going to be some changes to the channel this year anyway, some will like, some won’t, but that’s later in the year.
Thanks for supporting this far and maybe will see you back in the future 👍🏼
Only 50 k ha ha ha
It’s relative. 50k is a lot of money, but it’s much better than some of the more expensive rubbish
Death trap