Things WE WOULD CHANGE in our van..
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2023
- if YOU COULD CHANGE anything in your van , what would it be ? , let us know in the comments
A short video discussing certain things we would liked to have had , or change in the van
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Well we just up sized from our imaginary van that hasn’t materialised. We had such a nightmare with it last week. But now we have a Bailey Adamo coming next month which means loads of space but beggar all payload 😃😃
So we will have to learn as we go.
Really disappointed that we didn’t get our Warwick but at least we won’t be the only van life channel without a van any more 😃😃
You guys are living the dream - hope we will be too🤞🤞🤞🙃
We are constantly evolving our van layout 🚐🤩
so true! 👍😀
I think you always find small things you would like to change but we’re like you and we love our van. I don’t think you need so much storage space in a campervan because they’re so manoeuvrable that you can easily get to the shops and there’s laundry facilities on most campsites. We had 5 weeks away this summer and found we only needed half the stuff we actually took with us! I think you’re absolutely right about travelling light. Thanks for sharing another great video.
Interesting vlog guys, the things you mention about the Neo seem to have been changed since Scot sold vantage and started consort. Our Oslo has the flip sink, rear overhead cupboard, back to stop the cushions falling out, full length fidge. But it doesn't have the gas struts which I agree would be very usefull. Love the Neo though, proper quality van.
yes we love our Neo too , we can live with the sink and fridge like that but just something that would be nice to have mainly the higher level fridge
Hi Mike & Kirsty, We are with you on the sink it would be better with a fold up one, also with the fridge it's a long way down there when your 6'3". We fitted a gas ram under the nearside bunk so it would stay up and we use a extendable pole on the back cushions so Ted doesn't fall out! We have had our Neo now for a year down sized from a Pilote A Class, We say down sized but to be honest there is far more usable space in the Neo. Love watching your videos could you do one with the partner emptying the loo.........wait for it apparently it's a blue job!!. See you on the field one day. Ian, Jan& Teddy
hi guys yes we were recently talking about the kitchen top space in the neo compared to the bolero we had and it’s almost double the size and that’s without both flaps extended !
Like the idea with the extendable pole at the back 👍
As for kirsty emptying the cassette , no chance 😂
We have a 'U' shaped dinette like yours and have access to under seat lockers via doors. We leave the bed made up all the time! The wetroom foldup basin is a Crap idea to latch it up! So weedy, takes very little for it to drop down and even fall off its pivot points! So sticky Velcro keeps it stowed!! Habitation door flyscreen is a crap idea too! Because the Little plastic clip that holds the two together is also so weedy, when shutting the door the inner screen rips out the Bodged screw (previous owner bodge) and the door flips past the door shut seal making it stick in place when opening the outside door! If they stay quite tight together then it's ok! Our Motorhome has the Rear O/H Lockers that you would like! We could do with more Stowage but not complaining! Ours is 3 Tons all up and 5/6 CWT Payload. We love our 2008 Compass Avantgarde 120 on a Peugeot Boxer, had it 4 years now! :-)
hi pete i remember now the drop down sink in my autosleeper used to fall down all the time , i think i ended up cable tying it so something ! there’s always a compromise but good to know your overall happy with your van , we are too just wouldn’t mind a higher level fridge
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel Our Fridge is fantastic well impressed with it! Nice to have a bigger one, but for the two of us it's adequate! :-)
I don't believe there is the prefect van, there is always a compromise. Just go with what suits you, plus put the extra's in, the misses tell you too🤣
that’s spot on mark , no such thing as the perfect van , and if we did have the perfect one we’d still probably want to change it 😂 us humans ! never happy 😆
Hi, we have a Neo, we put the little side table up after holding up the seat flap and it keeps it up without having to hold the flap. Hope this makes sense. 😊
yes i think i know what you mean , you are removing the big cushion first though i assume , then using the flap as a wedge ?
Lovely van. Always looks classy and well organised 🚐👍🏻 Trev
cheers trev that’s all my tidying , kirsty just watches me sweat whilst i do all the work 😂😬 dog house for me
Fantastic vlog 👍
Thank you 👍
Everything you would change is the Consort Oslo 🙂 Check it out 🙂 Love Vantage vans though, every van is a compromise as the perfect van just does not exist.
yes the consort range are impressive and you are spot on , no such thing as the perfect van ! always a compromise 👍 Us humans are never satisfied!
thanks for watching the video
mike & kirsty
Wow! Can’t believe it’s been two years! I think even if you had one built to your specifications once you are in and lived in it for a bit you would always find something you wish you had done differently. As always another great video! Take care 👍
yep so true Alana , we always want more or different or better in everything really , instead of appreciating what we have , i know where’s the time gone ! scary 😟
thanks again take care safe travels
mike & kirsty
Great conversation. It is one that we often find ourselves having since we have downsized and are currently living full time in our RV. One in One out is a rule that we have to live by or clutter starts taking over. I also agree with the comment about storage or cabinet space. The more space you have the more likely you will fill it. We are always hyper aware of our weight. Far too many time do we see RVers that have issues with their rigs because they are over weight. The last part of our discussion is always remembering that there is a big difference between Need and Want. We always want more than we need. Thanks for another great video.
I really can’t believe that’s it’s 2 years. Layout is very important and every van has tweaks we would want to make. We are happy getting a 5.4 meter van after having Madge at 6m as the layout makes it so much easier to access space under the beds. Take care Gill
hi gill yep that 2 years has flown by ! there’s always a compromise somewhere along the line in our vans , but in general we are happy with it and the layout works for us with the dogs . take care
mike & kirsty
Hi Mike & Kirsty, can’t believe it’s been 2 years since you changed your van!! There’s always stuff we would change but it’s swings & roundabouts for us. Your van is fab and you look after it so well (when you’re not reversing into walls 😉) Seriously though, you could win a best kept van award 👍 See you on the road, Helen & Dave 👍
hi dave & helen , time is going too fast where did the summer go! Always like to try and keep the van nice and clean it just makes us feel good when we go in it every couple of weeks , i’ll have to start looking in the the mirrors when reversing i’ve heard it helps 😂👍
cheers both have a good week 👍
We love your van ❤
If we didn't live full time we probably would have something similar. Motorhomes are definitely more difficult to get around in but all in all we do enjoy ours 😊xx
hi guys we did consider for a while a smaller coachbuilt , but our van is in a storage yard and the access is through narrow lanes so everytime i went to get the last van , an 8M swift , my heart was in my mouth dreading confrontation of bin lorries head on that wouldn’t move and just stare at me , then the traffic would build up behind me ect … nightmare scenarios 😂
First and foremost Mike you need to return your shirt , they've spelt your name wrong 😂😂, personally I think your van has a really good layout, I can see your point on the sink as we have a fold out and it is handy just to fold up out the way, but as for the fridge not sure if it's the fridge or you lol, as you alluded to getting older, our fridge is on the floor like yours and for years never an issue, now I'm on my way to being 63 it's getting lower lol, we have a very flexible bed set up but always chose to make up the big double, but again as we're getting older we now tend to make it as a small double and a big signal as the summers in France are to hot to be in a double and it allows more room for me to visit the loo lol, so my point is we as people change and so do our needs, so we look at things differently like you maybe doing two years down the line, as for storage again you alluded to it, if we have space we will fill it, I've said it before , let the wife load the van and then take 50% out, seriously as you know we recently done 33 days in France and we take virtually nothing compared to others, people ask us what we take and they can't believe we only take drinks for our say late off the ferry stop and some tins, then we just do a shop somewhere in France, they tell us and show us a fortnights worth of food piled up in their van plus a ton of clothes, we take just and I mean just over a week's worth because nearly every big supermarket and petrol station you go to in France has washing machines and dryer, you don't even need powder or softener the machine provides it, and some when finished text you, so we sling our gear in go do a shop or get a coffee and wallah all done, we never fully load our van really can't see the point, we look at your vlogs and we both think you have plenty or storage in your van or maybe it's just us who knows, anyway another enjoyable vlog keep them coming 👍.
leave the wife to pack and take 50% out 😂😂, i can imagine how much some people take , kirsty panics if we don’t take the kitchen sink and that’s only for a night ! 😂 , if it was left to me i’d have a mug a glass a plate and a knife and fork x 2 and a change of underwear and that’s it , what more could we need , as you say most places in france have laundrettes and plenty of supermarkets way better than ours , can’t wait til we can get over there , the drop down sink would be handy but since been told cant be done on our layout as not enough room behind the wall for the pipes etc or it can be done but we’d lose something else , always a compromise with these vans..
thanks again for watching we always enjoy reading your comments 👍😀
Hi Mike & Kirsty.
Love your channel . On your recommendation we visited Willowcroft in July. Fantastic small site. The owners were very helpful and welcoming. Also had my 2019 Swift 694 remapped. Well worth doing.
Thanks.
Clive.
cheers clive yes a lovely little site there , conveniently located , glad your happy with the remapp as we were , gives us the extra little bit of power when required
thanks for watching the channel
mike & kirsty
Hi Kirsty and Mike, we have a Vantage Neo purchased from Vantage in 2020 and agree with all you say, we were told they couldn’t fit gas struts to the lockers( can’t remember why not) but I am sure it’s doable. We opted for a larger fridge which goes a long way back so I bought 6 slide in drawers ( type you put cans in ) so no more getting on hands and knees looking for stuff. Yes there are a few niggles like where to put rubbish bin , I bought a collapsible one that slots over cupboard doors, needs more emptying but doesn’t take much room. We had caravanned for over 30 years so took a bit of of getting used to not having same amount of room but we realised we carried far to much stuff most of which we never used and haven’t missed . We chose the Neo as it mirrors the layouts of our previous caravans, homely just smaller. Love watching your vids
hi and thanks for commenting on the video , we also wondered where to put the rubbish bin but ended up just placing a free standing one between the cab seats once set up , great idea with the fridge ! but yes we just carry less now and still hardly use any of it , but saying that we are only ever away for a couple of nights , we love the rear lounge as you do and i often sit up front too with the little round table , nice with the door open 👍
thanks for watching our videos
much appreciated , safe travels
mike & kirsty
Wow, I can’t believe it’s two years since you downsized to your present camper , as you said time just passes us by so quickly. Lovely to see you are both loving the van , and it was certainly a wise decision. You both seem to get out and about lots more which thankfully gives us more interesting videos to watch ( many thanks ) . By the way I’m still enjoying your fish and chip runs , good to see the ET bike has been retired. Best wishes and take care 🚐👍
Hi eric , yes where’s that 2 years gone ! Scarily fast , We are enjoying the camper it was the right decision for us as we did originally come from a 5.4M autosleeper before the coachbuilts , so we half knew what to expect , thank you for still supporting us by the way we do appreciate it and we know you was one of our first subscribers!
Currently enjoying the electric bike for the chippy runs , no more getting out of breath on my way back and getting heartburn eating it 😂 but ET had to go , ( the gears were gone )
thanks again for watching and commenting
have a good week and take care
mike , kirsty and dogs 👍😀
Great video we have a big 7 meter motorhome it is too big we are looking at changing it to something like your motorhome so thanks for your great advice 👍
welcome thanks for watching the video 👍
Totally agree with all the minor adjustments you mentioned - especially access for under the sofas and high level fridge. I struggle lifting the heavy cushions at the same time as holding up the base to put bedding away. My last van had a fridge at the top with wardrobe underneath which is far better, but it’s all compromise isn’t it and like you I’m more than happy with my IH overall. Cheers Debs 🚐
hi debs yes I’m happy with the van and layout but as you say there’s always something and i think that’s the case with most vans & us humans in general desiring bigger or better instead of appreciating what we have right infront of us , a high level fridge would be nice thought , always a compromise! But can only fit so much in these van conversions
thanks again for watching and commenting 👍
Congrats on van’s 2 year run! I really enjoy hearing Kirstey’s opinions since she rarely talks. Mike has the gift for gab and is always outgoing and expressive in front of the camera but I really like hearing the different perspectives on “Vanlife”. Great video.
hi kirsty is not much of a talker on camera , totally different if you met her & spoke to her you wouldn’t get away 😂 so i have to try and compensate but it would make it a lot easier if she engaged more 👍
thanks for watching the channel
mike & kirsty
S and l have the perfect requirements you mention
yes vantage would do the same if requested from new , ours is used
Hi Mike and Kirsty like many Caravan and Motorhome owners there is always a little room for improvement and tweaks that would make it more useful as an owner, I would like to think that Vantage vans and other Van Companies are looking at the vlogs that people like you create and think yes that is a good idea and something we can incorporate or design a bit better, all the best
yes i agree there is always room for improvement, but cant please everyone, i think it’s us as humans , we are never 100% happy and always feel the need to change or the grass always greener etc , we have adapted to the smaller space and made it work for us and are now happy , well , 90% happier 😂👍
thanks for watching and commenting
We had a rear pod fitted to our Vantage Rio, expensive I know, but that gives us the two extra overhead cupboards and a shelf and support across the back plus a good sized boot for chairs etc. I agree a pop up sink would greatly improve space in the washroom. With the Rio layout you do get the upper fridge and gain a dining area but at the expense of kitchen area. Only had it a couple of months but still glad we also downsized from a coach built. Always enjoy looking forward to your videos, keep up the good work.
we loved the rio when we were looking and often seen them at the shows , love the front eating area but kirsty didn’t want to loose kitchen top space , we’ve since been told with the pop up sink we’d lose the pantry that the neo’s have behind the drivers seats due to the pipe work required and false wall behind the toilet wall , there’s always a compromise! but we love the van and are happy with it
thanks for watching our video’s
much appreciated
mike & kirsty
Wow two years went quick. T4 2 adults, 2 frenchies is sometimes a struggle for weeks/ 2 weeks away. Definatly about planning lol. We love your van. It's perfect for you guys. ❤xxx
hi kate yes time is flying by can’t believe it really , definitely agree with the planning , i think we all adapt and i actually like being in a small space where everything is reachable and manageable 👍😀
Have a good week
mike & kirsty ❤️
Hi Kirsty and Mike.
Honest as always, as per staying in van long time we have just completed 5 months in our IH van conversion as we are in the process of building a house.
Really apprehensive at the start but it makes you realise how little you really need.
House is nearly complete and we both agree we will miss this lifestyle, we have met so many vanlifers who would never go back into a house they all seem so happy with great stories to tell .
I am convinced when we do move into the house we will soon be itching to hit the road again.
We have had the best summer ever.
Love your videos.
Chris
Hi chris , interesting you say that as we’ve heard so much of this before , and more and more lately of the minimalistic lifestyle and do we all really need what we think we do or programmed to think we do , We see people living in narrow boats and camper vans living a perfectly normal and if not a “happier” life … a real life as they quote and i could quite believe it , it’s funny how we adapt as humans and don’t need half the stuff we assume we do
thanks again for watching and commenting congrats on the new house build 👍😀
Hi you may remember we have a SOL. I’ve added a back board and gas strut , details were posted in the Facebook group. Also asked about the drop down sink at Vantage and as was said in previous comment they have to put a false wall in for the pipes so you loose space in the bathroom. Always a compromise 😬
hi keith yes of course i remember we saw your facebook post , and yes always a compromise! only so much can be fitted into these panel van conversions , i think i’d rather leave it as it is then than faff about & lose more space & shorten the bathroom area
Nice assessment of the van and I agree the rear does need support otherwise you'll not use the back lounge safely
yeah we will put something across there but very rarely have both doors open though
You need to checkout Consort campervans they are your van with all the things you have on your wish list
thanks for the info 👍
And S & L
Must be far more relaxing to drive than you last one. Looks mint as usual 👍Graeme
thanks graeme i do try to keep it clean
have a good week
mike & kirsty 👍
Hi Mike /Kirsty. You may remember I asked your advice on downsizing as we were about to do the same and we couldn’t find a van like yours but ended up with a Devon Sapphire. Anyway I agree with everything you said in this video, especially the cushions a cross the back and we need some wall pockets like yours. Our main pain is the duvet storage Love your vids keep em coming
hi steve yes i remember , hope you are enjoying your van , the first thing we struggled with was the duvets we have 2 singles duvets but make up the double bed , we finally settled in storing ours under one of our bench seats
thanks for watching our videos
all the best
mike & kirsty
Hi Mike and Kirsty. Great video again.
We have had our Neo now for 6 months and love it. We had a Bailey coachbuilt before. No regrets about changing to the Neo.
Ours has an electronic handbrake, which I love. Would have liked an automatic, but would have had to wait many more months before one became available.
Build quality of the Neo is superb and it's a joy to drive.
All your suggested changes have occurred to us as well. We nearly bought a Consort Oslo, which has these in their design.
However, the pantry in the Neo was the selling point to us. Probably sounds silly, but it is so useful.
If you had a drop-down basin, you would probably have to lose the pantry, or a good part of it, with the space needed to accommodate the basin in its upright position and to get the waste and supply pipes in. The fridge and wardrobe would all have to shuffle along into the pantry space.
Access under the bench seat isn't too much of a problem to us. If we lift the seat cushion in to a vertical position, the plywood base also lifts into a vertical position and stays there.
A higher fridge would be nice, but at least it is a foot above floor level, unlike our Bailey, which was at floor level and required serious bending to use.
I agree, a plywood back support to the rear seating area would be a good idea to stop the cushions falling out if you lean back on them with the rear doors open.
However, we love the Neo. The best motorhome we have had by far (and this is our seventh motorhome over many years!).
Cheers, Steve and Alex
hi steve & alex , good point with fold up the sink , didn’t think of the space behind required to make the changes and i wouldn’t want to lose any of the pantry as we also love that , couldn’t be without it , true the fridge isn’t exactly on the floor but we would like a higher level one , I’m sure vantage would accommodate most of them where applicable if requested by a customer on a new build , we love our Neo too and the only thing i’d ever change to is a newer one ! Cant wait for that day as i love the newer series 8 ducato but i’d also want automatic
thanks again for watching and commenting
Great video and good to hear your honest thoughts, nothing in the camper world is perfect, there’s always those weaknesses. I agree about the fridge ours is low too & I find it tricky to organise it properly & my knees are never happy about it when I can’t find the butter 😂 We’ve done 4 weeks in our van, so you’ll definitely be fine to do a longer trip, it just involves frequent laundry stops. Dog food is the worst problem tbh. Thanks, Em 💜
hi Em interesting about the dog food will have to take that into account when we start out travels in the near future, but yes there always something , always a compromise somewhere along the line , we’d definitely opt for a higher fridge if it’s possible. It’s great that you’ve spent long trips in the van and can’t wait til we can do the same 👍😀
have a good week
mike & kirsty
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel ahh don’t let the dog food put you off, we have a complex situation as Charlie is on special prescription food. So we have to take enough of it with us. 🤯😉 Hope you have lots of fun on you’re travels. Em
Nice vid as always you guys…you’ve got a fantastic van as you know, and there’s always the next best thing, but you’re basically ready for a Consort yeah? 🙄🧐
hi , the next van , if there ever is one , we would probably just ask vantage to alter what we want , always a compromise with these vans ! the high level fridge would be nice 👌
Its funny listening to the changes you would want, we have an Europa (seen at eves farm). Our van is the the same layout as your and we often talk about the small changes we would make and one of them is the get rid of the cupboards that go across the back of doors! We also have the flaps for the under bed storage and never use them.
We have made a couple of changes like taking out a cupboard side cusions, but one of the main issues is that our boot storage is rubbish.
We have found out that you will never get a perfect van, but you have to make the most of it, there are things we would change but the basic layout is right for us.
i agree we are never entirely happy with what we have and as humans we always want bigger or better instead of appreciating what we have , it’s a decent layout and one we wouldn’t change , yet anyway ! , but for now we can manage making up the beds and throwing all the cushions up the front , so if you can do it 6ft 6? 6’7? we most definitely can 👍😀
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel 6ft 5in, but my feet still stick out the middle (on the flip side it does stop the dogs getting up on the bed most of the time)!
We have just downsized like you have.
We are now in a Autosleeper Warwick Duo, we are still learning what to take, its hard but wort it.
yes it’s a gradual thing i think, you can’t expect the transition to be instant , we took ages to the tune of thinking i’d made a mistake , but we persisted and it was worth it
thanks for watching the video
mike & kirsty
Brilliant acting from Mike it's effortless 😅 I'm with you more cupboards more stuff you don't use . Lovely van just as it is
thanks & exactly, more space more stuff , been there , and never used half of it . but suppose everyone is different with different requirements etc , oh the acting i know , awaiting to be discovered 😂🤣
We are just going through the same process as you did - moving from a 7.4 m to a 6m S&L Atlas 👍
A big transition ! it did take us a while to get used to it but eventually we did and don’t regret it , at first it was difficult but we just take less with us now and manage just fine , hope you enjoy your new van 👍
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel Many thanks - our coachbuilt is big but it’s mainly bathroom !! No fixed bed or garage so hopefully the day to day stuff will shoehorn in - I guess clothing may be a struggle especially for a longer trip but we hoping packing cubes will help here. Our mantra is “if the Frenchies can do it then so can we !!”
Hi Kirsty and Mike, just this weekend we said the same about access under the side benches needing gas struts and we can’t get in the boot at all which has been a real pain with our new bike rack on the back. Hey ho, i really wanted a VW t6 camper conversion but better half not keen🥲. Take care 🙂
hi ruth i do find it awkward opening the rear van door with the bike rack on it and often catch myself , VW t6 are really nice i love the look of them & can park them anywhere
We changed ours 18 months ago after seeing you vlog but we have changed back to a larger on ( bailey advance 7.9 mtrs)we have missed the extra room and storage ❤
it’s not for everyone, we missed the space for quite a while but we eventually got used to it , we just carry less now , love baileys good choice loads of space 👍
Great vid,can i ask where you got the storage pockets on the door and sides and how do you fix them on, screws,glue,velcro??? Thanks Dave.We have a Dethleffs globtrail fixed bed at the rear,6.36m,we live in Murcia Spain and last year we did France and Uk,this year france uk and the NC500 (5weeks) and in July 3 weeks in the north of Spain and the usual long and short w/ends. We found the NC500 a rip off most of the time and Northern Spain the best,great campsites,great weather,great scenery and eating and drinking,brilliant, you have got to try it.😊
hi david the storage pockets came with the van on the standard build , they are screwed on , the 2 on the doors are bigger than the 2 on the side and are sufficient enough for all your bits and bobs , you could call vantage motorhomes in leeds and they may supply you with them , thanks for the info about northern spain it looks so much different than the rest of the country , we have the sliding door on the wrong side for europe but plenty of brit vans over there i assume
thanks for watching the video
all the best
mike & kirsty
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel thanks for the heads up,don't worry about the hab door being on the wrong side its not a problem,plenty of uk vans on the route with no bother,you will absolutely love it,promise 😀 think of the blogs you could write !!
Sounds like you need a S&L Apollo… 😂
you never know what’s around the corner 😂👍
What van model is it you got?
vantage neo
Fish n Chip video’s withdrawal is now a common condition, when will they return Mike ? All the best
Next video , cant wait to get back on the bike and do it 👍
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel yeah I enjoy it, it’s like your trademark 🤣 that with the time lapse 👌🚴♂️
Why don't you do the upgrades yourself , I'm sure you can stick a bit of wood along the back to stop the cushions falling oot the back , I knew you can dae ma man 😊
i can’t be trusted ! id have a go of course but … well …. you know , her indoors 😂
@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel naw just get it done , its no that hard and I've been watching your vlogs from before your new van and know your capable of doing these wee upgrades lol
We downsized to an IH630 RL. The toilet is workable ( bench type), but the shower is awful.
we took a while to get used to it all , the transition was a pain but in the end we dont regret it and use the facilities more for showering
@@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel yes, we do do too.