Hi Guys

F

FDGorilla

0
Hi guys,

My wife spotted the commer in PC and has now switched from wanting a splitty bus (EEEEKKKKK - How much?!?!?!) and is very interested in a Commer.

A couple of issues - I'm 6'10 and not exactly what you'd refer to as 'dainty'. Does anyone live near(ish) to Southampton so we could have a look at a sorted Commer to see if I fit and how practical this would be? Before anyone comments, YES - I know I'd never fit in a dub but that hasn't stopped her bleating....[V]

Also, we have an 18 month old and another on the way so a project is out of the question - there are a few vans of interest advertised lower down the forum but (and you're gonna hate the new guy for this) I'm quite liking the sound of an engine conversion as this means it could tow my racing dinghy - effectivly killing two birds with one, well aimed, stone. How often do these come onto the market OR is there anyone who'd be willing/able to do the work for me as time is somewhat limited.

Thanks for all advice you're able to give.
 
hi and welcome from all at base charlie commer, what you need is either a highwayman or a ci autohome they are much bigger inside and the beds are a great size, they are slightly cheaper too because they dont look so good and obviously slower and slightly lower on miles per gallon,but dont let that put you off if you want an engine transplant,:p good luck with the search;)
 
Evening Mr Gorilla, I expect, judging from you height, you are used to either sleeping in the foetal position or have your extremities hanging over the edge of the bed. The bed in a panel van conversion, like an Autosleeper, usually goes across the van so is about 6" in length so foetal position if definitely called for. With the roof up I can stand up easily but I am a shorty at just under 6". As Nath says a coach built has bags of room inside and if I'm not mistaken in the Highwayman the bed runs front to back and is huge (please correct me if I'm wrong Nath)plenty of permanent head room as well. Of course all that extra bulk of the coach built needs hauling around and the 1725 lump does struggle a bit even without a trailer. That said if you are in no hurry it is a very nice way to get around. There are a few members on here carrying out engine transplants at the moment but I don't think anyone is currently swapping one in a coach built. The other option of course is to buy a panel van conversion with an awning and sleep outside, problem solved :)

'Harvey the RV'
 
yes mr panky sir you are correct and also in the ci autohomes like ours, but you can sleep across or down the van depending on the gradient of the site if needs be, theyre ggggrrreat[8D]
 
at 6'3" I cannot stand up straight in the Autosleeper roof or the PA - I can however in the slightly modified "Frodo" edition which has had bigger folding sides made at some point in the past.

You are probably welcome to come and view all three variants; in Alton. As for sleeping you may be better to go for a non-original layout or the CI as charlie has recommended.
 
quote:
Originally posted by admin

at 6'3" I cannot stand up straight in the Autosleeper roof or the PA - I can however in the slightly modified "Frodo" edition which has had bigger folding sides made at some point in the past.

You are probably welcome to come and view all three variants; in Alton.


Yeah, come up and have a look. Frodo is interesting as he has a much taller roof, but also we were thinking of turning the bed around,so have thought a bit about how that would be done, and can offer suggestions etc.
 
I am 6'2 and couldn't get on sleeping across our Autosleeper, so I made up a folding bed extension that fits across the fitted cupboards, covering only the fridge door and half of the undersink cupboard doors. When we had the van re-upholstered i had a matching cushion made up to put on it. We now sleep in a 'V' shape, which works really well, so this could be an option.;)
 
Hello Mr Gorilla! Welcome on board!

We're new to commer ownership too (just the past 3 months or so) but they are great. I've made some minor mods so our van is a bit more nippy. I'm 6'2" and slept across our autosleeper for the first time this weekend (in the snow!) it wasn't too comfy (Mr Razor could you please post some pics of your VBed modification please?)

I used to share a house with a VDub guy who ran a fair few splitties and they are really really slow, very expensive and mostly rotten.(they do look cool though!)

As for market availability, loads more have come on the market since the PC feature a couple of months back, and you're probably in the right region for them - there are very few in Scotland where I live !


Rupert





www.littleyellowcar.co.uk
 
Hi FDGorilla -welcome to the forum

Yes, it can be a bit of a squeeze for sleeping across width of van, it is one of the occasions I am glad I am a short stop:D

My van (PB autosleeper) does have option of folding down the back of the front seats to link up with bed behind which doesn't gain a lot of height but means that you have the option of sticking your feet out straight into thin air instead of leaving foot imprints in the side panels.

Friends are looking into converting the bigger bodied highway to bigger engine - they have decided against the vauxhall conversion as would mean some major interior reworking to moving engine back, don't know of any modded engines in the bigger bodied vans and there aren't many mods done yet on the standard commers so you may see one for sale but a lot less often.

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
Thanks for the info. I have a funny feeling that the Highwayman would be the sensible choice but, strictly for asthetic reasons, a standard PB with an awning for long stays will get the nod from my wife. Even with a van, I'd get relegated to a tent :(

Admin/Chasbaps - I'd like to take you up on your kind offer if possible. Ping me an email - [email protected] and we'll try and set something up.
 
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