745 as a weekend camper

[Offgrid]

The Hoe now has a new MOT, tax and insurance, and I want to start using it as a weekend camper. Has anyone else tried this? I may fit a leisure battery if I can find an unobtrusive place to fit it. The biggest problem is fitting curtains in the rear, or maybe I should pain the glass to reduce vision from the outside. I don't want to hack the interior around too much, as the car is in excellent condition, and deserves to be restored and preserved.

I need to be a bit circumspect with "HOE" in the number plate, and it will be interesting to see if that gives rise to some unexpected encounters.

[Steve 940]

No personal experience, I think you meant 'paint' the windows, yes a cheap option, but if possible I would suggest a proper film.

We have two hounds and we have rear windows behind the B pillar coated with a thermal reflective film and there are varied levels of tint available. We went for discreet, rather than gangster blackout. Not cheap circa £3-£400 but well worth it and reversable.

Not sure how they work if you have a light on inside

Condensation might be an issue also, perhaps some of those desiccant crystals in a bag.

Good luck and enjoy

Cheers
Steve

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

No personal experience, I think you meant 'paint' the windows, yes a cheap option, but if possible I would suggest a proper film.

We have two hounds and we have rear windows behind the B pillar coated with a thermal reflective film and there are varied levels of tint available. We went for discreet, rather than gangster blackout. Not cheap circa £3-£400 but well worth it and reversable.

Not sure how they work if you have a light on inside

Condensation might be an issue also, perhaps some of those desiccant crystals in a bag.

Good luck and enjoy

Cheers
Steve

I would just buy a decent tent ! more legroom

[Forrest]

You would probably do better to buy a caravan. However, there does seem to be quite a lot of information online about converting V70s into “boot campers” and even some commercial solutions. Most of this would be transferable to a 700/900 series estate.

https://www.skandix.de/en/documents/...o-v70/3000629/

What seems to be common across most of these solutions is installing a raised platform for the mattress thus providing storage underneath. I guess you could include a leisure battery under this platform too, but you might want to give some thought to how well the occupants of the bed would be protected should it explode.

The more I think about it the more attractive the Premier Inn becomes!

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Forrest

You would probably do better to buy a caravan. However, there does seem to be quite a lot of information online about converting V70s into “boot campers” and even some commercial solutions. Most of this would be transferable to a 700/900 series estate.

https://www.skandix.de/en/documents/...o-v70/3000629/

What seems to be common across most of these solutions is installing a raised platform for the mattress thus providing storage underneath. I guess you could include a leisure battery under this platform too, but you might want to give some thought to how well the occupants of the bed would be protected should it explode.

The more I think about it the more attractive the Premier Inn becomes!

I'm inclined to agree, 'Forrest'. There are a plethora of videos on YouTube depicting small hatchbacks being used as 'campers' and there is a lot more room in a 745. It depends on how minimalist 'Offgrid' either wants, or is prepared, to be.

'griston64' mentioned a tent, but that would involve pitching and striking camp every time and is not without cost. Given the size and shape of the 745, another alternative might be to have a fixed roof mounted tent which would offer greater convenience but would presumably be rather more expensive than a conventional tent. Perhaps a second hand one could be sourced.

I wouldn't call it 'camping', but in my dim and distant youth I did on occasion sleep in the back of a minivan, so 'Offgrid's proposal is not without potential. Compared with a mini, a 745 would be almost luxurious!

Regards, John.

[SalvadorP]

at a certain point last year me and my partner (more me than my partner) thought it was a good idea to camp around with our 940. I had the mattress, we bought a gas stove and we assembled a camping kit with all the stuff needed. We went to a park, I filled in the matress for the lady to chill while I cooked lunch. Police came and almost fined me for cooking with fire. Then we realized the mattress dind't leave that much vertical space to be in. You can't seat inside. you have to scoop in and out on your butt...

Long story short, our 940 van dweller life lasted about 3 hours total. We sold the stove and we never spoke of that event again.

I have accepted that being able to safely and confortably carry me and all my stuff all the way from where I am to where I want to be is more than good enough purpose for my beautiful 940

[Offgrid]

I'm becoming more and more disenchanted with a bricks and mortar permanent home, especially as the ruling classes are using them as a means of wealth transfer and sunjugation. I've got a high top LDV convoy which I am converting into a mobile home. Well it's more of a movable accomodation vehicle. I am considering using the 740 just for sleeping and transport if I go for some short term visits. Buying a coffee in a supermarket cafe lets you use the WiFi, and recharge small tools, computers and battery packs.

I watched this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1SWg1dLtM4
and canal living has an appeal as well. Unfortunately the girl doesn't come with the boat.

[john.wigley]

Canal living does certainly have an appeal, 'Offgrid'; it is an entirely different pace of life.

I know of some who dwell on a 70' narrow boat quite happily, but there are difficulties - none of which can not be overcome. One does need a permanent address, 'Naomi', River Soar, is not acceptable but a PO box will suffice, and the authorities also require one to move on every so often - once a fortnight, I believe.

We used to keep an 18'6" centre cockpit cruiser on the Soar 40 years ago and with even minimalist living it was quite claustrophobic. Three weeks on board for the two of us was more than long enough! Convenience was not a strong suit, having to set up a shower in the cockpit every time and regularly empty a chemical toilet quickly become tedious.

Then the cost is not as low as one might think. Moorings were not cheap even then, then there are mandatory boat inspections and insurance to be considered. Maritime spares, presumably because of the much smaller niche market, are much more expensive than equivalent automotive parts.

Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the experience for short breaks over a period of several years, but we would be reluctant to consider it for permanent accommodation. If you are seriously considering it as a way of life time spent on research will repay you well.

Above all, do not make any hasty decisions. We know of firms that will design and build a vessel from a basic hull, and of some who use their services. You can have more or less anything that you can in a bricks and mortar home, but the cost will be much the same. On top of that, while a house generally appreciates in value over time, a boat, like a car, usually depreciates.

Regards, John.

[SalvadorP]

I can't speak to boat living because that's not a thing in portugal/spain.

But what about prefab construction? I have researched that subject quite a bit. There are several types of construction and all have their advantages and disadvantages and, in general, much like a car or a boat, they don't really increase in value. They only lose value. But, if you are not looking at a house as an investment, this is currently a much better option than regular construction.
We ended up finding and buying an abandoned house from the 70s and I am restoring it myself (no previous knowledge or experience in anything related to construction). But we seriously considered prefabs/modular homes.
They are especially good if you already own a plot of land or can buy one for cheap.

[Offgrid]

Originally Posted by SalvadorP

But what about prefab construction?

It's not about the cost. If I wanted a bricks and mortar solution, I'd probably go for a small derelict farm. The appeal is in getting away from the ties of real estate, and being a cash cow for the curent government(s). I suppose the ideal would be to re-wild some barren land, or buy a forest. There used to be a derelict petroil station on the A31 near my farm in Winchester, and that had some appeal. Trees are a great way to clean up polluted land, but it does take some time. Unfortunately the land had been bought by a guy who was keeping it fior his retirement. He just planned on leaving it for 20-30 years for nature to do it's magic.
I'll probably convert the Convoy, and have some fun travelling around in that. I have a bit of a problem driving 3 cars though. I have got an A-frame, and I towed the estate behind the convoy using that. It was quite an adventure, as the front disks were slightly warped, and the steering needed some adjustment. It gave the Hoe the idea that it could take over the driving on the downhill stretches.