The Van Code Book/Guide Discussions & Feedback

[Jackie]

I just had another thought. We chat to vanlifers all over Europe in our travels, and some countries do not allow self-conversions. I think Italy was one, possibly the Netherlands and some Scandi countries. Perhaps worth a mensh.

Also in the UK, some body types will never get change of use to a motor caravan, or if you do, it can cause all kinds of problems with an old vehicle that isn’t up to modern standards.

For example, a truck is not an acceptable body type, so we can never change our registration to motor caravan. We’re registered as a private LGV, but our MOT test is for a motorcaravan, since that is patently what we are!

I did hear of a case via a friend where they had to abandon their conversion because they changed an old vehicle to motor caravan, but failed on hundreds of issues and could never bring it up to standard.

The ombudsman has recently been involved in a few cases where the British DVLA has kept moving the goalposts!

“Communication failures by the DVLA about what a campervan is leave people confused. This is a failure of DVLA’s role, according to the national Ombudsman.”

Let’s hope DVLA implement the findings and provide clarity for self-builders.

https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/…/dvlas-poor-communication…

ombudsman.org.uk

DVLA's poor communication causes confusion for campervan owners | Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)

Communication failures b

[Jackie]

Heating – we have a Propex LPG heater connected to a 100 litre tank. We used to run it from a Safefill refillable LPG tank, which we also use for cooking and hot water.

We will definitely install a diesel heater as a backup when we venture further afield into places where LPG is not so readily available, but I do think that failing to mention an LPG heater as an option is an omission, since many vans will already have LPG systems.

[Jackie]

Hi Tomas – I have finished your book and it’s a comprehensive, easy-to-read masterpiece!

Congratulations.

What do you plan to do with it? I ask because I would like to link to it on my blog but I’m not sure whether it’s in beta form and you plan to sell it or how things will work.

Please let me know and I will share it if appropriate.

Kind regards,

Jackie

[Tomas]

Hi Jackie!

Thanks so much for all the feedback, and the amazing words. THANKS!

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve just returned from a 6 weeks trip to Norway. Been amazing, but hectic so not much time for The Van Code. But now, things are going to happen.

Regarding the book, the plan is to make it available for free right here on The Van Code actually. I’m an effort to start building an audience here, so linking to it is very very welcome, thank you! We’re still not advertising the site or book anywhere, but we’re only a few weeks away from being ready. When that is the case, you are super welcome to link it on your blog. And we’d love to link back of course! In fact we have some idea’s on how we can publish little “teaser” blogs here on the site, that is leading to other great blogs, so we’d love to chat to you about that too.

I hope you get this, otherwise I’ll try and reach you on Facebook. 👍🏼

Thanks again Jackie, your help is really appreciated. 🙏

[Jackie]

My absolute pleasure, Tomas.

I’m happy to do whatever I can to help! xx