Vito Conversion to Motorhome ??

[M80]

Due to wishing to tow a dinghy for w/e's, and more, away I've arrived at the conclusion that a motorhome with tow bar is the answer.

Because I find Merc engineering and ergonomic considered design to be better than most I'm looking at the vans.

This is early research and so far I've not looked into the insurance considerations of a van or dual liner or mini bus to convert.

My thoughts are for the Vito LWB Dual liner. As I'm assuming insurance is good for enough passengers and the rear can still offer the versatility of a wet area / workshop, and the rear seats don't have to stay but can be reinstalled when required.

More than like it would be the 4 cylinder CDI. There are different power options that I think is safe to assume is just engine mapping

-but are there other differences ?

If this is like the C200 / C220 I might be as well picking up the lower powered option and remapping.

I believe the front wheel drive to be better for the low traction situations,

-am I correct in thinking it's only the later versions, since 2010, that are rear wheel drive ?

Any thoughts and suggestions are more than welcome.

 

[Crazycarb]

I did a transit conversion from an ex utilities van,to putting windows in and fitting out.
I hate to say this, but IMHO Vito's are pretty dreadful vans, hence you don't see many of them on the roads. Most of the ferrous oxide has been swept up with a brush & dustpan.
I'd leave Merc alone when looking at commercials and def turn my attention to the trusty Transit. My 2.4 MK6 would pull an alfa on a trailer without even noticing it's there.

 

[GAD Tuning LTD]

We work with a van conversion specialists called Visontech online! They manyly convert T5 transporters however they also do conversion for the Mercedes Vito/Viano and convert them to what ever spec you require! We also tune through them as im sure you can imagine a lot of people would like a little extra oomph with there vans especially if the vehicle has increased in weight!!

Here is the site

http://www.visiontecht5.co.uk/

Regards

Team GAD

 

[curious]

The W638's are front wheel drive and the W639's are real wheel drive (2004 on).
(2010 on are just a facelifted W639).

There are differences in the rear axle ratios for different power outputs.

I'm led to believe one notch of power increase by mapping would be fine!

The later Vito's have been galvanised (not sure when) but the early one's were dreadful as rightly said.
I've got a 57 plate and live very close to the sea with no problems. (Famous last words!)

 

[PovertySpec]

Due to wishing to tow a dinghy for w/e's, and more, away I've arrived at the conclusion that a motorhome with tow bar is the answer.

Been there, drew up the plans, costed it out and concluded that you can get many, many nights stay in hotels and B&Bs for the cost of buying and converting a decent van into a decent camper, with resale value. £10k+?

Then there's converting the V5 from van to camper so you can do more than 50mph and not get robbed on tolls and ferries etc.

Unless you're doing it for a lifestyle reason? If so money, convenience and comfort are all, obviously, secondary

 

[M80]

you can get many, many nights stay in hotels and B&Bs for the cost of buying and converting a decent van into a decent camper, with resale value. £10k+?

Well I'm still considering the pros and cons.
The potential rust is one of them, both Merc and VW seem to have had bad reputations here.
I'm hopeful to get some positive feedback on this for perhaps 07 / 08 models ??

Some pros are that the camper is at home to gear up ready for the off.
The possible locations for stop overs can be remote and even unplanned, on the hoof sort of thing. No need to think ahead and book hotels. Then hotels and the site for sailing are likely to be some miles part, not so with the camper as often you can find a site and launch from it.

We've done the tenting thing now and again but a camper seems to offer greater comfort and convenience.

Looking at the price of 2nd hand campers I have been surprised at the asking price of what would be an ill equipped older vehicle, as in no ABS, air con, cruise.....

Still a few questions though.

 

[Crazycarb]

It cost me a grand to convert my MK 6 transit. The van really stood me at nothing as I had used it in my courier business, so it had paid me back.
Most of the fittings came off Ebay, the most expensive item being the privacy windows I fitted & roof vent. We cut up a memory foam mattress and covered it for the seat/bed conversion. My mate (electrician) installed the 240v electrics, I did the cut out for the hook up socket etc. Hob & sink was ex caravan off ebay about 20 quid.

 

[keefysher]

Get a Bongo.

Mine is here on post 914 http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96317&page=92

Same colour as a Merc, Designo Orange, same seat upholstery.

4WD, auto, 4 cylinder diesel, LSD front & rear.

You know it makes sense.

Vito's rot, that's why not many are used as camper vans.

 

[M80]

A bit of an update.
I wasn't really in a rush to buy but last week while researching variations and prices came across a good example. I saw it Thursday and collected Saturday.
A few details,
a 2007, black extra long traveliner.
Cruise, air con, and as standard I believe ABS and ESP.
Elec windows and mirrors, not seats though.
115 output remapped from new and auto 5 speed box.
As it's been used for executive private hire (in other words a posh taxi) it's been valeted regularly, so near perfect. The drivers seat (heated) needs a repair. The tow bar tube needs a bit of black paint. The front windscreen wash needs attention but the rear wash wipe is fine.
16" alloys (better than 17" in my mind) with near new tyres all round.
Taxed for 12 months, MOT till march.
Not bad for a van.

The possible glitch is that the reconned box (25k miles ago) hangs onto gears a little long on deceleration perhaps, anyway it develops a resonating grumble as it drops to 1200 revs.
It's done 296,000 miles but at less than £3k I reckon if I need to spend a few quid there I'm still quids in. The 60 mile drive home gave me no feelings of concern though, and these lumps are known for their mega miles.

My thoughts are to convert in no rush ready for next year. A decent audio unit from China will be going in shortly (with GPS, DTV, rear view camera, BT, SD and other gizmos). The EGR mod from here looks like a good idea. I'll be upgrading the headlamp lamps with night breakers, and I like the idea of some DRL's (especially with it being black.)

Any thoughts on the gear box resonating would be welcome.

 

[tjamesbo]

We'll be expecting some pictures and updates

 

[M80]

No problem, this will be more of the Vito evolving rather than a head on conversion though. I'm in no rush and in truth I'm up to my eyes in other needs and don't really need another hobby.

 

[turbopete]

if you go ahead and fit it out as a full camper rather than just a place to sleep (ie fit a cooker etc to it) please let us know how easy or otherwise it is to get insurance nowadays, if the job is not carried out by an approved specialist. the last i heard, they were having a clampdown on the DIY conversions (often fitting a van out with the parts from a scrap caravan) due to the numerous safety issues

 

[M80]

A bit of a heads up there Pete, it's a good idea for me to look into that cheers.

 

[Crazycarb]

if you go ahead and fit it out as a full camper rather than just a place to sleep (ie fit a cooker etc to it) please let us know how easy or otherwise it is to get insurance nowadays, if the job is not carried out by an approved specialist. the last i heard, they were having a clampdown on the DIY conversions (often fitting a van out with the parts from a scrap caravan) due to the numerous safety issues

I rather think you have picked up some duff info. Most camper conversions are DIY. (see campervanlife .com) and like mine was easily insurable by specialists like shield, Adrian Flux etc. No problems.(What you may have heard, is that the average comparison site insurer may baulk at it, but loads of specialists will).

 

[turbopete]

I rather think you have picked up some duff info. Most camper conversions are DIY. (see campervanlife .com) and like mine was easily insurable by specialists like shield, Adrian Flux etc. No problems.(What you may have heard, is that the average comparison site insurer may baulk at it, but loads of specialists will).

the info came from a number of sources and stated that an increasing number of insurers were declining or significantly loading the premiums of DIY camper conversions, and to be honest, they usually stand out that theyre a DIY job as the finish and carpets etc are never to quite the same grade as one done by a specialist company (shag pile in your caravan and/or the lack of bathroom facilities often the sort of DIY conversion) and there was also the issues of electrical and gas installation safety etc in a DIY conversion, hence it being an insurance issue

 

[M80]

A bit of by the by.
Come Friday I tried to insure the Vito as a temporary car to fetch it home on Saturday.
I'm with Sheila's Wheels, and not cos I often wear a skirt, honestly.
Anyway they don't do vans full stop.
The seller then informed me that it was an MPV and registered as an estate. Silly Wheels still had no interest.
Well I managed to sort insurance but remember the olden days when this sort of thing just wasn't so complicated.

 

[turbopete]

A bit of by the by.
Come Friday I tried to insure the Vito as a temporary car to fetch it home on Saturday.
I'm with Sheila's Wheels, and not cos I often wear a skirt, honestly.
Anyway they don't do vans full stop.
The seller then informed me that it was an MPV and registered as an estate. Silly Wheels still had no interest.
Well I managed to sort insurance but remember the olden days when this sort of thing just wasn't so complicated.

i had similar trying to insure my transit i had many moons ago. in the end i swapped it to my car policy (car was dead!) and no issues. insurance had it down as being used as a private car (which it was being used as exactly that) with an extremely large boot!

 

[Crazycarb]

the info came from a number of sources and stated that an increasing number of insurers were declining or significantly loading the premiums of DIY camper conversions, and to be honest, they usually stand out that theyre a DIY job as the finish and carpets etc are never to quite the same grade as one done by a specialist company (shag pile in your caravan and/or the lack of bathroom facilities often the sort of DIY conversion) and there was also the issues of electrical and gas installation safety etc in a DIY conversion, hence it being an insurance issue

Fully agree on the quality of finish, However, there are some very clever & creative self builders out there who can make an excellent job.
You could certainly tell the difference on mine for example, BUT, my conversion cost me a grand (including the privacy bonded windows) My electrics were connected up by a fully qualified electrician (I work in the electrical trade), I connected up the gas appliances and then took it for testing at an approved dealer.
I fully insulated, boarded and then lined it with proper lining carpet from a specialist supplier in Wisbech. I fitted my own roof vent to top spec, I used memory foam to make the seating/bed conversion and my wife covered them. We had it just how we wanted it, including a seperate cubicle for a porta loo for those little emergencies.
Insuring it was a breeze and we got quotes from a few specialists. Flux were the cheapest. I got the log book changed from a panel van to a motorhome, by providing the DVLA with a file of pics and built to their specs (yes they do give guidance rules/specs). Not much I don't know about self build now, but a proper DIY one will attract insurers with no issues. I should also add that before the conversion was changed at the DVLA, Insureres were happy to quote me and at no time questioned elec/gas installations.

 

[M80]

Some updating.
I haven't been in a rush for this but perhaps a little impatient to get the Vito on the road.
I had to wait for the DVLA to remove the previous private plate and restore it to it's 07 plate, I was expecting to lose the 11 months tax as they hadn't become aware of my ownership until into October. So far it remains taxed on it's restored 07 number.

I've done a few of those little repair jobs, replacing the tow bar socket plate - heavily sprayed to keep the rust away, replaced the socket with the aluminium type and filled with silicon to keep the moisture out. New front washer pump, for a Vito they are listed at over £21, for an A class just £5.85 looks the same, in it went and all seems fine. The rear wash jets were blocked, some patient cleaning with a needle and they're now ok.

Four new night breakers, but I've yet to set up the not too well aligned headlamps.

For now I've installed a faulty Chinese Audio I took out of the C class a while back. All works but for the GPS so I'll get a new one later. So I've wired for the rear camera, out to the GPS antenna (in preparation), out to the DTV amplified antenna. I positioned a mic, for the BT, onto the drivers sun visor and wired it through the visor to be discreet. I tried phoning Larisa while passing a couple of wagons today at 70, She couldn't hear very well, so a new, better mic is called for there. So far I have FM/AM, USB, SD card music, DVD, reverse cam, BT. Later, with a new unit, I expect to have GPS, internet (can't say I'm over bothered about that on the move) and a dash cam recording facility.
I've also wired for the rear parking sensors for when they arrive from China. And so far 1 USB charging socket, but I think at least 1 more for the passengers little cubby hole is in order. Today the USB ran my hand held GPS well enough and will charge phones or whatever when required. So far it's powered from the cig lighter so is switched on with the ignition, some facility for a permanent feed may be useful to be able to charge overnight if something needs it.

Being clumsy, I guess, someone had snapped off the male spade from the heated rear screen. I soldered a short length of flex in place and crimped the spade on. It seemed to be doing it's job this morning, I'm hoping the soldering will hold.

The parking brake mechanism is underside and open to the elements. Not surprisingly the adjustment was seized. Off it came for a wire rushing, and back on with ample copper grease. I think a new one will be beneficial though and creating some sort of plastic cover for it seems reasonable.

I had a go at resonating from the gearbox. Being aware that it's a recon I considered that maybe it wasn't aligned ideally. In hope I loosened the mounting bolts, jacked it a little and re tightened. It has improved things but there is still room for improvement.



So today I drove it nearly 300 miles to collect some ML seats. As I will be using this to pull my boat up slipways I will be sitting with a wet bum dry suit on, so leather is called for. If it's leather it should be heated. As I intend to buy swivel plates it would be useful to have the memory function, so that memory 3 will, I hope, automatically adjust to prevent the backrest from striking the pillar when swiveling.
The guy was selling all front and rear seats and the door cards for £100, that seems cheap to me. I collected the seats but left him with the door cards as I don't see a need for those. He wanted another £40 for the seat controllers.
Now this is where I've been a numpty as I should have requested the connector that connects the car to the seats.

I've a big question here. Can anyone help me with the correct identification of the 12 active pins on socket '1 INNEN-BRAUM' (inner room) from a 2001 ML ?
Without some idea of which terminals require a feed this is a bit of a non starter.

 

[prwales]

What about this thing

http://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/mercedes-sprinter-motor-home-/1084277503

are these models any good as it doesn't seem a lot of money and underneath the dreadful photos I'd guess it was purpose built