[Pippa chides me for not having any updates. However, I am a fair weather camper fan; unable to be torn away from my regular transport's heated seats and, well, heating during the winter months, and my van is lurking under its cover in the garden devising new ways of turning to rust. She has, in the community spirit, taken the chance to write something herself, for which she has my great thanks. Season's Greetings ]
It was a sad day today; Claude eventually had to leave pride of place on our drive to go into winter storage. It's a day I've been putting off for the past month or two, using excuses such as the unseasonably mild weather; the need to finish off the restoration work; the fact that moving him will reveal the steadily-growing oil-patch on the driveway....
In reality, it's just because I'll actually miss my van! He's been great fun for little trips throughout the year, and he's also been a really enjoyable hobby, taking up much of my time and energy (not to mention the bank balance!) since the day we bought him. And now that I've just got the van how I want him, it's time to mothball him until spring - so unfair!
So, I spent most of today emptying all of the cupboards, removing the curtains and cushions, washing, T-cutting, rust-removing and waxing to try to ensure Claude emerges in April reasonably close to the same condition as he is now. Then it was a quick trip down to a local farmer's barn in the next village, where he'll hopefully be safe and dry for the next 3 or 4 months, at a cost of £10 per week. (I hope I'm not being ripped off!) Obviously, I'll pop down every week or two and start him up, or preferably give him a run to keep his brakes and tyres in order, but in the meantime, I'll just have to find myself an alternative hobby... any ideas?
Pippa
[Hobbies? Well, there's always blogging, I suppose]
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20 comments:
Interesting to see the picture of the roof beds, i haven't found anywhere to store my Vw as yet but may have to try and find a local farmer who could help out! A great way to keep the rust at bay(no pun intended) is to thoroughly clean the underneath of your van and thoroughly apply loads of WAXOYL rustproofing underneath, using the spray and making sure you cover every possible nook and cranny,it really is excellent and effective stuff!
Alex
Hi Alex.
I keep mine under a caravan cover that I bought. It's not a snug fit, but it keeps the elements out.
Thanks for the suggestion Alex! I'd heard Waxoyl mentioned in one of the camper magazines, but the garage take Claude to wouldn't do it for me, and although I'll turn my hand to most grubby tasks, I didn't really fancy crawling under a dirty van and wire-brushing rust and oil into my own face!
However, if it really is that effective, then what the hell - I'll do it! I think Halfords sell Waxoyl, but if anyone knows of anywhere cheaper....
Ian, I don't know how much your cover cost, but given the fact that my van's stint in the barn will set me back about £160, a cover may actually be a cheaper long-term option, if it keeps the van dry enough. Anyway, farmers can be a pain!
Hi.
Interesting club page,*ian* I have had my 2 vw campers for nearly 5 yrs, one is a splitty and the other a high top, not a palomino but very similar.A friend told me about your site because he thought the photos were the same as my van.
*pippa* you're not being ripped off at £10. Undercover storage is not cheap but it's the best option. But dont be tempted to take your camper out too much over winter, the salt on the roads will really rot the underneath, and that's when you get the expensive welding bills. Just turn the engine over and move the van a few feet each time. Make sure you leave the handbrake off (put bricks under the tyres) And *Alex* is spot on about the waxoyl, it's an essential end-of season job, even if cleaning up the underside is not too pleasant. If you live around Colchester, I'll gladly do it for you!But otherwise try a different garage, they may have thought you wanted it drilling and pressure spraying rather than just surface treating.
Good luck with the club and have a good Xmas.
Hi, hope you all had a fantastic Xmas and New Year, did anyone get anything Vw Camper related?
I got a new set of Chrome Hubcaps which was nice,I'm still keeping the original Palomino ones though(although i must admit, i won't miss all the "is it a Rover or a Vw) comments!
I'm a real Classic car enthusiast and the original Palomino hub caps look remarkably similar to old Rover P6 items!
Take care
Alex
Ps, did you ever manage to Waxoyl Claude, Pippa?
Hi, and Happy New Year!
Yes, I got a few camper-related gifts: a camper mouse mat, a couple of books, and, believe it or not, some cute VW Camper egg cups from the girls at work!
I'm a bit disappointed now - I thought my lovely chrome VW hubcaps were the original ones, but obviously they're not! Have you got any pictures of the Rover-style ones, Alex?
Yes, I took your good advice and brought Claude out of his barn for a day to Waxoyl the underneath. Problem was, I don't have any ramps, pit etc, so it was a matter of wriggling around on my back underneath the van in the freezing cold for about 4 hours.
However, despite the cut fingers, ruined clothes and rust-and-grease-filled eyes, nose, mouth etc, I'm very proud of myself for getting it done.....but Girl Power or not, maybe a garage can do it next year!
Hi Pippa
Applying Waxoyl isn't the nicest of jobs but it's definately worth doing, it's a lot cheaper than a large welding bill!
Well done for actually knuckling down and doing it though!
The Hub Caps on your Camper are original VW ones but i think the Palomino conversion had the Rover style wheels. Trust me though, the chrome hub caps are far nicer than the Rover type ones so you're not missing much! I will get a few pics of the Palomino wheels for you. Just out of interest, where do you get your spares from?
Take care
Alex
Alex. Interesting that you mention the Rover hubcaps. Mine has them, but I always assumed that it was something that had been added on later after the originals were lost. If anyone fancies coming round to inspect them, and Waxoyl the camper while you're at it, feel free!
Just out of interest, what neck of the woods do you all come from?
I'm from Emsworth( a little town/village half way between Portsmouth and Chichester)
If any of you guys live near to the South coast and fancy a fantastic Summer jaunt in your Vans, try and get along to Beachbuggin 07 on Southsea common.
It would be nice to see another Palomino there!
It's great fun, it all starts with a load of Vw owners meeting up in a place called Horndean and spending the night camping in there Vw's, then in the morning they all drive down into Southsea, quite a sight to behold, a convoy of Vw's of all descriptions!
Take care
Alex
Hi Alex
The new spares I've had to get - including my rear bumper - came from GSF. (www.gsfcarparts.com) Their prices are good, and they have branches all over the country.
For second-hand spares, I'm lucky in that I live within easy reach of Volksheaven - the biggest VW salvage business in Britain.
However, getting parts for 2.0L vans like ours seems to be quite difficult; it's easier if you have a 1.6L T2. For example, my rocker covers had to be scavenged from scrapped vans, as they're not available new for 2.0L vans. Also, one of my rear bumper brackets had to be made for me, as you just can't get them for love nor money - even Volksheaven could only track down a single bracket.
Ian - good try! If I can go through the Waxoyl pain barrier, so can you!
Hi!
Re: Beachbuggin '07 - I've been having a look at pics of the 2005 event, and it does look like a great day out, especially as I'm a big fan of old Beetles as well as VW campers. You're right Alex, it would be fantastic to have a group of Palomino vans there together - that would really get them noticed! Are you taking your van too, Ian?
I'm from North Lincolnshire (in other words a long way from the south coast!) but I'd still love to go. Unfortunately my fiance works abroad and it might be a bit lonely to go on my own, but if I can rope in a friend or family member to keep me company, I'll be there!
Couple of questions, Alex - is it a proper campsite at Horndean, and do you have to book a 'space' at the event itself?
The beachbuggin website is here.
I have to say, I'm kind of confused by this urge that volkswagen owners have to congregate together. Why does this particular vehicle have such a following? I'm not aware of a similar behaviour in, well, Mondeo owners, or the like.
Although, having said that, I might show my face, if not my van, at Bus Types or Vanfest
It's not a campsite at Horndean, just a field really, i haven't actually camped at Beachbuggin before, i'm guessing that they bring in toilets/showers etc though.
Are any of you going to the Vw show at Sandowne Park 24th-25th March?
Hi Alex
Unfortunately I'm out of the country then, but have a good time if you're going! I'm still hoping to get down to Southsea in August - I don't mind roughing it a bit. I'm still working on drafting in someone mad enough to come all that way with me.
By the way, does your van have a name?
I went to the Volksworld show last Sunday, really good fun!
I kept my eyes peeled for any Palominos and believe it or not, parked right by the entrance to the show was exactly that, a Palomino!
It was a later model than ours, i.e the squarer shaped model, but nonetheless still a Palomino!
I got chatting to the owner and apparently, when new, the Palomino was more expensive than a Westfalia/Devon
I also had a good look around the interior, it's exactly the same as the earlier Bay window version.
As yet Pippa, i haven't managed to come up with a decent name for my Van, any ideas?
I will keep my eyes open for Claude at Beachbuggin 07, hope to see you there
Take care
Alex
I knew there was something I'd forgotten last weekend. That always happens with me.
A T25 one like in the brochure, then? I hope you recruited the owners, Alex!
Hi!
Wow - another Palomino! I have still never seen another in real life, so you have one up on me there, Alex! Did you get any photos of the T25? Ian - maybe you'll have member number 4 soon!
Claude is now out of hibernation, and we took him to Cleethorpes for his first day trip of the season. I think every other VW camper owner in the area must have had the same idea, because we saw 4 other vans there too, and took part in all the usual waving and horn-honking that adds to the fun of owning one of these vehicles.
More expensive than a Westfalia? I knew there was something special about Palominos! And as all vans must apparently have a name for good luck, I'll get my thinking cap on!
Yes, Pippa, the palomino owner was a prince amongst men in its day.
A trip is brave. I haven't even got round to thinking about taxing mine for the summer yet.
Amongst men? ChauVANist!
Well, yes - I think a trip to Cleethorpes is pretty brave in anyone's book! :)
Actually, Claude's been getting lots of outings lately and he's still been flying along at 65mph with no problems. In fact, Alex, you've given me the 'show bug' now, and barring a really bad weather forecast, we're taking Claude along to the Bus Types show in Shropshire this weekend.
If I see any other Palominos, I'll attempt a bit of club recruitment!
The fantastic weather is here again, time for those Vee Dubs to be hauled out of hibernation and enjoyed!
Are you still going to Beachbuggin this Year Pippa?
I had to put a new Alternator belt on mine, it had stretched and the battery wasn't charging properly, i had a few problems getting the right one from GSF, has anyone else experienced any similar problems with spares/parts for the 2 litre vans?
Just out of interest, do any of you other Palomino owners have an awning? I'm thinking about buying one and would appreciate a few hints/tips/recommendations.
Take care
Alex
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