Improvements?

[buffer01]

Good afternoon.
I’ve made some changes to my 76 dormobile to make it more comfortable for everyday road use. With the camping season starting, i’d like to make some changes to the interior without ruining its originality.
Has anybody fitted a water pump and heater to tgheirs and also, has anybody plumbed in a 240v hook up. I only really want it to power a kettle not to run satelitte tv etc.
Any advice or pictures would be appreciated

[AlexB]

Hi there.

My 1974 version had a tap and pump when I got it. However, the PO had ragged the cooker apart so he could place a water container under the sink, next to the gas bottle!! This vehicle is no more (so rusty) but will be reincarnated on my 1965 109.

Jim (from Dormobile UK) was offering the last few Land rover series type cookers for sale recently (one left apparantly)£250 with out tap and pump, £275 with, so that bit has been done.

Regarding 240v, I recall postings recently on the Classic landrover website and forum (http://www.rms1.co.uk/lrcc/forum/) but didn’t take any interest.
There are several carawagons who frequent that site who have ersbacher heaters installed.

Out of interest, has your Dormobile got the front 2 person bench seat plus drivers, or is it 2 singles and a cubby box please?
Pictures would be of interest

Regards
Alex

ps where are you ?
There is a hotbed of land rover campers in West Yorkshire, where I am

[ant]

Hi buffer01

I believe we should try to keep our Dormobiles as original as possible, in contrast to Alex’s views. What’s wrong with the original jerrycan with tap on the side of the wardrobe – 25 litres gravity fed and refillable from the other jerrycan? More importantly, Martin Walter’s original philosophy was to provide a vehicle for artisans to pursue their professions during the week, and take their families camping at the weekend. Thus the furniture units could be removed by undoing three bolts on each, and the rear seats folded to the sides to give maximum cargo-carrying capacity. If you modify the kitchen unit to contain a water-tank and gas bottle as per Alex’s suggestions, you negate this versatility. Before you drill holes in the bodywork, consider a ‘portable’ 240V unit – I have one of these, and the cable passes through the lower corner of the rear door, when you need to close it. (see here:)

http://clearcutconversions.co.uk/shop/product.php?id_product=22

Alex said: “There is a hotbed of land rover campers in West Yorkshire”

Unfortunately there is also a hotbed of people who rip original vehicles to pieces and recreate them to suit thir own purposes. I feel that throwing away original 6 cylinder engines, and replacing them with Defender engines and gearboxes, fitting parabolic springs and disc brakes, and then pouring derision on Defender owners is the worst of hypocrisy.The LRCC forum Alex mentions, advocates this policy. I believe that originality is more important. I came to the difficult decision to sell my beautiful 2A 6cyl Dormobile, and replace it with a Defender with modern Dormobile conversion because I wanted more power,economy and comfort, but didn’t want to massacre an original vehicle.

Jeremy Hackney has successfully fitted an Eberspächer heater very discreetly into the well beneath the kitchen unit – keeping everything reversible and original. have a look at his posts on this forum.

Cheers,
Tony

[buffer01]

Thanks guys. I’m in Yeovil, Somerset, but Florence, (As the kids have christened the machine) was bought in Rotherham, where I believe it had come over the Pennines from a previous owner.
The previous owner kindly had it delivered so it was only when I got it down here, I found how unsuited it was for modern day traffic. So, I have had a set of parabolics fitted as the original springs were beyond repair and solid, new bushes and shocks. The tyres were “Town and country” tread which were very effective at converting fuel into noise, so they were changed for a more road biased tread. The spare was too heavy for the rear door, so a swing away carrier was fitted. The only chnage under the bonnet was a K&N filter and she now will keep up with traffic. Previous owners have changed the chassis for a galvanised one, so while she looks tatty on top, everything below is good for another 40 years.
The interior is all orginal as far as I can tell. It has too seats and not a bench, but there is no cubby box. There was an after market head lining fitted which had pods for radio and speakers so that went up there out of the way.
The seats are a little shabby, so I know of an uphostler who will revamp them at some point.
I was toying with the idea of having her sprayed as the petrol blue colour is worn away in areas and it reminds me of farmers land rovers. But, having spoken to my brother who is heavily into the VW scene, original patina like that is desirable and to be honest, it has grown on me over the past year.
Many thanks for the info on the electrics. Keeping it simple is the best option for me as it scares the pants off me in the house, so wiring it into something with a fuel tank is even more worrying.
Joe

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