A van for all seasons?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Squarepants, Oct 17, 2018.

  1. Squarepants

    Squarepants Supporter

    Just out of interest... As the nights draw in and the wet, cold and windy season creeps up on us...
    How many of us continue to drive our buses all through the winter?
    There are of course considerations... does the heating work (did it ever? ;) ) , where do you live? do you keep it outside? etc..
    Anyway, I'm in Somerset, England, my bus lives outside on the driveway year-round, no cover, and I use it regularly throughout the winter. It has heating provided by heat exchangers and pipes and a booster fan as VW intended...
    This year, for the first time, I have considered buying a cover and mothballing it for the winter. I know a lot of people do, and it kind of makes sense I guess. But I'm sure I'd miss it...
    Anyways, what do you lot do?
     
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  2. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    I used to use it when it lived outside. Nowadays it's garaged it tends to stay put.
     
  3. I use mine all the time and keep it undercover during the night
     
  4. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    Mine gets used summer and winter.
     
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  5. Mines wrapped up already :(
     
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  6. matty

    matty Supporter

    Mines normally used all year although less than the summer haveing them parked you to long does them no good.

    This year is different as I am going to do some body work this winter
     
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  7. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I try to use a cover when its wet.
    And drive it when dry. At least one day a week all year round.
     
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  8. Use it all year but try to avoid it when the roads are salted.
     
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  9. Used occasionally during the winter, at least once for a trip down to the Alps to go skiing. Otherwise it lives in my son's garage.
     
  10. Ours is kept on the drive under a breathable cover which is regularly(no more than 2 weeks if possible) taken off and the bus gets a good run out. Regular use is the best thing for any old vehicle, in spite of the lack of heating:thumbsup:
     
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  11. I use mine all year round, live in Scotland and have functional stock heating and a propex. I switch over to propane over the winter if I need to use the extra heating. In the coming weeks I’m going to paint some OG heat exchangers and fit them. I use the propex if I’m carrying the kids in the back as the amount of heat from the rear facing vent isn’t really enough to heat the rear on a winter’s evening drive home.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2018
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  12. Fruitcake

    Fruitcake Supporter

    I don't use it in the winter except for a run around the block once every couple of weeks to keep everything moving and the nightmare that is hydraulic tappets pumped up.
     
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  13. you get the best parking spots at the beach ‘out of season’.... 630EE5A2-A4AB-4046-97B1-9263A82E6906.jpeg
     
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  14. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    Use it all year, although less in the winter if I'm on an early start with work when I just don't have time to get it defrosted and ready to go; as I'm usually flying out the door with a mug of tea and half eaten piece of toast, running 10 minutes late and wondering where I left the de-icer.
    I'm currently attempting to build some sort of car port to keep it a bit happier during the winter months.... my builder mate seems to have visions of some sort of grand construction which looks more like a conservatory.... I just want some wooden uprights and a bit of corrugated plastic :rolleyes:
     
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  15. Mine’s tucked up in the garage with a scarf round its neck.
     
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  16. Day

    Day

    Here in the Alps there is snow from Dec to end March which means a lot of salt on roads.
    I don't use mine during that period for that reason.
     
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  17. Barry Haynes

    Barry Haynes I dance in leopard skin mankini’s

    No good in the garage Bern get it out and drive it:thumbsup:
     
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  18. always kept ours in use throughout the year, though much less use in the winter months

    you can't beat those cold crystal clear blue days in the winter for a run out in the bus

    we did discuss sorn for the first time this year but i've not been able to bring myself to do it just yet..
     
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  19. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    If you're using your van over winter remember to do this.

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Mines all wrapped up now in the garage. It might get the odd run out.
     

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