New Kon Tiki owner

[Jamstar]

Good morning,

 

My names Jamie, I’m 21, from North Yorkshire and a few weeks ago I purchased my first motorhome, a 1992 Swift Kon Tiki 640.

 

The reason for my purchase is that I’m a keen track day enthusiast (we take our race cars to various tracks and thrash them around all day, it’s great fun!). My hobby has recently started to take me abroad. Last year I did track days at Le Mans in France, the Nurburgring in Germany and the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid, Spain. Since these, I’ve been practically obsessed with buying a motorhome! I also love to explore new countries and cultures, which the motorhome will enable me to do.

 

Being that we have some very long journeys planned, not to mention I have become obsessed with my new investment, we have spent weeks ‘pimping’ my motorhome. It’s escalated to be honest. To the point where it’s like, “so what else can we fit?!” haha.

 

So here is a list of the ‘necessities’ added to my ‘Manhome’, aptly named by my lovely girlfriend, who unfortunately shares no passion with me on this!! She’s a more of a ‘jet off abroad for a week on the beach’ kinda girl. Thankfully, I have three very close friends who do share my passion for motorsport and road trips!

 

• A new towbar and Brian James trailer

• A rear skirt/mud guard (mainly to stop stones/debris hitting the front of my track car whilst on tow)

• A new awning. The previous one, being 21 years old, was very ‘crusty’!

• A rear bike rack

• 2 front mounted HELLA spot lamps

• A reverse camera and dash mounted 10” LCD monitor

• A second fridge (donned the ‘beer’ fridge ?)

• A microwave

• A more powerful shower system

 

And now for the good stuff! This is what led my motorhome to being named the Manhome:

 

• A 50” 3D LCD TV

• A Playstation 3 games console (to fuel our Gran Turismo addiction!)

• An XBOX 360 games console (to fuel our FIFA addiction!)

• A 5.1 surround sound system

• A Maxview roof mounted satellite dome

• Sky + HD box (I love watching sports. I’m also a huge Manchester United fan and can’t bear to miss a game!)

• An iBoost wi-fi system (for our phones and laptops. I’ve also had to promise my mother and girlfriend I’ll Skype them haha)

 

This lot required all sorts of additional wiring, amplifiers as well as another leisure battery. I won’t pretend to know exactly what was fit to accommodate it all, but a friend of my dads who installs in-car entertainment systems for a living did the job.

 

Considering my track car will need certain parts to be removed, refit, and adjusted, I’ve had an air compression system fit into the right hand side rear locker. Now I can use my air tools and adjust tyre pressures in seconds, a damn site easier than hand tools!

 

On top of all this, the kon tiki has had the clean of its life! My mother is borderline OCD when it comes to cleaning, so this thing is immaculate.

 

With regards to insurance, I fall into the ‘lucky bugger’ category. My dad has a traders policy with me as a named associate. I’ll be honest, I was quite amazed at how simple it was for me to be covered. All we had to amend on the policy was stating I’d be driving in Europe, which came in at no extra cost!!

 

If you’re still here, thanks for reading my ramblings! I will no doubt continue with the updates as I’m not finished yet :-D

[docted]

Welcome to the madhouse James and good luck with your racing. On age of van I would consider it to be in your best interests to change the timing belt and ancillaries before going too far. :-D

[Jamstar]

docted - 2013-09-09 11:40 AM

 

Welcome to the madhouse James and good luck with your racing. On age of van I would consider it to be in your best interests to change the timing belt and ancillaries before going too far. :-D

 

Thank you for the welcome!

 

Oh yes, absolutely agree. An engine/suspension overhaul is imminent.

[Guest pelmetman]

Hi Jamie,

 

Welcome to the world of motorhoming B-)...................and at 21 you'll fit right in with all us old codgers :D..............

 

Sounds like you've pimped your ride.............have you done the boring stuff like checked your payload......and gross train weight? ;-).............

 

Maybe a trip fully loaded to a weighbridge would be in order...........as being stopped by those very nice chaps from VOSA can be expensive 8-)

[Jamstar]

pelmetman - 2013-09-09 11:52 AM

 

Hi Jamie,

 

Welcome to the world of motorhoming B-)...................and at 21 you'll fit right in with all us old codgers :D..............

 

Sounds like you've pimped your ride.............have you done the boring stuff like checked your payload......and gross train weight? ;-).............

 

Maybe a trip fully loaded to a weighbridge would be in order...........as being stopped by those very nice chaps from VOSA can be expensive 8-)

 

Thank you :-) Now Simon, who fit my entertainment system did mention this. He used his judgement to say i'll probably be fine, but he also said I should probably get it checked. Thankyou for the weighbridge tip! In all honesty, I was going to chance it. But in hindsight that'd be a bit daft really.

[rupert123]

Yep weighbridge trip seems a good idea although I reckon the great majority of motorhomes never go near one. The motor trader policy bit needs a closer look at however, they always have an upper limit on the payout, sometimes pretty low, and they do not cover glass, a motorhome screen can be expensive. They certainly will not cover all the stuff you have inside the van so make sure it is all covered on your house policy or elsewhere.

Welcome to the forum.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Welcome jamie..."chancing it" can end you in a world of grief, and I guess at 21 you feel invincible.

 

If you have an accident and overloaded your insurance will be void for a start. did you have the van damp checked before buying it, as this can be a major problem with older vans. also you need to check towing capacity if you want to tow a trailer and race car, and does your license allow you to drive a van over 3500kg, as unless you have a C1 entitlement, I doubt you can legally drive the camper as it is....unless its 3500kg. also gas will probably need checking unless it has had a habitation service and bought from a reputable dealer. is this it?

 

http://www.becksmotorhomes.com/vehicle/1992-swift-kontiki-640

 

sorry if this dampening your enthusiasm (well it is grey and raining here) but these are the breaks...should have joined up and done some homework previously to be honest before jumping in....hope I'm wrong! :-D

[Jamstar]

rupert123 - 2013-09-09 12:17 PM

 

Yep weighbridge trip seems a good idea although I reckon the great majority of motorhomes never go near one. The motor trader policy bit needs a closer look at however, they always have an upper limit on the payout, sometimes pretty low, and they do not cover glass, a motorhome screen can be expensive. They certainly will not cover all the stuff you have inside the van so make sure it is all covered on your house policy or elsewhere.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

 

There's a quarry near to me, hopefully they'll allow me to weigh it. Otherwise, I don't really know where else I could go!

 

Yeah there's certain things that aren't covered on a traders policy, such as the windscreen as you've stated. If it cracks, it cracks. It'll be unfortunate, but I'll deal with something like that as it comes (they are only the same as a Fiat ducato van, so won't be as expensive as others). All interior contents are indeed covered on our house insurance.

 

 

[Keithl]

Hi Jamie and welcome to the forum,

 

Seen as weights have been mentioned and you say you are only 21 have you checked that you have the correct driving licence categories to drive your MH and, more importantly, to tow a trailer which sounds almost certainly like it will be over 750kg?

 

Keith.

[Guest pelmetman]

Jamstar - 2013-09-09 12:27 PM

 

rupert123 - 2013-09-09 12:17 PM

 

Yep weighbridge trip seems a good idea although I reckon the great majority of motorhomes never go near one. The motor trader policy bit needs a closer look at however, they always have an upper limit on the payout, sometimes pretty low, and they do not cover glass, a motorhome screen can be expensive. They certainly will not cover all the stuff you have inside the van so make sure it is all covered on your house policy or elsewhere.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

 

There's a quarry near to me, hopefully they'll allow me to weigh it. Otherwise, I don't really know where else I could go!

 

Yeah there's certain things that aren't covered on a traders policy, such as the windscreen as you've stated. If it cracks, it cracks. It'll be unfortunate, but I'll deal with something like that as it comes (they are only the same as a Fiat ducato van, so won't be as expensive as others). All interior contents are indeed covered on our house insurance.

 

 

Just google public weighbridges, and when there put the front axle on first, next the rear axle and then the camper.............finally camper and trailer ;-)

 

As your vehicle will have individual maximum axle weights..............and even if you haven't reached your total payload, but one of your axles is over your'll still be liable for a fine *-)............but if your lucky the very nice man from VOSA might just let you move the beer mountain to the other end of your camper :D

[Jamstar]

JudgeMental - 2013-09-09 12:25 PM

 

Welcome jamie..."chancing it" can end you in a world of grief, and I guess at 21 you feel invincible.

 

If you have an accident and overloaded your insurance will be void for a start. did you have the van damp checked before buying it, as this can be a major problem with older vans. also you need to check towing capacity if you want to tow a trailer and race car, and does your license allow you to drive a van over 3500kg, as unless you have a C1 entitlement, I doubt you can legally drive the camper as it is....unless its 3500kg. also gas will probably need checking unless it has had a habitation service and bought from a reputable dealer. is this it?

 

http://www.becksmotorhomes.com/vehicle/1992-swift-kontiki-640

 

sorry if this dampening your enthusiasm (well it is grey and raining here) but these are the breaks...should have joined up and done some homework previously to be honest before jumping in....hope I'm wrong! :-D

 

Thanks for the slightly contentious welcome! Haha no it's not that I feel 'invincible', I'm just ignorant to certain aspects of motorhoming, considering I'm a newbie! For example the weight, I'd not realised it could be such a big deal. But hey, this is why I joined the site :) I don't expect to know it all before I even think about buying a motorhome. It's a learning curve that'll I enjoy along the way.

 

Yeah we had a damp meter to check this. It's been meticulously maintained and dry stored by a local couple so it's in fantastic nick.

 

I have a C1 and B+E license allowing me to drive vehicles between 3500 and 7500kg and tow a trailer up to 3500kg.

 

So you hoped right :)

[Jamstar]

Keithl - 2013-09-09 12:36 PM

 

Hi Jamie and welcome to the forum,

 

Seen as weights have been mentioned and you say you are only 21 have you checked that you have the correct driving licence categories to drive your MH and, more importantly, to tow a trailer which sounds almost certainly like it will be over 750kg?

 

Keith.

 

Thanks for the welcome Keith.

[Jamstar]

pelmetman - 2013-09-09 12:40 PM

 

Jamstar - 2013-09-09 12:27 PM

 

rupert123 - 2013-09-09 12:17 PM

 

Yep weighbridge trip seems a good idea although I reckon the great majority of motorhomes never go near one. The motor trader policy bit needs a closer look at however, they always have an upper limit on the payout, sometimes pretty low, and they do not cover glass, a motorhome screen can be expensive. They certainly will not cover all the stuff you have inside the van so make sure it is all covered on your house policy or elsewhere.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

 

There's a quarry near to me, hopefully they'll allow me to weigh it. Otherwise, I don't really know where else I could go!

 

Yeah there's certain things that aren't covered on a traders policy, such as the windscreen as you've stated. If it cracks, it cracks. It'll be unfortunate, but I'll deal with something like that as it comes (they are only the same as a Fiat ducato van, so won't be as expensive as others). All interior contents are indeed covered on our house insurance.

 

 

Just google public weighbridges, and when there put the front axle on first, next the rear axle and then the camper.............finally camper and trailer ;-)

 

As your vehicle will have individual maximum axle weights..............and even if you haven't reached your total payload, but one of your axles is over your'll still be liable for a fine *-)............but if your lucky the very nice man from VOSA might just let you move the beer mountain to the other end of your camper :D

 

Thanks for the tip :)

 

[Guest JudgeMental]

for sure....but check the vehicle weight plate and visit a weighbridge, campers are complex, with some better than others! Weight and axle capacities always need consideration, if you are sensible that is before heading of into the sun....

[crinklystarfish]

Inspiration:

 

http://www.scsporthomes.com/bespoke.php / http://www.scsporthomes.com/sportcruiser.php

 

You may also need more battery capacity / power generating capability.

[Barryd999]

Good choice of Van!! I have a 1996 640 which we spend 6 months plus a year in. Currently in the south of France.

 

They payload is pretty good (about 700KG on ours) and we carry a motorbike on the back of ours and are still within the limits, just.

 

I would be more worried about all that electrical stuff! Your going to need a bank of batteries and a roof of solar panels to keep that lot going. (lol) Unless you plan on going on campsites with that electrickery stuff which is just not very Rock N Roll now is it? :-D

 

Good luck with it and above all have fun!

[pepe63xnotuse]

Hi there Jamie...

 

Not much really much to add, other than to reiterate that you really do need to check your weights(and pretty sharpish)..especially in view of the fact that you've added loads of "kit", as well as pull a car & trailer(...and presumably spares/tools?)

 

Hope everything all works out.. ;-)

[ChrisK5]

Where and how did you manage to fit a 50" TV in your manhome, i want one.

[Jamstar]

JudgeMental - 2013-09-09 12:56 PM

 

for sure....but check the vehicle weight plate and visit a weighbridge, campers are complex, with some better than others! Weight and axle capacities always need consideration, if you are sensible that is before heading of into the sun....

 

All will be done in good time, every check imaginable will be carried out before I go anywhere (it's in for a habitation check this week) :-) thanks for the heads up on axle capacities.

 

 

[Jamstar]

crinklystarfish - 2013-09-09 2:03 PM

 

Inspiration:

 

http://www.scsporthomes.com/bespoke.php / http://www.scsporthomes.com/sportcruiser.php

 

You may also need more battery capacity / power generating capability.

 

WOW! One day.... one day!!!

 

Yeah our guy who fit all my gadgets has wired in various power converters, amplifiers, another leisure battery. I don't know exactly whats been done to accommodate the extras, but I'm assured by him that it's all good!

[Alan D]

Never mind all that.

 

50" TV, Beer Fridge and Track Days abroad?

 

Can I come ?

Alan.

[Jamstar]

Barryd999 - 2013-09-09 3:36 PM

 

Good choice of Van!! I have a 1996 640 which we spend 6 months plus a year in. Currently in the south of France.

 

They payload is pretty good (about 700KG on ours) and we carry a motorbike on the back of ours and are still within the limits, just.

 

I would be more worried about all that electrical stuff! Your going to need a bank of batteries and a roof of solar panels to keep that lot going. (lol) Unless you plan on going on campsites with that electrickery stuff which is just not very Rock N Roll now is it? :-D

 

Good luck with it and above all have fun!

 

Thanks :)

 

I love my 640! I really do think it has character.

 

We plan to do a bit of both really. Campsites when we're stopping for a few days, but if we're just stopping for a night then we'll stay wherever we deem fit! Who knows where that could be haha.

 

[Jamstar]

pepe63 - 2013-09-09 4:17 PM

 

Hi there Jamie...

 

Not much really much to add, other than to reiterate that you really do need to check your weights(and pretty sharpish)..especially in view of the fact that you've added loads of "kit", as well as pull a car & trailer(...and presumably spares/tools?)

 

Hope everything all works out.. ;-)

 

Thanks :)

 

Yeah the weights are something I HAVE to check. I've done some research on this and VOSA will not take kindly to being over will they!

[Jamstar]

ChrisK5 - 2013-09-09 9:08 PM

 

Where and how did you manage to fit a 50" TV in your manhome, i want one.

 

It's ingenuous! I cannot take credit though, again, our specialist Simon came up with the idea.

 

It's hinged to the roof where it folds down, then is lowered on a adjustable pole. Very, very cool!

[Jamstar]

Alan D - 2013-09-10 9:49 AM

 

Never mind all that.

 

50" TV, Beer Fridge and Track Days abroad?

 

Can I come ?

Alan.

 

lol! I should start a tour service. Mantours.... for men! That will be my slogan... "50" TV, Beer fridge and track days abroad". Are you sold?? I bet you bloody are!!! ;)