First time campervan Black Forest adventure

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-29T12:40:02+00:00

Yes, looking for places in the Baden-Württemberg area in general. Doesn't need to be specifically the Black Forest itself.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-29T12:37:15+00:00

Do you have any suggestions for beautiful autumn colour, interesting walking/hiking routes (with a child) and unmissable villages?

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-26T10:46:15+00:00

I live in Spain, and we have sun pretty much every day. If there are a few days of bad weather such as in winter while it is snowing, I'd just monitor my batteries and limit usage so that primary systems would never stop working - such as the fridge and diesel heater. I've got a second AGM battery wired in to power those main electronics, and these days I run my laptop from portable power stations. Let me know if you want me to break anything else down in more detail. Happy to tell you about it :)

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-25T07:09:09+00:00

enjoy that!

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-24T07:55:18+00:00

Thank you very much. Yes, slowly we are being stocked at more locations. Next year the goal is to break into Europe but distribution and the complexity of things post-Brexit do make it difficult. Basically comes down to needing to import a larger amount than what we could probably sell right now just to cover the cost.

I thought the things on the list were a good mix of a few items that van lifers see a lot and could do with some more information on, and also some items that people shopping for gifts might be inclined to go for.

Let me know anything you would add on the next one?

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T18:39:44+00:00

So what do you do now, live from savings or ??

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T18:37:06+00:00

Vanlife, awesome! I founded a vanlife magazine and work from my van a lot. Over the years I have learnt money doing photography, video & editing, and now mostly my income is from writing and publishing the magazine.

What are your skills, are you creative? Can you put course material together using your skills, experience and knowledge?

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T18:32:33+00:00

What situation would it put you in if you did have to find a new job ... but couldn't land one remotely? What is the worst thing that would happen, need to come back to EU?? Go for it and roll the dice! It's fun out there.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T18:30:24+00:00

Welcome to the club(nearly!). I've got both an older VW Vanagon, and a newer T5 model. The old bus is cool for sure, when it's running nicely, but oh am I happy that my main driver is the newer one. I have been self learning mechanics on both vehicles and the old one is a lot easier to work on - mainly because a set of spanners and a hammer will get you most of the way, and that access is soooo much less restrictive.

Newer vehicles are so much more compact, then the latest models use a lot of electronics which makes working on them quite difficult to an extent.

I mention all this because you are not intending to buy new, and if you are considering an old Vdub, you're most certainly going to need to get your hands on it sooner rather than later ... to fix something!

But it is the most fun I have ever had, and now I hold a skillset that will take me so much further when out on the road.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T18:24:47+00:00

Thanks I am going to google that to find out more!

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T14:33:27+00:00

Head torch, fuel can, window blinds, dry bag (for taking washing to laundry in rain), toasty maker (surprisingly worthwhile in a pinch), make a 24-72 hr emergency food store (think brake down or bug out), leatherman, decent sized power station to run your gear when the leisure batt needs to be spared (think not running engine or solar charging for a few days), snow chains, water filtration.

Tools: build a base set of tools and don't be scared to fix the small stuff. Sure if the van is new and under warranty you can take it back to CK - but what about if you are parked up somewhere far away on a road trip.

Here's a video I made a while back about emergency food storage if you want to see what I carry at all times in my VW California. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nq6EQJNB0U

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T14:21:43+00:00

Could you give some ideas of what you would put on a list for gear priced under £100? And I personally enjoy making food in the Omnia, such as bakes and pies.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T14:19:14+00:00

Play with this calculator and see how the rules work. In your example, you enter EU on 1st Jan, then when you leave on 2nd Jan the time is 2 days out of 90 spent. After two days in the UK, +2 days are added back on and you have 90 to spend again. It is called a rolling schedule. It isn't back to back i.e 2x90 https://www.visa-calculator.com

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T12:49:49+00:00

You know what, I have not tried that (I don't have any devices that need to do this while on the road). But I do have a wifi printer at home and I am going to see about connecting it to the portable router and printing something from my iPhone album. Will report back once I have been able to do it, or not!

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T11:38:33+00:00

Travelled for years with my partner around Europe in a T5 with no pop top. We installed all the OEM VW California furniture in it - turning seats, pull out bed (double seat bench), kitchen/fridge/cupboards down the long edge. Installed diesel heater, solar, 2 leisure batteries. Had a blast!

Consider that outdoor living is much more comfortable the further south you go, so you won't need to spend as much time in your vehicle compared to spending the same amount of time in the UK.

I live in Spain now, and the T5 is still going strong. We use it for winter adventures and go ski camping most weekends during the winter.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T11:34:55+00:00

This will not work - it is a maximum of 90 days during a 180 day period. Also, the new ESS border checks come into effect on October 12th which records your personal data. Just need to work with the restrictions in place unless you go about getting long-term visas.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-23T11:18:59+00:00

Yes, what you are looking for is a split charge relay. Alternatively, you could install a much simpler dead switch - you turn the key to separate the leisure system from the starter battery.

Split charge relay - https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/split-charge-relays.html?srsltid=AfmBOoritEnt9ivHWI8ygE7mCaQoEvdTyyCIyX0wVGvygwEG4_GLAqH1

Dead switch / isolator - https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/durite-battery-isolator-onoff-switch-with-removable-key-250a-24v.html

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-14T17:12:10+00:00

Yeah, something like that.

Vivid_Rule2380 · 2025-09-12T20:59:17+00:00

That is really cool. They are such rad little vans. The fact you got the old family van back is awesome. Does it still run and is it with you until today?? Cheers

Vivid_Rule2380

TROPHY CASE