The Beast

The Beast
Sheila & Gary’s long-term project.

The van we call “The Beast” is a  1988 RHD Syncro caravel, camper conversion. original a petrol 14″ but now fitted with a Subaru EE20 diesel engine and 16″ wheels, plus quite a few other changes, and a lot more to come.

As the links bar suggest we hope to give an overview of the van, the work on it along with its modifications, plus reviews of the kit we use and the places we’ve been which we hope will one day be the biggest section, (but it may take us a while). Hopefully, the site will grow to one day be of use to others.

For a summary of the work so far and the kit, we are currently using or have available see the slowly growing reviews section.
For an idea of where we are heading with the van, and what we hope to achieve see  Work in progress, located under the About the Beast. section
The places we’ve been and where we hope to go can be found in the Travel with the Beast section. (Sorry this section is a long way behind)

We would have welcomed comments and suggestions but have had to turn off the comments due to the amount of absolute rubbish and adverts we get  (it’s a shame a few spoil it for all). we are still learning how to use Word Press, so may be able to turn comments on if we can find a way to filter the rubbish.

The “Beast” Past, Present, & Future.
where it started, what’s been done, & happening now, and where we hope to go.

The Past.
          The history of the beast.
                The vans origins and our starting point.
          What’s been done.
                 The list of modifications & upgrades by us.
           Maintenance, Repairs & Work.
                  Jobs we’ve had to do.

Present.
         Work in progress.
                The jobs we are working on, or are planning to do.        
          Serves schedules.
                Under construction and overdue,
          Electric connections by category & fuse.
                Power use & connections.
          Tools & Spares for longer trips.
                Tools & spares usually left at home for planned jobs, but available if required.

Plans and pipe dreams.
           Long-term plans for the Beast.
                   A few ideas for additions to the van, (if the current wish list gets too small).
           The possible future.
                   Artist impressions of we are currently planning for the van.
            Pipe Dreams.
                   Getting further from reality all the time.

Travels in the past (archive).

Current plans and trips.

Where to Next.

Campsites.

Our essentials list.

A few personal thoughts and comments on the bits of kit we use.
Not many yet, but we will add more ASAP

Permanently fitted or Available.

       Mechanical and electrics.
                 Items available or permanently fitted on the van.
        External.
                 Items available or permanently fitted on the van.
        Internal.
                Items available or permanently fitted on the van.

General use & Camping.

       For use with the van.
                 Equipment for use in the or with the van when travelling.
       General camping kit.
                 Equipment for use without the van or for excursions from the van.
        Safety equipment.
                 Although most, if not all of the items listed appear in other lists I think they are important enough to warrant their own category.

Maintenance, spares & recovery.

       Van maintenance & spares.
                  Spares, tools & equipment for our travel with the van.
        Basic tool kit.
                  What’s in the toolbox.
        Recovery kit.
                  Currently available recovery kit.
       Spares & tools for longer trips.
                 Currently available Spares & tools.

Custom tools, kit & the second van.

     The second van

      Custom tools & Kit Modification.

       Custom tools.

Toys & Follies.

         Toys.

         Follies.