Well it was our first proper trip out in the camper this weekend to Carfest North And the first drive on the motorway ever! – so off we went, and the van seems to like 55 – 60 mph – sits there quite well – well this is until the wind started to pick up – the forecast was gusts up to 40 mph on the Saturday – next time I will call into Asda first and Pick up a box of Pampers before leaving. The wind was not too much of an issue at 60mph, but the vans and bigger campers overtaking me – first the suck and then the push – all a bit eye watering – the van has all new everything – been tracked up and the camber set – its standard height as well. My arms were working overtime to keep it within the white lines – but managed it – The other interesting bit was going over Thelwall Viaduct – never have I had such a feeling that I was entering into the Lion’s den – so I decided to go over at 50mph – odd how you look at thing differently when there is a 200 foot drop off to your left – the van was fine and at 50mph was easy to keep straight – but what I don’t understand is how bigger sided vans don’t feel it like the T2? Got to Cartfest and had a great time, as I was the first time we used it I found a few little things I need to do – the bunk is a bit too small for my 11 years old daughter – - I only put one bunk in and used the original holes – but I think I will extend it and use the holes that are for the opposite bunk sos to make it bigger. The other mistake was going off and not sorting out the van ready for sleeping – so when we got back at 11pm it was a pain getting it all configured – but now I know! The van s fuel gauge is wrong – it has a new sender unit in and at half a tank I filled it up only to use 15l – I think the tank is 56L so I will have to go on mileage – as for MPG – we got 25mpg. So nothing dropped off – and it ran like a sewing machine - all in all it performed well. But the wind!
Deffo agree with you fella re driving in strong wind and respect re crossing that viaduct ! haha(in a nice way) re not pre making up your bed early , ive got the "old"? style pole in the floor assembly ,and have quickly realised to set it up before going out 4 evening !<every day a learning day.
Thelwall viaduct is always a challenge . After a bit more experience it becomes possible to predict some of the reaction as you get overtaken by big stuff. Hold on tight is the only advice. As regards the bed preparation - we learned that the hard way. Think it was about 2am , slightly worse for wear, and the spare wheel has to come out too on ours
By observation I would nominate they have lower centres of gravity (a lot of T2 weight is above the centre line of the wheels e.g. fuel tank, battery) and no modern vans I know of have torsion bars on both axles for springing - its another one of those designs that's died off as independent suspensions merits and costs were found to be beneficial over the years. If it's any consolation - all cars of that age with the exception of maybe Jag XJS's had shocking suspension - even mainstream cars like the cortina and capri were known for axle tramping etc - stuff that simply wouldn't sell these days.
we have crossed the thewall viaduct at 25 mph due to the wind and ask @yorkshirecampers what she thinks of it
The tyres are commercial rated ones and all pressures are good – must be in the design of the van – the test driver at VW must have had a bad day when he signed it off as fit for high winds!
I went on motorway, over the thelwall on Sunday to vwnw. First time in this van. All was good. If there is any play in the steering box it will show up crossing a bridge like that in high winds
Ours is stock height and provides the same driving experience in high winds. Bear in mind it was designed and built at a time when lorries and vans were only driven above 50mph in things like The Sweeney and Motorways were a new idea.
My current one is a pig to drive straight in any wind let alone high winds, my last one with a new steering box properly adjusted and all the steering components replaced and new wheels and tyres was a vast improvement on this one, My first job is to check the steering box as its not so much the trying to hold the van straight but the distance i have to move the wheel to catch it as its blown sideways (if that makes sense?) so too much play at the center point of the box. Glad you got out in the van your resto was brilliant, a bit of fine tuning and it'll all be good And ha ha we learned the hard way about making the bed too
What Moons said. Mine was wonderful when it was lowered 4-5", but now it's full height it's a pig. I would like easily adjustable suspension. I wouldn't mind stopping and winding things for 10 minutes to go off road...
What I think isn't polite enough for use on a public forum. Suffice to say that after being blown straight across 3 lanes, I cried like a baby once me and @Tiny-Pie finally reached the other side. 60mph winds and that viaduct = hell on earth
My bus was lowered 4 inches with an anti roll bar. It swerved in the wind. About half a motorway lane at 60mph when hit with a gale force crosswind . I left the motorway at the next junction and drove along the country A roads instead. It was like a RIB in a fairly rough sea with me doing a 'wheels on the bus go round and round (and side to side)' zigzag on the steering wheel always moving and trying to predict the next gust. Waves are easier you can see them. Cause: The drag link from the steering box was about to fall off. This was replaced to pass the MOT last year. The anti-roll bar got snapped by smashing it on a pothole in a brand new Dublin out of town shopping centre. The ride improved as the anti roll bar would flick the bus (anti roll bar reducing independent suspension which the T2 has always had) on a rough road. But the steering in crosswinds got a bit worse. The steering lever bush then wore out and was replaced this year. And I had GAZ coilovers fitted and the front is now 1 inch higher and with stiffer suspension. This has improved the steering and it doesnt rub.
Both my vans have suffered in the wind, notably on the Somerset Levels where the crosswinds are fairly permanent. I found that going slower to counter-act the wind and give me a chance of controlling the van worked quite well, but travelling to Cornwall from Manchester at 50mph makes it a long trip. I was very tired from the physical exertion too! Thelwall viaduct is not something I have had much of a problem with, but then I guess I go over it so frequently I'm used to it. As for fuel gauges - does anyone really have one that works? Mileage has to be the way to go about filling up in these vans to be sure of not running out.
Haha omg she pulled over the second we left the bridge and I thought there was something wrong with arthur...there wasn't. .. zoe just couldn't drive through the tears... to be fair with that big viking it was blowing around like crazy... very scary... I also had to hold it in 4th the whole way across so had to fight the wind one handed. .. wasn't a journey I wish to repeat... we got through it though didn't we zoe @yorkshirecampers x
