Auto-Sleeper Warwick Duo Modifications 2017+

Glad you like the thread, Hetty ( the van) had a great time in France once we regassed the aircon and replaced the hab battery. 
The van swing was a great addition as we would park with the back to the best view and open the rear doors. Just removing the locking pin and swinging out of the way means we did it all of the time, unlike having to remove the bikes from the old rack.
 
Free parking with a great view. 

Same place view out the back 

Car park over the mulberry harbour.

jennyandpeter wrote:Glad you like the thread, Hetty ( the van) had a great time in France once we regassed the aircon and replaced the hab battery. 
The van swing was a great addition as we would park with the back to the best view and open the rear doors. Just removing the locking pin and swinging out of the way means we did it all of the time, unlike having to remove the bikes from the old rack.

What a wonderful view! Maybe be it's a silly question, but does the additional veichle lenght due to the swing and bike rack to be taken into consideration.
I think exceding veichle standard or so forth?

From what I can find the duo's Maximum User Payload is 608kg so we should be ok ( unless too much wine onboard) the van swing only adds about 150mm length to a standard bike rack but it does weigh 45 KG.  At least the mass is low down even if it is behind the rear axle. 
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After a long pause hopefully hetty will get used this year.
I have been putting off fitting the semi flexible solar panel as I did not like any of the traditional solutions but have decided on a plan now and parts are on the way. 
Removed the TV aerial not easy 
 
It took a lot of effort but shows how strong the adhesive can be. 
Next cleaned the roof, 3 hours later 

After the roof everything else was cleaned 
Around the windscreen 

Found some paint coming away around the mastic

paint from ebay

Slightly darker but a good match 

Clayed, polished and sealed the panels but can only do a couple a day. Gummi pleged the rubber as the side door was sticking, cleaned and ptfe lubricated the door runners.

jennyandpeter wrote:After the roof everything else was cleaned 
Around the windscreen 

Found some paint coming away around the mastic

paint from ebay

Slightly darker but a good match 

If your silver is the same as the WXL this is the exact match for the silver

FIAT - GREY/GRIGIO MERCURE METALLIC 611A 

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No it is Azzurro Lago Blue Metallic [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] from ebay £3.70 delivered

Rear step lets the side down a bit 

and 


So new one ordered from [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] £62 delivered, will have to cut part of it due to the tow bar.

New step has arrived I went for gray as the plastics are not dark black. 
Solar meter fitted 


Not a lot of insulation behind !
I may fit a vent above the microwave and insulate the area. Purchased this [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I know it is a metal box but insulation would help in the cold and hot weather.

Not much above the cab area either. 

Insulation arrived 

starting with overcab area 

Can I just say that I really enjoy this thread. It’s encouraging to see what can be done. Not by me sadly, I’m ‘challenged’ in the DIY area. The only mod that I’ve tackled after reading about yours was trying to remove the end panels to improve access from outside. Sadly, despite removing every single visible screw, the panel remained rock solid. So I had to give up. 

Nevertheless I always enjoy reading about your mods and thank you for writing them up.

Sally wrote:Can I just say that I really enjoy this thread. It’s encouraging to see what can be done. Not by me sadly, I’m ‘challenged’ in the DIY area. The only mod that I’ve tackled after reading about yours was trying to remove the end panels to improve access from outside. Sadly, despite removing every single visible screw, the panel remained rock solid. So I had to give up. 

Nevertheless I always enjoy reading about your mods and thank you for writing them up.

I removed 6 self-tapping screws per end panel from the metal bunk frame Sally. I imagine it's the same in your Symbol. Two were quite close to the outer panel of the van.
Andrew

CroftBadger wrote:

Sally wrote:Can I just say that I really enjoy this thread. It’s encouraging to see what can be done. Not by me sadly, I’m ‘challenged’ in the DIY area. The only mod that I’ve tackled after reading about yours was trying to remove the end panels to improve access from outside. Sadly, despite removing every single visible screw, the panel remained rock solid. So I had to give up. 

Nevertheless I always enjoy reading about your mods and thank you for writing them up.

I removed 6 self-tapping screws per end panel from the metal bunk frame Sally. I imagine it's the same in your Symbol. Two were quite close to the outer panel of the van.
Andrew

I’ll have another look at some point. But it was really strange, I removed all the screws I could see (about 6 if I remember) but the panel was still solid. Something somewhere was still fastening it but I couldn’t for the life of me see or find anything else.

My framing is wooden not metal, don't know how the end panel is fastened but I couldn't  remove them anyway as my  solar regulator  is fastened to the inside of one panel plus we have a drawer on same side.

We completely removed the draw and use the gained area to store chairs etc.remove the panel at the rear above the wheel arch you gain some more acccess then.plus it is worth insulating the arches if they aren't done.

jennyandpeter wrote:After a long pause hopefully hetty will get used this year.
I have been putting off fitting the semi flexible solar panel as I did not like any of the traditional solutions but have decided on a plan now and parts are on the way. 
Removed the TV aerial not easy 

May I ask you how did you seal the hole after removing the TV aerial?

I need to remove ours as well and afterwards install a new solar panel on top of it

Thanks!

Good afternoon,

There were 3 holes 1 wire and 2 screws,  painted the edges and filled with silkaflex, left to set them added silver tape with another layer of sealer .

It took a lot of effort to remove.

Overcab area insulated 




Also behind microwave while drilling through roof for solar panel.



To

Wires tucked behind the trim. 



All hidden 



How I decided to mount the panel after a year of deliberation 



Started.

jennyandpeter wrote:Good afternoon,

There were 3 holes 1 wire and 2 screws,  painted the edges and filled with silkaflex, left to set them added silver tape with another layer of sealer .It took a lot of effort to remove.

Good afternoon,
Good job! And thanks for the details. Now I know what I am facing. I need to remove the SNIPE-2 satellite dish 

Not getting picky but, replacement step fitted took about an hour including cutting around the towbar fixing. Looks much better 
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Glued the rest of the bolts to the roof today, will bolt the panel on tomorrow. All wired in ready.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

We have power! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

jennyandpeter wrote:Good afternoon,

There were 3 holes 1 wire and 2 screws,  painted the edges and filled with silkaflex, left to set them added silver tape with another layer of sealer .

It took a lot of effort to remove.

Thanks, for the tip.
Just managed to remove ours.
One thing that is driving men nuts is that I cannot pull the aerial free from the inside. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Did you manage to do that or you simply left it inside?
I was thinking of trying removing the closet and access the cables behind but I don't see how it can be done