Just passing on some info
http://partners.fiamma.it/en/homeng.asp 
make some nice awnings and bike racks with clips etc to fit T2, T3 and T4 Kombi's.
They're products (not sure what range they bring in yet) are sold in Brissy by a caravan place. :thumb

Not too clear from the pic, but they clip to the door. no spanners or mods to the bus needed.

[Edited on 23-5-2003 by Andy]

This idea is what I have in mind for my Kombi.

[Edited on 23-5-2003 by Andy]

Definitely an advantage with the tent types 62Kombieute.
The annex has the advantage of very quick set up though, and on a rainy day you don't have to worry about where to store a wet tent, it just rolls up and stays on the roof.
The price is very expensive though ~$1500!!!!

Hi Andy
$1500 is not that that bad, I got a quote for a canvas awning with zip on sides, quote was $2500, that idea went out the window. I got a sopru pop top with new canvas for $300, put it in myself, (engineer and RTA approved) 2 kids in the roof, and with a bunk over the engine for the 4 year old, can sleep, 5 comfortably! and a $ 20 tarp and five poles for an awning, makes for quick set ups and tear downs.
Rob....

doe anyone know if you can get swivel bases for the front seats??
I have a 77 microbus.

Well, yes. But not easily.
I have one under each front seat. The first problem is the panel behind the seat, it is "structural" and needs a blue slip to modify. As I started with a '77 deluxe, I didn't have this problem (they're not there) Is yours the same?
Next is the swivel base and getting it approved. A little research is needed first.
I bough swivels from KAB seating in Rocklea Brisbane and approved at Seatwise also in Brisbane. As the place approving the instalation had approved the bases before, so most of the hard work had been done, the only other problem then is mounting the base into the bus.
For me it has raised the seat ~40mm. I don't mind it, but it's not for eveyone. I also will be modifying a spare gear lever soon to ease changing.
U2U me if you need some more detail.

Hi Andy,

I'm astonished that someone could quote that price! Just for the annexe in the picture? Really?

Have you contemplated just making one? Really shouldn't be that hard. I made an awning for Walter that cost $25. Just canvas, rope and eyelets for the tent poles to go in. Looking at your pic, the only difference is that yours has clip on or zip on sides. Which is easy! Add extra for the cost of 4 times as much canvas, some mesh for the windows and the zips or clips, and you shouldn't be paying more than $100 or $150 tops for materials. And truly, any git can sew!

So get to it boy! I figure if I can learn to tune a car, you can sew an annexe!



Angela.

Thanks Angela,
I am very hesitant at the price, and haven't looked at other options yet. The Photo doesn't do it justice though, they are good quality, water proof and are 'free standing', no ropes, pegs etc needed (unless it's very windy) and are put up in a matter of seconds. All poles fold neatly into it's 'box' and is rattle free.
Thanks for the info though, will come in very handy!!
:thumb

Ah yes, free-standing is a completely different kettle of fish! Now you've got me thinking....

Ang.

Whoops, sorry Angela, a poor description by me. By free standing, I don't mean you can drive away and it stays behind. I mean that it just rolls out from the roof, and is supported by the roof, then legs drop down and it's in place. No ropes etc.
In another recent thread they talked about the tent style, which you can drive away from, yet another good idea.
Too many choices, too little time to get organised

Cheers Andy

Yes its a deluxe so doesn't have the panels. how long ago did you do this and was it very costly?

Do you use standard kombi seats or is it a good time to go for something else getting the approvals at the same time, my seats are stuffed.

I did mine ~1 1/2 years ago while it was being restored. My decision was made easier as the previous owner had already remove the seat rails and did a bodgy job of fitting Jap seats in (not sure what they're out of). So I had to do something to make it legal anyway.
As for costs, I had a lucky score with the bases (KAB had two returned, and looked used so sold them cheap), the mod's to take the base were done while some rust was cut out and other mods were done, so didn't add much over all, and the Blue plate was done at 'mates rates'. In total it was roughly $300 all up.
If you aren't so lucky, the bases are ~$250ea new, MR approval ~$150, but depends on whether they require load testing or engineering drawings of the mods or not. If they do it will add a lot to that price. As for doing the mods, not really sure, but allow ~$1-200 if you need to get someone else to do it.
I would definitely mave a good chat to the place that will do the final approval, grill them hard especially on attaching the swivel to the existing floor and the brand of swivel they will be happy to approve. It's best to aviod any hassels before cutting metal.
Cheers.

I used to have one of the original 'free standing' tents, but I sold it. It was pretty ratty, was in '70s orange and brown, and was impossible to put up by myself alone. Two people needed.

I will doing exactly as Angela has suggested - will make my own simplified design. I made my own curtains so I know now that I am a git who can sew!