That video was (as far as I can tell) the first one ever done.

I used it as the inspiration for mine.

The drawings and a write-up are available on the Mazda Bongo facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/2529055732/files/

The seats are held down when driving by skewering the upper (swivelling) bit to the lower (sliding back & froward) bit using 6mm rods slid through small tubular sections ...

I know that New Dawn (Darlaston, Brummy), who invented the cab seat swivels,...

I think you'll find that's copied , and improved. The design I drew up has been freely available since 2011, and was offered to North Star in 2012.

You always have the choice to download my drawings and make your own ...

MountainGoat wrote:I have read that Applecross charge for dogs. That's not going to go down well with some people.

How much do they charge? I was thinking about getting one - might be a cheap option!

Personally, I only stop the engine if it's clear I'll be there for a few minutes, like a motorway hold-up.

The solenoid contacts on the Bongo are prone to wearing out, and if they give up whilst away from home you are stranded (assuming auto box).

I certainly wouldn't impose the additional wear ...

Yes, the awning has 2 pre-drilled holes, which line up with a VW T5 pair of brackets, so are no use.

What I did was hung the awning on the brackets, opened it, and drilled pilot holes through the back of the case and through the brackets.

I then removed the awning, opened the holes up to 6.5mm ...

Just been checking a few online - the wireless ones which obviously have a camera and a transmitter to power draw 100mA, a wired camera will draw around 40mA.

So, if you are running a 12v feed from the front of the vehicle I'd personally use a circuit run in 0.65mm² cable (about as small as you can ...

There's not much down the back end that is only switched on with the ignition - except the rear faglighter socket in the side panel. Beware though - the wiring to this is notoriously weedy and can't stand much current draw. Mind you, a rev. camera is probably not drawing more than about 0.25A ...

I powered my camera from the reversing lamp feed in teh rear cluster, and used the "infernal beeping box" signal to feed the trigger wire to the head unit to switch it into camera mode.

I did consider just feeding it permanently and using a switch though, as sometimes it would be handy to have it ...

Actually, I've just had a look at the link to these brackets again. The description says these are the mk2 version, which does use the mazda bracket bolt holes.

They do still mention self tappers going into the roof. Not sure I'd be happy doing that!

So the red plate is the extra bit welded on?

Almost. The join /weld is actually under the mazda bracket. You can just see the radius on the end of their bracket disappearing under the mazda bracket on it.

Cost is a bit much, but I got mine from eBay (or for sale on here, can't remember now ...

I have a set of these, but rather than drill the body and fit riv-nuts, I had the inner ends extended by a fabrication shop, and drilled them to suit the original Mazda awning fittings, then used these to clamp the new brackets to the roof.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HoUvc5MO6V0 ...

To get the curved bits right, use a stand-off attached to a soft pencil or a sharpie type marker pen.

You need to set up a vertical cardboard surface at whatever position in the van you want your final wooden panel to meet the side panel.

Slide this across the van until it touches the side trim ...

roosmith wrote:People cut conduit length ways which slips over the strut when open and holds it no matter what the weight.

Called "keeper-upperers".

rita wrote:extra features are very good.

I appreciate that this is still in its infancy - but what are the new features you speak of?

And can we have the "Active Topics" link back, that was my go-to view.

Edit - Found it!

DA