Bongo Fury

Hi all,

Seen a few post around the benefits of a 41” bed from JAL rather than a 47” one but wondered whether anyone who has the 41” bed regrets it and thinks it’s the wrong choice? Second question, external or internal water storage? I’m told that most people go for the external tank, but what do people feel, doesn’t that mean you have to camp up at a serviced site to have any water or can they switch between internal and external?

Thanks for your help

Paul

Mine's not converted so can't help much with your questions, but welcome aboard.

Re water storage, you can have a system to suit yourself. Internal, external, or combination - non would tie you to a campsite, and I'm a believer in a 2 gallon container with a tap, at least as back up. Nowt to go wrong with it and you can see how much is in it.

Our bed is around that size (from jds metal tech) and whilst it is cosy we are happy sleeping close and there is room shoulder to shoulder. I build my conversion to my own requirements and the fridge (waeco crx50) was really the determining factor for bed size. I would however be concerned about the amount of storage space with anything much wider

As for water, I went for 12 litres interval. We have space for 2 if we were away from a tap for a while but we’ve never actually done enough nights in the actual wild. Was put off by external as it potentially meant driving to taps and could be awkward to clean

Bracpasuk wrote: Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:53 pm Hi all,

Seen a few post around the benefits of a 41” bed from JAL rather than a 47” one but wondered whether anyone who has the 41” bed regrets it and thinks it’s the wrong choice? Second question, external or internal water storage? I’m told that most people go for the external tank, but what do people feel, doesn’t that mean you have to camp up at a serviced site to have any water or can they switch between internal and external?

Thanks for your help

Paul

I have roughly a 41" bed with the wider cupboards. Would be cosy for two but perfect for one and a labrador! Really depends on the size of the people sleeping on it. I prefer the wider cupboards so I've got more storage.

External water would be a bit obvious if wild camping, but for sites, OK. Switching between external and internal would mean having an empty cupboard while using externally, and less storage if storing internally. You could always go with the option of external and just having bottles of water inside rather than using it internally. If you see what I mean.

Plus internal storage could be a container under the sink, which could be removed and taken the the tap, or a built in/fixed tank which would mean driving to the tap.

I suspect the latter would be a bit of a pain and you'd end up with bottles, as Jilly suggests.

A fixed tank can be tricky to clean, as mentioned by CW255.

Thanks all very helpful. Think we will opt for the 41 inch bed for the extra space and need to clarify what internal water storage actually means

If you can be at Stourport this w/e pop in and have a chat.

Every combination will be there to see.

Welcome. Just given some thoughts in reply to another query that has some similarities - see here

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=76570

Hi all.
At last i've finally signed up the forum after reading it for 4 years. We bought a 2 litre petrol Bongo back then and it's by far the best vehicle we have ever owned. It's still in top condition and sails through the MOT every year with the tester promising to take it off our hands whenever we are ready. We've taken it all through France, up to Scotland and the south coast and it drives a dream.
We originally looked a 60-70 different bongos, mainly in and around the Southampton area at various dealers but eventually bought privately not too far from us( cant find the control panel but when I do i'll post our location!).
Anyhoo, just saying hello and i'll post the tech question later.

Hi Buddy

Welcome aboard.

If you click on your name, in the post, your profile will come up, then just click 'edit profile' and you can add a rough location.

It really is useful if you need some help.

Thanks Bob.
The FPO came in to see what I was up to and sussed it. I'll sort that and hopefully a picture for my profile tomorrow now that I've read up on that too.
I genuinely cannot express enough how pleased we've been with the bongo and how good the performance, comfort, ease of driving etc actually is.
Admittedly we had a steep learning curve initially with how to pack, using a "facility" in the middle of the night, not panicking when the retrofit overheat stat became loose and the alarm went off and yeh I've got pals who own VW's and look down on the bongo but when I've explained to them the benefits in original outlay, running costs and suchlike they tend to backtrack.
In the past, I have owned or driven by way of personal and company vehicles, all sorts from transit and escort vans to average saloons and hatchbacks and even owned a top of the range executive saloon with all the trimmings so I believe I can offer a reasoned opinion re; bongo's.
This website has provided us with plenty of advice and laughs and long may it continue!

Yep, old Bongy isn't the very best at any one thing, but by crikey it's the best all rounder I've had.

Ours is un-converted and we mostly have our caravan with us now (yep, great tow car) but when camping in our Ferdinand de Bongo we sleep on the front and middle seats, leaving room for the Portapottie behind and room to undress.

Much less disruptive for both of us than getting out and walking to site loos if needed in the night.

Just the two of us, no kids, so easier than for a family.