bullbars and alloys

[dunkyg99]

Hi folks, im due to pick up my rascal romahome a week on monday and i cant wait. ive got a list of things id like to do to it and im going to start with the cab as the back is in great condition (although the decor is horrrendous). id like bull bars fitted with the spare mounted on them. has anyone got bull bars for sale? and the seats are uncomfortable, i can feel metal bars through the foam. wot have u folks done to the seats? re-foam/ put covers on? and i need a stereo but i'll get back to u when i have one and am ready to fit it!

Thanx in advance for any suggestions/ help,

Dunk.

[J J 007]

where are you based

[dunkyg99]

glasgow!

[slowcoach]

Seat problem is easily to solve, find any old seat from any old vehicle and screw them onto the bracket. Wallah, upgraded seats. Well, thats what her previous owner did. I drove from Oban to London over two days and had hardly any problems, normally I need to recline them way way back or else my lower back cramps up. 

Shes got bull bars too, but not for sale sorry 

[dunkyg99]

I like it slowcoach, never thought it would be that easy!! haha. new seats it is then. U just tryin to make me jealous talkin about your bull bars though? lol.

[Pirate]

Bullbars are a must when your knees are part of the crumple zone

[dunkyg99]

Bullbars are a must when your knees are part of the crumple zone

 I never thought of that!! I just thought they looked cool! whats the law with bullbars these days anyway? were they not kind of outlawed at one point?

[Pirate]

No problem   dont worry about the law, it was just a lot of fuss about 4x4's killing children etc, bullbars ARE legal.

[spacehopper]

I'd be wary about putting bullbars AND the spare wheel on the front. These vans are light enough on the back end as it is and this will make it very front heavy if you are driving around empty. Even if the compensator valve is doing its job you are risking skidding the back wheels under heavy braking.

[Turnip lover]

With regards to the law Bull bars are fine. I just don't think you are allowed to manufacture them anymore. I was worried that bars would negate my insurance so I called them and they said as long as they were an option from new on that model vehicle I would not need to declare it. Job done! Get some bars and save your legs!

[dunkyg99]

thanx for all the replies so far folks. bullbars seem a bit thin on the ground right now so, if i went for a front mounted spare, without bullbars, how is it done? i assume there is some sort of bracket needed? where could i get one?

I really want to ask about alloys but im totally baffled by it, i dont know wot all the numbers mean on tyres! could someone give me an idiots guide?

also, can anyone point me in the direction of a wiring diagram for an 89 rascal romahome. id like to know the output of the alternator, and does pluging into the mains charge the leisure battery, amongst other things.

Thanks in advance for all your help, this site ROCKS! lol

[Pirate]

does pluging into the mains charge the leisure battery,

In a word, no.
I have fitted a small battery charger to my bambi, so when connected to the hook up, the battery gets charged.

[dunkyg99]

i managed to get the user manual for the romahome from smallcampers website, cant remember its exact name. anyway, it appears that if it has mains hookup fitted then this will charge the battery, hmmm. i shall have to get the multimeter out when i get the van. the manual is in pdf format so if anyone wants it and hasnt got it, pm me and i'll send u it.

[duncanamps]

Have you got a Zig unit fitted?  These charge up the leisure battery when you're on a mains hookup, or one way of doing it anyway.

If you don't know what a Zig unit is, here's google pictures of them - http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=zig+unit&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1152&bih=773

If you've one of these fitted then it should be giving your leisure battery a charge.  If not, you may need to ask someone with electrical knowledge to check your van over and let you know.

For dunkyg99, many of the Bambis were not fitted with the factory 240V option and had it added on later on.  As part of the add-on, it's possible a Zig unit wasn't fitted at the time of the retrofit.  Mine is one without a Zig and currently no means of charging the leisure battery, so sounds very much the same setup as your own.

I'm in the process of adding a 13.8V / 25 amp supply as I want it to power the fridge as well when on mains hookup (something the Zig won't do).  Call me old fashioned, but a supply of cold beer is one of life's essentials 

Cheers,
Duncan

[Pirate]

Call me old fashioned, but a supply of cold beer is one of life's essentials  Grin

I like a guy who has his prioritys right
My bambi is fitted with a 3-way fridge (an option when new) but as it's so small, i have a second gas/12 volt fridge for the beers!