Our 2026 westfalia Sven Hedin campervan
- Thread starter Cgtmiles
- Start date
We had our first night away in it last weekend. Spending 2 nights in Henley C&MC site
Really nice site, actually nicer imo than Swiss farm further down the road. We had a nice little pitch tucked away on the dead grass
I’m still getting used to driving it and it still feels quite big to me which is a bit of a worry as we didn’t have to go down any small roads to get there. It also didn’t help that the government alert message went off as we were going from the M25 to the M4 and it sounded like the van was having a breakdown!
Really nice site, actually nicer imo than Swiss farm further down the road. We had a nice little pitch tucked away on the dead grass
I’m still getting used to driving it and it still feels quite big to me which is a bit of a worry as we didn’t have to go down any small roads to get there. It also didn’t help that the government alert message went off as we were going from the M25 to the M4 and it sounded like the van was having a breakdown!
We sold out T6 the night before picking up this van (just after the eclipse!) to this guy
I had cleaned it up and emptied it ready for PX but this was a bit of a last minute surprise.
I didn’t realise just how well I had this setup and packed and so when I transferred all the stuff into our massive new van it didn’t seem so big after all!
Lots of sorting and repacking to do here. I used 2 of the boxes we had in the t6 kitchen plus a load of other from the house. But more on order!
I had cleaned it up and emptied it ready for PX but this was a bit of a last minute surprise.
I didn’t realise just how well I had this setup and packed and so when I transferred all the stuff into our massive new van it didn’t seem so big after all!
Lots of sorting and repacking to do here. I used 2 of the boxes we had in the t6 kitchen plus a load of other from the house. But more on order!
There is a lot of noise coming from the kitchen when driving. After having driven round the T6 empty for the first time in 6 years, and being amazed at how quiet it was, it was a bit of a shock driving the Sven, it sounded like an old bus!
So first thing is the fridge which according to the FB group is a big culprit so I had the rods in the doors out yesterday and covered in tape
Not sure if this worked or not as I haven’t test driven it yet
So first thing is the fridge which according to the FB group is a big culprit so I had the rods in the doors out yesterday and covered in tape
Not sure if this worked or not as I haven’t test driven it yet
I have already bought some accessories for the awning (Thule 6300, I think 3.25m long and 2.5m wide)
As everyone’s recommendation I got the strap down kit, standard.
But I also got the tension arm kit, these parts come on the bigger awnings by default but are an option on this size so good to spec it up and get a bit more rigidity
Finally I got the tension rafter G2, I couldn’t quite complete the installation of this on site as you need a drill but I could temporarily install it as the tension holds it in. Again this is supposed to add rigidity and tension the canopy. It also includes 2 poles which now need storing when not on site!
Finally, I did get the obligatory peggy peg feet for the awning poles as well as some more pegs (in black and grey) these all worked really well
I well get some better photos of all this but here is a taster
As everyone’s recommendation I got the strap down kit, standard.
But I also got the tension arm kit, these parts come on the bigger awnings by default but are an option on this size so good to spec it up and get a bit more rigidity
Finally I got the tension rafter G2, I couldn’t quite complete the installation of this on site as you need a drill but I could temporarily install it as the tension holds it in. Again this is supposed to add rigidity and tension the canopy. It also includes 2 poles which now need storing when not on site!
Finally, I did get the obligatory peggy peg feet for the awning poles as well as some more pegs (in black and grey) these all worked really well
I well get some better photos of all this but here is a taster
Now the negatives so far:
Firstly, the relatively minor things, they forgot to give us the main cable (we have one so no bother but a 10m was included), and it was supposed to have factory fit mud flaps. I emailed them about these and they were very quick to respond and are sending asap.
More seriously, we have a problem with the cupboard latches, apparently it’s a bad batch and they have new ones but not great after a few days!
Of the 11 latches 9 are showing some signs of damage.
Firstly, the relatively minor things, they forgot to give us the main cable (we have one so no bother but a 10m was included), and it was supposed to have factory fit mud flaps. I emailed them about these and they were very quick to respond and are sending asap.
More seriously, we have a problem with the cupboard latches, apparently it’s a bad batch and they have new ones but not great after a few days!
Of the 11 latches 9 are showing some signs of damage.
Another niggle is that I have noticed that there actually isn’t that many USBs. This was a bit of an oversight that I didn’t notice this before but there is only USBs (1x an and 1x c) on the rear pillar and another set by the seat at the front. There is no USB on “my” (kitchen) side of the bed. I’ll need to find a solution to this as because we don’t have an inverter when we aren’t on mains we will have very limited power!
Currently trying to spec up a duvalay mattress and fitted sheets but it has really weird shaped mattresses in 4 pieces
this is the topper dimensions (thanks mainly to someone on the FB group)
Split in half, this is the dimensions for the fitted sheets for the 2 main mattresses in the van
Then this is the dimensions of the 2 fillets that top and tail the main mattresses. These are much thinner and Velcroed to the bed board so I have asked if they can do little fitted sheets for these
Not going to be cheap but once done should sort it for the foreseeable
this is the topper dimensions (thanks mainly to someone on the FB group)Split in half, this is the dimensions for the fitted sheets for the 2 main mattresses in the vanThen this is the dimensions of the 2 fillets that top and tail the main mattresses. These are much thinner and Velcroed to the bed board so I have asked if they can do little fitted sheets for theseNot going to be cheap but once done should sort it for the foreseeable
Ok, so I had my own personal Amazon truck delivering yesterday!
Key cover
Tray (bit crappy but perfect fit)
Some command hooks (standard drivers side hook is hidden behind fly screen!)
new bigger collapsible washing up bowl (sink is actually smaller in this van than in the T6 so not bothering to get one to fit
packing things
multi connector lead as there is no usbs this side of the bed!
A little WIP to hide the window when showing (has blind but this should stop any water getting in). Some magnetic tape and a cut down shower curtain (another attempt needed on the shower curtain but will do for now)
clips to hold tensioner rod to underside of bed board
To name but a few
Key coverTray (bit crappy but perfect fit)Some command hooks (standard drivers side hook is hidden behind fly screen!)new bigger collapsible washing up bowl (sink is actually smaller in this van than in the T6 so not bothering to get one to fitpacking thingsmulti connector lead as there is no usbs this side of the bed!A little WIP to hide the window when showing (has blind but this should stop any water getting in). Some magnetic tape and a cut down shower curtain (another attempt needed on the shower curtain but will do for now)clips to hold tensioner rod to underside of bed boardTo name but a few
We headed to the western Warner show this weekend at Malvern show ground.
There was a meet of Sven Hedin’s where we had our own paddock
Great to see so many vans and meet so many people who have more experience than us with these vans. The show was not quite so great though, very busy on the Saturday but much better when we went down on the Sunday first thing. Got a few bits and ordered some new chairs
There was a meet of Sven Hedin’s where we had our own paddock
Great to see so many vans and meet so many people who have more experience than us with these vans. The show was not quite so great though, very busy on the Saturday but much better when we went down on the Sunday first thing. Got a few bits and ordered some new chairs
Stopped over at folly farm on Friday night. Very much a working farm! Our first ever stay in a C&CC certified site. The wind caught the awning as we were winding out so bottled putting that out. It was quite windy so cooking the sausages on the cadac was fun!
We then moved on to C&MC site in Cirencester which was much more civilised.
Put the rain blocker up on the side which helps a lot as the door is right at the edge of the awning. Was panicking while out on a walk on Sunday as the wind picked up but with the tension arms/poles and straps it’s actually quite strong in the wind
Van looks smart with the new wheels 
, the oz wheels really do look quality, I almost went with the oz rally legend but have now opted for some targa tg9 . The ghost is a great piece of mind thing to have , I cant make my mind up whether to go with a ghost or the tag thing that u have to have with u to start the vehicle .
, the oz wheels really do look quality, I almost went with the oz rally legend but have now opted for some targa tg9 . The ghost is a great piece of mind thing to have , I cant make my mind up whether to go with a ghost or the tag thing that u have to have with u to start the vehicle .Ghost is good coz it’s a code which you have to know to know if you know what I mean. Tags or whatever (like tracker tags) end up getting left with keys then basically redundantVan looks smart with the new wheels
Targas look pretty cool too, even more of a nightmare to clean though by the looks of it!