What model is this? And Alberta insurance

[Adrock]

my friend has a westie. it is class c, and you are legally allowed to drink in the back of it while parked. I wish I could get my deli classified as such. save some headaches.

[dpd]

argh... I spoke to an agent today who was RHD-friendly, and who believed that yes, this is a motorhome. No problem, except I don't have any other vehicle insured, and to insure a motorhome when you don't have another vehicle puts you in some kind of high risk category and it is apparently *very* expensive, I was casually quoted *$4-6 thousand*.

So now I'm looking into what I can remove to make it a passenger van and not a camper, which is too bad, but if it's just removing the propane stove or something, then I can live with it.

They're getting back to me tomorrow with specific details for the specific van model. Somehow I'm having trouble comparing my Delica, to driving a 30 foot Winnebago on the freeway to work every day, which is what must be in their minds for that price... I commute by bike year round, and only want to keep the Delica insured for camping and weekend fun... so I guess I'll keep trying...

[Adrock]

buy a scooter and insure it for $14 a month.

its a great way to keep your discount in bc too if you lose it in an accident. you only lose it on the first vehicle or something. I don't know how it works really b ut I know people have done it, and I bet it would work in alberta.

[josh]

or trade me vehicles... i would kill for a camper.

Josh

[Erebus]

My insurance broker didn't have a problem with insuring the Delica here in Alberta (Calgary). PM me if you want contact info.

As for headlights, since you have standard large rectangular sealed beams, I would strongly recommend you replace them with H4-type halogen replaceable bulb units. Should be easy to source from PartSource or Crappy Tire or off-road stores. The are sealed-beam size, but use the H4 bulbs. Much much brighter and much better beam distribution. I've had them from Hella, Cibie, and other makes.

[crushers]

that looks like the unit i was thinking about at auction,if so then it is a non-turbo unit...which is why i passed on a similar unit...
what is the full serial number of your van?

[dpd]

Hi Crushers, I don't think this is the non-turbo you saw at auction. DEL BIG RIG advertised it specifically as "1990 Delica 5-speed manual Turbo Diesel", and says that it cruises fine at 100-120. I can't verify all of that until it's here, but I have no reason to think it's NOT true.

Ruminante, thanks for the insurance and headlights tips, I'll get in touch if the insurance situation doesn't improve. I'm looking into the scooter solution as well :)

[crushers]

i am not saying it is or is not, i am just saying the one i looked at was very similar and non-turbo. the actual serial number would tell the story. if you do not want to post it up that is fine...
cheers

[dpd]

Thanks for the heads-up crushers! I'll look into it, but I think it will be fine. If I still have doubts I'll PM the serial to you, I appreciate the offer of help.

[dpd]

I guess the chassis model for my camper is "S-P25V", not P25W... does anyone know what this means??

Also an update on insurance: I should be fine with one company that has no problem with RHD, and no problem with the Delica model, however they have refused to give me a quote until the vehicle is landed, inspected, and compliant, and then they have had a chance to visually inspect.

I suspect it is just because of the camper features, they want to see it themselves before deciding whether it is a passenger vehicle or motorhome. I'm still shopping around though.

Thanks for everyone's help so far.
David

[niekt]

Hi David,

The "V" means your Deli once was a delivery van ( the "W" means minibus )

[dpd]

Cool, I suppose that being a delivery van doesn't matter, since the rear is gutted anyway, and there are nice sliding windows in. Maybe it also means that I have no speakers in the back and doors and hatch, although I will be glad if at least the fixtures for them are there.

[crushers]

the P25V is a non-turbo diesel van usually used for cargo purposes...
cheers

[dpd]

Awww man......

I owe you one crushers!!! because of your warnings I asked the seller directly if it was a turbo or not.
He confirmed that it is a non-turbo, and that he made a mistake when selling it!

He has offered a full refund, or a free turbo. I'm willing to accept the free turbo, but it would be great to get some solid advice from you guys first:

- Seller claims that the van has comparable power to turbos, cruises at 120 smoothly, and that he wouldn't install the turbo if it was him, as it will reduce engine life and it doesn't need it. Is there wisdom in this?

- I know that the turbo increases hp and torque, but what is the overall effect on fuel economy? I won't be doing much worse than gravel roads for a while, so I might not need low-end power too much, will I save gas overall with the turbo off, assuming that it can at least do highway speeds OK like seller says?

- How hard is it to install the turbo once it's here? Crushers, could you do it for me if I took it down to Calgary, and how much would you want to do the work?

Thanks!

[crushers]

first, a turbo DOES NOT reduce engine life...your right does.
secondly, i would be leary of a turbo installed by someone that is telling you the above.
the NON-turbo is S L O W. that is why i passed on this very unit (and i wanted it).

i would love to do a turbo install for you but i am moving to Ontario, first load tomorrow and final move on Nov 15th.

my advice...
walk.
it is a cool van, true but misrepresentation of the facts and what i already learned from Yas would dictate abandoning this unit.

but it is your money, your investment...

cheers