Brida is a 2005 Mercedes 311 long wheel base Sprinter van. It has a 2.1 litre turbo diesel engine and 5 speed gear box. Plenty of power from the engine and economy too. Though long and spacious, the van can be driven on a standard car license being under 3.5 ton.
The van began its life as a 'Snap On' van, selling high quality american hand tools for the motortrade around East Anglia. When we purchased the van a lovely guy had already used the best insulation to line the walls and had clad the interior with tongue and groove pine, so we basically had a blank canvas when we began our conversion.
We made Brida for our family, we wanted a comfortable van able to go off grid and to get to campsites/piches without any hook up. We hand built the interior of the van to suit our needs, a 2 adults and 3 children family. We wanted a van that is:
Comfortable for the children on a long drive
Warm (with the help of a heater) and well insulated
A woody feel
Fixed beds, no setting up when we arrive somewhere!
Capable cooking facilities
Functional in all weather and all seasons
Solar energy to run our fridge and laptop without need for hook up
All seating with 3 point seat belts
We have gone on many advetures, from Cornwall to Northumberland, little festivals and visiting friends. It has been well used but well loved.
Also Brida has gone onto NC500 a couple of times now!
SUMMARY
* SEATING
- 3 Front
- 3 Back (facing backwards)
- All 3 point seat belts
* EATING
- 3 seats and a bench seat with storage
- Removable table for 5
- Storage cupboards overhead with books, games, night lanterns (for candles)
* COOKING
- Overhead storage for food in cupboards in pull out drawers
- Sink and cold running water
- 20L tank for fresh water
- 2 burner gas ring supplied from gas in the boot
- Extendable worktop
- 50lt 12v campervan fridge/freezer
- Pots and pans
- Plates and cups for 4 people
- Undersink storage for crockery, pots, pans, cutlery, etc.
- Fiamma continuos vent skylight, to be always opened when cooking
- CO2 Alarm & Smoke alarm
* SLEEPING
- King size mattress. Double duvet, 2 pillows, 2 blankets, 2 cushions.
1850 mm long x 1600 mm wide x 530 mm space under hammock beds
- 2 drop down hammock style beds for kids (up to 9 years old) with sheep skins, blanket and head cushion each.
500 mm wide x 1550 mm long x 360 mm space from ceiling. Can be taken away when no children in the group
- 1 cabin bed under main bed with fitted sheet, head cushion and blanket
680 mm wide x 1700 mm long x 360 mm space from ceiling
- LED lights for each bed
- 2 Storage baskets under cabin bed (plus space to carry porta poti)
* ELECTRIC- NO HOOK UP
- 350watt of solar up on the roof
- Split charge system which charges the batteries from the engine 2x110amp leisure batteries
- 2 USB charging points
- 500w inverter to run a laptop charger
- LED lamps over dining, cooking areas and each bed
* OTHERS
- 1 brass top low table and 2 director style chairs to sit outside
- Fiamma retractable sun shade/awning
Collect from Tollesbury, you can leave one car in the camper's place.
Insurance: Please note, you will need to purchase hire insurance for this motorhome and you are responsible for purcharsing the policy. Proof of policy will be checked 7 days prior to the start date
Hire insurance can be obtained through your current vehicle insurance provider or another company like Dayinsure.