Kombi Beach's

[Big Bird]

We run Big Bird a yellow Kombi Beach and have done 75000ks since Jan 2009 all over Australia - Gibb River Road WA, Mt Augustas WA, Ularu NT, Wilsons Prom Vic, Falls Creek Vic, Jindabyne NSW, Goondawindi, Toowoomba Q, Coober Peedy SA, Adelaide 2010 DOVW. We went to the Queensland Bug-In hoping to see some more KB's but we were disappointed that we didnt see one at the Bug-In. We did see one in NSW but going the other way at Belligen NSW but didnt catch up.

WA has the 2011 Bug-In at Toodyay just NE of Perth at easter time and it would be great to see some more KB's and even some T5's done up as at the moment for the last three WA DOVWs and the Queensland Bug-In last year Big Bird has been the lone entrant?

Cheers see you at the Bug-In Book Now - See the WA VW club web site for details.

[rob64981]

Welcome Big Bird.
I spoke to you at the Adelaide VW show.
If i remember correctly you had made a sink unit for your KB.
Are you that person?
Get some pictures up and show others your handy work.
Rob

[BrianJ]

That name 'Big Bird' is perfect, the moment we saw the yellow one, we said 'that's big bird'!
We are always on the lookout for other beaches. we saw about 3 in WA, and one was a big bird seen in Margaret River area around mid Sep 2010, was that you?
There is ours and a couple of others in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast area, and its an exciting day when we glimps one.

Might see you in QLD sometime.

Brian

[ClubCoconut]

Kombi Beach

Hi - yes I have a silver one and luuurve it having had it since September. I live on the Gold Coast and don't see many on the road.

I can tell you that I saw one completely bastardised (stripped) so there are a maximum of 99 of the original 100 floating around.

Everybody who sees it loves it and I have a couple of friends planning to buy one when they can afford it.

I don't see many on the road just another silver one from time to time although friends of mine have seen a grey and yellow on the sunny coast and a orange and grey near Coffs.

Trust you are enjoying big bird - I have some great pics to post but are having trouble posting - I guess thats what happens when you are a professional photographer.

Cheers

Jeff

[tapsy]

Kombi Beach

I was told by the dealer that there were 300 beach's brought in? I wonder if that would be correct?
and i have also bastardised mine so make that 298 from 300, (or 98 from 100) we still love it!

[BrianJ]

I was told by the dealer that there were 300 beach's brought in? I wonder if that would be correct?
and i have also bastardised mine so make that 298 from 300, (or 98 from 100) we still love it!

Nice to hear from you Tapsy, and glad you are still liking the beach. We love ours, and went around Australia last year, this year we will most likely go up through the centre.

Here is our BLOG of the trip: Around Australia

Brian

[MultiplexMan]

Make that 297/300 (or 97/100). Mine has been completely bastardised too!

Suits me fine now...

[BrianJ]

Make that 297/300 (or 97/100). Mine has been completely bastardised too!

Suits me fine now...

How did your beach conversion end up, are you happy with the outcome?

Brian

[Big Bird]

Yes that was us on our 2011 bug in test run.
Once I work out how to post pics Ill put some on.
Cheers

[Big Bird]

Hi Jeff
Yes we thoroughly enjoy ours and as soon as I can work out how to post some pics I will. Our last trip to Mount Augustus we nearly wrecked Big Bird as the terrain we crossed was not exactly two wheel drive country - but heck what would life be without a little challange?
Cheers

[rob64981]

Big Bird you have a private message in the notifications top right of the page!

Rob

[MultiplexMan]

How did your beach conversion end up, are you happy with the outcome?

Brian

Hi Brian - sorry for the delay but the Beach is booked in for its third fit out! I made, tried and then sold on my modules. They did the job but were a compromise. I needed them to work with the original bench seat. I could not store the Good Night package in my garage all the time. It took just on three years to sell the complete Good Night package.

My latest, and hopefully last, version will be made at DRIFTA this Monday! I have gone with dual north/south benches. The benches incorporate drawer units 1400mm long. The LHS bench has a hinged extension to make a full length bed. There is an infill panel to bridge the two benches.

Kitchen unit behind passenger seat.

Low, wide unit to hold Waeco fridge, Techni Ice esky behind driver.

All floor mount modules utilise the floor runners and are removable.

I also have an overhead hutch going in the RHS rear quarter panel. The hutch "door" hinges down to become a table. DRIFTA did this for a previous customer and I like it. I need a work bench inside the van and this is ideal. The hutch is secured with rivnuts and is removable.

This configuration permits me to load a full wood sheet (2400x1200) on the bench tops; or stow a bicycle between the benches; and have a comfortable single or snug double bed.

I am currently upgrading the insulation and running new wiring in the van.

I will be posting pictures once complete.

BTW - I used VehiPlan - a shareware sketching tool for layout.

[petenkaz]

Hi, just wondering how the fitout went, would love to see some pictures...

[Sunny43.5]

Hey all you travellers here is a link to an innovative new cooker for campers Webasto have a range of small compact heaters as well as this cooker worth a look as they run on diesel from your fuel tank !! no more gas bottles .Webasto Caravan :: Diesel Cooker X100 . And for those in the cold south this one might help Webasto - Recreational Vehicles Product Overview . I use this companies sunroofs and they also have other products . Howard

[MultiplexMan]

@petenkaz - pictures once I'm on R&R - hopefully later this week weather permitting. The fit out turned out pretty well ~95%. There are a few little refinements that I'd like to make. I may consider selling the modules and going for Version 4. Anyhow I've got a road trip planned so it'll get a good work out over the coming months.

@Sunny43.5 - I've used the Webasto diesel cooktop on a boat. Nice bit of kit if you are after an inbuilt kitchen unit.

I've gone the otherway with a cheap gas stove ($20) that I use on a bench outside of the van. The only thing I cook inside the van is water! I also have a trusty Trianga metho stove - slow but safe. Should also consider the Dometic Origo metho stove - safe, and portable.

I've started to become wary of the cheap gas stove. $20 is a bargain but I wouldn't be happy if the unit leaked inside the van...