Off Grid Factory built Family Adventure Van - Fiat Ducato

After 3 years of ownership and almost 25,000 miles of trouble free motoring it is time to part with our Weinsberg 601MQH.

This van has served our family of 4 perfectly for our many adventure road-trips. In the time we’ve had this van it’s created countless treasured memories in 22 different countries including Norway, Bosnia, Portugal to name a few.

Habitation Spec

– 4/5 berth (1 transverse fixed standard double to rear, 1 drop-down long double over front, 1 single over lowered table under front).
– 4 seat belts.
– Front captain swivel seats.
– Truma combi gas heating/hotwater (thermostat controlled, programmable).
– 3 way fridge with ice compartment (fits a small ice cream tub or 2).
– Bathroom with Dometic cassette toilet, sink and shower.
– Twin gas hob.
– Kitchen sink with hot/cold mixer tap.
– 120L fresh water tank.
– 85L grey water tank.
– 4 x 12V sockets.
– 3 x 220v sockets (hookup only).
– 2 bikes bike-rack.
– Vast amount of storage space.
– Railings throughout for hanging, washing, towels, curtains…
– Garage accessible from inside and from back doors.
– Blinds/mosquito nets on all windows.
– LED lighting throughout.

Upgrades

– Polinovel Lithium iron phosphate 100 Ah battery.
– Victron MPPT 100/20 solar charge controller.
– Just replaced the solar last month with brand new panels (2x100w) plenty to run and charge everything off grid, we never plug in, even at campsites.
– Recently fitted MaxAir Fan with lighting surround/blind (£450 in parts alone).
– Refillable LPG/Autogas propane Gas tank 40L (32 usable).
– BFGoodrich All terrain K02 tyres
– Awning rail

Van info

– 2016 Fiat Ducato
– Dimensions – 6m long x 3.2m high.
– 700kg payload.
– 2.3L Turbo Diesel.
– Manual – 6 gears.
– Reversing camera.
– Cruise control and speed limiter.
– Air conditioning in cab.
– Satnav.
– Bluetooth stereo with commands on steering wheel.
– 135,000 with Full service history.

It’s been a motorhome from new, professionally made by the reputable German brand of Weinsberg. A professionally manufactured motorhome is obviously built to a standard so it immediately set our minds at ease in terms of build quality and safety.
This particular model with the high fixed roof is a 601MQH and they very rarely come up for sale, we waited an age for this particular van to show up.

The 601MQH was as close to our wish list we could get. It is compact enough to get around easily (great all over Devon and Cornwall, even in the narrow lanes) but well laid out to be very practical inside. We wanted a van under 6m in length so we can just about squeeze in a supermarket parking space, but meaning as i’m 6ft 2” I’m to tall to sleep across the width of panel vans, so this meant either going longer for a van with a bed running the length of the van or going for a pop top/high roof. After previously owning a van with a pop top we were keen to stay away from those, so the high bed in the solid roof of the Weinsberg meant we could stay in a panel van under 6m with the added bonus of a vast amount of storage. Honestly the storage is unreal, the high bed only takes up half of the roof space, the rest is filled with additional storage cupboard’s. We can go on a trip for over a month and not have to stop to do laundry once.

It’s also has some very useful additions that make it perfect for off grid adventures.
Solar has been added which generates enough power to bin the hookup lead, we never use the hookup, even on campsites.
The solar panels have just been replaced and installed with the correct air gap underneath, controlled by Victron equipment and the power is banked in the upgraded 100ah Lithium leisure battery.
Another addition is the 40L Refillable LPG propane Gas tank which can be filled from any petrol station that supplies LPG for a lot less than pre filled bottles and one fill generally lasts us over 4 weeks of travelling (using the gas to heat the hot water for the shower/sink, run the fridge and heating).
Last year I fitted a MaxAir fan which really helps circulate the air and keep the van cool, especially handy when we’re were in Croatia last summer. The chunky BFG tyres allow the van to go where it shouldn’t, i definitely credit them with getting us out of a few awkward spots and saving the embarrassment of a tow.

Mileage – 135,000 miles
I know this is high but please don’t let this put you off, I’m so glad we didn’t as we would have missed out on so many adventures and it’s been absolutely trouble free.
Our only expense has been keeping up with servicing and the van has proven itself with 25,000 miles of trouble free motoring in our hands. The length and distance of our many road-trips demonstrates our confidence in our little home on wheels. You can check out some of the many places we’ve taken the van on our Instagram @beluga_van_adventures
I’d describe the condition as very good for its age and mileage, but if you’re a perfectionist you will see subtle signs of use.