Power Steering - what are your thoughts?

Hi everyone, I am in the process of figuring out what to get in the way of a T2 Brazilian, and visited the Danbury site on Saturday at Vanfest. The issue of power steering came up. So I was wondering if any of your lovely T2s have power steering?

Has anyone test driven a power-steered model? Big difference?

I'm thinking through options so any opinions would be most helpful!

thanks
joanna

Hi Joanna . FYI: See this link for a short video and customer comments: https://www.facebook.com/danburymotorcaravans?sk=wall#!/video/video.php?v=425381649743

Power steering (speed sensitive) also comes with 'direct drive' as standard which is modern rack and pinion steering. Ive got it on mine and its fab! Your welcome to visit our factory and test drive a campervan with and without ...

joannaheather wrote:

Hi everyone, I am in the process of figuring out what to get in the way of a T2 Brazilian, and visited the Danbury site on Saturday at Vanfest. The issue of power steering came up. So I was wondering if any of your lovely T2s have power steering?

Has anyone test driven a power-steered model? Big difference?

I'm thinking through options so any opinions would be most helpful!

thanks
joanna

speaking as someone who has just taken delivery of a van from Danbury, no power steering...

the 'standard' steering does take a little getting used to - very heavy compared to modern power steering, however after a few hundred miles im totally used to it -

that said our van is for pleasure at weekend - if I was driving it as an everyday vehicle id want as many mod cons as I could afford :-)

Yes, I am intending to use it as my everyday vehicle. I have two small children who need ferrying around, supermarket shopping etc.

I currently drive a VW golf 1.6 ...... am thinking power steering might be a very wise investment

joannaheather wrote:

Yes, I am intending to use it as my everyday vehicle. I have two small children who need ferrying around, supermarket shopping etc.

I currently drive a VW golf 1.6 ...... am thinking power steering might be a very wise investment

i think lots of parking, tight spaces etc. would justify it for me...:-)

If you're thinking 'long term' ownership then it would be a wise investment.

The arms do get a bit tired when manoeuvering in tight spaces, much more fun than going to the gym tho!

Thanks for the thoughts. I am definitely thinking long term investment. I want to be driving her (i have a name for her already) in 10 years time...

I have got so used to waggling the steering wheel whilst "tacking" down the motorway that Liz accuses me of wandering all over the road when I'm driving our little Fiat 500.

For me, the steering is part of the charm, and it just gets lighter and lighter as you go faster and faster...

joannaheather wrote:

Thanks for the thoughts. I am definitely thinking long term investment. I want to be driving her (i have a name for her already) in 10 years time...

So the T5 idea has gone to the recycle bin then?

Hi Joanna. That link I gave you for the power steering video seems to have a technical problem. Try this link instead : https://youtu.be/a1BggkLelBM

Yes Tim.... in the end my heart won over my head. I just can't get so excited about driving what looks like a big van. Whereas a T2 has so much charm, quirkiness. This is the first time in my life that I've "fallen in love" with a vehicle, and it feels wonderful.

As I sat in the Danbury Diamond on Saturday, my children sitting on the bench seat in a row and I looked back at them, that was the moment.

I have my quibbles about storage but there's always the awning to put stuff in on arrival....

Hi Joanna. Dont forget theres lots of storage behind the bed, under the bed, the floor in the centre of the campervan aswell as options like: Bike rack, tow bar, Dan Bug trailer (see http://www.danburymotorcaravans.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=43 ) , front roof rack, storage unit inbetween front seats etc etc. Dont let this worry you and Im sure plenty of owners on here will confirm travelling light is best as you can buy most stuff needed as you travel (which is part of the fun)

FYI: Yes you can have the 3 point belts on both sides on the full width rear seat and there is an optional 4 point harness for the centre of the seat..

I have power steering for a tenner.

Well, it's actually one of those steering wheel knobs truck drivers often use, but it makes reversing MUCH easier!

So as a cheap compromise, I can wholeheartedly recommend it!!

I'm not going to be popular here, but I feel that some of the joy of my camper is that it has problems and is not like a modern vehicle.

If I wanted a modern vehicle I would have bought one. Instead I have a vehicle with character. It steers sidewise down the motorway, its top speed is is always less than the speed limit, acceleration is measured with a diary rather than a stopwatch, parking is like maneuvering an oil tanker.

One thing you quickly learn is how to park properly, to make sure your wheels are pointing in the right direction. etc.




One thing to remember is that the current steering system is set up for no power steering, if you add power steering then you will put a lot of stress onto track rod ends, and other parts of the system.

I'm with absquatulation here - most niggles are just an expression of 'character' and the interest is in learning to live with them.
osg

Here, here, I agree with both of the above, it's all part of the fun of owning a vehicle with character. . And who needs to go to a gym, you end up with biceps like a mud wrestler !

yes agree with the latter,would take all the" fun" out of driving a vw ,keeps you alert!! and in no rush to go anywhere,

Yup! I'm glad Adie doesn't have power steering, Her quirkyness is part of what makes her fun. If I wanted power steering we have 2 modern Vauxhalls, as it is I have only driven one once since we picked Adie up in May. However probably going to rest Adie up during the worse of the winter winds and I will REALY miss her. I am thinking of one of those steering knobs though, where do you get them?

I think it comes down to what the individual needs of the potential Kombi owner are. If the lack of pas on a T2 has previously deterred buyers, then that problem has now been solved by all suppliers of new UK Kombis. To onlookers it's not going to have much kudos but to the daily driver of the BraziBay it may well be invaluable.

When it comes to resale it remains to be seen if pas will add any significant value to the Kombi.

TimV wrote:

I think it comes down to what the individual needs of the potential Kombi owner are. If the lack of pas on a T2 has previously deterred buyers, then that problem has now been solved by all suppliers of new UK Kombis. To onlookers it's not going to have much kudos but to the daily driver of the BraziBay it may well be invaluable.

When it comes to resale it remains to be seen if pas will add any significant value to the Kombi.

I'll just point out I am a daily driver of my van. It gets me to and from work, then if I'm lucky I have to visit people and places with it. I get the mick taken as it takes me forever to get anywhere, but I've now got biceps like Arnie, but with a huge grin.

You don't have to spend 4k to get PAS on a Kombi.

Quote :

You don't have to spend 4k to get PAS on a Kombi.

....spill....

Its not £4000 for pas ? Its £2915 + vat for 'direct drive' rack and pinion steering AND speed senstive power steering Including labour to fit....