Showers and tow bar boxes

[Taf Powell]

Thinking of the need to be self contained for perhaps several seasons, I have a couple of queries.for the serious Club folks.
1. I am going to buy a Khyam loo tent and would like advice on shower options for it. I have a spray outlet in the rear of my Cali but all ideas are of interest
2. With a loo, shower, tent, outdoor grill (commercial catering and dining facilities will be reduced), etc I will need a rack and storage box to go on my tow bar (I have a removable type). I would like to know your experiences of such gear please.
Thanks folks
Taf - Wandering Dood

 

[AlanC]

I have a BackBox by mft Transport Systems in Germany. This mounts on the towbar and down tilts far enough to open the tailgate.
Takes 57kg and has a number of accessories available to accommodate skis and ease tilting on a van.

BackBox silber » mft transport systems

BackBox inkl. Einsatz klein (Breite = 154 cm) und 2 Zurrbändern zur Ladungssicherung.

mft.systems

Not cheap but very good.

Alan

 

[Taf Powell]

Thanks Alan. Looks fantastic. Price no difference to my car roof box in fact - and every time I put it on and operate it I thank my stars I went for quality and style. Must be the same with your back box. Hard to outdo the germans for these utility extras!

 

[Taf Powell]

I've been doing more research, Alan, and delivery to the UK appears problematic, at least for some people. Ordering in the UK is not an option apparently. How did you arrange for yours to be delivered? How much extra was postage?
As a minimum one appears to need the back carrier; back box; and back support. What did you order?
None of the re-sellers seem to carry the back support so direct purchase from MFT appears necessary?

Sorry to bombard you with more questions but I really would appreciate your experience of acquisition.
Thank you. Best regards
Taf

 

[Cwcltd]

mft BackBox

Zusammen mit dem BackCarrier auf der Anhängerkupplung montiert, kann die BackBox so weit umgeklappt werden, dass selbst niedrige Kofferraumklappen wie beim VW T4 oder T5 geöffnet werden können.

www.spacecamper-shop.de

I had a search and found this German supplier who seems to deliver to the UK.

 

[Taf Powell]

You are a good guy, Alan. Many thanks.
T

 

[Wesel]

I would like to find a similar system to transport an additional spare tire for Iceland for example , but I did not find anything.

 

[westfalia]

I would like to find a similar system to transport an additional spare tire for Iceland for example , but I did not find anything.

Modified bike rack?

 

[Hotel California]

I would like to find a similar system to transport an additional spare tire for Iceland for example , but I did not find anything.

Ask @bvddobb , think he carry's a spare on the back ...like the one just posted by @westfalia
Check here

Trans-Pyrenees Trip late summer 2019

In less than two weeks we will take off for a trip through the Spanish Pyrenees, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. We have taken our inspiration for this trip the last two years from a variety of sources (see this link for an interactive version of our inspiration map): A...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Back on topic
Would it not be an option to have a soft bag on the bikerack ?
Once empteyd at site just fold it up ....

 

[bvddobb]

Modified bike rack?

View attachment 60291

hi @westfalia and @Wesel, e.g. Terranger offers the sets to modify your bike rack to a universal carrier.

 

[bvddobb]

I would like to find a similar system to transport an additional spare tire for Iceland for example , but I did not find anything.

Hi @Wesel, when we went to Iceland, we had a spare wheel on the back, and an extra spare tyre underneath. The idea was that if we wrecked a tyre, we could put the spare wheel on the car, and have the extra tyre on the original wheel. Then we wouldn’t have to look for or order a new tyre from abroad, which could cost a lot of time.

On Iceland we never needed our spare, but last summer in the Pyrenees we wished we had done the same. There we did wreck a tyre, and we didn’t bring the extra. Then it turned out that, even where we had Michelins, noone in the wide area could deliver a new tyre within 14 days...

See our earlier post in this thread for the Terranger system. We used their kit to adapt our bike rack (when we need it).

 

[Wesel]

Thank you Westfalia, HC, and Bvddobb. This is probably the right solution. But I was looking to find a system that attaches to the tow ball, like the removable bike rack. I have considered adapting such a bike rack, but I find that the spare tire is then too far behind

 

[Taf Powell]

Hi Wesel. You should look at Alan’s link in the first post in this thread. The MFT products include a tilt able and lockable rack that jams onto the tow ball. This you must have to fit the box in the first place. They have other carrier solutions that might well sort your problem. Good luck.
BTW has anyone any thoughts on my first question regarding a shower fix?

 

[AlanC]

I bought ours some years ago direct from the manufacturers mft. That was before ‘B——t.
eBay UK used to supply them but don’t any longer.
But as @Cwcltd has said, other dealers in Europe may well be willing to supply you.

I bought the BackBox and the carrier but the extended handle back wasn’t available then, though looks like a useful addition. I also needed a socket adaptor as my van has 7pin socket but the BackBox has a 13pin plug as standard. All the lighting is LED.

Delivery was slow and arrived on a pallet as the box is long. I paid £600 approx including delivery but that was back in 2015.

We have used it every trip abroad since so very useful.

Hope that helps.

Alan

 

[Taf Powell]

Super helpful Alan. I am going for it!
Best regards to all the thread contributors. Taf

 

[Madhutter]

Thinking of the need to be self contained for perhaps several seasons, I have a couple of queries.for the serious Club folks.
1. I am going to buy a Khyam loo tent and would like advice on shower options for it. I have a spray outlet in the rear of my Cali but all ideas are of interest
2. With a loo, shower, tent, outdoor grill (commercial catering and dining facilities will be reduced), etc I will need a rack and storage box to go on my tow bar (I have a removable type). I would like to know your experiences of such gear please.
Thanks folks
Taf - Wandering Dood

Hi Taf we use a Thule Backup 900 420lt box which we have fitted onto the bike rack which is great as easy to load and unload bulky stuff that’s not too heavy - two advantages are you can still open the tailgate with it on and it can sit above another cars bonnet when parking allowing you to get into a normal sized space still. Possible drawback would be if you had your roof up but that would be the same with bikes on the rack. As to showers the Kampa Geyser portable hot water shower - plugs into 12v power uses an integral gas heater which you fit to a calor gas bottle and a pump which you place in a large water container. When you’re ready to use it you flick the switch on the shower head and bingo hot water as it pumps it heats it instantly...

 

[Taf Powell]

Hey! Madhutter! You solve all my problems in one go!
For all those following this thread, ‘mft’ wrote me a very polite email but with the regrettable info that they only deliver within the EU (Gaagh!) and inviting me to have them deliver to an EU address. I do have rellies and friends living in the EU but the logistics of choreography with an intermediary are too tricky to be feasible Think of what could go wrong!’ From a scour of the re-sellers of mft products (all German) none sell all the kit (eg the tilt handle). Hey-ho!
But great ideas and commentary from Cali people on this thread. Bravo!
Taf

 

[AlanC]

Hey! Madhutter! You solve all my problems in one go!
For all those following this thread, ‘mft’ wrote me a very polite email but with the regrettable info that they only deliver within the EU (Gaagh!) and inviting me to have them deliver to an EU address. I do have rellies and friends living in the EU but the logistics of choreography with an intermediary are too tricky to be feasible Think of what could go wrong!’ From a scour of the re-sellers of mft products (all German) none sell all the kit (eg the tilt handle). Hey-ho!
But great ideas and commentary from Cali people on this thread. Bravo!
Taf

I am not surprised. My mft Carrier had a thread sheer while we were in Germany. Did think of going to the factory for a repair but on looking at the map, we were in the north heading to Denmark and mft are way down south so no time. On our return to the UK, I dismantled the carrier and emailed mft with a description and photos of the damaged parts. After some faffing about and misunderstandings, the right parts arrived and everything was fine. Took a number of email translations via Google though.

Alan

 

[Taf Powell]

Kampa

 

[Taf Powell]

Dear Alan, the mention of spare parts has given me a chill. Down the line, it might not be possible to get some spares as the re-sellers will often refer the customer to the original manufacturers of equipment (so-called OME's). Given the example of 'mft' and the propensity of niche German engineering shops for making compatible and decent VW camper gear, we may in future be contending with a deficit of good non-standard equipment.
And yes - Google Translate is the best!

Taf

 

[Madhutter]

Hey! Madhutter! You solve all my problems in one go!
For all those following this thread, ‘mft’ wrote me a very polite email but with the regrettable info that they only deliver within the EU (Gaagh!) and inviting me to have them deliver to an EU address. I do have rellies and friends living in the EU but the logistics of choreography with an intermediary are too tricky to be feasible Think of what could go wrong!’ From a scour of the re-sellers of mft products (all German) none sell all the kit (eg the tilt handle). Hey-ho!
But great ideas and commentary from Cali people on this thread. Bravo!
Taf

Good luck with it Taf Thule also do collapsible back boxes so once on site they pack down but perhaps less secure than solid version? Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[Trollhunter]

I bought ours some years ago direct from the manufacturers mft. That was before ‘B——t.
eBay UK used to supply them but don’t any longer.
But as @Cwcltd has said, other dealers in Europe may well be willing to supply you.

I bought the BackBox and the carrier but the extended handle back wasn’t available then, though looks like a useful addition. I also needed a socket adaptor as my van has 7pin socket but the BackBox has a 13pin plug as standard. All the lighting is LED.

Delivery was slow and arrived on a pallet as the box is long. I paid £600 approx including delivery but that was back in 2015.

We have used it every trip abroad since so very useful.

Hope that helps.

Alan

Hi, with the Backbox and towbar carrier do you actually need the support handle or does it work fine without?

cheers,
Magnus

 

[Taf Powell]

Hi Magnus
My view is the handle would be practical for one-handed operation or for less physically abled folk to work the tilt (kids...). In the met video it shows tilting operations both with and without the handle. So either a (pricey) nice-to-have or a practical support depending on individual circs. But not essential. Happy New Season!
Brgds
Taf

Sorry - 'mft' auto-corrected to 'met', making it meaningless!

 

[Trollhunter]

Hi Magnus
My view is the handle would be practical for one-handed operation or for less physically abled folk to work the tilt (kids...). In the met video it shows tilting operations both with and without the handle. So either a (pricey) nice-to-have or a practical support depending on individual circs. But not essential. Happy New Season!
Brgds
Taf

Sorry - 'mft' auto-corrected to 'met', making it meaningless!

Awesome, thanks very much. Think I will buy without first and see if I feel the need.
Cheers, Happy camping!

 

[Elly Swanson]

Thinking of the need to be self contained for perhaps several seasons, I have a couple of queries.for the serious Club folks.
1. I am going to buy a Khyam loo tent and would like advice on shower options for it. I have a spray outlet in the rear of my Cali but all ideas are of interest
2. With a loo, shower, tent, outdoor grill (commercial catering and dining facilities will be reduced), etc I will need a rack and storage box to go on my tow bar (I have a removable type). I would like to know your experiences of such gear please.
Thanks folks
Taf - Wandering Dood

For a shower, here’s a previous post of mine https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/camping-shower.36508/post-446638