Someone more experienced than i, please let me know what i need to live from a kombi (while using available facilities to shower etc out of the van) and run my massage business within it.
Don't forget a fridge, of some type. Unless you plan on keeping your perishables in a bag of ice, or something.
think very carefully about the whole kombi thing! i've done it. it gets bloody cold in a vehicle of a night. packing the kombi out with a million things will mean it will feel cramped. do you really need the whole stove thing (a source of possible fire)? the sink? well maybe but just find some other way of washing off the dishes or just get cardboard. you will need a way to keep the light from entering through the windows - so think thick curtains that fit snugly and don't set up a convection current up that will chill the vehicle, ideally the curtains should not have gaps top bottom or sides. you will have to get some air into the kombi of a night, maybe a fan. make sure your battery is in good order otherwise on cold nights and wet nights you'll be screwed. get a manual so you can do basic work on it, maybe "how to keep your vw alive forever" will help. the side door can get f*cked up so try and find out how to fix it. beware when checking the spark plugs-the last owner may have stripped the screwthread. when replacing the sparkplugs DO NOT over tighten. grip the spanner or ratchet wrench as close to the spark plug and then do your best! it won't be possible to over tighten unless you're a gorilla. watch out for rust don't be afraid to look for it treat it and maybe paint it. taking it to the garage can be expensive as some places f*ck it up-this is why you need to know maintenance plus it won't be too expensive to fix it yourself. one good thing going for the kombi is the ease to get under it and do repairs- the beetle is a pig if you are poor and need to do some impromptue repair. replacing the clutch cable in the kombi is a breeze. you'll see it running through a tube underneath the vehicle, keep a spare if you can afford it. don't smoke in the vehicle-it will make it stink and may start a fire. keep all of your clothing as clean and dry as possible, keep everything stored away otherwise it turns into a shit fight. the fuel line to the carburettor and fuel pump should be firmly attached ideally by a jubilee clip to stop it coming loose and spraying the engine compartment with fuel-many a vw has died this way. anyway hope this might be of help ps i'm from australia too. stay away from wolfsburg motors on the princess highway syd. vw village in kensington syd is alright but just be careful. i remember there being a vw place just outside of ballina near byron bay- they seemed ok
if you want to do the kombi thing then do it........what you need to do is start thinking about what you will need....which really is not much..... a bed pad, blankets, some storage, an invertor so you can run high voltage items, maybe an extra battery, cooking pot ,a portable camping stove which will help to heat and make some meals ....don't cook in the kombi tho...some gallon jugs for water storage....a dish pan to wash things in ....a collaspable cooler, no need for anything major here it takes to much to keep items cool simply buy along the way when you need it....a solar shower ....small first aid kit with meds for nausea and stuff..... keep it all simple and you should be fine your really more like extended camping....and remember if yu find you do need something along the way ...you can always stop and buy it ...which makes it easier then carry everthing.... as for the kombi it self....you might want to tint the windows of the kombi to help keep the heat out and provide extra privacy besides the curtains....a roof rack might help for extra storage...a fan is very good idea...a black curtain behind the driver and passenger seats...some volt lights maybe led for general lighting..... hope that helps
Have you thought about a cheap Toyota Hiace? Check E-bay and the Trading Post. If you fit it all out yourself, it can work out quite cheap.
