Move T3 pop-top into QLD?

[Oldman]

Guessing Shannons wouldn’t insure it as a Camper because the rego. details say it’s registered as a panel van……..Rego and insurance details MUST match or there’s no insurance……

[Krazywaffle]

Guessing Shannons wouldn’t insure it as a Camper because the rego. details say it’s registered as a panel van……..Rego and insurance details MUST match or there’s no insurance……

That’s interesting. So a converted T3 is still a panel/window van but a genuine Kombi is listed as “Camper”? So only T1 and T2 models are “Campers”?

[syncro]

 you’re looking at a vehicle that has been registered as a panel van with windows cut in.
There is every chance that the vehicle has had a camper conversion done but the details have not been altered with Service NSW…….that is a warning bell to me. Worst case scenario the pop top blows up when you’re driving and causes/suffers all sorts of damage……and yes, it’s happened to some on here.
No insurance company would cover the cost of the repairs as the vehicle is recorded as a panel van only.
Be very very careful.

Subaru Forester is registered as a "Panel Van With Windows" (the same as my syncro window van.)

Service NSW did not record details of camper conversions 30 years ago.

[syncro]

That’s interesting. So a converted T3 is still a panel/window van but a genuine Kombi is listed as “Camper”? So only T1 and T2 models are “Campers”?

No.

[Oldman]

Subaru Forester is registered as a "Panel Van With Windows" (the same as my syncro window van.)

Service NSW did not record details of camper conversions 30 years ago.

Mine is listed with Service NSW as a Volkswagen Camper Mobile Home

[Grantus]

Mine is listed with Service NSW as a Volkswagen Camper Mobile Home 

Isn’t it? 

[Oldman]

That’s interesting. So a converted T3 is still a panel/window van but a genuine Kombi is listed as “Camper”? So only T1 and T2 models are “Campers”?

No, designation can be as it rolled off the factory floor, or as it is registered after a certified modification.
There are many variations……..

[syncro]

Mine is listed with Service NSW as a Volkswagen Camper Mobile Home !

So you would get cheaper rego then as it is a passenger vehicle?

[Kombi Dad]

Thanks heaps for the informative reply. Glad to hear you enjoyed the Campers Industries conversion and found it to be of good quality. Given that it is still going, would you say that is a testament to its build quality?

Good to know that only minor modification was needed when moving from ACT to NSW. This is what I’m thinking will be the case when moving from NSW to QLD. Planning to find an independent mechanic near Thornleigh NSW to do a pre-sale inspection on van and will as if this can be done “with QLD standards in mind”. The dealer selling van is also a certified VW service center but thinking it would be wise to get an independent opinion based on the experience of a close mate who bought a 4x4 non-VW van a few years back from a 4x4 dealer and service centre that ended up having whoa-problems. As such, thinking unbiased opinion of van quality/condition would be worth the cost.

At this point the plan is to do the 2,234km road trip as long as the logistics of getting away work out (but looking promising)!

We did not have any issues with the van.  It did break down at Winjana Gorge in the Kimberly's but that was my fault.  I had converted the ignition to electric rather than points and you can guess what failed. I forgot to carry the original points so it was a trip on the back of a truck to Derby.  The other thing I did was increase the ground clearance.  Nick from Volksparts came up with a solution using Synchro parts and shocks from Ford I think.  I also went to Mercedes rims.  This gave me much better off road capability.  The van is still used by my son for camping.

[kleinersyncro]

Oh yeah how do we love it that every state has its own rules for conversions and they have not to accept the mod of another state. Combined with a 30+ year old conversion, things are getting even more messed up 

I got my Syncro from NSW to VIC, fully fitted Camperize conversion with pop-top pretty much from day one arriving in the country. There is no mod plate fitted, only a sticker from Camperize with an approval number on the inside of the A-Pillar. What the meaning is behind the number is a secret to me as Camperize is long gone (and I haven't bothered to investigate with Service NSW if there are some records to that number).
I guess I was lucky when I went for an RWC with the local mechanic as he didn't say anything about the modification. Also I haven't had to go to VIC Roads for in inspection when I registered the van (which I guess was lucky). Paperwork still says Window Van, 2 seater (though it has got 4 seats)

Long story short, nobody can tell you what will happening when you buy a car of that age interstate with any modifications. You may just slip through the system, or you may get hit up with a hefty bill to get it locally approved. PITA...

As for Insurance I'm with CIL - they are price wise reasonable on an agreed value and specialised for campers. Only needed to send them pictures of the van to prove the campervan conversion.

Cheers
Arne