Field Notes
We sat down with a map, a notebook, and a list of questions about the next build. Here is what actually came out of it.
Posted 14 May 2025 · 6 min read
Every Kombi project starts the same way: a pile of good intentions and a budget that quietly disagrees with them. This planning session was no different. The goal was simple — figure out what the next six months of builds, routes, and maintenance guides should actually cover, without pretending we can do everything at once.
The first thing we did was list the questions readers keep asking. Not the vague ones about "the best setup," but the specific ones: how much battery do you really need for a weekend away, which gravel roads along the Garden Route are safe for a low-slung bus, and whether a gas setup is worth the hassle when you mostly cook quick meals. That list became the backbone of the session.
We also spent time looking at what we got wrong in earlier guides. A few campsite reviews were too generous about facilities that turned out to be seasonal. One electrical walkthrough assumed a level of confidence that new owners simply do not have yet. Noting those gaps felt more useful than patting ourselves on the back.
By the end of the afternoon, we had a rough calendar: two conversion walkthroughs, one deep dive into air-cooled engine troubleshooting, and a route guide that prioritises fuel stops and cell reception over scenic detours. Nothing is locked in yet, but the direction feels right.
The short version: we are going to be more honest about tradeoffs and less interested in gear that looks good in photos but fails in practice. Expect more detail on real-world constraints like storage space, water usage, and the cost of fixing things on the road.
If you have a specific question you want answered in a future guide, the best way to reach us is through the contact page. We read everything, even if we cannot reply to all of it.