Camper and Trailer, News

Uro-Camper teams up with Viajes-Tara

/ January 20th, 2017

The Volkswagen T6 4Motion is a strong platform that adapts well to expedition style travel. An optional two liter diesel, 4Motion four wheel drive, and a respectable 1600+ kilo payload, these little vans have all the important boxes checked. There are several different iterations of the VW T6 available from a standard cab “truck” with factory aluminum ute bed, the California camper, and the workhorse of the fleet: the Transporter. Like most vehicles, the T6 Transporter can benefit from a few modifications to increase comfort and capability. When the Canary Island touring company, Viajes-Tara was looking to update their fleet of inner island touring vehicles, they entrusted Uro-Camper to make these changes. Viajes-Tara has been providing adventure to their clients for several years in everything from Toyota Landcruisers to Land Rover Defender 110’s, this time they wanted to do something a little different.

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Looking to expand client experience to VIP status, Viajes-Tara decided to add fifteen VW T6 4Motion vans to their stable, to which they entrusted the Spanish company Uro-Camper to complete. Once they in the capable hands of Jose Luis and his talented crew, the team went to work cutting and stripping the stock chassis. The entire roof was removed and replaced by a raised Oryx vinyl unit. Not only does this substantially increase passenger headroom, it also provides unobstructed views of the stunning Grand Canary Island (Gran Canaria) landscape. With an average annual temperature of 75 degrees fahrenheit, clients are almost guaranteed fair weather and the removable top provides an open air experience. A Lowrance HDS7m handles GPS duties while exploring the back roads and beaches of the country’s larges island. The addition of a raised air intake helps to keep the little diesel from sipping clean air and free from ingesting sand in the high winds common to the region.
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A CAD program was used to quickly design a simple yet effecting mounting point for a spare tire and fuel can just over the rear window, the budget of which was secured to the rear hatch via aluminum E-track -making it easy to remove. The spare mount also houses a bottle opener so that clients can enjoy a cold one as the sun sets over the Atlantic -life is good on the island.
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Snapshot

2016 VW T6 Transporter 4Motion, 2.0l TDi

Lowrance HDS7m GPS unit

BFG All Terrain T/A

Raised air intake

Spare 5 gallon fuel can

Custom spare tire/fuel mount

Oryx raised, removable vinyl top

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For 8 years, Brandon cut his teeth building and maintaining high-end Porsche race cars for Autometrics Motorsports, provided track support for NASA, PCA, American Le Mans and Grand-Am events, and competed at PCA-sanctioned autocrosses. During this time, he worked as a mechanic and tire changer at prestigious races such as the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, and helped AMS achieve third place overall in the NASCAR-owned, Grand-Am racing series—the highest of any independent team at that time. For the past 9 years, the skills acquired from his racing background have been directed toward planning and modifying vehicles for overland travel, and organizing trips. When he isn’t traveling, Brandon can be found seeking zen in his workshop or planning his next outdoor adventure.