Camper - honest opinions please

[Tusses]

Looks Ok to me but i'd find another place for the bottle of gas. If you have a fender bender and someone ploughs into the back of you, that bottle could explode and the van will be no-more!!!!!!!.

(alway's looking on the bright side of life)

jonathan.

Cheers Jonny - I'll check that too

 

[Waka]

Tusses

I'll be cruising by in about four week, just after Westonbirt, would love to see the van in the flesh.

 

[Tusses]

Hi Waka

I'd be glad to have you moor up for a cuppa - but I dont think the van will be here by then. Hopefully there will be one or two others on the go in various states of completion you'd be quite welcome to have a nosy at

 

[billybuntus]

Hello,

In my opinion as a relative youngster the finish of the interior is totally wrong.

The ply 'headling' should be covered in interior cloth as should the seats etc.

Plain wood or varnished wood looks for too old for this age camper.

 

[billybuntus]

As an example

this interior (altough a different style camper) to me looks 'finished' the idea of a 'custom interior' is to make it look like thats how it came from the factory rather than random pieces of wood lashed up to make do.

Altough some parts may be beyond young capabilty you may well find it a faster process if you use ply etc covered in fabric.

PS. This one must have swivel subframes on the seats as mentioned earlier, don't set your sights low as the majority of people would want a 'finished' interior.

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Hi Tusses,

It sounds like Rob is a bay window man.....

I'm inclined to agree with you that the "typical" T4 layout may not be the ideal, some time ago we had a T2 with a layout a little more along the lines that you're looking. I suspect that the differing layout of the base vans has a lot to do with it, as well as the need to fit more gadgets in these days. Here are some of the issues that I would raise about your van.

I, for one, would not take kindly to having to get up, get dressed and go out in the rain to fetch the stove in from the boot to make a brew in the morning, so for me your stove solution really is a non-starter. The gas bottle should (ideally*) be located in a compartment which is open to the outside and sealed to the interior incase of a gas leak. I would never buy a van which did not have a good stove which was permanently plumbed in (likewise for the gas bottle).

I suspect that a single swivelling passenger seat could be a better bet, although perhaps not if you have a sofa right behind it.

A pop top, or at least some increased head room is a real bonus, although one can certainly manage fine without it also helps a great deal with condensation.

Where's the fridge? Having had a fridge equipped van I wouldn't go back to using a coolbox and buying a load of cheap frozen chips every time I stop to try to keep it cool.

If you fit a fridge you'll probably need an electric hook-up, then there's the possibility of other mains powered electrical gadgets (small spotlights and a socket for a kettle?).

The beer table looks like it's in just the place to get in the way of your legs, personally I think I'd go for one attached to the wall a little higher up.

Presumably the bulk of the stowage space is underneath the sofas. Believe me it can be a real PITA to have to get up every time you need something out. Our current van has a big drawer under the sofa, which gives a bit less space but is a whole lot easier to get into when you want to.

Are those tiny LED lights really adequate to read, cook and do whatever else you might want to do by them?

I think that'll do for now.

Cheers,

Dod

* there may even be legislation relating to this

 

[Tusses]

Thanks for your posts Billy

If you have a look at the 'headlining' it is indeed paterned.

I know exactly what you mean tho - I am on a forum where the picture you posted is what most of them are after.

It is the look I am trying to get away from tho - sort of back to how it used to be. Once sat inside - you forget you are in a white builders van !!!

This is just a prototype - and in no way how I expect a camper to be properly finished. More of a mock up to see how things work together and use of space etc.

With the Cost of vintage Camper vans going through the roof, the idea was to have that old skool feel in an affordable van !.

It's an experiment and a learning curve. I am planning to go to some caravan and camping shows to see what the top manufacturers are pushing and to which market.

Valid points you make tho - and I may yet have to conseed and make them for the younger market rather than trying to create a market for 'my' product

 

[Tusses]

Hi Tusses,

It sounds like Rob is a bay window man.....

I'm inclined to agree with you that the "typical" T4 layout may not be the ideal, some time ago we had a T2 with a layout a little more along the lines that you're looking. I suspect that the differing layout of the base vans has a lot to do with it, as well as the need to fit more gadgets in these days. Here are some of the issues that I would raise about your van.

I, for one, would not take kindly to having to get up, get dressed and go out in the rain to fetch the stove in from the boot to make a brew in the morning, so for me your stove solution really is a non-starter. The gas bottle should (ideally*) be located in a compartment which is open to the outside and sealed to the interior incase of a gas leak. I would never buy a van which did not have a good stove which was permanently plumbed in (likewise for the gas bottle).

I suspect that a single swivelling passenger seat could be a better bet, although perhaps not if you have a sofa right behind it.

A pop top, or at least some increased head room is a real bonus, although one can certainly manage fine without it also helps a great deal with condensation.

Where's the fridge? Having had a fridge equipped van I wouldn't go back to using a coolbox and buying a load of cheap frozen chips every time I stop to try to keep it cool.

If you fit a fridge you'll probably need an electric hook-up, then there's the possibility of other mains powered electrical gadgets (small spotlights and a socket for a kettle?).

The beer table looks like it's in just the place to get in the way of your legs, personally I think I'd go for one attached to the wall a little higher up.

Presumably the bulk of the stowage space is underneath the sofas. Believe me it can be a real PITA to have to get up every time you need something out. Our current van has a big drawer under the sofa, which gives a bit less space but is a whole lot easier to get into when you want to.

Are those tiny LED lights really adequate to read, cook and do whatever else you might want to do by them?

I think that'll do for now.

Cheers,

Dod

* there may even be legislation relating to this

Thanks Dod

The cooker thin - the idea was you get to a camp site and 'set up camp' rather than get it out when needed. I do have another design for a fold up stove just inside the sliding door. As for the gas - LPG is heavyer than air and sinks - as long as there is low level ventilation (which there is) every thing is fine. I've has a few vans with factory conversions with the gas inside the living space.

The seat and pop top are again good ideas, but not in all cases. This van has a bulhead - i.e not a walk through. also somepeople like to be able to get in and out of supermarket carparks, and with the barriers at a lot of these a op top means a long walk with your shopping ! Again I have other vans which will lend themselves to swivel seats and some that wont. also I will be trying a 'high' top conversion soon. works both ways


The seating is comfortable for four - I've tried it !

as I have, the LED lighting.

Basicaly I went away for a few weekend shows to try it out.

Its always good to hear other viewpoints tho.

One thing I will do to all my conversions is add side windows !, but this one was just an experiment on space and layout !

Thanks again

Rich

 

[billybuntus]

Valid points you make tho - and I may yet have to conseed and make them for the younger market rather than trying to create a market for 'my' product

Thats the trouble I too get lost in what 'I' think looks right when I should really be focusing on what my customer wants to give me cash for

 

[Tusses]

Valid points you make tho - and I may yet have to conseed and make them for the younger market rather than trying to create a market for 'my' product

Thats the trouble I too get lost in what 'I' think looks right when I should really be focusing on what my customer wants to give me cash for

I am still working on the romantic Idea that I can enjoy 'creating' work and people will come flocking !

Maybe campers wont be it, but I'll keep trying different ideas whilst doing the bread and butter stuff !


one day ........

 

[babywoodpecker]

tusses,

how about loaning me an old knackered camper.

i will be able to make all templates as i use autocad and solidworks, therefore will be able to make accurate designs within the panelling etc...

could fit some real good curvey furniture in, as i have a cnc machine.

i will then return the van to yourself, and you can finish the outside of the van.

then take it to the veedubs shows etc... get some orders in and we can maybe have a little sideline going here.
and once you get the orders send them over and i can flat pack the interior to your required finish and ship it out to you.

once one of these vans is all done up both internally and externally i think they will sell like hot cakes.

i really think there is a market for this kind of thing.

 

[matt]

First thing that occurs to me... Make it so the crockery etc does not need to be packed away.

I would also question the value of having a sink inside. I'd prefer a smart way of attaching an awning to the van to create some outside dry space for cooking and washing up (both occasional tasks that are more of pain in a confined space). In fact, with a lift up tailgate I'd be tempted to have a slide out cooking unit on the back - kinda what you go but just make it pull out.

For me I think a small camper van is more about having a comfortable space to reside in rather than a space that does everything (i.e. put the cooking/washing up things outside).