You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi
I’m thinking of getting a small camper van (possibly VW Caddy or Fiat Doblo). If you have one where do you put your bike when it’s in sleep, with the bed out mode? Ta
Assuming it's just 1 person you sleep along side it.
If it's 2 and 2 bikes. Forget it.
You could dismantle your bike and put it across the front seats but it's more ****ing about than just pitching a small tent.
On the roof.
Yeah depending on your setup a single bed with bike down one side would work but my fold out bed is a double so I just bought a roof rack. Just have to remember not to drive under low things.
I used to have a Doblo and the pull out bed frame I made for the back was high enough that I could fit two bikes (with wheels off) and all our kit underneath, it did compromise the head height a bit though (I'm 6'1" and could just sit up on the bed without my head on the ceiling) If it was just me sleeping in the van I would keep the bed as a single and just have the bike down one side.
Amdro Boot Jump Solo (or something along those lines) - next to you.
Thank you. Lots to think about. I'm thinking pop up roof so the bike can't go up there, but next to the bed is a possibility....
How do folk get on with those where the kitchen section is on the rear door when the weather is rough?
I think it would be worth considering the next size up...Vivaro/Transit Custom. I'd have thought its hardly noticeable in terms of driving and height barriers etc but you'll have oodles more options inside.
How do folk get on with those where the kitchen section is on the rear door when the weather is rough?
Having used a land rover with a similar basic setup, I'd say 'badly'. Same goes for when the midgies are out - I used to end up hiding inside, which is fairly miserable in anything that kind of size.
With our climate/midgie situation, I'm not a huge fan of this size of camper. They probably work fine when you can spend most of your 'camping' time outside, but they get tiresome here.
A friend has an Amdro set up in her Berlingo, seems happy with it
It's ok in all but really bad weather with a Berlingo as the boot provides shelter. I got a mate to make an amdro copy and I'm really pleased with it.
I've been looking at buying a micro camper and think if I was to get a doblo or similar with an internal set up like this I could remove the front seat and wheel(s) and have the bike there
I emailed a seller and he says its approx 165cm from sink unit to dash
With our climate/midgie situation, I’m not a huge fan of this size of camper. They probably work fine when you can spend most of your ‘camping’ time outside, but they get tiresome here
We've just downsized from a Transit to a Caddy Maxi so I'll let you know about that!
Having used a land rover with a similar basic setup, I’d say ‘badly’. Same goes for when the midgies are out – I used to end up hiding inside, which is fairly miserable in anything that kind of size.
Tbh, anything is pretty miserable when you're stuck inside it due to the flying sharks, one advantage of a small van like this is the ability to just **** off somewhere else at the drop of a hat.
Cycling over Rannoch moor last saturday night, was a stunning night, but the poor wild campers were entombed in their tents. Horrible.
Camped for two weeks in a Caddy with two fatbikes. Inside is a boot box with a folding bed, bikes go on a Thule Velospace locked to the towbar and the thing that made it all possible and comfy was a Berghaus Airshelter which literally inflates in 5 mins.
VW Caddy, bed and two bikes inside isn't possible, practically.
This popped up on eBay, it’s like the Amdro bed for T5 Kombi but for one side of a Berlingo. Neat and stays out of the way for the rest of time you’re not sleeping in it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184414900592
one advantage of a small van like this is the ability to just **** off somewhere else at the drop of a hat.
That's what I was going to say. For us it's an agile camper. Park up somewhere, have some food, maybe stay the night, move on, etc. If it's a bit dodgy move somewhere else, if it's really unpleasant go to the pub. We rarely camp anywhere midgie, though. If we did it might change things. Having a camper is about enjoying the outdoors so it fits with that.