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We're thinking about doing a basic campervan conversion on a Transit Connect. It's likely to entail some benches with a pull out bed platform, gas twin burner and some other storage. No plumbing or electrics.
We previously had a full size Transit but for a variety of reasons downsizing now makes sense. The van itself will be fine for a couple of nights and we'd probably get some sort of add on tent for longer stays in campsites.
Has anyone done this or have any tips / suggestions to offer? I've already seen a few relevant websites but wanted to hear ideas straight from the horses mouth as it were.
Cheers.
Our daughter regularly does it in a Tourneo Connect with the seats out.
We have looked at all the options of putting something in it to resemble a basic camper but after looking at all the options decided that it was too much of a compromise. She has a blow up air bed in the back and the bike goes along side or across the front seats. A set of thermal blinds off ebay keep it warm.
The rest of the stuff including cooking is in a Decathlon air drive away awning
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/la-air-base-connect-fresh-id_8561168.html
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She is disappearing on an Alps trip in it next week for a month
We did look at a few kits including this
https://redcoteleisure.co.uk/removable-camper-conversion-kits/
I made a bed base and kitchen for our little van. It's a bit of a squeeze but we get a full size double bed and space underneath for the bikes (with wheels off). Driver/passenger seats tilt forward for full length. You open the rear hatch to access the kitchen and storage. Works fur us. It's basically just a bed inside but comfy enough. All comes out so it can be converted to a multi seater or a work van (which is what it spends most time as).
I'm for a XLWB Merc citan, and pretty much doing as Tracey says, I'll insulate, board and carpet line it, mibbe put some led lights in, couple of USB ports, that'll be it.
Consider an alcohol stove and then you don’t even need to worry about gas.
https://www.jacksonsleisure.com/caravan-motorhome/dometic-origo-3000-2-burner-spirit-alcohol-camping-and-marine-stove/
These are used a lot in small boats where gas leaks pose a big danger. Bit slower to boil your morning water but who’s in a rush.
For the windows buy cheap foam camping mat and cut to fit the glass. If you cut this right (a few mm oversize) you don’t even need suckers.
Those Origo meth stoves are like unicorn nose hairs. Even more so since dometic discontinued them.
Alpin - I was just about to post the same thing. I only 'discovered' those the other week via someone's Instagram, then immediately found out you can't bloody buy them 🙂
Look at amdro for some ideas.
I will probably make a stealth camper out of the next car, probably a Galaxy or Citan. On the list are
Roof rack and box
Decathlon inflatable awning like above
Foam inserts for the windows as above
Wind deflectors so you open windows without rain coming in
Possibly a foam sofa bed like you get in argos for about £100, it can pretty much live behind the second row of seats but there is no storage hence the roof box.
LED lights
Safari Chef and bowl for food and washing
Tow bar bike rack if they can fold enough to easily open the boot.
Sliding side doors would be an advantage
Hook up sockets
Small oil filled radiator
Those Origo meth stoves are like unicorn nose hairs. Even more so since dometic discontinued them.
We have one, I like it so much that it’s being moved in to our new van build so we can stay gas free.
I’m also trying to find a spare one to keep hold of, they’re going for £250+ on eBay. I should have bought one when they were first discontinued.
Thanks for all the input folks. I think we're gradually talking ourselves out of such a small van. We both really liked the idea but having started looking at designs it's likely to entail too many compromises.
Do those spirit burners not produce fumes? Are they significantly different from alcohol camping stoves? I use them and can't imagine running one on an enclosed space.
For the space a split charge setup and battery takes, I'd definitely fit some basic electrics.
I think in a VW Caddy (2K shape) you can fit Touran seats which fold forward so they're flat(ish). If you build a low platform in the back then you'll get a flat floor for a big airbed or something.
I keep thinking about getting a Caddy to go with my T5 to make a little solo biking/fishing van since they can be had pretty cheap.
I used to sleep in my caddy, and I'm 6'2", but I'd go maxi if I got another.
I've a caddy maxi, with tailgate - touch harder to find, but ideal for what you're looking at I reckon.
Mine is ply/carpet lined, a little bit of insulation, and a leisure battery with lights in the ceiling, tailgate and a moveable spot for washing bikes in the dark/aiming at a camping spot.
I just have a fold-up camp bed for the back, leaves plenty of space at the side for bikes etc, but I've also built a bolt together wooden bed frame on to which an airbed can be placed - ideal for 2, though bikes would be impossible at that point.
wind deflectors make a massive difference to ventilation/condensation.
The alcohol fuel stove above does produce flames but they are a bit fancier than a trangia! They do produce a lot of water vapour so need to be used in a well vented space and don't produce a flame which is as hot as as a gas stove.
They are popular in boats as there is less risk of an explosion. (Gas leaks, fills boat with gas and you go to say start the engine and there is a spark = boat goes boom)