Mini Camper Vans?
Discussion
Hi all
I've a strange desire to build a mini camper van that my girlfriend and I can use for the odd night away here and there in various camp sites etc. Something we can just jump into and head out in.
The video below of a Diahatsu/Piaggo Hijet that was converted seems along the lines of what I'd be thinking of, albeit I'd not be too fussed with having a fixed hob etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r-WRCrAGtU
Ultimately I'm aware that something so small will call for a lot of compromises, but that's not too much of an issue for us.
Has anyone done anything similar or have any advice?
Leaning towards something small as it'll need to be to fit on the drive next to my Z4. Likewise I'd not be looking to spend a huge amount, which rules out some of the larger vans you see around.
At the complete other end of the scale to some of the things I see on this forum with some vans costing around 2/3 of my house value
Cheers!
I've a strange desire to build a mini camper van that my girlfriend and I can use for the odd night away here and there in various camp sites etc. Something we can just jump into and head out in.
The video below of a Diahatsu/Piaggo Hijet that was converted seems along the lines of what I'd be thinking of, albeit I'd not be too fussed with having a fixed hob etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r-WRCrAGtU
Ultimately I'm aware that something so small will call for a lot of compromises, but that's not too much of an issue for us.
Has anyone done anything similar or have any advice?
Leaning towards something small as it'll need to be to fit on the drive next to my Z4. Likewise I'd not be looking to spend a huge amount, which rules out some of the larger vans you see around.
At the complete other end of the scale to some of the things I see on this forum with some vans costing around 2/3 of my house value
Cheers!
Edited by Sycamore on Sunday 2nd August 12:39
sjg said:
Have a look at the Amdro boot jump - good solution for Berlingo and similar. Lets you use it as a regular 5 seat car the rest of the time or remove it for tip runs or carrying larger things.
Thanks. I wasn't aware that such a product was a thing. It seems a Berlingo is quite a common base that people use for boot pod kits. The Amdro kit seems pretty expensive but its rather clever. I'm tempted to look into making my own now
I had a Piaggio Hijet camper. A 1300 EFI. TBH I liked it for running about locally but I wouldn't have wanted to take it far. They have a rep for being susceptible to HGF, among other foibles.
For example the nearside front hub nut can chew through its splitpin and unscrew itself. Great fun. The usual cure believe it or not is to use an Allen key instead of the splitpin (4mm from memory).
You pays yer money and takes yer pick but for me a Berlingo or a Doblo is a better bet and that's the way I'll go if I do it again.
If you're handy enough to build your own conversion you can design it to slide/lift out and leave you with a perfectly practical car/van.
One of the best I have seen was based on a Vectra estate. They have a huge volume inside and completely flat floor with the back seats down. And they're cheap as chips.
For example the nearside front hub nut can chew through its splitpin and unscrew itself. Great fun. The usual cure believe it or not is to use an Allen key instead of the splitpin (4mm from memory).
You pays yer money and takes yer pick but for me a Berlingo or a Doblo is a better bet and that's the way I'll go if I do it again.
If you're handy enough to build your own conversion you can design it to slide/lift out and leave you with a perfectly practical car/van.
One of the best I have seen was based on a Vectra estate. They have a huge volume inside and completely flat floor with the back seats down. And they're cheap as chips.
There are knockoffs and it wouldn’t be too hard to DIY something similar if you have the tools and time. The headline figure does include though a £200+ cooker, a full set of blackout screens, the Euro containers for drawers that are about £15 each, etc. If you DIYed to a similar standard you could spend several hundred in materials and fittings quite easily.
Thanks for the ideas gents. Given me something to think about.
The more I look into it, the more I realise I don't actually need much space. Simply somewhere for us to bed down would be ideal. The mention of an Astra Estate conversion above got me looking into estate cars and there are some cool things people have done.
Anything I did get might inevitably become my only vehicle considering I cycle to work and wouldn't be using two vehicles over the weekend, so the idea of a nice multi purpose estate/SUV/berlingo-esque car sounds appealing.
The more I look into it, the more I realise I don't actually need much space. Simply somewhere for us to bed down would be ideal. The mention of an Astra Estate conversion above got me looking into estate cars and there are some cool things people have done.
Anything I did get might inevitably become my only vehicle considering I cycle to work and wouldn't be using two vehicles over the weekend, so the idea of a nice multi purpose estate/SUV/berlingo-esque car sounds appealing.
I have spent a week in an Astra van, when working away. It was fine for me, but I'm a shortarse. If you're more than about 5'7" you need a longer load bed. Hence the mention of the Vectra above. It's something close to 8 feet long.
I went to look at a converted VW Sharan not long ago. I passed on it because of terminal tinworm but it was impressively done.
To do it on the cheap I'd look at a Seat Alhambra. It's the same car for half the value.
I went to look at a converted VW Sharan not long ago. I passed on it because of terminal tinworm but it was impressively done.
To do it on the cheap I'd look at a Seat Alhambra. It's the same car for half the value.
sjg said:
Have a look at the Amdro boot jump - good solution for Berlingo and similar. Lets you use it as a regular 5 seat car the rest of the time or remove it for tip runs or carrying larger things.
Seen a few eBay sellers offering what are basically small PSA vans with these boxes slotted in plus a camping stove in a drawer. That does inspire me to do similar as I'd not really want a larger built in hob which is essentially a gas bottle in a cupboard anyway, as a sink is just a bowl and a water bottle, which is something I'd want but attempt to make or install myself.So all about the easiest small van to convert really.
Something VW Caddy sized would be a good compromise. Not too small, not too big, more and more stuff becoming available to help with converting Caddys into micro campers (can even get pop tops for the Maxis now I think).
Problem with cars is that you'll never have the space to sit up properly like you would in even a small van. Vans are easier to insulate with the lack of windows too.
Problem with cars is that you'll never have the space to sit up properly like you would in even a small van. Vans are easier to insulate with the lack of windows too.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Something VW Caddy sized would be a good compromise. Not too small, not too big, more and more stuff becoming available to help with converting Caddys into micro campers (can even get pop tops for the Maxis now I think).
Problem with cars is that you'll never have the space to sit up properly like you would in even a small van. Vans are easier to insulate with the lack of windows too.
I've got a caddy maxi life, which is a great all rounder. Problem with cars is that you'll never have the space to sit up properly like you would in even a small van. Vans are easier to insulate with the lack of windows too.
In the caddy forums there are a lot of people converting them, I saw one at a meet and it was really neatly done.
The longer wheelbase of the maxi gives room for a decent bed along with storage and a space for a little cooking set up.
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