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Hi all, I have been around a bit but never posted much... so here's a big 'un! 😀
Bought this:
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And put in a LOT of time and graft... Now I have this:
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6 foot long in the back so the bed is long enough, as a 5 ft 6 girl its perfect for me!
Bed folds away when I need to use the full van...
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[/img] But can be a single bed or bench and pulls out to double when needed 😉 (Bikes then have to be locked up but thats ok).
This was a learning curve!
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But I can proudly say I did all the work myself and it's brilliant! Going on a bike weekender this weekend to celebrate!
Oh, and the outside is also nicer... the bottom of this is how both sides now look (tough to get the adhesive off!) [img] 
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And the top doesn't quite glow but it was a sunny day! [img] 
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God, another bloody camper thread to make me feel envious 🙁
Great stuff BTW!
Vans are great. I need the space in mine so haven't built a bed in it but use it as a bivvy alternative on foul nights.
nice, I like that!
I keep trying to convince MrsMomo that I need a van.
Nicer than MikeD's 🙂
Thanks all! Really quite chuffed with myself! 🙂
Cupra - that's why I designed a fold away bed! £12 Ikea shelf thing came in useful! 😀
Superb work, I shall be stealing some of these ideas. Loving the Marvel curtains too! 🙂
girl
Likes bikes
likes camping
has own van
likes comics
Has awesome DIY skillz
proposes
Good effort that Enjoy it.
Looks really good, think I need to do something similar with mine...
@Junkyard...
girl
LOVES bikes
likes camping
has own van
likes comics
Has awesome DIY skillz
Is into similarly oriented females...
Turns you down 😉
😀
Again, where's the chuffin' LIKE button??
it was all going so well 😉
Is into similarly oriented females...
Even better!
Sorry - I know that was wrong 😉
haha! 😀
I was going to ask about all the pillows/cushions...
as a 5 ft 6 girl
Ah, got it! 😉
Great work! What units did you use for the downlights? I'm considering some IKEA dioder for mine - 2 in the head liner and 2 in the tailgate to downlight when packing up.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70119425/
One thought, though - no ventilation grates or similar? Or do you just leave the window down a bit?
Looks v cool nice one
@gravity yeah, us girls like our comforts! 😉
I was given the lights from someone who works as a coach fitter, so no idea where you would find similar.
@mogrim no, just crack the windows a bit, going to get wind deflectors to aid this a bit, but have used it as a work in progress a few times and it's spot on. Fully insulated with sticky back foam silver stuff then recycled plastic insulation in the gaps, so doesn't seem to get condensate problems. 🙂
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Very nice.
Strap on the battery might be good. If you did have an accident will it fly?
There is a box over the battery Neil, it is secured under the bed/bench, that was an in-progess shot when I was learning all about electricity in a metal box!
It looks spot on. A job well done Miss W! 😉
Thanks Dom... Mr T? 😉
Magic. Bet getting the stickers off was a complete pig of a job.
Yep @ Kona... that was horrible. Ended up using Nitrous Oxide (?) used to fuel wee rc cars to get it off.... Probably the worst bit of the whole project!
Looks great, well done.
nice job - did you put a vapour barrier over the insulation/panels before the carpet? we had terrible problems with our van when we got it as it didn't have a barrier, the sills were ponding with rusty water after kipping in it, even with vents open! it is 28 years old mind... i just used a big roll of sticky back plastic as it's dead easy to stick on
@ gazc I have been told the sticky back insulation I used does that job, I was advised by someone who did similar before me... Should I worry?
The van looks great, well done.
That lawn needs a bit of work, though. 😉
@ chipster haha... not my lawn! Used to live in a converted mansion and that was part of the grounds... bit wild, rugged and Scottish! The sheep and pheasants liked it though!
May I suggest - get some thermal screens for the cab windows. Also get some bike bags so when you bunk up you can put frames in the cab and only have to risk leaving wheels chained up outside.
sugdenr I have one for the front and will make some for the sides.. yes. good idea for the bikes in front! Cheers!
Excellent work that.
I'd be tempted to add one of those spinning vents in the roof, keep the vent open when sleeping rather than breathing in farts and such, also helps keep the windows shut when the bogey man comes knocking.
Also, in winter, don't be tempted to take used (still warm) BBQ's into the van to keep warm.
It's very WRONG and very DANGEROUS.
8)
@bikebouy Thanks!
I will look into that...
I would never do that... van has a heater, a nice, safe, vehicle specific ceramic one. 😀
Also get some bike bags so when you bunk up you can put frames in the cab and only have to risk leaving wheels chained up outside.
Seems faffy, I'd just get a cheep alarmed lock and a chain long enough to go through something subsantial like the suspension uprights.
skillz
well done
@spoon Was thinking about a less faffy option being to get a tarp and lie it on the seats, bikes in with front wheel off, towel between.
Most of the time will just be me and my bike though so not an issue then!
Like the fold down bed idea.
I used to sleep in a Vauxhall Combo and there was no room for me in the back with the bikes (had to sleep at an angle as the back was about 5'5" and I am 5'10"). I could fit two bikes with both wheels off across the front seats with a couple kit bags quite comfortably. I wasn't precious about the front so just chucked them in but a sheet would prevent most damage.
@ gazc I have been told the sticky back insulation I used does that job, I was advised by someone who did similar before me... Should I worry?
yeah that stuff should be ok, it was just a thought a the pics look like there are gaps between the insulation sheets where air can get in touch with the outer skin. only time and sleeping it will tell if a problem comes up, but worth keeping an eye on as condensation trickling down into the sills will not end well! i used to kip in the back of my old peugeot partner which was just ply lined and its amazing how much condensation it had (literally raining on a cold morning even with windows ajar), so in my opinion better to nip in the bud now rather than later.... enjoy your new toy! 🙂
Cheers Munro, will grab a tarp and do that!
Gazc, no the stuff is stuck to the outer skin, the the ply is on top, so there's some gaps between the two layers but not between the outer skin and ply if that makes sense?! 🙂
My insurance company made it very clear I would not be insured if I did anything like this to my connect.
Impressive work on the van, well done.
sazter meet Emsz, Emsz meet sazter 😉
"My insurance company made it very clear I would not be insured if I did anything like this to my connect."
Whys that then? just get a different insurance company -sounds like they dont understand the question so just said no....
Insurance was only an issue for me if I made any permanent changes, as I have said it is all removable, the stove is a coleman camping stove and all my kit is in plastic boxes under the bench. There is no fixed "bed" as this is a bench seat for getting changed 😉 they are quite strict on what makes a camper and this does not meet those requirements.. so I have to adhere to van speed limits and I am happy with that! 😀 Bring on Kirrie and Dalbeattie this weekend! 😀