Inspired by Satzer and being jealous of all my mates having vans I took the plunge in March and replaced my car with a van. The only time I ever drive is for biking so I really didn’t need a car. The van was a much more practical solution. Given I race a lot I also wanted a sleeping solution.

I was tempted by a slightly bigger van like a Vivaro. However the glowplug issues put me right off. Old Transits were a bit too industrial and the new ones are too expensive. VWs are just too expensive so they were out unless you wanted something with astronomical mileage which I didn’t want, regardless of how reliable they are.

So I decided to opt for something smaller. I looked at Renaults, Citroens and the like but they were all a bit meh. A riding buddy then bought a Fiat Doblo. I’ve always been a Fiat fan having owned several over the years. A quick look over his made the decision for me. A few weeks later a really nice example popped up at a local dealer. 24,000 miles, 3 years old, 1 owner, full service history, nice “toys”: aircon, start stop, bluetooth, steering wheel controls. Only thing missing was cruise control which would have been nice but I could live without. £7,000 later it was mine!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zLWV9e]Side view[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zLWZig]Front view[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zujYCS]Rear view[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

Clean enough inside and plylined

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJD8M9]Original van[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

I stuck in a temporary bed/ bench as I had a race coming up

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zujW9y]Temp bed 1[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJCT2C]Temp bed lights[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zLX4PR]Temp race setup[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

It was definitely cold and the condensation was unreal. The next step was to get the bulkhead out and get it insulated and carpeted. Got an insulation kit from Vanguard Conversions in Fort William. Fitting it was fairly easy. Silver insulation glued to the bare metal with a white foam insulation on top of that.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zumtKW]Roof insulation[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

I’ve spent a lot of weekends at this workbench!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJCSRN]Workbench[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

I also removed the floor, sikaflex’d batons to the metal floor then insulated in between the batons and fitted a new wooden floor on top of that. This would allow me to bolt things to the floor without fear of drilling through any fuel pipes etc! Covered that in black lino tiles from B&Q. The ply panels are all carpeted now as well. I was able to reuse the ones that were already there, trimming them slightly to get a better fit. I also had to make panels up from scratch for the roof. Again I sikaflex’d batons to the bare metal roof then screwed the panels into that.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zurhnM]Floor down[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zLWZUB]Floor covered[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

With the carpeting down and the floor down it was time to build a proper bed.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zumPTm]Bed frame behind[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zuryhc]Bed wood sides[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/yQ5eXa]Bed frame above[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

As well as somewhere to sleep I wanted lighting and power sockets so I installed a leisure battery, USB sockets and a couple of spotlights

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zurjwX]Battery box[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zKQhTy]Power sockets[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zurgKe]Power sockets uncovered[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/yQ58Zt]Front Light[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJDbKJ]Front light 1[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

With the bed and electrics done I covered the bed in the same stuff I used for the floor. I thought about carpeting it but I figures this would be much easier to keep clean.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zukaR3]Rear angle empty[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zukinq]Bed side view[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJD7aw]Rear empty[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

As it’s a short wheelbase van the bed isn’t quite long enough for me to lie out fully so I had to come up with a solution. Folding spring loaded brackets with an extension for the bed area. Slide the drivers seat forward and fold the extension up. I wouldn’t put by full weight on it but it’ll hold by feet easily

[url=https://flic.kr/p/yPV59G]Shelf folded[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zujXvm]Shelf brackets[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zuk7RL]Shelf upright[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

In order to be able to access the battery area half of the bed top is removable. I thought about hinging it but it would be a pain so some blocks underneath keep it snug. I have space to get a 2nd bike in facing the opposite way, and I’ve had it that way already on various summer jaunts

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zKQkx1]Battery cover[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zumSRL]Battery cover underneath[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zurjwX]Battery box[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

The back half of the bed is storage space

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJD7aw]Rear empty[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

To hold the bike in the van I’ve used a Seasucker mount. Keeps it really secure. Front wheel goes in a wheel bag and sits next to the bike

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zJD5B1]Sea sucker side[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zMRGFZ]Sea sucker behind[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zukc93]Low rear view bike[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zLXehD]Bike in side view[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/zurwJc]Bike in behind[/url] by boardinbob, on Flickr

Oh, and I deserve some serious bonus points. I live in a 4th floor flat. I have a space in our communal car park. Unfortunately I have no power supply at this space so this entire conversion was done with hand tools! Only power tool I used was a cordless drill. I’m not sure if it made it harder because by only using power tools I had to slow down and make sure everything fitted. It definitely made the job a lot longer though.

And that’s pretty much it. I’ve got a couple of bits of carpeting to do on the rear and side door and I’m going to fit a curtain behind the seats to give me some privacy. I’ve made up thermal window shades using left over insulation which will make it warmer at night/ cooler in summer. I’m also going to fit some attachment points for “stuff” and some bungee netting to keep sleeping bags etc permanently in there.

First proper weekend in the finished article this weekend at the final round of the Scottish Enduro series!

nice one….

very stealthy, indeed.

get yourself some wind deflectors for the front windows. lets you open the windows a touch to help with air circulation at night.

Nice and stealthy! well done! How is the battery attached to the floor? If its anything like the leisure battery in our van I would want it well attached if I had to hit the brakes!

Nice and stealthy! well done! How is the battery attached to the floor? If its anything like the leisure battery in our van I would want it well attached if I had to hit the brakes!

There were screw holes in the bottom edges of the battery so 8 screws through those holding it down, then blocks of wood butted tight against the ends and sides and they’re screwed to the floor. Its solid.

I like that. looking at some of the builds the amount of effort that goes into the things seems disproportionate to the time that will be spent in them, and there’s too much stuff that isn’t strictly necessary. Insulation, a bed, storage, light, a camping gas stove or something, a bike – all you really need.

Don’t leave sleeping bags in there all the time though, they’ll get damp and smelly..

get yourself some wind deflectors for the front windows. lets you open the windows a touch to help with air circulation at night.

Yip, on order

Nice job.

Nice job – thanks for sharing!

I like that. looking at some of the builds the amount of effort that goes into the things seems disproportionate to the time that will be spent in them, and there’s too much stuff that isn’t strictly necessary. Insulation, a bed, storage, light, a camping gas stove or something, a bike – all you really need.

I should add it up but I reckon it’s cost me somewhere around £500-£600 for everything

Decent that.
The bulkhead you removed. Is it just for separation and not structural?

Nice and simple.
I’m a bit disappointed as it hasn’t got a risqué name.

Very nice.
Where did you get the hinges/supports for your bed extension flap?

Yay! excellent that..

Where did you get the hinges/supports for your bed extension flap?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Worktop-Folding-Support-Brackets-Mounted/dp/B00WMCQ9QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444846068&sr=8-1&keywords=hinged+bracket

Decent that.
The bulkhead you removed. Is it just for separation and not structural?

I hope not! You can buy the van with or without the bulkhead and it was pretty flimsy so I’m guessing separation only

I like it!

great job. That looks awesome.
Doblos are great little vans too.
No idea if you can get a 6 speed, the work 5 speed struggles a bit on the motorway

No idea if you can get a 6 speed, the work 5 speed struggles a bit on the motorway

Yeah I think the 6 speed is the bigger engine. Mine is the 1.3 turbo diesel. To be honest I’ve been to Morzine and back twice in the summer and it was fine. Cruised along comfortably at 80mph in 5th gear on the French motorways.

Great stuff!

Does the insulation kit completely cure the condensation problem?

No bare metal should in theory stop condensation but the moisture needs to go somewhere hence getting wind deflectors so I can open the windows slightly a night for ventilation but stop rain getting in

One of those spinny vent things like on the top of police dog vans may be of assistance. Would by its nature, be a permanent solution though.

Edit; one of these; isn’t google great?

Lovely simple van, BTW 8)

You’ve forgotten your front wheel for your bike!

[Quote]
You’ve forgotten your front wheel for your bike

[/quote]

Just manualed all the way round the trails

Sleeping bag will be fine in a dry bag.

Nice van Bob, my stealth camper needs new flooring, those tiles look the job. Where did you get the battery from? Did you do the wiring yourself?.

Nice job. I’d make the battery more secure though. That will become a missile should you do an emergency stop / crash.

On my boat I have a nylon webbing strap / seat belt material looped over the battery and tightened by a buckle.

nice conversion! I hope to do something similar when I move back to blighty.

Does the conversion need to be declared to the insurance company, if it’s registered as a van?

Nice van Bob, my stealth camper needs new flooring, those tiles look the job. Where did you get the battery from? Did you do the wiring yourself?.

Tiles from B&Q. Number 31 IIRC in their range. £9 a square metre. I went for tiles rather than full vinyl with the idea that if I damaged one its easy to remove and replace one tile rather than the full floor.

Did all the electrics myself too. Nothing tricky as it’s a voltage sensing relay so I didn’t need to tap into a live feed from the alternator. Made it really easy.

Does the conversion need to be declared to the insurance company, if it’s registered as a van

It does. I had it insured as a van. Once I phoned my insurers they told me they don’t insure camper vans.

That’s brilliant Bob!

Nice work Bob, we should organise a van trip away with all the folks who have them now! 😀

Having spent time in a low roof camper I’d swap those lights for something flush/softer too bang your head on . Nice job tho .

I’d swap those lights for something flush/softer too bang your head on

Almost every time I get in or out so far 😆

That’s a nice conversion. Vinyl floor is a great idea, for some reason I’d not thought of that and the thought of muddy bike plus carpet floor had rather put me off the idea of doing up mine.

Really like that! Something along those lines but with space for two plus climbing gear/bike would be perfect…

A STW camper van trip is a great idea 🙂

APF (Stealth Toyota Hiace)

Mine is getting less stealth now though APF, I have a skylight and a window, will I be allowed to join in?!

Really like that! Something along those lines but with space for two plus climbing gear/bike would be perfect…

My design was certainly around 1+bike but you could easy add a folding aspect to the bed/ bench to effectively make it a double plus have plenty of room for storage.

The other thing I wanted was good mpg so smaller van was my prefered choice. If I’m very light footed I can get 60mpg but typically around 52mpg which is excellent.

like

It does. I had it insured as a van. Once I phoned my insurers they told me they don’t insure camper vans

Is it technically a camper though? I thought there were some specefic things a camper needs to have according to the DVLA (e.g. fixed cooking facilities) – or is it just down to usage?

I thought this too. Fixed wardrobe/storage, bed, water tank, 2+ ring stove, …

http://www.campervanlife.com/building/legal