Just back from weekend in Camper with two young kids. Ours is a Bongo. Its been a tight squeeze getting us all in, with all our stuff, and still we have a massive Kyham drive away awning. The Bongos getting on a bit, so while it still has value were thinking of selling and getting a normal van. One pain with the Bongo is actually using it once set up takes 40+mins to change mode back to vehicle. So were thinking of just camping in future as we can set-up and then drive away more easily. But, I still would like a van for bike trips.

There is a massive flow diagram decision making process to be started…sell camper, keep camper, bigger camper etc, get van… but just wondering if anyone has gone from Camper to straight van and regretted it ?

Having the same thoughts here!
Been thinking about getting a combi van as the Bongo rarely gets used for camping anymore, it’s been slept in once this year so far.
Probably keep it another year and then get a van. But which one??

Not quite what you’re planning but when our last camper succumbed to terminal rot we went from a pop top vw t3 with full camper conversion to a t3 multivan, it’s still got a rock and roll bed for the odd night away and a fold up table so we can eat if it’s rainy but it is far more practical as a day van 90% of the time. We camp with a kyham motor dome sleeper awning and a small trailer if were going for longer than a weekend. 3 bikes fit inside easily with the wheels off (but we also have a proper bike rack that goes on the back). Definitely the best move we made since having kids.

That sounds like where I’m going MikeG.

Simon, its such a shame isn’t it. I’m looking at Vitos.

Ideally want something that’ll seat 5 and still fit 4 bikes (with wheels on) in the back, and be able to sleep 2 in it now and again.

Had a Bongo for about 7 years with full conversion & a Khyam sleeper awning. Now that the kids are older they either don’t want to camp or if they do, prefer to have a pop up tent.

Replaced the Bongo last year with a T5 Kombi double slider, with 2 seats up front & a removeable double in the back. Re-mapped it, lowered it & carpeted it 8)

Going to put a swivel base on the passenger seat & would ideally like to find a way of converting the rear seats into a bed, without resorting to a fixed RnR.

That sounds interesting John.

Simon, that’s about my spec as well, I love having a van for going on cottage type holidays. Great space for days out, secure for bikes etc.

T4 Multivan does the job perfectly for us.

Not a full camper but full width double bed and a pull out sink and hob at the back for cooking.

Table folds out from side panels and front seats swivel to make comfy seating inside for 4/5 people.

Takes 2 minutes to turn back into driving mode. And coupled with a drive away awning for bigger trip sits been perfect.

Plus, unlike a lot of campers, it’s got proper (comfy) factory fitted, crash tested seating for 5

(or 7 if we add the 2 middle seats which also swivel and have arm rests etc)

From a T2 Devon 🙂 to a caravan 😳 to an empty Ducato 😕 .

The Ducato sleeps three on the floor with bikes hanging from the roof and an inflatable kayak. It’s a practical shed on wheels but miserably uncomfortable to drive, slow, 50% more at tolls. 2000e and it’s yours, CT OK.

I went from a Mitsubishi delica to a batterd old escort van I don’t regret it its saved me a fortune on fuel.

I had exactly the same set up as you, Bongo, Khyam, two kids and the hassle of getting totally knackered trying to make it all work for mtb based camping holidays. I sold our Bongo last year and spent the winter converting a MWB High Top Ducato into a camper that could take 4 bikes and be set up and broken down on site in under 30 minutes with minimal effort. We just came back from our first camp and having a bigger van has transformed the experience. The self conversion was a huge amount of work, but it’s looking like it will have been worth it.

spent the winter converting a MWB High Top Ducato into a camper that could take 4 bikes and be set up and broken down on site in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.

Pics?

Carloz – any pics of the camper build, it sounds interesting.

I have a Sprinter Luton style van converted to a camper with a tail lift and garage in the rear for up to 4 bikes. It will sleep 4 and has a kitchen, toilet and shower. Only downside is its not very fast 🙂

ahh, the bigger van question…..thats on the flow chart.

I’ve gone from van to camper but have used it in many stages in between.
If you intend to sleep in it line it and insulate it, and fit interior lights in the back. A van like that with an airbed and sleeping bag is surprisingly cosy, you don’t need to go the whole hog.
The insualtion made a huge difference!

simonm – Member
ahh, the bigger van question…..thats on the flow chart

That’s in my jumbled thoughts. I’m not organised enough for a flow chart 🙂

andrewh – good point about the insulation. I used loads of foil wrap & recycled bottle insulation behind the panels & it’s considerably warmer. Condensation builds up pretty quick though!

I not only have insulation behind my panels, I also have a roof vent, one of the wind powered twirly extractor fan ones, surprisingly easy to install. Hopefully that will keep the condensation to a minimum.
Anyone know of a way of checking for it without removing panels?

Insulation needs to be combined with a source of heat, in the cold, a camper van, even a well insulated van eventually equalizes with the outside, you’ll find this out around 2am usually…

That’s OK then. Got a night heater.
Actually a night heater with a timer, nothing like waking up to a nice warm van 😀
For the OP, these heaters can be fitted in most vans (mine’s a factory option fitted by Ford themselves) this isn’t a particularly camper-esque feature.

Heres some pics of the build and the original Google Sketchup designs. The Ducato started off life as a mobile mechanics van which I insulated, soundproofed, panelled and carpeted. I built all the furniture around the giant RIB rock ‘n’ roll bed and the kids’ bunk beds in the rear which convert into a bike garage. I got the windows, RIB bed and gas fitted professionally, but managed to hack through the rest with my DIY skills.

Quite a labour of love, but well worth it. I’ll never complain about the cost of van conversions again after how long this one took me!

i like that mate, very nice. well done 🙂

For the OP, these heaters can be fitted in most vans (mine’s a factory option fitted by Ford themselves) this isn’t a particularly camper-esque feature.

Look for Webasto or Eberspacher for the best ones.

john_l you can buy a multivan type seat for a t5 van. My mate has one in his fitted on rails. It’s a 3 person seat most of the time but rocks almost flat (some minor lumps) when you want a bed.
His came from ebay, not cheap but a good piece of kit.

Carloz, I like that, must have taken a lot of time to do.

Carloz that’s fantastic. Bunk beds converting to garage is spot on for the Dual use I would want.

Like these Steve ?

Carloz – very good

Very nice work Carlos. How long did it take you?

Cheers guys. It’s probably got best part of 140hrs work on it, the experts reckon it’ should be more like 90. The bunk / bike garage is ace as it means we can stash our bikes in the van when we’re not riding and not in the van.

Carloz, a cracking van! A couple of questions if you wouldn’t mind?

Is that Rib seat the 130 or 150cm model?
It doesn’t look as though your garage goes beyond the wheel arches, is this deep enough for 4 bikes? How deep is it? Wheels on or off?
Why did you not do the wall cabinets above the kitchen as per diagram?

Ive spent a lot of time trying to design something similar, but with a double (130cm) bunk. Which forces you to have a side (VW) style kitchen. However, you may have changed my mind.

Kev

wow, thread from the past. In the end I went full on LWB T5 camper 😉

Traditional layout, Simon? Or did you do something funky to get the bikes in?

wow, thread from the past. In the end I went full on LWB T5 camper – See more at: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-gone-from-a-camper-to-a-van#sthash.9XB4isPd.dpuf

Let’s see some photos then….

T4 Multivan does the job perfectly for us.

This. We’ll be getting a T5 Multivan set up if/when it dies…

Started as a basic builders panel van

To this,

Soon to go further.

Random PSA for van modders: there’s a twin van seat abandoned at TA195025. Will be damp, might be crap, might be ideal for someone’s bike bus.

I’ve got a front double from a T5.1 going free to whoever collects.