making a van into a campervan?

[RobMoore]

It beggars belief and makes me wonder why on earth someone would do something so hideous like that to any car let alone a minor.

but then people do all sorts of wrong things to cars like this one lol http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 3D1&_rdc=1

[IaininTenbury]

Had a fun hour this afternoon seeing how the Suntor seats fit in a Minor van. Spent most of it emptying the junk out of the back first - amazing how useful a van is for storing stuff inwhen its not on the road...
Anyway, they do fit. Loosely in place which is why the passenger one leans inwards. but with the drivers seat in bed mode theres ample room to lie flat. My feet were just off the end of the back seat and I'm over 6'. Quite comfortable really.
[frame][/frame]

[IaininTenbury]

Should be space for the little sink unit inthe pic. just inside the back door, with one of those camping single burner stoves next to it, which should bring it to about half way over the back wheel arch, which is where the back seat comes to when upright. The unit would have to support the back of the back seat with something similar on the other side. I see the Dormobile one int he John Pressnell book relocates the spare wheel to just inside the back door, but it ends up so high theres not much point in having a window there, though the space it creates behind the Bpost is useful.

Front seat squabs are a little wide for the Minor. Can just get all the gears but the handbrake is a bit of a challenge! May need to retrim and shed an inch off each side of the seats. (Green doesnt go with Rose Taupe anyway...)[frame][/frame]
Passenger seat would go back further if the inertia reel belt was replaced with a static one as its too bulky ofr the seat - its that tight! Maybe a rethink on the toilet and shower compartment too

Anyway, hope this gives some ideas on whats possible or not with a van. More scope if you just need a single bed and some sort of folding table could be incorporated. However you go about it I think you'll need to use the cab area for the bed as the rear body is too short, although I do remember sleeping four in a Minor van when following the RAC Rally round the country with three other students in 1990. I also seem to recall it wasn't comfortable either!

Anything I do with this van will be easily undoable so it can be used as a van, but you may not have the same requirements...

PS the Daimler Vauxhall thing is quite odd indeed...

[rayofleamington]

Here are two photo's of 2 campers,'THE SNAIL' as it looked in 1986, and the 2nd photo taken at Harewood House 7th July 1985.

I'm guessing you meant the 1st photo was harewood house in 85 - the second pic is the snail 'tox' (1st pic is ~KKH819)

There are a small handful of tax exempt Marina suntour's although the only other one I've seen was far worse than mine. The A60 is a lovely animal...

[youngcamper]

I've been mulling this over for a while and the best option really would be a coach built model, either using a design similar to dick stawbridges camper (halfway down this page : http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/ftopic1885-165.php ) or using something to a teardrop caravan built onto the back, both interesting projects.

Both are interesting ideas.

Will

[IaininTenbury]

I had* been thinking on coachbuilt lines too, possibly as a phase 2 after the standard van with ide windows. I've a little pile of sketches somewhere. I had decided that a traveller would be the better base vehicle - easier to get hold of a doner than an LCV and you get a continuous lower floor pan all the way to the back. Its only inches difference but inches count with campers this small. and you get a better driving position and bigger front doors too.

* I use the word had, as having just become the father of twins the practicalities of a Minor based camper for a family outing would be challenging to saythe least! The side windowed standard van is still justifyable for solitary show visits and for day trips however...

[youngcamper]

wouldn't you have to do some pretty serious strengthening to stop the traveller chassis from sagging ?

Will

[IaininTenbury]

Yes, whatever you build onthe back of a traveller would become part of the vehicle structure, so some steel framework from B post to rear arches would be advisable.

[youngcamper]

just seen this pick up made from a traveller, the bracing would have to be similar to this :
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=38492

[youngcamper]

Just got my self a set of Suntor front seats . I will be making something suitable for the back to fit between two units with a cooker and a hob, it'll be basic but good . watch this space.

Will

[Sam_Finlay]

Hi Guys, - Did / Have any of you spotted this CamperVan on E-Bay?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GREY-MORRIS-CAMPE ... 724wt_1141[frame][/frame]

[youngcamper]

Thanks for that Sam,

That conversion certinly looks good but I have a feeling it won't make the buy it now price.

I have managed to secure a pair of Suntor front seats to make my van into a campervan, as soon as my exams are over (12 days) work will start.

[RobThomas]

Doesn't that camper belong to Dick Strawbridge, the guy with the serious moustache from Scrapheap Challenge?

http://www.energy.greengeneration.co.uk/img/4/8/1.jpg

[bpr81a]

Hi Guys, - Did / Have any of you spotted this CamperVan on E-Bay?

It use to belong to a Birmingham Branch Member - Picture taken 2007:[frame][/frame]

[Matt Tomkins]

Doesn't that camper belong to Dick Strawbridge, the guy with the serious moustache from Scrapheap Challenge?

http://www.energy.greengeneration.co.uk/img/4/8/1.jpg

sun of, apparently... http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/index.ph ... &start=165

[PAULJ]

Well it did make the reserve, I just bought it. Have I done the right thing or done IT againe

[youngcamper]

Best of luck with it, it looks pretty good to me. I'll race ya in my moggy campervan when its done

[PAULJ]

will do, looks better now than in the 2007 picture on th link. Ill let you know. Id like to see yours. If anyone knows anything about this van please let me know as I asked lots of questions with no reply. It does look like from the photo when it was blue it is Q reg. I do hope not. I have been looking for a van for some time. Just couldent resist. Still can still walk away .

[chrisd87]

That looks like a really nicely done conversion. Hope you enjoy it!

The advert says it's on a K-plate, so presumably the age of the car has been established well enough that the DVLA has issued an age-related plate.

[youngcamper]

Best of luck with it paul, I really want to see it in person. I'll be taking my conversion to the national next year so maybe we could meet upb . Either way happy camping