Campervan conversion.

Howya,

long shot I know but...

..I've decided that there is no point in getting rid of the van so I'ts eventually going to get converted to a camper. I'm sure a few people here must have done it before or atleast own one so would know what to look out for. I know there are a load of websites with regards to converting but I was looking for some first hand info.

It appears that the biggest issue is insulating so keeping it dry and warm. Does anyone know of anywhere in Ireland where I can pick up bits and pieces for a conversion?
Looking for the likes of refrigerators, stoves, water pumps etc. or anything that would make sense for a camper.Its been recommended picking up a second hand caravan and stripping it but I neither have the space nor do I like the look of any of the cheap ones out there, most look like they have been used to sleep a family of twelve.

Looking to build a decent secure storage compartment in the back for the bikes so any pointers at all would be much appreciated.

Thanks Much,

Give us a shout Sham, 0872393155, if you want some advice. Not done any from scratch, just re done other people's brutal jobs...

Have some stuff that you could use for conversions, water pumps, hob etc
Would be able to get you anything else too.

Robin

I'm doing the same thing Sham, and have some bits n'bobs. I have an electritian mate who has wired a few, so he can help too. He's a nice guy.

I can be of no help at all but bagsy shootgun to a few races :)

I'm very much at planning stage at the moment but dont want to go and do something silly and then find I need to retrace to run some pipes or cables.

Cheers Stu ,the lx and the plumbing would be my biggest concern. I'm not too worried about the timber work but venting and plumbing could be a bit tricky. Robin I will definitely give you a shout, I couldn't even work out how to turn on the heating in a hired one last year let alone fit it. Actually what the hell am I doing? and where am I going to find the time? Another crazy feckin idea.

Bren feck off.

Hey best van conversion I ever had included an old double matress a few Danna election posters for insulation and entertainment.
A full 2 litre bottle of cider and an empty one.
Packets of chocolate hob nobs were distributed evenly throughout the vehicle for prolonged sustanance over a weekends surfing. Many packets remained unaccounted for till you got really hungry.
Finally the the best bit. A ridicoulus German army sleeping bag that was built like a jacket on top.
You could wake up, unzip the bottom bit and cruise the Clare coast for waves without ever really getting out of bed.
You could learn from me :)

i had one of those sleeping bags..!!! ah yeah..sitting in a 1986 Suzuki Swift beside the road at Ailladie waiting for it to stop pissing down rain in one of those with a Balaclava on and a thermos full of Knacker Irish Coffee !! Listening to Lou Reed and smoking my brains out willing the clouds to evaporate..
I'm ****ing glad those days are over !!

Lowest moment. Pissing in my wetsuit bootie at 90mph whilst driving somewhere en route to Kerry. Swell report was good.
I had overtaken a pile of cars in my rush and wouldn't pull over.
I did very well till i opened the window at that speed and tried to pour it out of the floppy wetsuit bootie.
I had to play that matress on the B side that weekend

thats pretty low , Brendan !! but somebody on here will beat that!!

LMAO thats some funny ****!!

You ever get them mixed up late at night?

I had many adventures in our VW camper, picked up in Wolfsburg in 1970 or something, parents drove it around Europe, shipped it back to South Africa, then shipped it here in 77. I remember driving it as a teen down the Callary rd toward Kilmac laden with adults, I could barely press the brake, which did nothing anyway with all the weight, I can still hear the screams. Another time while camping near Kenmare we found a door from the Air India 747 that was blown up days earlier, we couldn't turn it in as the whole insurance thing was a bit of a grey area. Best memories ever involved that bus.

Looked very like this...

Checkout some of the guys threads on kitesurfing.ie in regards to camper conversions.

pm Sammon for the low down and checkout his VW refurbs.

Not sure never remembered much.

Don those old VW's are a thing of beauty, they had to be started and stopped with a hammer but that just gave em even more character.

I'm on my 3rd van. Its hard old work to convert it. The easisest and cheapest way to insulate is to wait untill Aldi / Lidl have a camping sale and buy 10 or so of their sleeping mats. Cut the up and glue to the inside of the walls. cover then in carpeted 4mm ply.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Really nice guy in Clare, called Dave who runs Vanderlust.com can sort you out with bits and pieces if you need. #