Just come across this lovely conversion. Looks just the job for 2.T: Did you fit an Eber in the end ? If you don't mind me asking where did you fit it and duct it into your van ?

Cheers Andy

 

Andy
Yes the Eber is fitted underneath the van, with the air inlet at the front and heat outlet vent under the drivers seat at the back alongside the leisure battery.

It needs a bit of tidying up as the plastic panel at the back of the drivers seat doesn't fit properly but I can see a solution. It is just a matter of finding time to get a non urgent job done! Also because it was fitted after the main conversion, the Eber exhaust comes out a tad too near the waste water outlet, which resulted in a slightly melted waste water container the first time we used the heater and needed to be very careful where we placed the container.

We are also looking for a place to fit a battery charger as unless we use the van the leisure battery only lasts between two and three days before the fridge cuts out.
All in all we are still delighted with the van as is shown in the usage - by the end of the year we will have spent nearly 90 nights away in it.

 

90 nights away ... fantastic !!! T:
Hope we can manage something like that.... small matter of cracking on with the van first mind you.

 

Awesome conversion, bleddy lovin your work. T:

 

Thanks for all the nice comments about the van, we love it. The 90 nights comes from being retired, travelling to open water swimming events and training as SWMBO - KatieBun trains for a solo channel crossing in 2014. Throw in a couple of weddings - one in Italy and it is amazing how it builds up. We no longer dash places as we have the time to make an expotition of our trips.
It is a lovely way to grow old disgracefully!

 

Hi, I think the van looks great, I would like to do something very similar with my van,(Black Betty) I wondering if yours is a long wheel base? I Hope not as mine isnt.

 

I wondering if yours is a long wheel base? I Hope not as mine isnt.

Sorry to disappoint you, bobbyx, but ours is a LWB. We wanted a full width, extra long rock 'n roll bed so we couldn't fit that in with a kitchen pod in a SWB.

 

Two more additions to the build.
1) a 20amp charger from travelvolts to keep the leisure battery topped up when on hook up. We found once at our destination the battery would be exhausted by the fridge on about day 3 if we were not making any long journeys.
2)a gas bonnet strut from camperwagen such good value and saves faffing around with the manual strut - ideal as we think we will have to move the hook-up socket from under the van to under the bonnet - it does not seem to like life under the van!

 

Fantastic Van, perfect for us. How much would you say the conversion cost in the end?? Just trying to work out a budget! Thanks

 

James, the final spend was around the £9k, although that does not include Awning, Sunshade or other little bits we have added. We didn't skimp on the bed, by making it extra long, adding armrests, head rests and the for and aft slider added to the cost. But those additions make it a seriously comfortable set to travel on as well as being great to sleep in. We had 90 nights away in the van in 2013 and probably close to that this year, so we are getting our money's worth.

 

great van guys

 

Really impressed with your conversion which would suit us well. I see that you have used Clearcut Conversions to manufacture the pod. Does it have a model name? Thanks in anticipation

 

No, it does not have a model name. We were told that to be happy with a van it was all about the bed. With both of us over 6ft we chose a extra long RIB full width bed. Clearcut then designed the kitchen pod around the bed and my driving position as I had the seat further back than KatieBun. The kitchen pod managed to get all the bits that were needed by sloping the front edge parallel to drivers seat back. If you don't need the extra long bed you get a few more inches to play with in the pod design!
Hope that helps.

 

What fridge have you installed? & what are its dimensions?
The conversion looks really great -- thanks so much for posting this.

 

Hi, the fridge is a Vitrifrigo 39l Compressor Fridge. Spec is here on the manufacturers website: http://www.vitrifrigo.com/eng/c39iautomotive.html

 

sorry, another question - what is the capacity of the water bottle under the sink?

I'm v.impressed with this set up!

 

The water container is 12 litres capacity.

 

hello ron van looks amazing could you tell me if your van is a lwb or a swb
cheers maves

 

It is LWB. The full width bed which is extra long would not leave room for a kitchen pod in a SWB.

 

Just found this thread and can't fault the end result, a really top quality usable bus you have created there!
There seems to be more and more people going for the simple bed and kitchen pod layout (myself included) to free up much needed space rather than go full camper conversion route...Top job and enjoy!A:A:A:

 

Cheers, Linesy. Can confirm that it's absolutely awesome to live in, and the space is unbelievable. We do put a couple of quilted mattress toppers on the RIB, which makes a huge difference. If we started all over again, we'd do exactly the same. Have just added the Kiravans door storage panel.T:

 

hi
loving the conversion, exactly what i want to do with my van, did the overhead lockers come from clearcut conversions as well as the unit, cheers

 

Yes, the overhead lockers were from Clearcut Conversions as well.
One other item we have added is the Kira Vans Door Store.

http://www.kiravans.co.uk/lining/kiravans-door-store/kiravans-t5-door-store

 

Were they custom made. For the life of me I can't find them anywhere on the website?? Cheers

 

Yup, custom made but not expensive.

 

Thanks, mod. I have to say, we've had not a single regret about abandoning the usual side furniture and narrower bed and doing it this way. When you spend over 90 nights a year in it, on average, that space becomes even more important. The bedding just rolls up onto the back shelf and is covered with a picnic rug.... then just rolls out again at night. It's quick, efficient and there's tons of storage space.T: