need a bit of help convert my van to a camper

[redcube]

I'm going to convert my van to a camper as there is talk of a new law coming out in ireland that if you do not have a vat number or someting like that you will be paying car tax on the van in short i not paying to tax my van as a car

Any way i need a bit of help on convert my van to a camper van its a 2000 mk5 high roof this is the van




What i do know is i need a window so i'm putting in one on the sliding door and behind the drivers seat and a roof light
a cooker,bed, table,sink, and power

What i'm stuck on is on what insulation do i use and what type of ply wood i use on the walls and roof and floor my van is alredy ply line but its all marked and dirty

How do i wire in the camper stuff what i want power for is my laptop and a kettle (for pot noddles ) and some lights thats about all i need for the power

What the best place for beds, seating, cooker and sink

My plan was a fold up double bed above the driver seat and a double bed that can be turned into 2 single beds and a seating area with a table with the sink and cooker at the back by the doors.

I will be sparying the van too and fixing all the rust and dents frist hope to finish it by the end of december 2010

Any help would be greath
thank you

[jolly olly]

On my Mk6 i used the bubble foil stuff from b&q which i glued on with evo contact adhesive, for the sides i used 50mm king span also from b&q, i would use 25 mm if i was going to do it again it will work out more but i think i would be able to fit it easier / better but the 50mm was fine (i used 2x 50mm 1x 25mm for my MK6 lwb semi high without no windows & used just over 1 roll or the bubble foil and the rest i used as a windscreen cover.
For the wiring i got a split charge relay and leisure battery plus a fuse board to run some 12volt lights and 2 cigar out lets.
If you would like a few pics or more info let me know by PM and i will try to help you out, where in the emerald isles are you from?

[redcube]

about 10 mins from Lahinch in Co. Clare

so i will need 1 roll of bubble stuff
and 3 rolls of 25mm king span
and gule better open the doors for that

For the wiring where did you get a split charge relay and leisure battery from as i can't find any where in Co. Clare and Co. Limerick but i have not tryed every where in ireland yet

[TIMO]

about 10 mins from Lahinch in Co. Clare

so i will need 1 roll of bubble stuff
and 3 rolls of 25mm king span
and gule better open the doors for that

For the wiring where did you get a split charge relay and leisure battery from as i can't find any where in Co. Clare and Co. Limerick but i have not tryed every where in ireland yet

aint kingspan solid insulation boards m8?

[jolly olly]

Yip kingspan is usualy 8x4 sheets.

[redcube]

This is my plane done in google sketch up

Right side

Left side

Front from cab

[noobrider]

might want to check your signature.....

I used google sketchup, very handy for chucking idea around

[whitemice]

Good product for insulation is DEPRON in 3mm and 6mm, zero heat transfer, used in underfloor heating, i've got boxes of the stuff as i use it for modelling.

Can do a box of 20 or 40 sheets of genuine white depron 3mm x 1000mm x 70mm if you want some.

[northernlad]

We sell proper camper insulation which called Thermomat, it is lightweght and once insulated your van will be toastie - costs about £45 a pack (enough to do your full van 25 sq M inc delivery.

[jolly olly]

We sell proper camper insulation which called Thermomat, it is lightweght and once insulated your van will be toastie - costs about £45 a pack (enough to do your full van 25 sq M inc delivery.

Any links?

[redcube]

Order some lights of ebay
i order 2 of this think this would be bright enough
http://cgi.ebay.ie/White-Interior-Dome- ... 1c14c5e519
And this not sure way we will see where i stick them
http://cgi.ebay.ie/120cm-White-LED-Flex ... 1c150a9d2f

Going to get some ply wood the weekend

Do i need a vapour barrier or something to stop condensation between the metal and insulation

[whitemice]

Have a look round a good boat chandlers for lighting, much nicer than naff 'camper lights'. Checkout the crystal chrome domed ones in my van for a fiver a piece with variable high output white led's.

viewtopic.php?f=58&t=73546

[TIMO]

Order some lights of ebay
i order 2 of this think this would be bright enough
http://cgi.ebay.ie/White-Interior-Dome- ... 1c14c5e519
And this not sure way we will see where i stick them
http://cgi.ebay.ie/120cm-White-LED-Flex ... 1c150a9d2f

Going to get some ply wood the weekend

Do i need a vapour barrier or something to stop condensation between the metal and insulation

yes mate..you need a breathable vapour barrier tho. summat like tyvek or similar from a roofing merchants .if you use a polythene type of thing moisture gets trapped behind it potentially rotting your van from the inside out

[redcube]

If i paint the van with red oxide the underbody paint will that do the job as i have a roll of polythene for dry lining house

How do i lay the floor some poeple have put down batons and insulation and then plywood over that is this right now i now i have a few holes to weld frist and i am going to paint the hole floor in red oxide and a coat of underbody paint to stop it rusting form the inside out i am also going to fill in any gaps with expanding foam insulation is this the best way to go

So far i know i need plywood, insulation, something to stop condensation, and a lot of screws and the hospital on speed dail i'll get bits this weekend a hope to start as well will upload pictures

[whitemice]

I would not close off the rear doors with full height structures, i would put the double bed at the rear as bench seating either side similar to my ambulance and glaze the rear doors in the natural top half mouldings possibly using acrylic/perspex to get natural light in and give a view seated or lying and a fast emergency exit and allows good use of a drive away awning.

I would fit side window/s and skylight.

Central kitchen behind passenger seating with window.

The above gives good rear view and through side view across van from driving position esp. at oblique junctions.

I would have wardrobe/loo or full height fittings behind driver seat as this position does not restrict driving vision to rear or across side.