Transit connect semi-camper conversion

[mtbmatt]

Maybe not the first choice of van for a camper...

I'm a proffesional cyclist and needed a van for travelling within the UK to races and also during July I will be spending time in the French & Italian Alps and for some of the time I will need to sleep inside. A friend offered me his connect cheap so I took it off his hands and plan on converting it to an extent that will I can sleep inside and have 12/240v power.

When I got it:




It was ply lined and carpeted, but not all that well. I removed the ply and insulated inside with a mixture of different insulations.





Right now I am waiting for the new carpet material to arrive. I have put in a 100 Ah leisure battery with a basic split charge kit.
I'll be building a raised stand for the bikes to sit on and have some storage underneath for various stuff. I need to be able to store 2 bikes for most trips, but 3 for when I head to the Alps, which is going to be a challenge to fit everything around and have room to sleep! I may remove the cage to give a few extra inches, although it is handy to strap stuff to.



Not decided what to do about a bed yet. Maybe a hammock, maybe an airbed or something similar that can be stored in limited space.
Let me know what you think and any tips for storage ideas would be great!

[Codbasher]

Take a look at some of the small camper vans, like the Berlingo, maybe get a few ideas from them about bedding and storage.

Personally, I would box off the lower section, store the frames etc underneath, then half of the upper would be for sleeping, other half again box off for more storage, guess it will feel like sleeping in a coffin, but its the best I can come up with.

[redcube]

have a look at some of the car based campers from the 70s 80s alot of them where small and that will give you an idea of beds
heres a picture of one

[mtbmatt]

I don't I will have room for a full bed setup inside, as the bikes take priority!

Testing out the type of bike stand I hope to use. It isn't screwed down yet, but I will go with this type of stand which gives storage underneath.

[Codbasher]

Nice bikes, I ride a Commencal Meta 5.5 myself, usually to be Found at Llandegla

My son has just been selected to join the Five Two race yeam, wirh DMR as sponsors....

[AeroNautiCal]

For some excellent ideas on fitting out your Connect, have a look at this superb 'self build camper conversion' thread, and pick and mix what works for you.

The links in the (24 page) thread are also well worth exploring for great ideas, some of which include Connect campers.

I'm certain that you'll find ideas which you'll want to incorporate in your van!

Likewise, click on the bottom link to the 'Storage Solutions' section of Expedition Portal, whom have some amazing, versatile and economic self builds that member's constructed in their vehicles.

http://www.furgovw.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=5e89223e21ab061b04b491d75e940e21&topic=174565.0

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/91-Storage-Solutions

[mtbmatt]

Battery boxed in and fitted a 6-way fuse/switch box.
The only thing running out of it is a 3-way switched 12v socket. Should have lighting fixed up and hopefully a TV/DVD eventually.

[mtbmatt]

Well the van is done... or at least as much as was possible in the time. I leave for the Alps on Friday, so have done what I could.

Electrics finished, 6-way fuse box installed which connects the lights, 12v sockets and a voltmeter. I also installed an inverter.


I have fitted some cargo netting above the driving cab to extend the overhead storage. This will mostly be used when parked up as an extra place to store things.


Rear door holds the hydration packs and a small netting to hold the bits for the bike mounts.


I simply carpeted the panels of the otherside to make it look a bit nicer.


Inside I stapled an "over the door" storage pouch thing, which will hold all sorts of things.


Carpeted the roof and installed two 12v LED lights which give more than enough light.


Finished off the bike stand by painting it in "Wiggle Orange" gloss, which should make it easy to clean and keep the water off the wood.


And outside I have stained the plastic bumpers to black and sprayed the metal section with Hammerite, which worked a treat then installed parking sensors.


And that will be my home for the next month!

[g-man]

nice work mate,i'll be watching as much of the tour as i can,luv it what did you stain it with?did you do the front bumper as well?

[mtbmatt]

I did all the plastic trim, so front bumper, all arches, side rubbing strip and rear bits.

I used "Forever Black" dye which I bought form ebay. It has been on most of the areas for a few months and lasts well, should be permanent.

[morini]

Like it !

[chris2790]

looks good mate i would deffo remove the bulkhead though!
or cut it down, i had the one in my kangoo down to 1/3rd, just behind the drivers seat. meant more MTBs, 8ft surfboard, 3m lenghts of steel! would even fit an MX bike! many nights spent in that van have a good trip!

[mtbmatt]

This is up for sale now. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=101320

I need a 3 seater van for next Summer's road trip. I've become quite attached to the little connect, its a great van.

[northernlad]

Small campers are a great idea, here are some pics of a couple of Kangoo's we converted this year, could easily be done in a Connect - ideally LWB High Roof models.

[iclickhappy]

Hi, I am looking to turn a LWB Connect into a camper, do you have any advice before I start?

I posted this in the Transit Connect Technical section a few days ago, before I noticed there was a camper van section.

I am thinking of building a small campervan out of a LWB Transit Connect.

I have found a 3D model in the Google SketchUp library here (http://tinyurl.com/cprhaqg) and have modified to help me plan a layout here http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/21 ... per3d.png/

Has anyone else done anything similar?

I am currently looking for a suitable van to use, I have around £4k to spend and am hoping to find a silver T230 90 lx.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to look for when viewing/test driving one?

Thanks,

Tom