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Post by Derek on May 26, 2009 20:18:24 GMT
Hi All
Did I say I was going to get a Bongo and convert it to a camper, I lied, we have a Blingo (Citroen Berlingo Multispace Forte). The rear seats have been removed and are in the loft and a plywood sleeping platform is being built in the load space. The platform is 9" above the main floor which gives good storage space for kit. With the front seats shoved as far forward as they will go there is 6' 2" of room and the bed will be 4' wide.
We propose to cook in an awning with a single burner stove and use a small Halfords cool box.
Words of advice, encouragement and general micky taking will be welcomed.
Derek
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Post by Graham on May 26, 2009 21:42:04 GMT
That sounds very intrepid Derek, are you going into competition with Barry Stimson?
Please keep us informed as you progress with the project and post some pictures. What sort of bed are you putting in? Are you building something or just shoving a lilo and sleeping bags in?
Good luck.
Graham
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Post by yamaha on May 26, 2009 23:02:03 GMT
Hi All Did I say I was going to get a Bongo and convert it to a camper, I lied, we have a Blingo (Citroen Berlingo Multispace Forte). The rear seats have been removed and are in the loft and a plywood sleeping platform is being built in the load space. The platform is 9" above the main floor which gives good storage space for kit. With the front seats shoved as far forward as they will go there is 6' 2" of room and the bed will be 4' wide. We propose to cook in an awning with a single burner stove and use a small Halfords cool box. Words of advice, encouragement and general micky taking will be welcomed. Derek Hello Derek, my old mate - don't hear much from you lately!! So, you decided against going over to the dark side, eh?!! As you know, my built-in bed never did materialise - the ply warped in the lounge over winter, and I ended up dumping the whole lot in frustration!! Hope you have better luck with your project. Not a bad thing, in retrospect - we have needed to transport stuff since, which would have been impossible had the bed been fitted. We also tend to "live", cook, and wash in the awning, only actually sleeping in the Bongo, and it works well for us. Hope the project goes well - and don't forget the pictures of it. Mike [/quote] |
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Post by Derek on Jun 2, 2009 21:34:32 GMT
Hi Folks Progress to date, I still need to come up with a design for the front bed extension. Bit more to do putting in extra screws and some cross braces. then it will be varnished. I plan to make the front and back section split so they can be easily removed.           What sort of bed are you putting in? Are you building something or just shoving a lilo and sleeping bags in? Graham We have a 6' x 4' mattress on a folding bed in our static which we are going to try. If not, three 4' x 2' cushions. Thanks for your good wishes Derek |
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Post by Derek on Jun 14, 2009 20:51:55 GMT
Things are moving on, platforms strengthened and varnished. The front and back platforms have been separated and have aluminum joining plates (made from old curtain rail).  The front bed extension.    The cooking area.  Food storage in Wilko under bed storage boxes.  Ready as a day camper.  Now to sort out the sleeping arrangements. |
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Post by Derek on Jun 28, 2009 12:01:36 GMT
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Post by Derek on Jul 12, 2009 17:44:53 GMT
The saga continues ------- Arrival at site, Salcombe Regis near Sidmouth  Travelling mode  Kipper mode, we now have two 5ft and one 4ft sleeping pads, short one goes across at the pillow end and the others longways.  Food prep  The all important electric kettle together with cool box.  The awning fits, top of that sleeve is going to gather water, may be worth zipping the inner door at night.   Job done, all works well, very pleased with the outfit.  |
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Jul 13, 2009 9:46:05 GMT
Derek
It's good to see your adaptations in use! I hope you enjoyed your trip.
Karen
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Post by Graham on Jul 13, 2009 14:00:57 GMT
You've made a really good job of your van Derek, its great to see the pictures as it gradually takes shape. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Graham
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Post by jayjay on Jul 13, 2009 16:45:12 GMT
Wow - I'm impressed! Did you sort out curtains? they do these neat little screen things for car windscreens at Wilko's - I put some more suckers on mine so they were at both top and bottom and used them at night behind the curtains instead of silver screens, just to keep out the cold! They work very well and also cut down condensation. About £1.99 each.  |
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Post by Derek on Jul 14, 2009 7:59:43 GMT
Thanks for that folks, yes we had a brilliant time, made it down to Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth so we can tick the boxes for visiting all the places on the Jurassic Coast. We were very close to the Donkey Sanctuary so visited that again. Did we sort out curtains, don't talk to me about curtains We thought it would be a doddle, bought some extending rods for nets together with sticky backed plastic things to hold them, made the curtains and put them up. In the hot weather the car warmed up, the adhesive released and things kept falling down. We ended up with elastic shock cord trapped under the Berlingos plastic fittings and small black clamps (like strong clothes pegs) holding the curtain rods. Derek |
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Jul 14, 2009 11:45:10 GMT
A simple method for hanging curtains would be to use a dark nylon/polyester fabric cut to slightly larger than the windows, hem them top and bottom then run net curtain wire through the top and bottom and screw a hook into each end. You can screw a very small loop above and below each window then hook the curtains/screens on/off as required. The polyester fabric won't aborb moisture or feel damp and a dark colour is hardly noticeable from outside. They also fold up very small and the tiny fixing loops are very discreet so that your car will still appear to be a 'car' for insurance purposes.
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Post by Derek on Jul 16, 2009 19:22:44 GMT
A simple method for hanging curtains would be to use a dark nylon/polyester fabric cut to slightly larger than the windows. Hi Karen We don't know much about fabric, is the nylon or polyester you mention like tent fabric without proofing? I used to have a web link for a firm who supplied small quantities of this type of material for making outdoor gear but can't find it. Google has only come up with firms in India and China Do you have any links? Thanks Derek |
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Post by aggsandrog on Jul 17, 2009 10:25:04 GMT
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Post by Derek on Jul 17, 2009 10:38:44 GMT
Hi Roger, thanks for that, just what I was looking for  Derek |
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