full interior refit - help needed sourcing stuff please

[elmo makaroy]

i am going to start fitting the interior of my campervan ready for a planned camping trip on march 11th so i need to get started quick, thought i would be best starting a thread on here as i have a few things to buy and peoples experiences would greatly help.

at the moment the van is completly empty, i am trying to do this on as low budget as possible and i am not looking for a show camper interior just somthing practical for the summer.

first thing i need to do is insulate my van - best material to use? cheapest place to buy?

then i need to get interior panels for the back and cover them in carpet - ebay panel kits any good? best carpet and glue to use? and cheapest place?

then once the van is insulated and the panels are in i am going to laminate the floor in the living area

then i will be fitting a full width rock and roll bed - im on a budget so im going for the wooden ebay one but i need help with the foam, can ayone point me in the right direction of a good full width r+r bed foam set? perhaps on ebay? there are loads of different sizes on there and im abit confused.

i am planning on keeping it basic with just a full width bed in the back and i am then going to buy one of theese portable camping kitchens wich i can pack away when im not using it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Royal-Easy-Up-Cam ... 588cb383c7

i think that is pretty much it to start once i have all this lot in i will the fit a lesuire battery and a plug for hookup

[elmo makaroy]

anyone? i thought id have loads of tips and answers by now,

[Ian Hulley]

Try doing a search perhaps people aren't replying because it's been covered so many times before ?

You may wish to then start by browsing the pretty things on this site ... http://www.caktanks.co.uk/ tissues and credit card to standby !

Ian.

[elmo makaroy]

well things like, wich carpet kit on ebay is best hasnt been answered,

wich foam sets are best and wot ideal thickness will be? and wich is best on ebay?

is it ok to use spaceblanket to insulate? baq has a deal on it at the moment and its pretty cheap?

[Louey]

You could also use www.leisureshopdirect.co.uk for water tanks

Melkor leisure (Kidderminster) for light weight ply wood with a wood like finish

www.worldofcamping.co.uk (ask for club 80-90 discount) for fridge and fiamma awnings and portaloos

[elmo makaroy]

well i dont need a water tank, or a portaloo or wooden wood looking panels, thanks for the help though,

all i want to do is panel the walls in the back with carpetted panels, are the ebay panels any good and wich carpet is best?

[BOXY]

well things like, wich carpet kit on ebay is best hasnt been answered,

Carpet is carpet. The best one will be the most expensive. If you're on a budget get down the local remnants shop and see what off-cuts they've got on offer, nothing foam backed though. If you've got an exhibition company nearby see if they've got anything left over from a trade show. Most put cheap carpet down in the exhibition halls then ditch it afterwards.

wich foam sets are best and wot ideal thickness will be? and wich is best on ebay?

Same as the carpet, the most expensive will be the best. When I was looking for mine I got quotes for 4" high density at prices of £50-70 per cushion and that was for a 3/4" bed, full width will be more. In the end I got three 4" foam mattresses from the local Sally Army hostel when they were having a clear out. My girlfriend made the covers but the material & zips still cost £30.

is it ok to use spaceblanket to insulate? baq has a deal on it at the moment and its pretty cheap?

If you're not going camping all year around I wouldn't bother with insulation. Just buy a thicker duvet & some thermals. You'll lose heat through the windows, air vents, and other random rusty holes so loft insulation is a waste of money unless you're going to wear it.

all i want to do is panel the walls in the back with carpetted panels, are the ebay panels any good and wich carpet is best?

Have a chat with the local pallet storage company to see if they've got any trashed ones. Some pallets have got a 4-5mm press board cover stapled to the top. Its not much more that super thick cardboard but its ok for interior panels and door cards. My sliding door liner and battery box covers are made from it.

You could try putting a wanted ad up in case one of the traders has got a scruffy interior out of a van they've broken. It'll end up being quicker & easier that trying to lash up something yourself.

[dcfb77]

There is a lot of stuff on the wiki...you should start there.

Obviously there's Brickwerks: http://www.brickwerks.co.uk

For interior carpet: (stretch carpet made fitting around the window frames a breeze).
http://www.megavanmats.com

For insulation/sound: 1) clean up inside panels well, Fit Qpads (or roll on roof tar stuff sections) inside doors and other inside panels (use a heat gun/hair dryer to heat up first
2) Use extra strength double sided tape to stick foil/bubble wrap insulation type stuff (B&Q/Homebase sell them cheap) - Fit this stuff everywhere you can. I fitted two layers just to be sure.
3) Fit Celotex or similar insulation to long flat panels & roof insulation packed (not too tightly) in good quality/extra strong gardening bags so its water/moisture proof.

Just Kampers for insulated window covers for night or when its really sunny/hot.

Foam: What Boxy said, you get what you pay for. Google "local foam suppliers" near you.

For interior fittings: (and lots of other things)
http://www.rainbowconversions.co.uk (quick delivery)

Interior panels: eBay - look for 2nd hand interior panels.Nothing fits easier than stock panels imho. The ones offered as a set on ebay for £95 are OK (i.e. they fit) but they warp quite easily.

100ah Leisure battery that fits and works well (not swivel seats....not without mods anyway).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Elecsol-100Ah-Dee ... 5888fc840e

Good luck, have fun on your trip.

David