Anyone converted a Caravelle? Need ideas

[Emma&Al]

I have full size rock n roll bed from a Westfalia in the back, curtains up, new foam for bed and have chosen the material for them. I have a nice little cupboard made out of wood from recycled pallets - it can hold a small gas bottle and a removable twin hob/grill. Ive insulated most of the panels (a little more to go) and got rid of the old manky door cards, replaced with ply wood.

..I really want somewhere to house a small water tank that I can use manually, Id like to replace the bulky twin hob/grill with a smaller more modern example but ideally Id like it to be dropped into the top of the cupboard, so as I don't have to keep getting it in and out of the cupboard.
Has anyone done this? At some point id also like to put in the porta potty thats been sitting in my dads shed for years!!!
I want to install some lights and put in a leisure battery.

I just wondered how others have made use of the space in a converted Caravelle?

[tforturton]

I've got a converted Caravelle. Like you, I have a full-width folding bed, and like you, I spent a lot of time pondering what to do with the interior (and still do). I bought most of a Westfalia interior from an 80-90 member, but they were made for LHD vans, and having a full-width bed causes other problems.
For example, you can't use the middle storage unit (where the water tank goes) and the wardrobe has to be cut down, so that the rear seat will sit upright. I ended up installing the kitchen unit (bolted to the seat rails), put the wardrobe on the 'wrong' side of the bus, plus the overhead cupboard above the engine bay. It's a bit of a compromise, but it does work, though to be honest, I'm the world's slowest installer, and lots of work needs to be done yet.
You seem to have sorted the kitchen unit, so I'm guessing it must be narrow enough to allow the bed to open properly. The problem is that it may be a bit too narrow to allow the fitting of a hob/sink unit. Smev make lots of suitable hob/sink combos - check the measurements to ensure it will fit into your home-made cupboard. Don't forget to allow for a lip edge, to fit it to. If you go on ebay and search 'smev' - loads will come up, check for sizes. This will also give you links to suppliers (they usually sell the bits you need for water tanks as well).
If you have a sink, you can fit two 10l plastic tanks in the cupboard (one for clean water, one for dirty), and use a submersible pump to get the water to the tap. All the materials are easily available, but it does take up one of your cupboard spaces.
A leisure battery will fit under the passenger seat, and lights are easily bought and fitted. There's lots of threads on this sort of stuff on here, if you look.
At the end of the day, though, it's a compromise. I sometimes find myself thinking about changing the bed to a three-quarter size, so I can fit a complete camper interior. But those complete interiors are heavy, and do limit the use of the van for anything else. If you plan to do a lot of camping, and have money to spend, then I'd say - go for the complete interior, and pay someone to do it properly (or buy a complete second hand set-up). If you don't use it all that much, then stick with your home-made stuff, and enjoy it. Cheap and cheerful!

[Emma&Al]

Thanks tforturton!

Like you, I almost opted for a three quarter size bed and wanted a complete camping interior - its my only vehicle, although I don't need to drive to work as I usually walk most places, but I use the van for longer journeys and then for camping. At the time (7 years ago!) the Westy rock n roll bed was for sale on here, for 150 pounds, so I just bought it and fitted it! its really comfortable though
Yes, the cooker unit fits well and the bed comes down just fine with it there. I wanted to fit a porta potty in a box perhaps behind the passenger seat, so it doesn't obstruct access via the sliding door too much.
Its good to hear your suggestions - thanks.
Ive looked at the smev combinations online - sounds like a good option.

[DoubleOSeven]

Westfalia bed, with foam and duvet. It's very warm and comfortable. Used a Sealey tool case for storage and leisure battery under passenger seat on a relay for charging accessories. We found with our previous vans we cooked and cleaned outside, so we continue to do so. Cooler goes wherever we need it, at the time - not fixed. IceyTek one in grey. Fairly modular generally, nothing permanently fixed. Couldn't bring myself to drill the interior (apart from the bed of course)
[img]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016020 ... 617382.jpg[/img]
Van did come with these heat absorbing windows, which I've never worked out really, might explain why it's so warm at night, that and the nice padded head lining the Caravelle's have, helps too. No need for additional heaters in my opinion.
[img]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016020 ... e52446.jpg[/img]

[DoubleOSeven]

Emma&Al. Your portapotti could go in the buddy box, which came up a few weeks ago on this forum, forum member, woodyyellow made it. Gas stove, these little £20 things are great. A couple of £1 Gas canisters will last a weekend.

[Emma&Al]

Thanks doubleoseven!

Interesting to hear that the Caravelles come with padded lining. My next question on the forum was going to be, how to take out the lining and replace with carpet?! But perhaps I won't do that now.
My Caravelle isn't in great condition inside..as in, whoever owned it before me (apparently it was ex BBC bus) was transmitting from it..so they took various parts away and added bits. It still has a microphone lead rigged up inside and a few odd aerials on the outside. So I'm not too worried about making random holes
The west bed is really comfortable. Good idea about the tool box for storage. Ill look up the porta potty box - thanks.
I already have a 2 burner hob and grill from CampingGaz but its old now - probably about 10 years old at least and it seems quite bulky considering you can get 2 burner hobs that are lighter and less hassle. Thanks for the pictures.