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Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:10
by tforturton
On the verge of purchasing a T25 after much searching, but the one I'm most impressed with is a tin-top. To be honest, I won't be doing a whole lot of camping - a few trips every now and then, so I thought about using a tintop, and having it as a daily driver the rest of the time. Is camping in a tintop feasible?
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:11
by 1664
Sharaz used to, Covkid and dirtygerty both do. There are others.
They all have bad necks

Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:13
by R0B
Ours is a tintop.We have a drive away awning as well.
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:46
by jim potter
I'm the same as Rob. Tinted and drive away awning .
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:47
by Ian Hulley
1664 wrote: They all have bad necks
*sniggers*
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 10:54
by tforturton
So, gents, what did you do to yours to make it more liveable? I'm assuming you swapped the rear seats for a multivan bed? Removable kitchen unit, or do you cook in the awning?
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 11:27
by andisnewsyncro
The previous owner had stuck a Westy interior in our Kombi. Perfectly useable as a camper and a daily driver.
There are some plans in the wiki or downloads section to make your own, but I would recommend getting a feel for the van 1st, then kitting it out to suit you. Have a look as many as you can and see what takes your fancy.

Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 11:40
by Wychall
Mine remains as manufactured, apart from having the centre row of seats mounted on Unwin tracking. This allows me to easily remove the row to give more internal space whilst on site, as well as giving seating in the drive away awning, which is the kitchen area. Luckily the rear seat is already rock and roll, again as standard.

Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 18:04
by jeffdub
mines a tintop with a 3/4 bed 2 units a worktop and smev sink and cooker took the fridge out and use a coolbox behind passenger seat, plenty of room as well i use mine as a daily driver
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 18:40
by ninja.turtle007
This works really well.

Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 19:20
by Big Bear
Mine's a panel van. Fully insulated and lined. Full width bed, slimline Ikea cupboard and buddy seat across the bulhead. Works great for two of us. Bed is bigger than my bed at home. Really cosy when it gets cold. Can put portable cooker on top of cupboard or cook outside. Use with an awning and loads of space.
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 20:02
by dirtygertie
1664 wrote:Sharaz used to, Covkid and dirtygerty both do. There are others.
They all have bad necks

I don't - I'm just a short ar*e!
my van has a home brew camping interior roughly based on a devon - we have both driver and passenger swivel seats and the cooker is situated so I can sit on the rear seat and cook. I have a sink but don't have running water, instead preferring to use a washing up bowl.
I'm often surprised at the amount of free floor space in our van due to having both swivel seats - we've regularly camped with 2 adults and a child (in cab bunk) but now the lad is 15 and 5'8" he either sleeps on a tent or kips on the front seat laid flat. we've slept 4 i the van o ce or twice but I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis! We manage to squeeze the dogs in too.
I Prefer to make sure everything is put away in cupboards before we go away, that way you don't spend your whole holiday playing van tetris moving stuff around so that you can move around. for longer trips we use a small trailer.
I love my tin top!
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 28 May 2012, 20:31
by fodtommo
Ian Hulley wrote:1664 wrote: They all have bad necks
*sniggers*
and smooth knees...
Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 29 May 2012, 14:51
by R0B
Full camper interior in ours.

Re: Anyone run a tin-top as a camper?
Posted: 29 May 2012, 14:59
by Ian Hulley
fodtommo wrote:Ian Hulley wrote:1664 wrote: They all have bad necks
*sniggers*
and smooth knees...
*chortles*