Club 80-90 Forums

Cupboard

I have a homebrew campervan. It used to be a DiamondRV high top with a shower cubical (!?!), but all the internal furnishings were all swollen and peeling chipboard crap, so I ripped it all out, cooker, fridge, sink, water tanks, and all - none of which have made it back in as I wanted a much simpler arrangement.

I currently just have a full width rock and roll bed, and a large box that sits longways behind the driver's seat, with a top lid, that slides underneath a low table, that contains all crockery, cutlery, washing up bowl, and single burner stove, and emergency meal/s. A small cool box is used to carry perishables when we go away for the weekend. Basic it is.

This was only ever a temporary arrangement. I now want to build a proper 2 bay cupboard to replace the box and low table. But I prefer the simpler 50s/60s style rather than the modern sophisticated setups. It should encompass the following:

It should be removable from the van but still be fully functional both in and out.
It be able to be fixed to the side of the van when mobile and usable in that position.
It will contain the gas bottle and proper floor ventilation should be considered in case of leaks.
The cooker will be on top - two burners, possibly a grill. Not too wide.
It will contain only a plastic jerry can for water and a tap for filling the kettle - probably hand pumped rather than electric.
A sink would be nice but not critical - probably still use plastic bowl although shape will be critical as it will be next to cooker.
A small draw for cutlery and at least two shelves for plates, bowls, cups, a kettle, a mixing bowl and a couple of saucepans.
There will be a hinged worktop on top to be lifted to access the cooker/sink - although this might be split to access one or the other.
There will be drop down draw fronts to access cooker/grill front and sink area.
The cupboard might have to be asymetrical as the space for the cooker will be bigger than that give to the sink/bowl area - possibly.

I am hoping to build this using a frame clad with thin ply with a painted/varnish finish using 1"by 1" for the wood frame and 3 or 4 mm face plywood.
Although I might use something thicker for the top and possibly the base. Fittings like hinges and handles will be simple, external and on show.

This will be done on the cheap using stuff easily obtainable from the local caravan store and B&Q and the like.

Any comment?

Has anyone made anything similar that wants to show everyone.

Cheers

This is exactly what I have been planning. I've been waiting for my caravelle folding bed to be properly fitted before I proceed, to ensure the length is correct, now I'm more or less ready to go, so have been looking for some inspiration. In my opinion, you have three choices - 1- you build it all yourself, 2- get someone else to do the whole thing, or 3 - buy a carcass and fit the innards yourself.
I've decided on the latter. If you go on the dreaded ebay at the moment, there's someone selling cupboards exactly as you describe (it has a slight overhang over the bed, but that's okay), complete but for the cooker/sink/fittings. Look under "VW baywindow T2 kitchen cabinet ". They also sell them with everything in, but they're a bit costly.
You can pick up the cooker/sink/works on ebay, if you know what you're looking for. Search under "smev" for a variety of sinks and cookers (cookers with grills don't come along too often, though), and then fit it out yourself.
I look under all sorts of headings .....t25 kitchen, camper kitchen, t25 interior, t25 units, camper units, camper interior.....because you often see second hand items turning up, but even the new ones can give you good ideas.
This item (above) is made by professionals, and looks the biz. Whether you want to pay their prices, or take a chance and build one yourself, is down to you, but they do look good.

Just re-read your post and see that you wish to build it yourself. Okay, you can still copy the design. An idea had was to use the removable lid as the table top. You fit a rail to the side of the cabinet, and have a single leg at the other end. Also, have a look on here...
http://www.campervanlife.com/building/layouts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
....for more good ideas. You have to scroll down to get to the bargain basement set-ups, but it's a good site for a read anyhow.

Thanks for the response.

I am coming to the conclusion that I am going to need to include a bit more thicker ply panels than I originally thought. But I do not want any fibre/chip board in the van.

Cheers

Don't use MDF either - it soaks up water. Have a look at a thread on this page called "What to make an interior from?". Some good leads in there.

Yes, what I said. MDF = Medium Density Fibre....Or summat like that : )