Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all.
I haven't been around for a couple of months due to work, but I am now home and ready to start some work in earnest (Well, the van is called Benson, not Ernest!).
Anyway... I have been looking at different interiors and have found on a website (http://www.camperinterior.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and have seen the type I want. It is called the Danbury Renegade and it looks awesome... The sink and cooker lift out of the buddy seats, for crying out loud!!

http://www.camperinterior.webfotos.co.u ... ry_16.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.camperinterior.webfotos.co.u ... ry_17.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.camperinterior.webfotos.co.u ... ry_14.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My point being, I have not been able to find any plans for, or a company that can build me this interior. So I am not happy!
If anyone has self built an interior and can give me some good pointers, I would be very appreciative. I need something to do in the garage during those long, dark winter nights!

Well all I can say is try and banish the chipboard. It weighs a ton and adds significantly to your fuel consumption. Most of the plans that exist all seem to revolve around MDF or chipboard. Make a frame as a base then clad it in a strong but lightweight material - ply or one of the more modern materials. I've actually stripped mine out now and nothing is going back in there that my 9-year-old couldn't carry on his own.

All you need do really is strengthen areas that can get kicked or you might lean on but for the most part cupboards do not need thick wood to function. I always felt chipboard and MDF is a rather lazy form of construction. Or, you could go the smart way and have a kind of modular setup where you remove parts that are not needed, say, in the winter months. As a temporary measure I'm using a lightweight ally foldaway stove table which I can clip in as needed. I can also put it outside if I want to cook outside. It may not be your preferred route but might fuel some ideas?

CovKid wrote:
Or, you could go the smart way and have a kind of modular setup where you remove parts that are not needed, say, in the winter months.

I have just finished stripping ours out, would you believe the floor was constructed using 1" thick mdf weighed a ton, with a big nasty oil stain in the middle. In fact all the cupboards, bed base and wall, roof linings were made from mdf. After removing the steel baulkhead I took it for a drive and it felt as light as a feather all be it a little noisy. I have been toying with making a modular kitchen pod, it would be nice in the summer to remove it and put it in the awning to give more space and banish the (I do like a good curry) cooking smells. I will be posting some pics as things develop, however I have been given a March deadline for this one and I do love a good bargain so dont wait up for me.

CovKid wrote:Or, you could go the smart way and have a kind of modular setup where you remove parts that are not needed, say, in the winter months.

This is what I'm trying to think of. If I'm going for a long weekend surfing on my own, I want a totally different set of furniture in there to a few days away with wife and daughter etc. Once I get further past the thought process I'll post up photos.

I am thinking that the whole modular thing is the way ahead.

Our main thought over the last summer was that the smell of food was a bit much whilst cooking inside. So we want a cooker that will go out into the awning anyway (the pragmatist in me says this will free up more storage space at the very least). The same thought process has gone into the fridge, when I bought the van there was no fridge in there so we acquired an igloo coolbox that will keep freezer blocks frozen for three days. This has always stayed in the awning too.

I have a feeling that my plan of action with the inside is going to be strip out, and plan an inside as I go...!!

I do have one idea of creating a couple of rear facing buddy seats, that have an integral module that comes forward between the seats as a cup holder/armrest/cubby hole affair....
I am going to draw up a plan and post it up at some point soon to see what the consensus is.

Check this out just spent the last year looking for one,like yourself was looking for some thing modular to you inside or out side the van,just got it today and well pleased ideal for me,also thats the color scheme sorted (that would be grey) lol 2 burner cooker,sink,fresh and waste water tanks and igloo cool box.

In my view its well worth taking the time to consider weight with interiors. Granted chipboard units can look tidy, but if you think about it, most of the time you'll be carrying dead weight for areas where such strength isn't actually needed. There are some really light materials around now and as noted, its amazing how much performance you can claw back simply by removing excesses. I always think sides of cupboards that aren't subject to knocks and dents could just as easily be made from hollow materials.

For some time now I've been driving around with an oven and whilst it does cook nicely, I can't justify that extra weight 365 days a year just for 30 minutes cooking a steak & kidney pie. I do have one of these now (thanks Geoff) which folds down to only the width of the right hand unit (or even flat) and its as light as a feather. On the move its a handy place to put plastic crates to store clothes etc and with a bit of thought you can use 15mm plumbers pipe clips to fasten it to the interior but with the option to put outside if weather is favourable. They weigh practically nothing and can be found for as little as £30 on ebay.:



A sink is a luxury to be honest - a washing up bowl is much more practical and has more uses. If you've ever done a lot of outdoor camping, you soon realise that you only really need a kettle, a frying pan and a small saucepan to cope with most scenarios and if you have endless cupboard space you just end up driving around with cupboards full of junk. Go light and it'll force you to stay tidy and remove stuff thats not being used all the time. The only 'essential' I carry is an airtight box with tea making stuff including a good brand of powdered milk. A fridge isn't essential either for that matter!

I did ten days in Wales this year with Hakuna Matata and I learnt a LOT from that trip. Much of what I had then is now in the bin. I'd rather have the room than be cramped in by chipboard. Skippy8V - love your solution - what else do you need really?

I love that autocube!

I guess one thing to consider when making changes is how your van is insured/registered. Getting a van registered as a camper means things like fixed sink, hob etc I believe - presumably removing them would effect this?

If your going to have an auto cube or something like that, doesn't that defeat the object of having a Camper van? Might as well by a transit and chuck a mattress in the back. Each to there own... I prefer nice fitted units, sink, cooker and fridge.

Aye, but we'll be there three days before you

Modular interiors do make the vehicle far more multipurpose though and a two ring burner is a two ring burner whether fitted flush inside a unit or on a stand. The main advantage is being able to take what you need. A weekend event is very different from say a three week jaunt around Europe but I could do either without carrying stuff that will slow me down on hills. As you say, each to their own.

The other way is to make a lightweight wooden frame then clad the front in ply, cut out the openings and screw on doors. A low profile (thin) worktop to complete then make adjustments for any changes you might need. There are just so many interior styles, its hard to point to anything in particular but as a first, jot down what you want, then build accordingly. What doesn't suit one person might suit another. Stock cupboards tend to run down one side but you can also run units across behind front seats and even have a lift-up section to enable you to walk through if needed. Plan - thats the thing.

slippy8v wrote:Check this out just spent the last year looking for one,like yourself was looking for some thing modular to you inside or out side the van,just got it today and well pleased ideal for me,also thats the color scheme sorted (that would be grey) lol 2 burner cooker,sink,fresh and waste water tanks and igloo cool box.

Can i ask where you find this on the internet? i looked up autocube but no joy. can you give me the link for this? my buddy is really interested in getting one. Cheers

RCN wrote:Can i ask where you find this on the internet? i looked up autocube but no joy. can you give me the link for this? my buddy is really interested in getting one. Cheers

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7685404

have been trying to find info myself saw it first on the thread on here,then just searched EBay for the last year put in campervan kitchen and this came up last week was worth the wait. There is a contact number on the side which i have tried it does ring and the number comes up for a UK firm doing aircraft interior trim 44(0)1883712112 http://www.oxtedtrimming.co.uk/contact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; hope this helps if you get any info put it up.

Just checked Ebay and heres its big brother whats the chances lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-JDM-MAZD ... 3a86694445" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well I had a bit of a play last night on google sketch up...
This is the basic idea of what I would like in the van (including a pop top)....

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More ideas to come!