Van - camper conversion - petrol stoves
 

Hi folks,

Not strictly 4WD, I know, but until we get a 2WD forum...!

I'm planning to buy a Citroen Dispatch van to convert into a small camper and will no doubt be back for more tips on camper conversions. I want to keep it as simple as possible - just a couch that folds down into a double bed and a small 'kitchen' unit which will just be a few cupboards with a double burner screwed to the top and a small fold out table. No fridge, no sink (just a plastic basin) etc.

I'm not conviced I need a second battery set up and am thinking about a Coleman patrol lantern for light:

http://www.basecampstockport.co.uk/prodlevel2.asp?productid=233

A coleman petrol double burner for cooking:

http://www.polimil.co.uk/acatalog/Coleman_Double_Burner_Stove__51_99.html

And one of these wind driven extractors for ventilation:

http://convertavanltd.co.uk/services/van-ventilation.php

The advantage being I can get unleaded petrol anywhere and they cost peanuts to run (I have a single burner Coleman 533 for bike travel, its great). I wonder if anyone has experience of this sort of set up and if they think this ventilation will be enough.

I'm a camper newby so entirely ignorant of what issues might arise.

Cheers,

Matt :)

My last van was a transit. I kept it simple only had the one battery, but had a gas two burner hob and grill clamped to a worktop. Also has a gas chest type fridge, the bed was the seat as you say. It worked great I went on loads of small trips with it

Graeme

Many years ago I built a few cruising boats. I would not have petrol on/in them as it represented too many risks.
My advice would be to have gas powered cooker and lantern for inside use, rather than petrol or kerosine. By all means take a petrol stove, but carry it empty and use it outside the van.
Store the fuel for it outside the van.

I admit sea going boats are not the same as a campervan, but they are reasonably closely related.

It sounds a little bit ambitious for a van of that size to fit so much in. Bearing in mind you've only just got enough length for a bed. I've got an Expert, which I live in while I work away quite often. So far I've put a single bed in and insulated it.

Because it's pretty low volume, it does get a bit damp inside just with sleeping in it, so I wouldn't recommend cooking inside. Mind you it's been pretty rainy over the past week, which hasn't helped.

I would recommend getting wind deflectors for the windows. You can then wind them down an inch for ventilation without the rain coming in.

Thanks for the answers guys, much to think about!

One of the reasons I had decided not to go with a second battery was the hassle of wiring it in (electrics are not my thing) however, my dad has offered to help with wiring it in, and he's very good at that sort of thing, so I think I'm going to go with that.

It's also a good point about cooking inside the van, especially as the van will be quite small. However, I was going to mount the cooker right next to the side door and cook with the door open.

Why is a gas cooker less dangerous than a petrol stove? More CO2 or more risk of explosion?

I realise that the dispatch is quite small, but I think I can squeeze in a double bed and a small kitchen unit. The computer fan is a great idea, as is the windsheilds for the windows.

Any other tips for reducing condensation? I'm not having carpets because of the possibility of damp, but the bed cushions will, of course, need to be 'soft furnishings'.

Matt :)

We use the coleman double burners a lot and they are OK but definitely an outdoor stove. You inevitably get flareups and they can be messy.

Messy ,smelly and very toxic fumes .:nuke:
Cook outside or use a propane stove [ much prefered].

Hmm. Shame, I really fancied the idea of running on unleaded, but part of the great thing about having a van (as I see it) will be cooking dinner in relative comfort in bad weather. I think I'll accept this advice and start looking at gas stoves.

What is the story regarding taking gas cylinders on car ferries? I'd probably get one of those stoves that run off the big refillable gas cylinders (assume they are more economic?)

Are there any other options I might have missed?

Matt :)

Liquid fuel powered stoves sometimes flare up if they stop burning properly, and can squirt burning fuel about. In a confined space it can be unpleasant to be attacked by a wilful flame thrower. Also in the event of a leak, you will have liquid fuel to contend with. With gas, just leave the doors open and wait until the gas has vented itself. Fuel takes longer. Gas burns cleaner and with less smell. Using a large cannister (say 10-15 kilos) is cheaper than petrol (usually).
Re ventialtion, what about a wind powered extractor fan as used by mobile butchers of old....

Camper
 

Hi Matt,
Never converted a van to camper but have owned/still own van derived camper vans.
Please don't use a petrol stove or lantern in the van, *Shudders!*
Great outdoors, but no so good if inclement weather.
I have a gas twin hob with grill in my van, can cook inside happily in gale force winds and heavy rain.
Plus gas/electric powered fridge to keep the beer cold. Oh yes, and milk!
Note: the gas bottle should be ventilated from below in case of leaks. I think (please help) gas is heavier than air?
Cheaper than fish, chips and mushy peas to refill (£10) and seems to last for ever.
Ventilation is paramount, to breathe and stop condensation. Try to make it thru-air, as in the air can flow through the van. Drop the front windows a touch (great idea of reflectors) and mount the extractor towards the rear of the vehicle.
The camper van craze has exploded and stuff is readily available and reasonably cheap, or if tight like me, go to a scrappy and strip an old caravan. You can get stove/fridge/regulators and if lucky a Zig unit to split charge a leisure battery. I use a cigarette lighter socket inverter (£10?) to get 240v for the laptop or tv if you like.
Pete

More excellent info. thanks. Definately decided against the petrol lighting/stove thing now and am going to go with secondary battery lighting and possibly (if I can fit it in) an electric cool-box. Will cook on a gas stove.

Looking at the size of the van I'm planning to buy I've canned the idea of having a 'kitchen' unit. Instead I'm going to have an extendable two seater sofa and a couple of storage boxes that will make the foot section of the bed when in sleeping 'mode'. When in 'relaxing mode' I'll use one of the boxes as a coffe table/cooking platform.

Having all the necessary home comforts without filling all the available space with stuff and making the result overly cramped is going to be quite a challenge!

Matt :)

Simple split charge cheat!
 

A very simple second battery system for running a light, laptop, stereo etc when parked is to get a combination starter battery & air compressor unit like the ones which Maplin sell.

The battery would just about start a petrol engine (no chance for a diesel...) but that's not what you'll be using it for - instead, just use it for a 12 volt output in the back - if you run it flat it doesn't affect the main battery, and you should be able to use a ciggy light charger cable (supplied with) plugged into the dashboard socket to charge it - most modern vehicles disconnect the cigarette socket when the ignition is off so you already have a split charge supply - leave it plugged in & it just automatically charges when you are driving.

Plug your cheapie inverter into the built in ciggie socket on the unit (I think Maplin call then a 3 in 1 charger or something similar - shop around, sometimes they are very cheap - I paid 20 pounds GB for one) and you have a way of topping up your iPod, laptop or whatever.

The air compressor isn't very much use, but if you just want to top up a tyre occasionally it'll do that fine, and it even has a torch built it, and comes in groovy custard yellow to suit your 60s themed interior! (hmmm....)

If you are feeling really flush then for heating look around for an Eberspacher / Webasto heater - the air type are best. About 300 quid on e-bay or if you can find a breaker's yard which still lets you craw over the vehicles look for ex utilities vans - Electric Co. Telecom etc - they sometiimes have both cab heaters and also 12 volt water heaters still fitted in the back - well worth an afternoon of hunting (and you might find some other great stuff to put in the back of a van)

Tony

Have a look on here SBMCC Self Build Motor Caravanners Club you might have to join, but you will get all the answers you need. :thumbup1:



Trophymick

Another great place to look for some ideas is here:

Camper Van Conversions, tips, guides and information | Campervan Life

some amazing looking self builds, but also plenty ideas for quick / low budget fit outs.

P

ON A MISSION FROM DOG
ON A MISSION FROM DOG
ON A MISSION FROM DOG

Most of this is outdated now, and sorry the pics arent all in one location (I'll have to do something about this...), but I still have the double bed (fitted crossways as opposed to lengthways which makes it a tad shorter but takes up way less room) and the 'pee hose' which is invaluable in crappy weather and at night.

Propane is great, but you can't always buy the cannisters in all countries which match the connection thingy. I've got three different ones, plus a great little alcohol burning stove for Peru and Bolivia where they drink the 98% potion. A bit dangerous in the van (for cooking and drinking) as flare-ups occur, but no disasters yet.

An extra battery is easy to hook up and essential. I use candles for lighting mostly, as I prefer it over the electrical, and takes the edge of really cold nights.

Lorraine