General Camping

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General Camping

Andoo

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
318
Points
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Location
Highlands
Hi chaps & female equivalent of chaps :)

I tried a few different things, including a folding metal bed, but the weight was bugging me. It was about the same weight as the seat I removed....

The kitchen was small and perfectly formed, yet it too is coming out.

I was rooting around the lock up and found my unused camp bed. It's an aluminium folding affair from Aldi and is perfect. So I went to Go Outdoors and bought another as they actually fit side by side and full length, by sliding front seats fully forward, so are ideal.

The plan is to re-install the wide back seat, as when they are folded, the beds will sit above them and even with the mattress cushions, there is plenty head room.

The removable kitchen is to be replaced with a folding shelf on the back door or perhaps the passenger side rear window....I'll have to suck it and see.

I did initially want to make it a camper full time or even part time, allowing a couple of hours to swap things back. But that was too much hassle.

I am delighted the folding beds are so large and comfy, yet small enough to fold away within minutes and take up less room than a folding tent!

This is a link to the bed which is currently on offer, but Aldi were punting them at 12 quid or thereabout. I am pretty sure it is made in the same factory as the more expensive, yet identical Hi gear stuff.....

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/go-outdoors-aluminium-camp-bed-p286579

As soon as it stops raining, I will fit everything and take some photo's.

Who else has a camper?

Who would rather do my idea than spend a couple of grand converting.

Photo's please :)
 
Hi I am interested in doing a simple conversion, just bought an 80cm width slotted bed frame from Ikea for that purpose but interested to other folks make ready approaches, definitely want to be able to demount and convert back so keen to hear more. Paul
 
Not been camping for a goodly while now - but I have a large pop-up gazebo with side panels - so, pull up, jump out, gazebo up and over the car in moments - especially handy if it starts raining! - side panels on & staked down.
Rope the gazebo to the car for extra safety.
Then a simple pop-up tent & air bed.
Everything folds up really neatly.
And a small portable gas BBQ for cooking.
Easy to chuck everything in the back at a moment's notice, quick to put up, quick to pack away.
Best of all, it will all go in any car.
 
Anyone been through Europe?

I fancy driving to Lithuania at the end of July. It's a fair hike, 1811.4 miles give or take (detours, getting lost, stopping off....), but I want to do it in the Doblo :p

I can stop over in UK, but unsure of where is best (safe) to stop in France/Germany or Poland.

I have Polish mates, so can get an idea from them. But the worry is France & Germany. Where are the toll roads, where are the speed traps, etc.

Any advice?
 
Anyone been through Europe?

I fancy driving to Lithuania at the end of July. It's a fair hike, 1811.4 miles give or take (detours, getting lost, stopping off....), but I want to do it in the Doblo :p

I can stop over in UK, but unsure of where is best (safe) to stop in France/Germany or Poland.

I have Polish mates, so can get an idea from them. But the worry is France & Germany. Where are the toll roads, where are the speed traps, etc.

Any advice?

Compared to driving in the UK driving in France is a positive pleasure. The Autoroutes are superb despite in the main being only two rather than three lanes. The traffic density doesn't justify anything wider except in urban areas.

The toll roads are primarily the autoroutes, though not all autoroutes are toll roads, look for Peage which indicates an autoroute charges a toll. If not in a rush and to travel toll free stick to the N and other non autoroute roads.

Speed cameras can be just about anywhere and IIRC they are in the process of removing any form of warning signage warning drivers they are approaching one. It is also illegal in France to drive with speed camera warnings on your sat nav set to active. You have to disable them, though I seem to recall a loophole exists around referring to safety zones, I however just disable them on my Garmin.

Some useful info. about driving in France on this link,

http://about-france.com/travel.htm

Can't help you much on the other countries, I am sure some others on here will be able to.
 
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