Technical Progress on my doblo camper conversion

[crinklebender]

Iv'e updated my blog, for those of you interested in doblo camper conversions.

As you can see its coming together. Still Needs a lot of tidying up. The whole setup unbolts and comes out in about 30 minutes.

Hasnt made any big dent to fuel consumption, due to plywood construction with small water and gas tanks. Plus the seats going out removed weight.

 

[Niall_G]

Very creative - Perhaps Mrs_G's cargo could have a second life as a camper after it is retired from courier work.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I like it. Is it just a one off?

How hard is it to do?

Jon.

 

[crinklebender]

How hard is it to do?

The biggest headache, was having no garage and having to constantly find quiet spots to build it outside in scottish weather. The electrical system was difficult, because unless you are a trained electrician, you have to understand whats actually happening with electricity, to understand what can go wrong, and how to control it.

Apart from the ongoing process of trying fitting everything in. The major headaches are about how to build a little living system thats safe. I bought "build you own motorhome" which helps with all that kind of stuff.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

How hard is it to do?

The biggest headache, was having no garage and having to constantly find quiet spots to build it outside in scottish weather. The electrical system was difficult, because unless you are a trained electrician, you have to understand whats actually happening with electricity, to understand what can go wrong, and how to control it.

Apart from the ongoing process of trying fitting everything in. The major headaches are about how to build a little living system thats safe. I bought "build you own motorhome" which helps with all that kind of stuff.

Cool. So how many does it sleep?

 

[crinklebender]

2 slim smallish people, who arent going to take much width when bending (legs and arms) at night.

Also its too cramped unless there is one at either end of the bed. Just makes it as a two person camper and no more.

 

[trog]

Well done on a nice conversion. I have just bought a Doblo intending to do the same but you have saved me a lot of headaches cheers.

I am based in Spain and will need to strip it back to original lay out when going for inequivalent of our MOT so a couple of questions if I may.

1. How easy is it to remove everything in order to put the original rear seat back in?

2. How does that rear seat of yours convert to a bed? Presumably there is an extension piece somewhere.

3. Did you consider insulation?

4. Could you update your blog re how you installed the electrics as I am a complete dunderhead with the electric black arts.

Muchos gracios

Trog

 

[fido]

I've thought about doing something similar but using a Hightop Doblo with the bed high up, possibly on a cantilever arrangement so it can be raised hard against the roof in the day and lowered to rest on the top of the front seat headrests for sleeping. Being 6 ft tall, the load compartment behind the front seats would be too short for me to sleep in comfort.

 

[TwyRob]

I've thought about doing something similar but using a Hightop Doblo with the bed high up, possibly on a cantilever arrangement so it can be raised hard against the roof in the day and lowered to rest on the top of the front seat headrests for sleeping. Being 6 ft tall, the load compartment behind the front seats would be too short for me to sleep in comfort.

Sounds good as long as the bed doesn't rest onto the seat so that there is weight on it. I'm sure you thought of that though!

 

[fido]

Yes, the structural implications of mounting a bed high up would have to be considered and it might be possible for the rear section of the bed to be partially supported by cupboards but at the front the bed base would probably have to be supported by bolts into the door pillars.

 

[Lynt]

Impressive.

I love camping and had a vw camper, but no longer want a large van to struggle with. This is my ideal alternative.
I wonder if I can find someone to convert my Doblo for me. I'm not practical enough to do it myself.

Keep us posted and I want to see pics of you actually camping in it.



Lyn

 

[jem.taylor]

Rear seat for three children in child seats

If anyone is converting an MPV to a camper van they might have a spare rear seat

But seriously, I need a rear seat with three-point harness on the centre belt. My youngest is getting too big for his 'baby' seatscrap which attaches using the lap-belt and I need to change the bench seat for one with the third full seat belt.

I've carefully checked newer cars (mine is an '02) and the newer ones with three-point seatbelt have the same fixing to the car, only the seat is different.

My scrap merchant has no Doblos and the dealer quotes over £300 for a new replacement seat. Any ideas anyone?

 

[Niall_G]

Re: Rear seat for three children in child seats

Any ideas anyone?

 

[Lynt]

Re: Rear seat for three children in child seats

Better make sure my ('guard')doggies stay awake.
Lyn

 

[crinklebender]

Well done on a nice conversion. I have just bought a Doblo intending to do the same but you have saved me a lot of headaches cheers.

I am based in Spain and will need to strip it back to original lay out when going for inequivalent of our MOT so a couple of questions if I may.

1. How easy is it to remove everything in order to put the original rear seat back in?

2. How does that rear seat of yours convert to a bed? Presumably there is an extension piece somewhere.

3. Did you consider insulation?

4. Could you update your blog re how you installed the electrics as I am a complete dunderhead with the electric black arts.

Muchos gracios

Trog

Just back from france in doblo...everything was boringly ok..with the conversion, although it could do with some ventilation for sleeping in warm weather.

Have Replied to your questions on blog as saw them there first.

 

[crinklebender]

Yes, the structural implications of mounting a bed high up would have to be considered and it might be possible for the rear section of the bed to be partially supported by cupboards but at the front the bed base would probably have to be supported by bolts into the door pillars.

The bolts for the middle seatbelts are quite strong, and don't seem to unravel under stress.