Pre birth of a camper - No laughing!

[ianc]

It's a three door. One rear door on passenger side

[grizzlyj]

Good luck!

I found this one already converted on mobile.de, with an excess of checkerplate, but its a bit pricey perhaps! (No connection)

Can you change the rear duellies for singles, and what tyre sizes would fit?

[ianc]

Grizzly
See http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...-vario-814-4X4
For single wheel conversion

[ianc]

Here's where I am in terms of planning the layout. These are a long way from finished, but I'm getting more comfortable with them. Comments welcomed.

I also just did a quick budget calculation and I think I'll have to put the kids up on DoneDeal.ie. Red heads fetch I premium I hear!


EDIT: Pictures updated with shortened overhang
plan.jpg
RHS interior.jpg
LHS image.jpg
RHS image.jpg
LHS interior.jpg

Layout assumes
- Wheelbase stays at 3700mm
- EDIT: No chassis extension :
- Crew Cab is "decrewed"

[dwh]

I don't see a measurement for total rear overhang (rear wheel to back of box). In some countries, I believe, the rear overhang cannot be more than 60% (?) of the wheelbase.


EDIT: Also, no total height.

[ianc]

Diamensions added to drawing above
- Total height is 3350mm not counting hatches. Intention is to stay under 3400mm total
- Total overhang is to end of box is 2500mm against wheelbase of 3700mm. 60% = 2220mm.

I read in the Mercedes bodybuilder document that the chassis extension limit was 60% but misintrepreted this to mean just the chassis. Back to drawing board. Hmmm.

EDIT: Drawings now updated in post above with 60% max overhang - Thanks DWH. The wonders of Visio!.

Some other questions
1) I'm intending to fit a US RV type toilet with a tank and 3 inch drop pipe instead of a cassette toilet
- Any suggestions on where to source these in Europe and
- Do people have experience of actually using them (emptying them) across Europe?
2) Steps down from door – Any suggestions?
3) Water and heating system – I want to run from Diesel and electric, but the units like the Truma Combi 6D are ~€2,400. Any other suggestions?
4) I was also looking at the Saphir vario Aircon unit. Anyone with experience of this and do you think it has enough capacity for the van? http://www.truma.com/int/en/air-cond...phir-vario.php

[Colonial Cousin]

Having had a Mercedes 509 converted from a box goods vehicle, by removing the container, and then a purpose built horsebox, with living accommodation built onto the back, I would make sure that the complete clutch system was changed before venturing anywhere. That is speaking with the benefit of hindsight.

Best of liuck with the construction, and enjoy getting out an about.

Best wishes,

Richard.

[grizzlyj]

Hiya

www.caktanks.co.uk in the UK are a good source of a wide variety of plumbing and storage, and any marine chandlers will have loos. You could look at http://www.motorhomefacts.com/forums.html to get an idea of the proportion of campers in Europe using a cassette vs a black tank. You certainly can't use every facility with a black tank, as all are made for cassettes in the first place, some designs may allow for black tanks too perhaps by mistake rather than intention. A macerator is one way round that, as gravity, distance and maybe the recepticle being inside a building will be against your 3" pipe only.

[Nigel Evans]

I have a factory fit 4x4 814D panel van that I am in the process of converting. I’ve seen pictures on German sites and YouTube of vans fitted with 285/70R19.5 tyres all round. This seems an ideal setup but for the life of me I can’t find a supplier of 19.5 inch (presumably off-set) 6 stud rims.

[DreamingOfExpeditions]

Having chopped a few tops in my life (the last being a 35 ford 3 window coop) that would be super easy to shorten. It's all straight. Tack in two stabilizing frames, and cut. Then re-stitch. Cut behind the front b-pillar and in front of the back cab panel. Good prep, and it should be no problem. I'd leave a foot, and put a false panel in the old window frame. In cab storage is never enough.