Quick bit of history first before I get into my Plans for my Vauxhall Vivaro to be converted into a camper. Around 4 years ago I converted a Peugeot partner car into a micro camper, but unfortunately earlier this year it developers a problem with the gear box, and at the time couldn’t source one cheap enough and also to do with family commitments I wanted a bigger vehicle any way, so I brought a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro crew cab this is the one with the additional 3 seats in the back, so could use to get around my daughter and grandson, and then a few months later could start the conversion.
Read on to find out my layout plans, I have separated out into sections, though if you wish can watch my YouTube video below, and if you find it useful give the video a like and if you want to see how I get on subscribe to channel for updates. As you may be reading this and I have fully converted it.
Flooring & Insulation
There was an existing flooring in the back part of the van when I had it, though this didn’t go all the way to the front due to the rear seats as being the crew cab version of the Vauxhall Vivaro. So this has to come out, underneath that floor was battens in the groves or the corrugated floor. I will be using these o secure the new floor which will be made up of clip together laminate flooring that my brother gave to me. But between that I will be putting the foam insulation that has the silver foil attached.
Now this may be a bit controversial, but I will be putting carpet on top of the laminate flooring. Now yes this may get dirtier, but like in my old camper I like when getting out of bed or just sitting it is nice soft carpet under foot.
On the subject of insulation I’m not sure the exact way the whole van is going to insulated the initial idea is to cover the inside of the van with the silver foil bubble wrap insulation, in the gaps this maybe loft insulation foam or something like that, as in the end all of this will be covered with the 4 way stretch carpet.
Bed Layout
For the bed I needed a few requirements the main one is that when in seating mode has seat belts and is securely fixed so can carry an addition 2 passengers. In my old camper the bed / seats were custom-madee out of wood this isn’t suitable for this build, so the best option is a rock and roll bed, now these can be expensive, but I found one on Facebook marketplace for £100, this was with seat belts mounted to the metal frame and also the wood base. Which I thought was a good deal, though was around 1.5hrs drive to pick it up by Matlock in Derbyshire, at this time I had installed the flooring in the van so though would make a nice trip out to test it out so grabbed an old memory foam mattress and packed a few things and spent the night around that area I made a video about this trip, watch below.
So Now I have the bed but would like to modify it making it wider , replacing the solid boards with bed slats, and the main thing is having it Unwin rails, these are the rails you see in minibuses so can rearrange or remove seats. The reason for adding the bed on these type of rails with quick release brackets is that when in seating position can have the seat about 2 to 3ft further down the van so basically gives a boot area, as this for me is important as for my job I clean out fishponds and because the vehicle is now my only car I want to be able to put all my work things in , but sill have rear seats and the option to use as a camper, as quick history I have several spinal problems and sometimes after doing a pond clean I’m unable to drive back, so having it like this can leave my equipment at the job and stop locally.
For the mattress I have two old memory foam mattresses from my daughter old IKEA daybed, so these will be cut up and mounted on hardboard, with then the mattress covers over that, then for the main covering I got some 90 x 90 good quality black curtains from a car boot which cost only £5 this will be then cut and stapled to the boarding. Which the bed is made up of 3 sections.
Also I want some way for when it is in seating position a way to have a way to be able for me to lie down without getting the bed out fully. This is needed as due to my spinal problem if I go for a walk etc I need to rest for a bit before I can even drive back, as this camper conversion isn’t just for weekends away it can be just even for days out, and then if I Can’t drive back after a day out have the option of staying over in the van.
Cupboard Units
I have few ideas for the cupboards his may be made from scratch or I have an idea of using an old side board or wall unit that I can modify to fit as these are basically given away on Facebook marketplace etc and as the idea of this is to do as cheap as possible why not use something that is going to thrown away. As saves having to buy the wood.
Shape wise as the not fully sure, but the main idea is to have the unit on the one side of the van with worktop under the window and at the back built up into a mini wardrobe type unit. The main thing for the design is I need to have it fit the portable chemical toilet I have. But until I have the bed fixed into place I’m not sure of size etc, so basically once that is doe I will make it up as I go along.
Windows & Curtains
As this is the crew cab there are two large side windows, which does let a lot of light into the van, I still would like to add another window on the passenger side in the back panel. I may also add windows in the rear doors though this depends on the way the seats go in. For additional light I will add at least one 30cm sky light maybe two. These will be the ones with fans in so will allow ventilation.
For the curtains I brought off a car boot some nice 90 x 90 lined curtains in a cream colour these will be cut down for the side windows and between the cab and the rear. To hold them up the rear ones I will use the flexible net curtain wire. For the front this will be some sort of pole.
Electrics
In my Peugeot partner camper I have a 110ah leisure battery, with solar charger and power for USB devices. I will transfer this across to this camper for the time being. I have a fair few of the cigarette lighter USB chargers , I will be putting these both sides of the seat / bed. As all the devices I need power for is USB devices phones, camera chargers, Tablet etc.
Misc
Like with any DIY camper build I will probably change my mind on some of the things and there are going to things I have missed, but stay tuned for the updates as the build goes on. The best way to keep updated on this journey is to subscribe to My YouTube channels the videos will come out on there first, hen will do a blog the post to accompany video, Tap or click HERE to goto my YouTube channel or search @kevinsimon or ksblog_videos
