Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

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PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Really appreciate the compliment.
Would love to see what you do with your van.
Elenciu
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by Elenciu »

I like your conversion so much.
Hope that I can improve mine with idea from the forum.

How many time did you spend in camping mode ?
Teccyjim
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by Teccyjim »

PJD wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2024 7:19 am Image

Image

Couple more details of how the cabinets lock into the floor.

These are over centre catches with a J bolt.
Never seen this method done before - in awe of the simplicity! Great build too - any more bits to come?
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Thanks for the compliment.
Used it a few times now as a camper. That will increase when I have built the bed and the better weather arrives.
Maxiboi
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by Maxiboi »

Lovely build!

What bed are you planning to add?

Also have you considered a diesel heater?
Caddy maxi 2014
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Maxiboi wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 11:57 pm Lovely build!

What bed are you planning to add?

Also have you considered a diesel heater?
Putting the typical sliding bed on the driver's side. Plan at the moment is to put a pull out draw for storage and gas cooker in the back of the bed. So it opens where the barn doors are. Storage for a portable toilet and space for the fridge.
Like the kitchen I want it easily removable.

Diesel heaters are brilliant and I might fit one. The only thing is for something that could be potentially lethal. I would not want to use a cheap Chinese one and I'm not ready to pay top money yet. In the short term I will try a 12v electric blanket for the colder nights.
Maxiboi
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by Maxiboi »

Good stuff I look forward to your updates!

I have been doing some digging on diesel heaters and it appears that the Chinese ones are essentially the same internally, I’m yet to hear anyone saying they are dangerous but I guess there is some risk there… DTE tv on YouTube covers them a fair bit for t5s but he hasn’t put any in a caddy yet. I’ve seen them placed behind the front seats but I’m looking to see if there are any other locations as I have got rear seats in mine…

I agree though heated blankets are a winner and probably enough for most of the year!
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PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

The Chinese diesel heaters are probably exactly the same as the branded ones. The key components aren't particularly complicated or expensive to manufacture.

Though a company without a brand image, producing these things to make max profit. Is it really as safe as branded ones?

Just leaves that nagging doubt.
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Image

Image

Image

Start of the bed build.
Credit goes to Dan The Man DTM321 on YouTube for posting how to make these sliding bed frames. Once I had decided on the dimensions for my build I drew it up on CAD to check it was right and it all went together perfectly first time

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W1OSJxh9TJU#bottom-sheet
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Image

This looks mostly complete but is really the start of the build, though the bed frames are made I need to fix them to the van and find a way to support them.
Last edited by PJD on Sun Feb 02, 2025 7:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Image

A big part of this build has been about making it modular and being able to remove the furniture easily. The main beam that supports the bed frame is made from one length of 44 x 44mm and 18 x 69mm timber screwed together and fitted above the wheel arch. 44mm corresponds to the height of the sliding bed frames I have previously posted about.

The bolt goes through the part of the van where the jack is normally located. This is a void which I had previously filled with wood before carpeting. What I have done is put a thicker piece of wood behind with a rivnut fixed to a metal washer for the bolt to go into. The bolt will be replaced by a M8 thumb bolt that's on order.
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Image

The build is a puzzle yet to be worked out. Here is the second attempt at locating the side panels using the same method that I used for the kitchen units to attach to the floor.

The bed frame will have a space for a fridge, portable toilet and a pull out kitchen for cooking outside plus storage.

The whole build should give me the option to cook inside or at least boil a kettle on an induction hob and cook outside using gas when the weather permits. I also want to make space inside to transport a couple of bikes and of course I want the furniture easily removable for those odd occasions when more space is needed to transport things.
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

Image

Image

A good view of what the bed frame will look like once it's all in place, less the mattress that I'm yet to source. Again there are choices to be made here about how I split the cushions.
stu_b
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by stu_b »

Coming together and looking good
I think like Dan The Man video you referenced (right at the end @ 22.22m mark) , u would need to put a face on the front of the bed frame bc u couldn't add much strength to the opposite cabinets to receive the slats
ie could put a receiving strip of wood along including on the opposite door but that would totally stress the hinges on the door n not give u much surface to affix ... Plus it'd take away from your quality build
So a strong positive face would be good, u could make cut outs in the face for doors / cupboard / drawers etc
This would be the strongest solution I reckon
PJD
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Re: Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

Post by PJD »

stu_b wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2025 11:15 pm Coming together and looking good
I think like Dan The Man video you referenced (right at the end @ 22.22m mark) , u would need to put a face on the front of the bed frame bc u couldn't add much strength to the opposite cabinets to receive the slats
ie could put a receiving strip of wood along including on the opposite door but that would totally stress the hinges on the door n not give u much surface to affix ... Plus it'd take away from your quality build
So a strong positive face would be good, u could make cut outs in the face for doors / cupboard / drawers etc
This would be the strongest solution I reckon
Totally agree, though the rails feel really strong they are only as strong as the screws that hold them in. The only option to support the bed frame is to add a panel to the end. As you said using supports on the kitchen is too much of a compromise. Appreciate the feedback.

What's been really interesting about this build is using the lashing points on the floor to secure the furniture. It has created a bit more working out and I was not sure how effective it would be when I started, but it turns out the furniture is rock solid and quick and easy to dismantle.
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