Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

[PJD]

Wooden beam cut to separate the two bed sections, and first section built up fully.



Shown in van as a single unit. This part of the bed holds the fridge and portable toilet. If I am using the van to take a bike this set-up gives me a bench and a bit more room to move about.



This shows the cut in the beam.



Beam in place. The beam is made from a 44mm sq and 18mm x 69mm pieces of pine. I cut those staggered so that the beam is held down and in place. With the other section fitted it's held firmly in place.

A few more tweeks and the whole bed will be firmly fixed to the van and removable without use of any tools.

[stu_b]

Looking really really good
You must have some nice tools to work with to create such high quality

Btw, how have u fixed things like this to the van itself ?

[PJD]

Looking really really good
You must have some nice tools to work with to create such high quality

Btw, how have u fixed things like this to the van itself ?

The grey studs are the standard VW ones that hold the removable panels, all I have done is carpeted them.

The black thing is Just one of those standard vehicle usb sockets.

The beam of wood is held on in the way I described previously with a rivnut fixed to a large washer, but this time fixed onto a piece of wood that sits behind the square opening, where the jack normally is located. The small black screws hold it in place with a piece of wood In front.

As for the tools. Nothing exceptional. I have some of the Bosch 12v professional tools that make detail work easier. The key one is a little 65mm blade circular saw that allows for table saw type accuracy and a trim router. Other than that drills, jigsaws and cutting things twice.

[PJD]

Painting the toilet and fridge units

[PJD]

[PJD]

Divider sections



Divders



Taken out to fit on top so that a gas cooker can used on the pull out draw.

[stu_b]

This is looking really good
You've done a great job

[PJD]

Getting close to concluding this build. I have the end of the bed frame and mattress to make, interior lights and panels for the sides. Already I can see things I want to change or do again.

This isn't the normal or most popular type of build on this forum, most members are more interested in actual vehicle mods, which makes sense but I hope that posting this provides some inspiration because I think the Caddy makes into a pretty good camper.

[PJD]

This is looking really good
You've done a great job

Cheers Stu.
Really appreciate you keeping up with the progress with the encouraging comments.

[stu_b]

I for one are super impressed with your design, ability, concept and craftsmanship to name a few
Raising my glass

[PJD]

I for one are super impressed with your design, ability, concept and craftsmanship to name a few
Raising my glass

Drink to that

[Mattfirth]

Just got our first caddy after having bigger vans. Your build shows what’s achievable with a relatively small space. I was getting a bit downhearted that I’d made a mistake with this van but you’ve put me back on track with this thread. Cheers.

[PJD]

Just got our first caddy after having bigger vans. Your build shows what’s achievable with a relatively small space. I was getting a bit downhearted that I’d made a mistake with this van but you’ve put me back on track with this thread. Cheers.

There are certainly bigger vans, even with the small van market like the Berlingo/Partner, that have squarer sides that makes them better suited in some way for a camper. But the Caddy is the best made and best looking of the truly "daily" drivable vans. Plus loads of them about and therefore lots of parts, ideas and support for whatever you want to do with them.
Pleased to hear that you can see how possible it is to turn into a proper useful camper.

Hopefully you will share your build on this site. Happy to answer any questions along the way.

[Mattfirth]

There are certainly bigger vans, even with the small van market like the Berlingo/Partner, that have squarer sides that makes them better suited in some way for a camper. But the Caddy is the best made and best looking of the truly "daily" drivable vans. Plus loads of them about and therefore lots of parts, ideas and support for whatever you want to do with them.
Pleased to hear that you can see how possible it is to turn into a proper useful camper.

Hopefully you will share your build on this site. Happy to answer any questions along the way.

Aye, took me a while to decide, trying to find that magic vehicle which does everything, is well built, cheap to run etc etc! the big difference I’ve found so far with the caddy is the amount of resources available,in terms of actual aftermarket parts etc but more so the size of the community, and the wealth of information is just immense compared to the vans I’ve owned.

[YorkCaddy]

What a great project! I’m in the process of getting myself a white Maxi and plan to turn it into a camper too, do your brilliant thread will be a real help