The Silver Fox - Scratch Build Caddy Camper

[battery2022]

Hello

New member and my first post here.

The idea was to make a camper caddy that we can use as a run around and also as a camper for short and medium camping trips.
Wanted to make the build as least permanently destructive to the van as possible ie least screwing (oo-er) and metal cutting as poss.

It is my first time doing anything like this not to mention messing with vehicles other than general maintenance so a huge learning curve in every respect.

Looks like I need to find an image host to post pics here so I'll do that and BRB.

Greets

Ben

[battery2022]

As most projects possibly start, just a standard van.
2016 registered. It was about 42k miles and quite clean all round.
Came with ply lining which I removed and stashed as I thought I may need it later. MWUHAHAHA

[battery2022]

After tone of research about it I decided to stick in some sound deadening from Dodo.
It works really well and there is no need to cover the full panel.
Floor was glue battened out ready to accept Kingspan in the gaps between

[battery2022]

Next stage was floor and ceiling insulation.

[battery2022]

Next up was 2nd stage insulation.
I discovered insulation is a massive and widely debated topic from builders. I was lucky to find someone who had done their own testing with actual research. Dude had a laser measuring device so I am not arguing at that point.
Their advice: bond as much metal as possible with EVA foam. I researched this and it made a whole lot of sense: Blocks in and blocks out.

This took FOOORRRRREEEVERRRRR if you have ever looked at the inside of a bare Caddy for 8 million years like I have. Anyways, pic to go.

[battery2022]

This is Sky <3
Camper doggo pics will be posted here

[battery2022]

I guess the next stage was sealing.
The EVA idea should create an amazing magical "vapour barrier"
Here I was trying to create additional "vapour barrier" ... just for fun ... you know.
By this point I had spent so many hours crouched up in there that I fully understand why good conversions cost. Sheesh.

[battery2022]

Next I did carpet generally.
Existing door cards were 6mm ply and with carpet, backing onto them I could not fix even with extended studs so I decided to retrace each panel and recut from 3mm then carpet. This worked like a charm but even then hard to get on with extended fixings.

[battery2022]

I re-used the ply linings that came with van to make the T&G backing board.
Still not decided if I will stain them.
I like it a lot more than if it was bare carpet and gives me some to easily hang stuff.

[battery2022]

To make it camper ready I bought this bed pod which was CNC cut.
I could have made similar but this was just a mint build. Slotted like a dream.
I did not glue anything in case I want to remove it and put plenty screws into the subfloor battens.
Proper nice kit

[battery2022]

We went out for a few long weekends when it was ready and could not get elec hook-up at one spot ... I decided to get a leisure battery
It's not hooked to alternator or solar etc (yet) works like a charm

Future idea is to get it rigged to something to charge.
We have had a recent 6 day camp on it with careful usage though ...

[battery2022]

Scratchbuilt / homebrewed a solid C strip system which I attach to the roof anchor points.
Made from a few nuts n bolts. BnQ electrical conduit. C strip. I can unbolt it when I come home.

Could not be more pleased with this crazy invention as I do not know of anything available that can C strip like this

[GreyLife]

Welcome to the forum! Camper is looking great.

Sent from my Nokia G10 using Tapatalk

[battery2022]

Thanks for the welcome

In other news I put some hub caps on so it looks at least a little better than poo. Saving for nice wheels.

Build news - oi oi

Curtains
Started Van X rear curtains mod ... that came this week to replace my DIY solution.
Amazing kit. I will post best use photo from build.

Wing Mirrors
Got "Caddy Life", "Aero" mirrors ... arrived in wrong finish ... long short and tall is that I am self soothing ...

Enjoy your weekend caddy fam

[battery2022]

I was hoping to get two things done this weekend, I achieved one
Van X curtain (done)
Mirrors change (not done)

Had a nightmare with Van X supplied screws, they are rubbish ... third one snapped at the head half way in. Had to wait to Sunday to fix with proper self tappers and then I did not take any chances ... anyway I got these in. Well chuffed.


Resprayed these 'orrible gloss mirror covers delivered to a more matt finish with rattle can paint. Sanded back to 400 and gave her 4 blasts . Here is result.


Wanted to fit the "aero" mirror units, after getting the door cards and trims off, I discovered I do not have the proper spline set to do this grrrr ... damn. Ordered ... that will arrive tomorrow I guess.

Keep on truckin'