Micro Camper Daily Driver Build

[PJD]

Before


After







Wasn't happy with how I finished the end of the bed section. It looked a bit awkward and I wanted to make the opening larger so remodeled it.

Now access into the pull out draw and from inside is better. There is also storage above the wheel arch.

[PJD]

[PJD]

Bike holder is this piece. As mentioned in an earlier post the bike holders are about £20 from eBay and the rail and fixings about another £10. They can be adjusted sideways and locked into the rail.


Locates and tucks under this panel built into the bed base.




This single thumb bolt locks it into the cabinets in seconds and is the same method I have used on the cabinets.


Access to the door via this cut out for the fresh and waste water


The bike holder can be stored in the pull out draw.

[PJD]

This concludes for now what I initially set out to achieve with the furniture.
To make a fully functional camper out of the Caddy that had furniture that could be easily removed and carry a couple of bikes. This has a couple of advantages. Obviously the van can be transformed into an empty space for lugging stuff about. But also making a camper involves lots of putting furniture in and taking it out to make adjustments or upgrades. This made that process so much easier and as the van changes over time I can easily work on it.

Next up are the screens, side panels and under belly tray

[stu_b]

The quality of your workmanship is exceptional
You have done all you achieved and more
Kudos my friend
Let the fun times roll

[PJD]

The quality of your workmanship is exceptional
You have done all you achieved and more
Kudos my friend
Let the fun times roll

Cheers Stu, appreciate you still following this build. Now I can get a bike secured. Will be taking the van to some of the more interesting trails.

[PJD]

This is ultimately what the conversion has been about.








Post ride lunch after 30 miles along the Ridgeway

Stopped in Compton high street and unloaded the bike and set off to meet up with friends who were already on the ride. As I cycled I found this spot that I later returned to in the van to take in the views and have lunch

[Plzl]

Fair play, the workmanship on all the furniture looks top notch I can attest to cushion covers being a bit of a pain to make, but makes all the difference

Sent from my GM1903 using Tapatalk

[Cheifshagger]

Love that.

I have seats in the back of my maxi but would love this set up aNd the fact it can be removed if needed.

Also fellow mtb so can understand the need for all the separate storage etc

Well done

[PJD]

Cheers for your comments. I would love a Caddy Life or Crew Van but not having seats to start with makes the decision to make into a camper of this format and easy choice.

First time using as a camper after the bed was finished.
Wasn't my intention when building it but discovered that if it's just me sleeping in the van that I can partially pull out the bed and keep 1/4 of the bed cushion to the side. Leaving access alongside the bed, which is super useful.

[Jack]

Fantastic build, very inspiring for someone who got similar ideas!

[Xjr41]

What an awesome conversion. Beautiful workmanship, inspiration for me and my son's camper journey.

[PJD]

What an awesome conversion. Beautiful workmanship, inspiration for me and my son's camper journey.

Thank you.
I saw your post where you state that your son has bought a Caddy and you are both building it for camping trips. What a great thing to do together.
Hopefully you will post a few pictures during the build.
Need any tips, happy to help.

[PJD]

Since I finished it I have found the bike holder works really well. It goes in quickly and holds the bike securely.
I have discovered that I can sleep with one bike inside the van and the bed partially pulled out for the ultimate stealth camp.


Pull out draw has met my expectations.
Lots of storage and the dividers mean I can use the portable gas stove easily.
Spent a good few nights in the van this summer and it works better than a van this size really should.

[PJD]

Thought I would pop an image of the van before I did any work to it to see how the outside had changed. Not a major transformation but less budget looking.


Was very much in two minds about having the side decals. I bought them over a year ago and made the one for the back to match.
The reason for going with the decals in the first place was that insurance is cheaper with decorative decals on a plain van. I guess that's because it's more apparent that the van is not going to have tools inside worth nicking.

Anyway for now they are staying. I think they look okay. Not a perfect solution to the unpainted bumpers but they blend in with the look a bit.

Probably add roof bars and boot spoiler at some point. Wheels are a bit puny looking but don't curb easily.