Just thinking outside (on top) of the box

[lewlew100]

Hello again, at my age it pays not to hang about too long so if I decide to do something I try to get on with it. I have however been building an 18' faster fishing boat tor the last 5 years trouble is camper vans and cars and other hobbies getting in the way!!! The Berlingo project is fairly easy, so will hopefully not take too long. The only use that I have for the jigsaw is minor changes and mistakes. I am mad about CNC machining and have a small cnc router which was converted from a PCB board drilling machine and 24/7 access to to a larger machine at a friends workshop. Geoff.

[lewlew100]

Just an update on progress so far. The pod and side seat boxes are now made and also the additional bed boards to infill the area between the side seats and kitchen pod. We have discovered that with us both being short we can actually leave the rear dual seat tilted and just allow the mattress to tilt up and rest on top of the tilted seat. I shall make bed extension boards to get the full bed length, but think we will use it in the short bed mode as converting from camping to sleeping mode only means laying the infill boards in the central gap and dragging the one piece mattress over from the side seat (it folds down the length to form the seat cushion and seat back). I have not yet made a worktop top for the pod and my wife has talked me out of fitting any doors anywhere, just access openings. The mattress that I am using is one that I used in one of my earlier camper conversions and became redundant on a design change. The idea is great as it will fold in any direction, but I think it has some kind of flock filling and is too heavy. I would like to buy (or make) something very similar but much lighter. I have made everything from 15mm birch ply which is good , but a bit heavy - hence all the cut outs in the pod, seats and bed boards. If I do another like this I would probably use 15mm poplar ply, but could not access any quickly and I wanted to get on with it! I have decided not to use the (not yet made) bed extension board as a table and instead am going to make the table slide out from under the worktop so that it will not need any form of support legs or brackets. I will have to start to think about painting all that ply now (I dislike painting!). I am very pleased with the results so far. Geoff.

[Gryffindor]

All sounds very good Geoff. I know it;s a lot to ask but when you;re dome, some photos and even a DIY manual would be very welcome here.

Are you going to treat the ply with anything - oil, varnish - or leave it au naturel?

Would mini curtains work in the access openings? A velcro pad in all four corners - stops anything falling out when driving.

As for the mattress, check this thread out:
https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-210...35699.html

I saw a Peugeot Expert MPV the other day - that might work as a conversion base for me!

[lewlew100]

Hi Rasputin, thanks for your comments. I think an Expert/Dispatch/Scudo would be an excellent choice of vehicle for a compact (rather than micro) camper and am thinking of something along those lines if I do not go the high roof Berlingo route. A WAV with lowered floor in a vehicle of the size would be ideal IMHO. When finished I intend to put down a vinyl floor covering and paint the plywood. I will post a few photos of the work to date. everything is just loose fitted in the car and can be removed or refitted in a couple of minutes. I may end up using a couple of quick release clamps to keep things in position, but everything seems to stay in where it is when driving (50 miles in the last two days). I have now sorted the table slider system (it works well and what may look like a diagonal brace is just a shaft of sunlight), but have yet to make the worktop, toilet
pullout board with support leg and corner support post for the nearside front end of the bed board.
I must say that I think this layout is very practical with toilet and the ability for cooking/washing inside the van when bad weather makes outside use more difficult. the sleeping area would be great for a single person and OK for two people who would need to be good friends. After 56 years of marriage I consider my wife and I to qualify as very good friends!!! I will make the bed extension board and hinged support down to the floor, but being vertically challenged we are able to use the bed as it is in it's short form. as I have the facilities I am considering making this conversion kit available for sale if there is sufficient demand. I have not yet given up on the idea of making a fixed high top! Geoff.

[lewlew100]

I hit the 5 pics per post limit so will add the others now. Geoff.

[lewlew100]

Whoops, they all seem to have been rotated by 90 degrees from what they show on my computer screen. Sorry for any cricked necks!!! Geoff.

[Gryffindor]

Whoops, they all seem to have been rotated by 90 degrees from what they show on my computer screen. Sorry for any cricked necks!!! Geoff.

No probs - I just looked at them whilst laying down!

I must say the finish and execution look very professional, not to mention the design as well. Top marks!!

[lewlew100]

At the beginning of July we had our first camping trial with the Berlingo. Traveled down to Hamble on the Friday and had 3 very comfortable nights sleeping in the Berlingo. The toilet system does work for daytime travel, but does need the windows limo tinting! At night with the bed in use there is no room to pull the toilet out unless you are a contortionist. with a narrower bed for one person it would be OK. The system works very well if the toilet space in the pod is just used as a travel compartment. We were aware of the short comings before leaving and bought an airtube drive away awning the night before we left. We decided that a side awning over the passenger door was the best solution for us and I must say it worked really well. We have also had a couple of daytrip picnics in the car, and I am that pleased with the layout that I have bought an older VW transporter and carry out a similar arrangement, but incorporating a toilet in the rear. Geoff.

[patchoulian]

At the beginning of July we had our first camping trial with the Berlingo. Traveled down to Hamble on the Friday and had 3 very comfortable nights sleeping in the Berlingo. The toilet system does work for daytime travel, but does need the windows limo tinting! At night with the bed in use there is no room to pull the toilet out unless you are a contortionist. with a narrower bed for one person it would be OK. The system works very well if the toilet space in the pod is just used as a travel compartment. We were aware of the short comings before leaving and bought an airtube drive away awning the night before we left. We decided that a side awning over the passenger door was the best solution for us and I must say it worked really well. We have also had a couple of daytrip picnics in the car, and I am that pleased with the layout that I have bought an older VW transporter and carry out a similar arrangement, but incorporating a toilet in the rear. Geoff.

What make of awning did you get for the Berlingo? Thinking of one myself . . . .

[lewlew100]

The used awning that I bought was an Outdoor Revolution movelite 2 which has a built in ground sheet. It is a side awning and our access from the Berlingo (and future VW) is via the nearside rear passenger door. this arrangement was perfect for us as we still have 4 travel seats and side access as our single rear seat has been removed. I will try to post a couple of pics from our Hamble campsite tomorrow. Geoff.