Caravelle Conversions!

hciR

Member
VIP Member
Just wanted to start a thread as a space for people to post any Caravelle conversions they've done!

Ideally I'd like to keep two of the spinning seats in the rear, and have some form of fold out bed for two people...

I haven't seen any good quality pre-made solutions so far though. So intested to see what the rest have you have come up with?!
 
I custom made 2 units out of extruded aluminium and 3mm aluminium composite panels. It can sleep 2 people as single beds. The units are bolted down to the seat rails so can be removed individually.

I like having the centre isle clear so we can walk through the van and be able to fit full size sheet materials without removing anything.

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moodsterT6, that is a very nice compromise very well done. I like your modifications. In our Caravelle I have only removed the centre row twiddling chairs when my daughter finished school for Uni and so less running around with her and her mates. The middle row is useful but it became a little cramped when using the rear bench as a bed. We had bought VW table that slides in the rails and folds out to elongate the bed. It always felt cramped getting up in the morning or going to bed last thing. I may consider in future one of those slid - out rear trays that move on runners and maybe use that as abed extension at the rear and so replace the folding sliding on rails table.

Not keen myself on having a rear kitchen open to the elements, though that is not my department but may instead re-cramp the middle a little again with a unit that will span the width across immediately behind driver and passenger seat. On this I would use a Wallas Diesel Hob and lid which would do the cooking and also on closing the lid provide heating, the lid having fans to blow hot air around the vehicle. I have used a similar device in a Landrover 101 Forward Control Radio Body for many years in some of the coldest weather and storms. It was perfect using very little fuel and current. I still have the old one but it is paraffin and although I can still buy paraffin here it is not available every where though it is similar to aviation fuel. It is quite cheap at some airfields. Diesel is readily available every where and could even use RED Diesel if feeling mean and penny pinching but 5L lasts a fair time and a 20L tank or bigger even longer. It could be plumbed in to use the vehicle fuel but I am not prepared to do the work but for a permanent fixture that would be ideal. I thought Key Clamp frame with shelving. On it the cooker a fridge battery and fuel. Athwart ships it would be removable and slide-able on the rails as a unit for when not needing it or to use outside and else where. I like to be able to go in and out from front seats to the rear and back so the central part between front seats may be kept low. The only consideration then is the fume vent which would need some thought. I do not intend to drill a hole but may change a side window to an opening window and then slide in a blank sheet of aluminium or similar to take an extension for the flue. This could be moved to either side window or perhaps make a similar but more complex shield for the sun roof.

I may use solar but only for casual use and not plumbed in to the vehicle it would be for charging the stand alone diesel cooker a fridge ect. I have no idea if and when I might do this, I like thinking about things and then putting off ect. Materials are awkward to have delivered here only Amazon seem to be able to locate our entrance no matter how much info and "What 3 Words" and phone instructions the deliverers are given, Oh and the Home-fire Coal always locates us all the way from the depot which is not local. I like Key Clamp it is very useful. Getting the tube and fittings delivered is one of the reasons for procrastination.

We tend to camp rough and have always done so even in tents but most of our camping has been done totally off road miles from normal mettled roads in Wales and occasionally England few if any off roading in Scotland unless by private arrangement. The exception being Sky Sligachan Hotel camp as they make a fuss if wild camping even some short distance away down the road. So we relent when going there for an easy life anyway one can imbibe the scotch without fear as the Hotel is on site. Thing is we live in the country, its wild quiet most of the time except for harvest of hay/silage or the hunting t---- :devil:, so travel less than we once may have done but they are some of the things that I have considered for camping:)
 
moodsterT6, that is a very nice compromise very well done. I like your modifications. In our Caravelle I have only removed the centre row twiddling chairs when my daughter finished school for Uni and so less running around with her and her mates. The middle row is useful but it became a little cramped when using the rear bench as a bed. We had bought VW table that slides in the rails and folds out to elongate the bed. It always felt cramped getting up in the morning or going to bed last thing. I may consider in future one of those slid - out rear trays that move on runners and maybe use that as abed extension at the rear and so replace the folding sliding on rails table.

Not keen myself on having a rear kitchen open to the elements, though that is not my department but may instead re-cramp the middle a little again with a unit that will span the width across immediately behind driver and passenger seat. On this I would use a Wallas Diesel Hob and lid which would do the cooking and also on closing the lid provide heating, the lid having fans to blow hot air around the vehicle. I have used a similar device in a Landrover 101 Forward Control Radio Body for many years in some of the coldest weather and storms. It was perfect using very little fuel and current. I still have the old one but it is paraffin and although I can still buy paraffin here it is not available every where though it is similar to aviation fuel. It is quite cheap at some airfields. Diesel is readily available every where and could even use RED Diesel if feeling mean and penny pinching but 5L lasts a fair time and a 20L tank or bigger even longer. It could be plumbed in to use the vehicle fuel but I am not prepared to do the work but for a permanent fixture that would be ideal. I thought Key Clamp frame with shelving. On it the cooker a fridge battery and fuel. Athwart ships it would be removable and slide-able on the rails as a unit for when not needing it or to use outside and else where. I like to be able to go in and out from front seats to the rear and back so the central part between front seats may be kept low. The only consideration then is the fume vent which would need some thought. I do not intend to drill a hole but may change a side window to an opening window and then slide in a blank sheet of aluminium or similar to take an extension for the flue. This could be moved to either side window or perhaps make a similar but more complex shield for the sun roof.

I may use solar but only for casual use and not plumbed in to the vehicle it would be for charging the stand alone diesel cooker a fridge ect. I have no idea if and when I might do this, I like thinking about things and then putting off ect. Materials are awkward to have delivered here only Amazon seem to be able to locate our entrance no matter how much info and "What 3 Words" and phone instructions the deliverers are given, Oh and the Home-fire Coal always locates us all the way from the depot which is not local. I like Key Clamp it is very useful. Getting the tube and fittings delivered is one of the reasons for procrastination.

We tend to camp rough and have always done so even in tents but most of our camping has been done totally off road miles from normal mettled roads in Wales and occasionally England few if any off roading in Scotland unless by private arrangement. The exception being Sky Sligachan Hotel camp as they make a fuss if wild camping even some short distance away down the road. So we relent when going there for an easy life anyway one can imbibe the scotch without fear as the Hotel is on site. Thing is we live in the country, its wild quiet most of the time except for harvest of hay/silage or the hunting t---- :devil:, so travel less than we once may have done but they are some of the things that I have considered for camping:)
Thanks! I used to have an inside kitchen pod behind the drivers seat. I personally hate cooking inside the van though, that’s why I have the pull out drawer at the back which has the induction cooktop and the collapsible sink. The tailgate provides shelter for light rain but not heavy rain or when it’s windy. I removed the inside kitchen pod as it took up far too much space inside for me.

I do have an air fryer that I’ll occasionally use inside the van if the weather is really bad.

Cheers.
 
Thanks! I used to have an inside kitchen pod behind the drivers seat. I personally hate cooking inside the van though, that’s why I have the pull out drawer at the back which has the induction cooktop and the collapsible sink. The tailgate provides shelter for light rain but not heavy rain or when it’s windy. I removed the inside kitchen pod as it took up far too much space inside for me.

I do have an air fryer that I’ll occasionally use inside the van if the weather is really bad.

Cheers.
I understand. It is also because one of these Wallas Hobs also does the heating by hot air is another reason why it would be the other way around for us. I suppose that the unit could be completely swivelled facing forwards with the boot lid down I guess but I think it would be problematical for us as it would take boot space up with all that entails and the bed would need sliding forwards. Not considered an air frier do not even have one in the home. A microwave, another time space saver needs such a lot of power any way it additional stuff to carry and when it comes down to it there is minimal space really they are not motor homes. A UNIMOG, MAN or any true off road 4x4, 6x6x large vehicle would be great but it would not do the day to day stuff, well it would but very costly these days. It would be unfair on the Mrs to expect her to go out in the wind and rain or in season the midges and then ferry it all in the side, another thing this still needs to have some multi purpose about it, at home it need to ferry 1- 2 tons of coal from the road side when we need to top up not all in one go but in relays, carry us and others, go too and from, travel off road and be an every day vehicle so on.

It is and will be interesting to see what other have done or might do with their Caravelle.
 
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