T6 SWB Camper conversion - Opinions wanted...

[Apretext]

Hi all.

So, we have decided whilst the van isn't getting much use (it's my daily) currently, to get it converted as we always planned to do.
We have our installer, he's local and has a very good rep, and we've seen lots of his work, so all good there.
So....
First question: Poptops. We have an option of Westdubs, HiLo or SCA roofs. The installer recommends the Westdubs one's, he says that's what he puts on when he's building for himself. Any experiences of Westdubs roof's? Would people go for that, or one of the others?
Second question: Bed. We want a 1300 bed (considering a 1500, but think we could really do with the storage space, as we generally go away for about 4 days at a time). So, Rib or Reimo?
Third Question: Anyone undermounted their waste water and gas tank? I'm thinking that would free up valuable storage space. Will have fresh water in the van, as that needs to be removed for cleaning.
Fourth question: Anyone used this fridge? VITRIFRIGO FRIDGE C50i (internal cooling unit) Silver grey door I like the depth on it, I'm thinking of building a custom kitchen unit to house it (my job is joinery designer...).
Fifth Question: Heaters - They've quoted for an MV Aero - any experience of these?

I think that's it....

If anyone has any "I built a camper and I found you absolutely MUST do this..." stories, please let me know too. Ta!

 

[Apretext]

Ignore the 4th question, we're now not swivelling the drivers seat, so will use the normal units, and the usual Dometic Fridge.

 

[sippe]

Hi, I'm definitely not one of the pros here but keep on faffing on with mine (every time we take it out there's ideas that pop up....), so here's some ideas:

If you can figure out where to put the fridge with both front seats swivelled, I find that it gives quite a lot of space, or at least the feel of it.... (we used Sportscraft swivels, the driver one (LHD, I live in Belgium) is a slightly different model (also Sportscraft) to have room for the battery under the seat). They feel quite bomb proof...

Second battery (if not installed already). Keeps your starter battery from dying... Fits under the seat (important to use a swivel that has space for it). Also I would install 220v and a mains hookup.

Definitely think about electricity, and where you want what. E.g. USB ports for phones etc, and cigarette lighters (probably not used for cigarettes ) are very handy if they're where you are going to use them.

For panels, as you design joinery, depending on your car's interior version it might be interesting to look behind the panels for extra space (and cut or take away if necessary). There's more than meets the eye...

For water, I've seen some kind of a tank pass by somewhere (on this forum?) that fits in the back behind one of the panels if correct... (think it's a clean water tank, not sure how to clean it though...) Waste water and gas has been done on the forum as well.

Then, as we're having a Reimo roof installed (hopefully this summer, might be later with the circumstances, here in Belgium getting everything approved takes a while....) the original idea of 'very low profile camper' is slightly abandoned, so we'll add an awning as well. Have been sitting under one of our friends for a couple of times, and it makes your sitting area immediately a lot bigger. Until now always improvised a bit with a basha but it's not the same... Think it's an interesting add-on.

Grtz


Jan

 

[Apretext]

Thanks Jan.

The reason we've abandoned the thought of the driver swivel is the converter says the raising of the drivers seat makes it less comfortable to drive, and as it's my daily driver (When not in Lockdown!) and my main drive is a 2 hour journey, driver comfort is super important! Did you find that's not the case?

Good point about the electrics, worth thinking about exactly where we want points for stuff.

 

[sippe]

I have the Sportscraft swivels now for quite a while, and done a lot of km's in the last year (for work there and back to Germany, 850km one direction, almost every two weeks), and I can't say it became less comfortable than before.....

 

[Apretext]

Hmm, interesting. I think I need to find a van with them installed and see.

 

[sippe]

For the driver's seat, the only thing that has to be done is lowering of the handbrake, as the platform will not pass the handbrake in the original state. For this I wouldn't use the bracket that is sold around the net, but instead get in contact with someone that can weld.

The lowering is a short afternoon job (welding in itself just half an hour, rest you can do yourself. Remove handbrake cover (pull clip underneath in the front, pull cover to the front, and afterwards pull of the base cover), remove handbrake (2 bolts), remove seat from base (don't forget to unclip the plugs underneath the seat, you'll see them), it's just 4 bolts. Remove base (also only 4 bolts).
For removal of the bracket, drill through the spot welds (you see where they are, they look like 'spots'), then with a hammer and large flat screw driver or similar hammer the rest loose (be careful).
Cut of the bottom metal lip from the bracket.
Weld back on (but instead of the original spot weld it totally on the bottom of the base). You can also have the drilled out bits welded back closed, and have the result cleaned up a bit.
Spray paint, and let dry.

Cut the handbrake base cover (it's plastic, so quite easy) the amount of cm you lowered the base.

Put the seat base back in place.

Now, while you're started anyway, take the 2 seat bases you ordered (no need to pay someone to do it....), turn one of them 45 degrees (bolt holes get visible), put it on the seat base (don't forget to pull the cables that have to go to the seat again through), and fasten the 4 bolts. Click back to normal (straight) state. Put the seat on, fasten the 4 bolts, click the 2 connectors from the seat again.

Seat bases come in 2 models, one is flat on the base (you can fit a battery underneath), one is not (you cannot fit a battery underneath). If you only will get one battery, you can order one of each, but 2 of the battery models are fine as well. (keeps your options open, for the rest they're the same...) Don't need to order the adapter as you got the handbrake lowered yourself...

Have a beer, and order pizza for the price of the non spent working hours ;-)