Crafter camper (1 Viewer)

JungleJim

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Jan 5, 2018
4
0
Funster No
51,871
Hello everyone...

I have bought a VW Crafter and am now planning my build. I am in a slightly unusual position as I need to be able to use the Crafter as both a van and campervan.

My solution is a RIB bed behind the swivel front seats and a widthway bed at the back with storage below. For the kitchen I'm planning a self contained unit which I can lift in when required.

I have most of the details clear in my mind but I'm stuck for ideas with the rear bed. I need to plan this before the van is lined in case I need to weld supports to the sides.. . Has anyone come up with a solution that fixes the bed platform to the side of the van and can be removed when required?

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions, Jim
 
Jan 10, 2013
5,958
7,354
Near Uttoxeter and Crete
Funster No
24,227
MH
Warwick XL PVC
Exp
Still trucking and learning
Can't help with suggestions but
animated WelcomeGroupSmiley.gif
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,794
13,952
Eastbourne East Sussex
Funster No
2,327
MH
Hymer low profile
Exp
Since 1972
Afraid I'm not much help as my only experience of self conversion was a beetle van back in the 70s. Best of luck with it, there are experts on here who can help.
:welcomesign:

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ambulancekidd

Funster
Sep 23, 2014
10,303
28,339
Ayrshire Scotland
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33,478
MH
Swift Kon-Tiki 640
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Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
IMG_0799.JPG(1).JPG
:hi2:w2fHave a good think about windows, I had the genuine Mercedes opening bonded windows fitted & I think they look really slick.

Please keep us posted of the progress on your Crafter?
 
Last edited:

Terry

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Dec 27, 2007
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Hi Jim and welcome.... do you need to remove the rear bed or simply fold it up out of the way....either way insulate and board the van , then you can easy fix your bed etc in position to the boarding
Terry
 
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JungleJim

Free Member
Jan 5, 2018
4
0
Funster No
51,871
Hi Jim and welcome.... do you need to remove the rear bed or simply fold it up out of the way....either way insulate and board the van , then you can easy fix your bed etc in position to the boarding
Terry

Thanks for the welcomes.
Thanks Terry. I'd like to be able to completely remove the bed (+ under bed space with drawers etc) by sliding it out of the back and into the garage. One concern is securing the whole thing in case of an accident. I could secure the base to the load lashing points. If I made a metal frame I suppose bolts to the floor might be enough of an anchor... i was thinking bolts at the top to the sides of the van would be even better. I'm not sure that screws into ply would be enough - or maybe this needn't be a concern anyway
 

Terry

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Dec 27, 2007
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Lincolnshire
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Can't remember ;)
Hi there are lots of ways to fasten everything in,mostly people screw to the side and floor but you can use clips to make it easy to take things out
Terry

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JungleJim

Free Member
Jan 5, 2018
4
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Funster No
51,871
View attachment 205386 :hi2:w2fHave a good think about windows, I had the genuine Mercedes opening bonded windows fitted & I think they look really slick.

Please keep us posted of the progress on your Crafter?

Nice windows. Worth spending the extra. How do you get on with parking? If you drive straight into a spot (rather than parrallel park) does the back end stick out miles?
 

ambulancekidd

Funster
Sep 23, 2014
10,303
28,339
Ayrshire Scotland
Funster No
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MH
Swift Kon-Tiki 640
Exp
Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
If you drive straight into a spot (rather than parrallel park) does the back end stick out miles?

Yes the length of the van means that parking usually entails using up two spaces. I've installed a reversing camera for added safety, so parallel parking is easy as possible.
 

Markncharlotte

Free Member
Jan 1, 2018
22
34
Funster No
51,805
MH
Vw Crafter conversion
Thanks for the welcomes.
Thanks Terry. I'd like to be able to completely remove the bed (+ under bed space with drawers etc) by sliding it out of the back and into the garage. One concern is securing the whole thing in case of an accident. I could secure the base to the load lashing points. If I made a metal frame I suppose bolts to the floor might be enough of an anchor... i was thinking bolts at the top to the sides of the van would be even better. I'm not sure that screws into ply would be enough - or maybe this needn't be a concern anyway

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Aug 6, 2013
11,941
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Kendal, Cumbria
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27,352
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Le-Voyageur RX958 Pl
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since 1999
Hi there are lots of ways to fasten everything in,mostly people screw to the side and floor but you can use clips to make it easy to take things out
Terry
Would tracking as used by manufacturers who offer seating options, or similar used for coach seating, or even Unistrut, do the job? Full lengths would mean multiple smaller fixes (for the tracking).
 
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JungleJim

Free Member
Jan 5, 2018
4
0
Funster No
51,871
Would tracking as used by manufacturers who offer seating options, or similar used for coach seating, or even Unistrut, do the job? Full lengths would mean multiple smaller fixes (for the tracking).

Thanks. That's a great idea - I will investigate. Makes sense...
 

Terry

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 27, 2007
11,904
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Lincolnshire
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Can't remember ;)
ultra loc needs sinking into the floor so not really a option unless already fitted

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Jan 28, 2008
10,104
18,259
Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
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1,353
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Renalt burstner
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7 years campers before that
When I did a self build I used a domestic slated bed frame cut down to fit and supported it on cupboards either side
 

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