Flooring in a DIY Camper Van

keninperth · Newbie

Flooring in a DIY Camper Van

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats very interesting ken. I might have to go down this path myself. What are you using for the wall panelling?

So far all vans I have looked at seem to be in the 80s range and a lot don't have air conditioning. By buying a later model van and putting in what I want I will get a more reliable van (motor running wise) hopefully and put in just what I think I need.

keninperth · Newbie

Hi Happywanderer

I hunted and hunted and yes the problem was anything in the price range I wanted was old and high K's - I got somewhat lucky (I think) and managed to find a 2005 Transit Mid Roof LWB Turbo Diesel 50,000K for under $20,000 - price mainly due to location of the vehicle (I hope) - have not discovered any major problems yet to indicate a bad buy.

My grand plan is to build it myself and even perhaps eventually tow a small van as an "en suite".

Another thought I had for underlay on the floor is carpet of some type laid upside down. Not sure what the commercial builders would use??

As far as the walls and roof go I was again going to use maybe 3/8" or 5/8" plywood as per another DIY project I saw at http://www.campervanlife.com/self-builds/darrens-mercedes-sprinter - this can be used to mount cupboards, apply coverings of many types, or just stain / varnish it raw (if you use better grade ply that has a good finish).

Grand plan - might be dreaming - might be totally on the wrong track, but hey??

countryroad · Senior Member

There's a UK site....www.Campervanlife.com

then scroll to bottom of the page and on R. side there's a Mercedes Sprinter Conversion...

click on this and you will see Darren's 2006 conversion, good pictures and everything he did is on

show. links to others as well.

Hope this is useful and good luck

oh well I tried and you'd already found it.

-- Edited by countryroad on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:45:50 PM

Ma · Guru

Nothing ventured nothing gained Ken. Give it a go anyway. Good luck to you although I feel you won't need any luck you seem to have the situation well in hand and doing your homework too. Just think how proud you will be when it's all done and dusted and you are on the road. Hope I meet up with you one day to see the end result.

blaze · Guru

Hi
You can buy a product used in the marine industry called closed sell foam. It comes in sheet form and is very easy to work with normal hand tools (cut with a knife, sandpaper will shape. Can be brought in diferent thickness. Would be possible to glue to sides and then glue a cover sheet of some sort onto that.
cheers
blaze

Brookie · Veteran Member

Although this link is a Kombi one there is some good information about floors, linings etc etc

Camper interiors

keninperth · Newbie

Thanks to all those so far that have posted. The Closed Cell Foam is certainly an option and the Kombi link is good to have - thanks.

elliemike · Guru

Try this site (the address is below).
Self Build Motorhome and Campevan Club. UK.

http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/

I found them usefull for all sorts of things "campervan" when we were altering things around in our Hiace a few years ago.
I actually joined them as a member. Fee about $30 I think? You dont have to join. You can get a lot from just browsing the site. Although if you want to "search" joining is the only way.

Actually just sold the Hiace about 2 hours ago. Still in Shock.

Farewell "St. George"

Regards
Mike and Ellie

Wombat 280 · Guru

Mate built a slide on for his Land Rover ute and lined the walls and floor with marine carpet and besides the warmth out in the deserts nights the sound absorption was great did the carpet job himself and looks great.

He did consider the rubber carpet unlderay for the floor but thought the heat over time would just cause it to rot away so used 4mm construction ply, used on concrete formwork, and then the marine carpet over that.