Despite the fact that my little Go-Camp trailer has proven to be a welcome and handy way of traveling to the kayak put-ins around the country, I seem to be continually on the lookout for an even better idea. The other day I discovered Ford's Transit van which is relatively new here in North America, although Europe has seen it for several years now.
As you can see in the top photo, kayakers have already discovered it and have begun adapting them to whatever fits their needs. My idea is a variant on this idea. My boats would go on the roof, but I'd convert the interior into a micro-motorhome. The photo below gives an idea of what the interior looks like when tricked out for your particular dream. I haven't seen a camper version done by anyone yet, but I'd like to. In fact, I think Ford (Are you reading this Mr Ford?) really ought to give me one of these vans so I could build a dream home on wheels, ready to kayak anywhere, anytime! I'm sure Mr Ford could sell a bunch of these to the kayaking crowd once they see what I've done with mine...
8 comments:
From 1995 to 2002 I had a Citroen 15 Van kitted out exactly as you describe (The image is not my actual van). I put in side windows, wood panelled the floor then fitted camper van carpet to the floor and walls/ceiling to reduce condensation (using spray on adhesive).
I had curtains on bungees that could be clipped over the side windows and rear windows and built a small storage locker in the roof behind the front seats.
The van was long enough for me to lie down in and sleep - usually on a therma rest.
I constructed a wooden chest for keeping stove, cutlery and food in which I could lift out and use a food prep table outside the back of the van.
By where the strengthening struts ran down the side of the walls I drilled out holes so I could bungee kit to the sides of the can from climbing rack to paddles, playboat and mountain bikes etc.
Over time I added a tent that could be pitched at the back of the van and driven away from (a more sturdy, functional version of this which made 6 week trips in the van more comfortable.
I found the key keeping as much space in the van rather than build in units or cupboards and instead focus on having storage that was flexible and removable when required.
It is to this day the best vehicle I owned and I enjoyed a lot of adventures in the UK and across Europe in this van. It clocked up 190,000 miles when it finally gave up the ghost.
Good luck with your potential purchase! I'll try and dig out some old photos and scan them in of my Van (affectionately named Llama - forget the reason why!)
For nothing the sun goes up and down, sorry Michael your dreaming if Mr. Ford is going to give one away.
Tony :-)
LOL Tony! Still, you don't ask, you don't get, do you? Isn't that right, Mr Ford...?
I bought a VW clean diesel last year. Great car. While in England I rode in a great diesel wagon, nicer than my Jetta. Six speed manual,quiet,roomy, etc. It was , of course, a Ford. Why cars like that can't be purchased in North America is a complete puzzle to me. See if Mr. Ford can bring over some diesels when he delivers your car.
The Transit is indeed a perfect base for a camper conversion - BUT - Ford, in its infinite wisdom, isn't bringing the fuel-sipping diesel to North America - we get the gas version only. Lists at about 8L/100k on the highway, which isn't bad, but the diesels are better than that...
What you have there is known as a Transit Connect in Europe http://www.ford.ie/CommercialVehicles/NewTransitConnect/Overview. This is a Transit http://www.ford.ie/CommercialVehicles/Transit/Overview
Wider and taller. You can get omne that you can stand up in. Makes an even better paddlewagon.
Why do Ford not bring Diesels over? Noone buys petrol models at all in Europe as the diesel is a far torqueier, more effecient engine.
That's awesome! I've never seen a Ford Transit on the road here in Florida.
Looks lovely,yes why not diesel?They are really used extensively and fuel efficiently in Turkey...
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