Thread: Caravan design

Originally Posted by Homestar

I like that a lot.

Me too, i would prefer one of these instead of a proper caravan.

My parents built their own. 14"6 × 8".
Very well thought out and surprisingly roomy for the size. Now Centaur own the business.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Me too, i would prefer one of these instead of a proper caravan.

Yeah, one thing I've found is that we rarely use the kitchen inside - easier to BBQ outside in the Summer where the van gets the most use with us, so an outdoor kitchen makes a lot of sense.

I'm really liking the Zone vans.Just got sent the update going into production now.Impressive,they saved 60kg out of the chassis and made it stronger.
ZONE RV 2.0 Range - The First Preview with ZONE RV Director David Biggar - YouTube
Andrew

Originally Posted by Homestar

Yeah, one thing I've found is that we rarely use the kitchen inside - easier to BBQ outside in the Summer where the van gets the most use with us, so an outdoor kitchen makes a lot of sense.

Yes an outdoor cooking area is on my wish list.
Andrew

Originally Posted by Milton477

Harlie,
That looks really good. Have you documented the build anywhere like on another forum?
I'm sure that there are some folk on this forum considering building something themselves & would like to know how easy it is.

Hi Guys
I have a heap of pictures, some short videos, cad files and a planning document - It isn't online, the cad files and planning doc were purely for construction - so steps didn't get missed and so the helpers could understand what was in my head. If there's enough interest I could do it up.

I started with a list of requirements like most of us

• sleeping for 2 + 2
• full bathroom (not corner combo)
• full size slide-out outside kitchen - not the crap that the commercial companies do, you know the slide out that has a stove and sink, and all your gear (pots, crockery, utensils, paper towel ect ect) is still inside in the real kitchen or at best in another box. My self built Camper trailer had a 2.1m long slide out with 9 draws that had everything in it, roll it out and you done - no going back in.
• be able to transport min 3 (maybe 4) trail bikes - (yeah yeah I've gone yobo) with the load over or infront of the wheels. All the rear load toy haulers must have stipid ball weights when the 350ish kg of toys aren't there (well behind the wheels). The caravan can be used without the toys and I estimate that over 75% of trips won't have bikes.
• pop top for lower garaging
• independent air suspension to give the same advantages as our Rangies - same soft ride no matter what load, high off road mode, low fit in the garage mode and a sensible tow height that's got a better ctr of gravity than most of these off road vans

Try and find this list at the caravan show....

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Yes an outdoor cooking area is on my wish list.
Andrew

DONE! I go camping to sit outside, I have no kitchen inside at all - slides out the side with everything you need.

Now it must be said, there are easier and faster ways to construct the interior than what I've done, but not stronger and would struggle to be lighter - but the interior has taken a lot of time....

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Me too, i would prefer one of these instead of a proper caravan.

There are similar hybrid designs from Jawa, Lifestyle, Stony Creek and MDC that we have looked at. I think Black Series might have one also.
Just check the websites.
We are looking at upgrading from the camper trailer ahead of retirement, but we don't want a big heavy van, we want something light and flexible. Roll out sleeping areas are good. We would prefer to cook outside most of the time. We are undecided about internal shower-toilet.
We won't be buying for a while because we are putting money into a reno, so we have time to look around.

Originally Posted by harlie

Hi Guys
I have a heap of pictures, some short videos, cad files and a planning document - It isn't online, the cad files and planning doc were purely for construction - so steps didn't get missed and so the helpers could understand what was in my head. If there's enough interest I could do it up.

I started with a list of requirements like most of us

• sleeping for 2 + 2
• full bathroom (not corner combo)
• full size slide-out outside kitchen - not the crap that the commercial companies do, you know the slide out that has a stove and sink, and all your gear (pots, crockery, utensils, paper towel ect ect) is still inside in the real kitchen or at best in another box. My self built Camper trailer had a 2.1m long slide out with 9 draws that had everything in it, roll it out and you done - no going back in.
• be able to transport min 3 (maybe 4) trail bikes - (yeah yeah I've gone yobo) with the load over or infront of the wheels. All the rear load toy haulers must have stipid ball weights when the 350ish kg of toys aren't there (well behind the wheels). The caravan can be used without the toys and I estimate that over 75% of trips won't have bikes.
• pop top for lower garaging
• independent air suspension to give the same advantages as our Rangies - same soft ride no matter what load, high off road mode, low fit in the garage mode and a sensible tow height that's got a better ctr of gravity than most of these off road vans

Try and find this list at the caravan show....



DONE! I go camping to sit outside, I have no kitchen inside at all - slides out the side with everything you need.

Now it must be said, there are easier and faster ways to construct the interior than what I've done, but not stronger and would struggle to be lighter - but the interior has taken a lot of ....

Very interesting.....do you have in cab control on the trailer suspension?? Always like seeing out of the box thinking.