Caravan Revamp W.I.P

[dannytsg]

Just thought I would post this up here as it's another project that I have got on the go!

Prior to christmas I purchased a Casita Folding Caravan with the intention of refurbishing it to our own specifications as a get away accommodation rather than constantly lugging around masses of camping equipment.

The previous owner had been using this as a portable workshop and as such had removed all the interior fixtures and repainted the exterior in a 'lovely' shade of Land Rover Sand. The shell itself is in good condition for it's age. It is watertight and dry with no apparent damp, It has a new plywood floor and all the windows are where they should be and the chassis/running gear is in good condition barring a little bit of age related rust.

I am planning on a budget of around £300 for the refurbishment on top of the £200 purchase cost so £500 in total to get this into a nice unit for us to use as a 3/4 berth.

The following will be on the to do list:

Double seating with table that folds into double bed
Single seating with table that folds into single bed
Folding area for kitchenette unit with 2 hobs and storage underneath
New carpet/flooring
New interior furnishings
Electric hook up lead with dual plug socket
New lighting (LED preferred)
New paint colour which is yet to be decided

So this is the start of the work in progress and here are some starter pictures and plans on the design

[grenfell]

Look forward to seeing how you go with it.
With regards to the colour , I've got a box trailer awaiting repainting and a tin of very similar coloured paint. I can never understand the reason caravans are painted brilliant white and sometimes white and orange. Get away to the beauty of the countryside just to see it littered with white boxes ! Caravans should be green at least I think but that sandy colour could make the base for a camo scheme if you want

[dannytsg]

Look forward to seeing how you go with it.
With regards to the colour , I've got a box trailer awaiting repainting and a tin of very similar coloured paint. I can never understand the reason caravans are painted brilliant white and sometimes white and orange. Get away to the beauty of the countryside just to see it littered with white boxes ! Caravans should be green at least I think but that sandy colour could make the base for a camo scheme if you want

Personally I don't mind the colour but it looks as if it was applied with a fluffy roller! I was thinking of getting some paint used for painting canal boats and going for a bright outlandish colour like blue or maybe green.

Tomorrow I'm going to start prefabrication on the double bed box seats building the frames

[Hamradioop]

You have the ideal opportunity to wire it up for solar power Danny.

[grenfell]

Personally I don't mind the colour but it looks as if it was applied with a fluffy roller!

Ah , que the worst part of decorating loads of rubbing down

[dannytsg]

03/04/2015 & 04/04/2015

The bank holiday weekend has afforded me that little extra time to get on with this as a project. The first thing to do was to acquire the timber to build the frame for the 2 bench seats which will transform into a double bed and also build the frame for the single bed. These will also double as storage with hinged lids to store bedding in or utensils.

The frames are now all constructed and battened and need cladding front, side and top in either plywood, MDF or some potential recycled wood. As can be seen there should be just enough room to fit in the kitchenette unit that is the only original feature we have left from it.

[Hamradioop]

Looks like you are cracking on with that project, how do you do that and the allotment?

[dannytsg]

Looks like you are cracking on with that project, how do you do that and the allotment?

I have a very understanding wife for one. The allotment is our shared hobby and something we do together with our daughter. The caravan is more me jumping feet first into something when j spot a bargain. It's my motto in life that if I'm going to do something then I do it to excess.

The caravan is stored on a farm about 2 miles from our home and is situated in a old cow shed under cover which means that working on it now it's lighter is more practical. I also have a million and one other projects on the go but documenting them would take more time than the projects themselves.

[dannytsg]

You have the ideal opportunity to wire it up for solar power Danny.

I have been in two minds about this. Part of me wants to have a 12v lighting system that can be powered via a solar panel put out when we are situated somewhere. The other part of me thinks that we are only going to be using sites with EHU and as such I should only wire the van with an EHU point and 2 circuit RCD to run internal fixtures.

I think in the initial I am going to wire in the external EHU point to an internal RCD and double socket to power electrical devices (DVD player for the kids, phones etc.) In time I will then look to put in a 12v solar system for internal lighting with a leisure battery for storage.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Do both find a caravan breakers yard and get a caravan consumer unit most modern ones hold all the needed mains and 12v bits and a charger for the 12v system and to run water pump etc along with 30ma dual pole rcd and mcbs for the electric circuits...

Then find diagrams for the 12s wiring of caravans so with a 12s socket on your car you can charge via that if needed and run the beer fridge on 12v whilst you drive to the canpsite

Most campsites have power issues at peak times and its always a smug feeling flicking onto 12v whilst many sit in the dark a few led strips will give good lighting