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Hi all,
I ended up buying a sweet VW LT35 van which has masses of room and i'm planning a conversion to camper kitevan extroadinaire that will include: lining with ply then auto carpet, floor vinyl, insulation with wool batts, 12 volt wiring for fridge, installation of skylight & vent, tv & lights, a sink with cold running water, and a bit of storage space (shelving & under bed).
The board racks are my biggest challenge. At the moment i can stand up inside the van which i really like so i dont want a floating floor. The whole thing would have to be raised to fit a sup under so I was thinking of something like this: 
I carry a 9'4" sup & a couple of surfboards. Does anyone know where i would go to get something like this made up? Any tips or ideas on the construction?
Cheers
Ezza
Hey Ezza,
Good for getting the VW, hope it is a trustworthy friend.
While you are kitting the wall paneling out, make a template with some of the ply and take it to any welding fabricator. Easy to make, plenty of materials that are strong and lite. Once made you can screw them into the struts after the paneling is complete.
Sounds like a cool job ahead of you. Take your time so that you are happy with the work.
Now get to work!
I've just purchased an Iload so have been considering lots of different options for decking it out.
Google boards mpora forum they have a thread specific to windsurfing vans, there's lots of ideas there.
I just ordered some pretty flash racks from a guy in the UK (www.vehicle-racking-systems.co.uk) but it you want the whole raised shelve thing maybe these aren't appropriate
Hey thanks Robbo! Thats exactly what i was after. Might save up a bit and get me a set of those. Cheers
I used a Mitsubishi Delica but do NOT insulate, gets friggin hot in summer! Most of the time I slept with the door wide open!
Yeah tossed up whether to insulate or not, hope with the vent & fan in the roof and 'cool wool' insulation will keep it cooler. Also soundproof.
I heard something about fish oil under the floor? I have bought some fishoilene, but i am concerned the smell will hang around for ages. Any tips?
You can get odourless fishoil, but fishoil is only for rustproofing
A lot of the motor home guys are also painting some sort of white thick paint on the roof down to the gutter line. This looks a little crappy as it is brushed on, but apparently it does help heaps to insulate. THe same stuff is also being used on large commercial buildings.
Scroll down to thermoshieldhttp://www.cmca.net.au/pages/marketplace/marketplace/accessories.php
www.hytechsales.com/howtopaint/painting_rv.html
But remember the idea is not to be living in the thing during the day anyway unlike a grey nomad would do, you want to be in the great outdoors enjoying the sunshine wind and wave right
I know its for rustproofing Ric i mentioned it because id probably do it at the same time as the insulation under the floor. Might check out that paint though i dont want it to be an oven as my boards and kites live in it full time.
Dont worry, this van will be everything it needs to be: transport, storage for all my toys, comfy accomodation, have the ability to cool 24 beers in 20 mins, watch a movie in foul weather etc etc. Its gotta look the goods too!
i mentioned it because id probably do it at the same time as the insulation under the floor. Might check out that paint though i dont want it to be an oven as my boards and kites live in it full time. wasnt sure if you got ur soundproofing and rustproofing mixed up
^ You could also bolt a little safe to the floor somewhere. Most camper vans I have hired have them and they are handy for stashing phones, camera's, wallet etc.
Fridges chew up heaps of power so if you are putting one in makes sure it is an efficient one but you are still going to need dual batteries and or a solar panel if you are going to run it for any length of time.
I have a little Waeco CF 40 that is good but often just use my evacool icebox full off bottles of frozen water (and beer of course).
LED lighting is good for keeping power consumption down.
There is an older style metal frame bed around with solid metal cross bars. You would have to go to an op shop or dump recycle centre to find one. The spacings are perfect for board racks. A mate of mine cuts them in half, caps and pads them to make great surf racks. You can spray them pretty and bend an angle if you want.
Good idea tightlines... my parents actually tried to give me a safe a few months ago and I didn't know what I would use it for so left it stashed in their garage. Score!
The fridge i've bought is a compressor 12 volt fridge, even at 80L its pretty much the best available on power consumption. The lights will be LED. I am putting in a dual battery. Thanks for the tip Ric - a kill switch might be the ticket. I've also bought a key safe and juiced up my insurance!
Thanks Pearl - might check out my local vinnies. I am in lust with these racks though...
Your all gay
How to store your gear
Yes, no carpet in sleeping quarters but has useful accessories
Try angled racks save space and hold boards better...do false floor on one half below racks so you can still stand and stash stuff. Then fluffy carpet on walls and roof.
Ezza
My plan is to use the nutserts and borrow the tool from a mate. However I am concerned that I may not have enough space between the front sliding door rail and the internal rail to install the nutsert. If this proves to be the case then I've got a couple of other ideas not including rivets.
Nutsert tools are pretty common so you shouldn't have a problem borrowing one - mechanic, sheet metal worker, aircraft engineer, 4WD shops
I paid for my racks yesterday so should have them within 2 weeks will give you the good oil on them.
Rgds
Steve
