Pop-top/roof bed for SWB Multivan

[jwlcheung]

I would like to add a pop-top/roof bed to a SWB Multivan.

I talked to Trakka and they said they only do LWB T5 pop-top, and said that no one else in Australia will do a SWB pop-top, is that true? Has anyone put a pop-top and roof bed in a SWB multivan? Any recommendations?

I am planning to buy a 2nd hand multivan and add pop-top/roof bed, so that we can use the vehicle day-to-day and also use it as a camper during holiday ( to sleep the kids). If we buy a caravan, there is separate rego, insurance to pay and the caravan sit there most of the time doing nothing. Having a pop-top/roof bed also means that we don't have to stay in a caravan park and pay fees.

Has anyone done that? And can you share your experience with me? What are the costs? Thank you.
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[jimmyd]

Have you tried Macron conversions central coast, Discoverer campers Sydney or Frontline Sydney

[rob64981]

Before we came over from the UK i asked around as many companies as poss this same question.

I could not find anyone that was willing to do this same job for me.

I nearly brought a roof over from the UK to fit to a van myself.

I regret not doing this but i am looking into getting a friend to bring a Reimo roof out for me.

I did not know the rules about fitting one here in OZ thats what stopped me, But now I am here i have done some research and feel confidant about passing the rules.

Fitting the roof...Well it can be fitted in a day.

I have fitted a few in the UK with friends on there drives(in the English weather).

Please if you find someone who can supply a roof let me know to save the shipping costs.

If you look at this link you will see us doing a T4 roof....

http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/rob64981/Jims%20roof/

Thanks Rob

[jets]

i am looking into getting a friend to bring a Reimo roof out for me.

I think you should bring 2 or 3 out, there is a part time business opportunity here.

[rob64981]

Jets,

The thought is there in my head!

Just need to talk to someone about the tax side of bringing more than one in.

They would be worth copying and selling as a look alike.

Rob

[jwlcheung]

Hi Jimmy, Rob and Jet,

Thanks for your replies. I tried to contact all the camper conversion companies listed by Jimmy, but only received one reply from Brett (Macron). And Brett said he didn't have a SWB roof and asked me to contact Trakka. (which I have done)

I replied to Brett saying Trakka also said no and asked if Brett would import one for me from REIMO (www.reimo.com), who sells the parts online. I told him you guys from VWWatercooled have been singing his praises and asked him to reconsider my suggestions, or to point me to the right direction. I am waiting for his reply and will let you know how it goes. If we have the number (a few roofs) perhaps Brett may say yes. There must be a way around it. If there is a will there is a way. How can we Aussies stand the inequality of not having nice pop-top T5 vans as those in UK? If Rob has a way of importing them through a friend I would be interested too.

Converting the pop-top in the DIY way has one disadvantage: don't know how to get an engineering certificate so when you want to sell the camper that becomes a problem.

Jackie.

[jwlcheung]

Slide in kitchen for Multivan

Has anyone seen a similar slide-in kitchen at the back of a Multivan like this one:

http://www.umbauten.de/en/products/548-Kitchen-system-for-T5-Caddy-Touran

I think slide-in unit is a great idea as I don't want to have permanent structure inside the van, so that I can use the van as a family vehicle during the week. When I go on a trip then just slide in the kitchen unit and use it as a camper. The top of the drawers can be used as sleeping surface during the night.

I like the idea of cooking outside of the van. It means less smell and less damage to the interior. I find cooking the major cause of aging for the van's interior.

I am also asking Brett if he can build or ship one like this for me. If I get my pop-top/roof bed, a slide in kitchen unit, and 2 swivel base of the front seats, my dual-use family van/camper dream can come true. (perhaps I will need another battery as well)

Jackie.

[BrianJ]

Has anyone seen a similar slide-in kitchen at the back of a Multivan like this one:

http://www.umbauten.de/en/products/548-Kitchen-system-for-T5-Caddy-Touran

I think slide-in unit is a great idea as I don't want to have permanent structure inside the van, so that I can use the van as a family vehicle during the week. When I go on a trip then just slide in the kitchen unit and use it as a camper. The top of the drawers can be used as sleeping surface during the night.

I like the idea of cooking outside of the van. It means less smell and less damage to the interior. I find cooking the major cause of aging for the van's interior.

I am also asking Brett if he can build or ship one like this for me. If I get my pop-top/roof bed, a slide in kitchen unit, and 2 swivel base of the front seats, my dual-use family van/camper dream can come true. (perhaps I will need another battery as well)

Jackie.

There is one available at this site, further down the page you can see it in the back of a kombi beach which is built on the multivan platform:

http://www.drifta.com.au/UteCarback.php

I agree about cooking outside, we just use those cheap gas stoves available everywhere, with our kombi beach.

Brian

[rob64981]

Jackie,

Not as good as your find but a simple idea to get you going with the kitchen...



Will ask more about bringing some roofs over and get back to you.

Rob

[jwlcheung]

Thanks Brian. The boxed kitchen seems quite heavy to take out and set up. I have a bad back so I prefer slide out drawers with a small camp table and cheap gas stove.

Rob, I like your photo, is this used to be your van? Did you build it yourself or you saw it on the net? It's brilliant and simple. I can just add a small camp table and start cooking. Is it a slide in unit? the drawers seem to be able to take a lot of weight.

If you have any news about the roof, please let me know. Really appreciate it.

[jimmyd]

I just remembered another conversion company I visited last year in Melbourne called shiralee motor homes, small operation at Scorsby . They don't have a web site, so can't help there, but did let me look through a T5 they were converting, seemed to do a good job.
when I got my van converted, I asked to have a swing out metho stove instead of internal gas stove. The metho stove is a 2 burner, made for yachts, and works really well !!, just not as fast as gas. It has two 500ml tanks.
The stove cabinet swings out from sliding door, and can be detached from the van .

[rob64981]

Check out this link to a T5 that is for sale in the UK.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-T5-MULTIVAN-HIGHLINE-CAMPER-3-2-V6-16k-miles_W0QQitemZ140385729447QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes?hash=item20afa43ba7

The kitchen that this T5 has in it has been done by quite a few people i know and it can be left in during the week.

I know the lad that is selling this van and believe me its absolutely immaculate.

I would buy it if i was still in the UK with £20 grand spare!!

Rob

[jimmyd]

Hi Jimmy, Rob and Jet,

Thanks for your replies. I tried to contact all the camper conversion companies listed by Jimmy, but only received one reply from Brett (Macron). And Brett said he didn't have a SWB roof and asked me to contact Trakka. (which I have done)

I replied to Brett saying Trakka also said no and asked if Brett would import one for me from REIMO (www.reimo.com), who sells the parts online. I told him you guys from VWWatercooled have been singing his praises and asked him to reconsider my suggestions, or to point me to the right direction. I am waiting for his reply and will let you know how it goes. If we have the number (a few roofs) perhaps Brett may say yes. There must be a way around it. If there is a will there is a way. How can we Aussies stand the inequality of not having nice pop-top T5 vans as those in UK? If Rob has a way of importing them through a friend I would be interested too.

Converting the pop-top in the DIY way has one disadvantage: don't know how to get an engineering certificate so when you want to sell the camper that becomes a problem.

Jackie.

If you ring your Dept of Transport they should give you a list of authorized inspectors who can check out your roof re engineering cert. I had to do this in Qld, took an hour and $270

[jets]

when I got my van converted, I asked to have a swing out metho stove instead of internal gas stove. The metho stove is a 2 burner, made for yachts, and works really well !!, just not as fast as gas. It has two 500ml tanks.

Our van has the metho stove & it does work well, once you have the filling & lighting figured. Unfortunately even with extra rubber seals fitted to stop the metho evaporating when not being used there is still a smell of metho which it turns out my wife is allergic to.
We now take one of those cheap single burner gas stoves that so far does the job.

[jwlcheung]

No one is really interested in converting SWB T5. I talked to the guy from Trakka again, he told me they manufacture the pop-top themselves and the only size (of the mould) they have is LWB. And T4 SWB pop-top would not fit T5, which they used to make.

He also told me Multivan has air-con ducting to the roof so it cannot be cut through to fit a pop top. When they use a transporter T5 for a conversion there is no air-con ducting to the back section at all. I am not sure if it is going to be comfortable for those sitting at the back.