![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://windsurfing.tv/video/van-project-fiat-ducato-l4-h3-camper-with-a-garage-a-bloody-massive-one/&media=https://windsurfing.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Van-Project-website.png&description=<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="agecs-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="agecs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="agecs-0-0">Van Project t Ep-1 - is GO!!!</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="2bd5n-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2bd5n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2bd5n-0-0"> </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="cm07v-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cm07v-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cm07v-0-0">Ok, so anyone who follows me on Instagram</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="c7vvp-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c7vvp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c7vvp-0-0">( https://www.instagram.com/ben_proffitt ) or on the Windsurfing.TV instagram will know I bought a van.</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="gs3q-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="gs3q-0-0"><span data-offset-key="gs3q-0-0">The idea being to convert it into a Camper with a Massive garage.</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="8peh1-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8peh1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8peh1-0-0">Reason.. Firstly my small van (Opel Vivaro) died early this year ( R.I.P) but to be honest it wasn't big enough to get all my toys in... and also sleep in.</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="4nng5-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4nng5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4nng5-0-0">So I decided to go BIG... and create a living space, cooking facilities etc with a Bed.. a Big bed! :) </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="cf9oo-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cf9oo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cf9oo-0-0">Plus have room in the back for all my toys.. Boards, sails, foil and bike!</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="c757e-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c757e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c757e-0-0">Anyway.. I've done a little mock up of my planned layout. Just so I could work out if I liked it or not.</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="94svh-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="94svh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="94svh-0-0"> </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="aktlq-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aktlq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="aktlq-0-0">Anyway.. What do you think? </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="2cv15-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2cv15-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2cv15-0-0">I reckon it's worked out well and ticks all the boxes...</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="1lccd-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1lccd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1lccd-0-0"> </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="6o7rh-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6o7rh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6o7rh-0-0">But I'd be interested to hear your feedback/comments... </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="dk47n-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dk47n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dk47n-0-0">I'm not really sure how much time/skill level I'm going to have to do all the work myself so i might have to sub some work out... But lets see... I'll try and keep you guys up to date... if you want me to ?</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="8q7te-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8q7te-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8q7te-0-0">:)</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="cd4k2-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cd4k2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cd4k2-0-0">So any tips, advice or contacts would be greatly appreciated :)</span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="ftse-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ftse-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ftse-0-0"> </span></div> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="72va2" data-offset-key="e8k26-0-0"> <div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e8k26-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e8k26-0-0">p.s: I actually just filmed this for a friend.. so only did it with my iPhone. But I thin k it works ok... and you get the idea! :)</span></div> </div> Cheers Ben)
Van Project t Ep-1 – is GO!!!
Ok, so anyone who follows me on Instagram
( https://www.instagram.com/ben_proffitt ) or on the Windsurfing.TV instagram will know I bought a van.
The idea being to convert it into a Camper with a Massive garage.
Reason.. Firstly my small van (Opel Vivaro) died early this year ( R.I.P) but to be honest it wasn’t big enough to get all my toys in… and also sleep in.
So I decided to go BIG… and create a living space, cooking facilities etc with a Bed.. a Big bed! 🙂
Plus have room in the back for all my toys.. Boards, sails, foil and bike!
Anyway.. I’ve done a little mock up of my planned layout. Just so I could work out if I liked it or not.
Anyway.. What do you think?
I reckon it’s worked out well and ticks all the boxes…
But I’d be interested to hear your feedback/comments…
I’m not really sure how much time/skill level I’m going to have to do all the work myself so i might have to sub some work out… But lets see… I’ll try and keep you guys up to date… if you want me to ?
🙂
So any tips, advice or contacts would be greatly appreciated 🙂
p.s: I actually just filmed this for a friend.. so only did it with my iPhone. But I thin k it works ok… and you get the idea! 🙂
Cheers Ben
OK figure we owe you for your great site, my tip is if you wish to use it for cold wet UK waterproof the windsurf storage area by getting a made to measure container that will fit neatly into the back, as we did with our big camper still ok after 20 years of travel and use. It is made of the same material as plastic water tanks and is heat welded for a perfect fit then lightly joined around the sides and top. You never have to worry about wet kit or van damage and a simple sponge collects the water and is wrung out later. We have travelled for years with no probs, it was worth every penny, £700 in 1997….
You will need a bikeinside rack, you know the boss!
oh really? will the boss send me one to test? haha
You will need a bikeinsie rack, you know the boss.
Three comments:
Firstly, get a memory foam mattress as they are thinner and, whilst being just as comfortable, they take up less space and give you more headroom.
Secondly, find a way of sealing the area below the boards and sails – ideally some sort of self-draining plastic or fibreglass tray – other wise all your hard work is undone as the van rots from the inside.
Thirdly, try and use quality exterior grade plywood rather than any MDF or chipboard-based materials because the latter absorb dampness and swell.
Hi Ben,
useful advices for van builders:
so silicone for sealing, it will accelerate corrosion.
if you use metallic stringers: go stainless. carbon steel will corrode with the wet windsurfing gear. no matter how much paint you use.
fridge: use a compressor fridge. consumes less energy and works fine. do not use one with the little vent and a metallic cooling plate. rubbish. no door. box type. keeps the cold inside. WAECO …. google it.