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shadetreetim Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 1994 Location: Riverside, California
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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This chuckwagen idea intrigues me. It’s got my mind racing with ideas. I like the simplicity of storage and transition from daily driver to camper it offers. My wife and I prefer the Weekender interior with its bigger bed, but want a few cabinets for storage when we camp.
A couple of weeks ago we camped with a large plastic 4 drawer unit placed behind the passenger seat. It was efficient but not too sexy.
Having four drawers sure helped for organization. We used the top small drawer for silverware / cooking utensils. The lower small drawer for towels. The 3rd drawer was bigger and served as our food pantry. And the bottom drawer was used for pots, pans, and cutting board. There was even room for our lantern in there. It was very stable with the heavier items on the bottom.
Putting the cabinet behind the passenger seat was handy but we never used the remaining jump seat and there wasn’t a good place to put the cooler. For this past weekends camping trip I moved the drawer unit over behind the drivers seat, placed with the drawers opening towards the sliding door, and sat my Coleman 12V cooler behind the passengers seat, placed horizontally.
The Coleman cooler can be oriented vertically or horizontally. Our determination was it holds more as a chest than as a refrigerator. Unfortunately I neglected to take any pictures of the setup except the one above, but I was reasonably happy with it. The 4 drawer unit just fit between the seat and the table, allowing the table to be used if needed. With the drawers sliding out sideways we had a couple of accidents with the top drawer when I turned too quickly. Silverware went everywhere. I need to add some drawer locks.
My current thinking is to build a nicely finished wooden cabinet using the plastic drawers as a rough example. I would resize the drawers a little to make them more appropriate for use. For example the silverware drawer is taller than it needs to be. The overall height of the unit is about right, it’s a couple of inches taller than the bottom of the windows. The top of the cabinet was useful while camping to set items on, I would like a slightly raised lip around the edge though.
The cooler location seems like its still wasting space. I like the smaller footprint of the cooler as opposed to the 4 drawer cabinet in the doorway, but I still need a place to put the Coleman Stove. Currently it’s carried behind the back seat meaning it has to be moved to use the bed. That usually happens when I'm sleepy. I’m not 100% sure what the final plan is for the passenger side cabinet but I know I want a slide in cubby under the cooler to place the stove in while in transit.
The indecision is what to do around and above the cooler. I could build a square box with the cooler on a platform and shelves / drawers above it? (Image #1) Or a slide out cooler with a padded seat above it? (#2) Easier to do a hinged seat? (#2 again) Nothing above it? (#3) Build it with just a back panel with pegs to hang stuff from? (#4) Or some combination of all the best features.
The other indecision is in regards to materials. I like the warmth and class of wood, but am leaning towards a grey laminate more in line with a factory effort. Laminate will *probably* win.
The removable chuckwagen cabinetry would make the transition from camper to daily driver very quick. A big plus is it allows all the camping gear to remain packed and ready. We stored our blankets in the empty drawer used for food/snacks. These cabinets could even be pulled out and used in camp if a totally outdoor kitchen was desired, although we liked it fine with just the stove outside. Design 1 or 4 would offer good locations to add a paper towel holder. I plan on using roller drawer guides to make it easy to open, close and completely remove the drawers for loading. Not indicated on the drawings is the jump seat bracket attachment planned so they’re secured in case of an accident. I’m also thinking a couple of small rollers would be helpful when moving the loaded cabinets, kind of a built in dolly feature.
It’s all talk at this point. All hat, no cowboy. I’ll continue to study on it, work out the details, and keep an eye out for the best materials to use. Just throwing it out there… _________________ Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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Cygnus Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2006 Posts: 129 Location: Idaho
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:26 am Post subject: |
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I sure like the look of some of those SMEV combo units. Anyone know where they can be had in the US? I know that panther RV carries some of them - but not the model I had in mind.
-Brian _________________ '86 Syncro Timbertech Hightop "Cygnus" |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:19 am Post subject: |
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This thing looks pretty functional:
http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Sherpa-Table-Organ...CR1IN7T9CR
I just put it on my Amazon wish list so that my wife will see it and want it also. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:59 pm Post subject: modular kitchen |
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I've been following this thread and want a similar setup. My syncro vanagon with campmobile poptop was perfect for us to have a 7 seat van to shuttle the kids around, but be able to quickly switch over to camping mode.
I really like the chuckbox concept as well. I really like the Kanz Field Kitchen http://kanzoutdoors.com/field_kitchen.html but I'm hoping for something a little more reasonable in price.
I still wanted to round out the modular camper experience by complementing the chuck box with sink/water, propane supply, and aux heater.
Ultimately I want to build something from honeycomb panels or something similar to the lightweight 16" camper here http://www.vanagon.com/info/vehicles/lightweight-syncro-16.htm
I understand that PVC-coated aluminum sandwich panels can be welded together with PVC cement, so it seems like it would be ideal.
However, I've found out that material is *really* expensive so I decided to build a mockup/prototype to nail down a design and get by until I can find a reasonable source. Needing something strong enough to hold the weight and handle abuse from my kids, but light enough to easily lift in and out, I settled on wire rack shelving and spent a good deal of time with a tape measure at various stores before finding what I wanted.
I'm happy with the results so far. The pictured unit can easily be lifted (with water can off) in to the syncro and mounted. It has a 10# fiberglass propane tank, 5 gallon gray water tank, 5 gallon potable water tank, Olympia Wave 6 catalytic heater, a 3 way propane distribution tee with a hose to attach a stove, and a sink in which you can actually wash a plate or fill a pot. A small multi-compartment tray behind the sink holds soap, scrub brushes and a CO detector.
The position where the heater is mounted has worked out great. The catalytic is silent and uses no battery, it radiates out to heat the lower bed and up to heat up the pop top. It was 34 camping in SE Oregon last night and we turned it off because "low" eventually got too hot.
Here it is packed up and ready to roll. I keep the water up top for highway driving and most dirt roads, but take it down for serious off-road. The rib in the floor is a perfect stop to keep it from wanting to slide back. I use a bungee to secure the little tables that the kids love (Table Mate 1000), great as TV tray table, don't think you're gonna put your stove on it though...
Tanks slide out on a drawer for easy maintenance.
Things on my to do list is to build an adapter to leverage the jump seat mount points to secure it better. I want to figure out how to make better use of the space along the curved inner wall of the van. Only major problem I'm struggling with right now is I was planning on placing a fridge with wall-mounted chuck box above it next to this thing, but I'd have to find a new home for the heater. |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7756 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:03 am Post subject: |
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^^^Nice adaptation, Mike!
However, I'd feel better if you always stowed the fresh water whenever you're moving - I'll bet that headrest isn't gonna stop 50 lbs. of water from taking off your head in a quick stop from 60 mph...
Just sayin. _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:12 am Post subject: |
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Dhaavers, it's strapped in tight enough that i think the container would fail before breaking free, but that probably is the smart thing to do... Actually, thats what I did on my last trip. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:55 am Post subject: |
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This is a pretty slick little sink/cabinet/shower setup:
I'm also fond of the Syncro 16 it's attached to.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1288253 _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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lloydy Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 715 Location: cheam surrey
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: |
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i got one of these
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
there is one for sale on ebay UK very rarely come up for sale.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-Camper-T25-Bay-Kitche..._500wt_949
someone asked me a while back to keep an eye open for one, but i cant remember who
not cheap though makes me want to list mine _________________ 16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject: Nice kitchen pod |
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^^^^^^very cool! Didn't know what they were called specifically. Now that I know to search the web for "kitchen pod". All kinds of cool solutions are available in Europe. I liike this one... http://greendogcampers.com/GREEN_DOG_Campervans_VW...sions.html _________________ _____________________
'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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a914622 Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004 Posts: 840 Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Syncromike
Im not sure if your heater works on its side?? I have the smaller older one and it doent workon its side.
But I have hung mine in the back of the truck canopy. So maybe a longer hose and straps that rap around the seat belt mounts? Kinda spider webby?
jcl _________________ 87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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a914622 wrote: |
Syncromike
Im not sure if your heater works on its side?? I have the smaller older one and it doent workon its side.
But I have hung mine in the back of the truck canopy. So maybe a longer hose and straps that rap around the seat belt mounts? Kinda spider webby?
jcl |
It's designed to work that way. I used the supplied template to drill the holes for horizontal mount. It only works where the hose comes up from the bottom though. It works well, a little too well. Wish it had a thermostat. I also have a CO monitor in that module and it's never made a peep. _________________ _____________________
'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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lloydy Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 715 Location: cheam surrey
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:54 am Post subject: |
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I really like this stuff, very german. It's modular so you can have a whole interior or just a kitchen unit. It is not cheap stuff, they are the same people who did the camper version of the T5 Rockton
http://www.terracamper.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164&Itemid=191
It's not actually that different from your set up syncromike _________________ 16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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.when my Syncro grows up, it wants to be just like this one. _________________ _____________________
'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject: kitchen |
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Lots of good ideas here, some cost a lot. I just took a westy kitchen, cost $300 put it in with one bolt. put the water tank under the sink, 5 gals.My pump a windshield washer pump cost $10.00 at auto zone. Run the stove on 1 LBS cans. Run the frig. on 12 volt or 110 volt. Works great, good size, easy to get, looks good. And you can find them in the USA. _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
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Themasterof42 Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2009 Posts: 327 Location: goleta
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: kitchen |
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joseph928 wrote: |
Lots of good ideas here, some cost a lot. I just took a westy kitchen, cost $300 put it in with one bolt. put the water tank under the sink, 5 gals.My pump a windshield washer pump cost $10.00 at auto zone. Run the stove on 1 LBS cans. Run the frig. on 12 volt or 110 volt. Works great, good size, easy to get, looks good. And you can find them in the USA. |
That's the way I'd like to go as well. Just gotta find one locally for a fair price. Seems like a nice simple setup that could be easily removable when more storage is needed. |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7756 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:39 am Post subject: |
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THIS:
...from HERE _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:15 am Post subject: |
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I was dropping off a bunch of crap at the thrift store yesterday and, as is tradition, had to go inside and find some new crap to replace it with.
I found this funky little camp kitchen along all of the pieces (still sealed in bags) and the printed directions. It's called a "Dosko Campmate" and was apparently sold by Cabela's at one time.
The front folds out, the top comes off and doubles as a wash basin, and it has drawers and a a few other features. Your camp stove rides in the top, under the cover.
http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=77355
It appears to have never been used. It looks like it'll sit nicely behind the passenger seat and will work well at a campsite on a table. It was $15 so I couldn't pass it up. At the very least, it's a lot better than the storage tub I usually use for camp gear.
Between this and my $50 Yak box, I had a very economical weekend! _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:52 am Post subject: scored a nice chuck box on local CL |
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Found this well-crafted handmade chuck box on local Craigslist this week. Got it for $35 fully-loaded.
The guy I bought it from said a now-deceased buddy of his hand made it years ago. It's held up well! _________________ _____________________
'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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syncromike Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 660 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:53 am Post subject: |
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^ just need to figure out how to securely, but not permanently, mount it inside the van... _________________ _____________________
'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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VwMomofthree Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006 Posts: 195 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 am Post subject: |
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How expensive? |
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