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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:51 pm Post subject: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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We just completed our first camping trip in the Weekender since it was purchased last year. It did great, but there are some mods I need/want in order to make the experience more convenient and enjoyable.
First off, the lower bunk is hell on my back--as in I could not get any sleep at all the first night. My wife ordered a Queen-sized mattress topper from Amazon and it fits and feel perfect. We're heading back out camping for a week, so I'll report back wrt how it performs in the real world.
You can see the Lightning cord and USB extension from the rear charge port, so we can use and charge our phones at the same time. I'm going to add USB ports up above the bed on either side to eliminate the extension. I also want to add mesh cubbies on either side to hold our pocket items and phones while sleeping.
Feel free to add your tips and tricks. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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markcm2 Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2015 Posts: 505 Location: Bellingham, Washington
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Klymit inflatable sleep pads are awesome for the eurovan. They are super compact when deflated (like 10% of a sleeping bag), easy to inflate and greatly improve the sleep-ability (I can't sleep in our van without extra padding, it KILLS my back and shoulders). Two of the Klymit static V2 fit perfect side by side in the upper bunk and two of the Klymit V Luxe fit perfectly on the lower bed. We have a small high volume air pump that inflates them in seconds. |
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IdeaNerd Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2016 Posts: 598 Location: Central California
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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@markcm2 what air pump are you using? |
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markcm2 Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2015 Posts: 505 Location: Bellingham, Washington
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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IdeaNerd wrote: |
@markcm2 what air pump are you using? |
We are using a mattress air pump; I had a DC unit that ran on 4 D batteries but they leaked and wrecked it. Now we use a 110vAC unit with a little 700watt inverter.
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:05 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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IdeaNerd wrote: |
@markcm2 what air pump are you using? |
You can get a unit for Ozarj that runs on AC DC or an internal battery that is rechargeable _________________ .ssS! |
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mkscott2 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2017 Posts: 90 Location: Cincinnati
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:53 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Huh... I really like the idea of a USB port higher up. Will be interested to see what you come up with as far as placement goes. Guessing you could just tie into the power source for the light?
We had similar issues with where to put the phones at night. I did attach a net to the bottom of the upper deck, which allows for a place to put the phones, but no way to charge without an obtrusive cable. Hmmm...
As for the bed, we have the GoWesty mattress topper, which is very comfortable... but does take up a lot of room when not in use. If the van didn't come with the GW topper, I would have gone with the inflatable sleep pads.
Other tips:
- magnet hooks (we have 2) that can hang things like LED lanterns from anything metal inside the van
- shelf behind the driver's seat (if you don't have the original plastic tray), adds a surprising amount of storage space
- net attached to the bottom of the aft upper deck- great for putting wet towels and stuff while waiting for them to dry
- kitchen (chuck) box: working on a design that will take as little trunk space as possible, but allow us to cook right from it. The plastic tub isn't cutting it
- seat-back pockets: gonna sew something like those shoe organizers to hang on the back of the passenger seat, just to keep little things a bit more organized in the back
This could turn out to be a pretty helpful thread if others keep adding to it... |
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Joshwa Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2015 Posts: 810 Location: North Seattle WA
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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mkscott2 wrote: |
- seat-back pockets: gonna sew something like those shoe organizers to hang on the back of the passenger seat, just to keep little things a bit more organized in the back. |
This. I've had a mesh shoe organizer on the back of the passenger seat. It has a permanent home there and is always in use. I haven't had to remove it when using the rear facing seat there as well. It's twice as long as it needs to be, so modifying s a must. Definitely a function over fashion item. _________________ 93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93 |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 9:44 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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I need to find storage tubs that exactly fit under the weekender bed in height - to maximize binned storage space.
Magic height is 11.5 inches
Have you thought about tapping off the 12VDC from the two lights -one nicely above the table, the other towards the head end of the bed?
Sorry, mkscott, missed your posting this idea above, on edit _________________ .ssS!
Last edited by Abscate on Thu Sep 07, 2017 3:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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shenan-agon Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2005 Posts: 423 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Abscate wrote: |
I need to find storage tubs that exactly fit under the weekender bed in height - to maximize binned storage space.
Magic height is 11.5 inches |
I got a couple of these for under the bench - 7" high, but leaves some room for stuff to stick out over the top. Also be aware that there's a support bar under there that reduces the height a little ways back.
https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-174-clearview-l...nk=sametab |
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mkscott2 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2017 Posts: 90 Location: Cincinnati
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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I agree with the need to eek out every last inch of available space under the seat. This is why I am making a custom-fit box outta wood. Plastic tub would be good, but I found that ours (also not Rubbermaid variety) cracked pretty easily when it got cold.
In the same vain, I am considering the purchase of much smaller backpacking chairs such as these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XYW3436/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A23A2LDFV3EUTQ&psc=1 Part of my goal is to avoid a roof-box or tail-box. |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:39 pm Post subject: Eurovan rear dimensions under bed T4 |
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shenan-agon wrote: |
Abscate wrote: |
I need to find storage tubs that exactly fit under the weekender bed in height - to maximize binned storage space.
Magic height is 11.5 inches |
I got a couple of these for under the bench - 7" high, but leaves some room for stuff to stick out over the top. Also be aware that there's a support bar under there that reduces the height a little ways back.
https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-174-clearview-l...nk=sametab |
Yeah - I know all about that bar.
(changed title for search)
The right dimension box would be 11 1/2 inches high and 30 inches deep - that will reach all the way to the bar but leave storage space accessible from inside through the bed hatches.
The carpet to bed height is 12 inches but the back plastic shelf robs you 1/2 inch, too. BTDT _________________ .ssS! |
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Joshwa Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2015 Posts: 810 Location: North Seattle WA
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Our later Weekender beds have a frame and solid rear bench that limits that space, though. _________________ .ssS! |
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IdeaNerd Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2016 Posts: 598 Location: Central California
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Abscate wrote: |
I need to find storage tubs that exactly fit under the weekender bed in height - to maximize binned storage space.
Magic height is 11.5 inches
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I plan to completely revamp the back end of our Weekender, but in the meantime we are using four plastic hanging file folder storage boxes under that bed shelf in the back, positioned with their longest dimension going side-to-side. Four fit perfectly in there that way, and it leaves some empty "long space" on one side for chairs, hiking poles, and the like. The area under the back seat remains available in front of the boxes.
Took a while to find something that would fit well in there. "Magic height" is spot-on way to describe it. |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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The pop up we used on our eclipse trip would not quite fit in the under bed space without going on the diagonal. That uses a lot of space that is otherwise well suited for Bins,..... have to rethink this _________________ .ssS! |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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We just got back from our road trip to the San Juans. We stayed in a cabin on Lopez, but camped for two nights on Orcas. The combination of the bed topper, a large full width prop pillow, camp pillows and a two person sleeping bag did the trick; the lower bunk was sufficiently comfy. Since we weren't going to use the upper bunk I removed the cushions and sleep platform, so the bed topper fit up there folded into quarters--it really fits nicely.
I'm really beginning to envy the MV configuration with the removable seat behind the driver. The fixed Weekender seat is a space hog when the lower bunk is deployed, but it is useful as a storage location when underway. We removed the chiller and have a bin under there full of games the kids enjoy.
I find the snaps for the curtains to be annoying to use properly, so I'm contemplating using some kind of Velcro alternative to keep everything in place--thoughts?
Also, I found that my mod to open the hatch from the inside was extremely helpful when opening/closing the rear curtains, since they get pinched against the body when the hatch is closed. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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Quote: |
I find the snaps for the curtains to be annoying to use properly, so I'm contemplating using some kind of Velcro alternative to keep everything in place--thoughts? |
One tiny shot of silicone spray - and then put it on four other snaps - try that
_________________ .ssS! |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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I used candle wax, but even then the snaps are just annoying.
One other tip to share: The Orca 58 is a really nice sized cooler that fits behind the passenger seat and kept our food for four cool for six days with two frozen gallon jugs of water inside. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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I just flipped the 4th seat out to bring kid #5 back to college.
The MV config rocks!! _________________ .ssS! |
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mvaska Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2015 Posts: 135 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Tips for camping in an MV/Weekender |
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we swapped the bolted rear-facing seat with an engel DC cooler. which naturally meant we had to change the proprietary DC socket behind the drive seat to a normal cig lighter socket. bonus that the engel cooler is nearly the same height as the stock seat and can be used as a bench for eating at the table.
we also found hooks that attach to the headrest bars. and a really solid metal cup holder that is held in place by slipping into the front ashtray.
more involved upgrades:
1 - dual USB sockets lower on the center kick panel. wired to the aux.
2 - LED light replacement for florescent so aux battery doesn't go dead so quickly
3 - swivel base for passenger's side seat
4 - handle to open rear door from inside
5 - rubber flooring - thin enough to be nearly an exact fit w/trim -- sweeps clean
6 - custom pull-out kitchen w/gas stove for back |
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