Spacetourer/Dispatch/Jumpy/Expert/Traveller Campervan conversion tips/suggestions?

[autopia]

Hi all,

I've recently bought a MY2018 Citroen Spacetourer 2.0BlueHDi Feel, with the intention of using it as a campervan.

I've searched the forum for 'camper' and 'campervan' modifications but can't find any threads that capture conversion hints and tips so thought it might be useful to create one, and I'll drop my own work into it for anyone else considering doing the same.

I understand my MPV is the 3rd Generation of the Citroen Spacetourer/Dispatch/Jumpy, Peugeot Expert/Traveller ranges of vehicles, I think it is known as the K0 platform and although not French brands; has been manufactured/rebadged as later models of the Vauxhall Vivaro/Toyota Proace Verso/ Fiat Scudo.

My initial enquiries are:
1. Best location for siting a 2kW diesel heater - internally or underfloor/externally?
2. Diesel tank stand pipe/pickup for heater - is it a tank drop or is there an access hatch above the fuel sender location?
3. Best location for electric hook-up socket - is there anywhere discrete, rather than cutting through body panel skin?

Admins - please move, if you feel this thread is better placed in a different forum?

Thanks all.

[autopia]

Let me kick this off, I settled on the K0 platform after deciding I didnt want a Relay/Ducato sized vehicle again, my previous camper was a Ducato based Auto-trail and whilst I loved its utility, it was a big van, so long distance driving could be tiring/noisy.

I converted my first camper - a VW T5 about 15yrs ago, and I loved how easy it was to drive, e.g. the similarity to driving a car, much more comfortable and a good compromise on utility - I sold it to upgrade to the Auto-trail, but it's one of the few vehicles I wish I'd kept.

My requirements for this one were set: drives like a car, aircon, cruise, at least 130bhp, min Euro5, less than 100k miles, manual, Bluetooth phone connectivity, two front seats rather than three - which mainly ruled out the vans and as a benefit - the higher Road Fund License on commercial vehicles.
So until i found the Spacetourer/Traveller my target was the range of people carriers; Mercedes Vito, VW Caravelle, but with the interest in campervans since Covid, the prices can be really high and with stellar mileages.

Mine is the 2.0HDi Feel model, so it has less toys than the Flair range - less to go wrong, but still enough features to make it a nice place to be, including cruise, climate, tyre pressure monitoring, touchscreen head unit (although I dont yet have Android Auto on it - see separate thread about that), 65k miles and 150bhp which means the engine should be useful understressed at Motorway speeds, it's a nippy vehicle, especially with the sliding seats removed.

So, I.plan to convert the front passenger seat to a swivel base using the Kiravans kit; https://www.kiravans.co.uk/products/rib ... hand-drive

I've bought and dry-fitted the Monster kitchen pod; https://monstershop.co.uk/products/camp ... new-plugin
This is a flat pack unit so each panel is easy to manage, the worktop is the longest but not too heavy, and needs modifying if keeping the Spacetourer's internal mouldings, but it's just some shaving off the rear right corner to fit the radius. The rear vertical panel also needs some curved reduction, but a jigsaw and belt sander easily reduces it.

I need to mqake a decision on finish for the panels, the options are:
Melamine/Formica laminate and contact adhesive - expensive and risky cutting.
Epoxy worktop finish and vinyl sher on the verticals - I've never tried pouring epoxy on a plywood panel but from the YouTube videos, the finish looks great.
Varnish all panels - should be straightforward, just brushing on and sanding down.

[Paul-R]

There have been a few people posting here over the years about camper van conversions but, to be honest, not many and then mainly to tell us what they've done rather than asking for help and opinions. I don't think you're going to get many replies but good luck anyway. Let us know how the project goes though.

[tricoloured]

Hi

You may find some info / help on this site: https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/forum/index.php

It's mostly older models but there are some K0 stuff.

Regards

Bobby

[autopia]

Many thanks, PaulR and Bobby.
Rgds