DIY project codename DOS/4GW

[Shaino]

So we bought a small Bessacarr Cameo 635 gl 2005 caravan with an idea of rebuilding it.

Our budget is about £5-6k, some of the work planned is:

• Re-painting cabinets, drawers, etc
• Re-painting the exterior
• Throwing out the shower cubicle, adding a dishwasher instead
• Rebuild the back lounge - adding bunk beds and a fixed bed
• Perhaps cutting couple of side windows in the back

We plan to use it as a holiday home (we are a family of 5) stored in Europe , which we will tow through different countries throughout the year. Using serviced pitches only.

To a certain extent this is a "we don't actually know what we need in the end and what it will require to accomplish" project so any advice/suggestion or sharing a similar experience is greatly appreciated!

This is how it has started about a month ago




(folks from another resource have seen this already, starting the thread here to get more opinions / suggestions)

 

[Jcloughie]

Two thoughts. Cutting windows in places they were never intended to go will most likely weaken the structural integrity of the van.

A dishwasher will massively dig into the weight allowance and will probably worsen its towing characteristics.

But the best of luck to you.

John

 

[Dustydog]

Every one to their own but a dishwasher🥴. They use a lot of amps during the heating cycle!

 

[Buckman]

Not sure of the layout, but a dishwasher anywhere in the caravan is going to have a severe effect on stability of the caravan never mind it reducing the user payload severely.

As said cutting to add windows may not be a good idea plus moving and changing furniture around as it is the furniture that gives the caravan its structural integrity. It will also affect the stability of the caravan. Not sure whether a Certificate of Competence would be required due to structural changes which may cause it to become unroadworthy in the eyes of the law?

If towing around Europe insurance may be a prerequisite and probably essential never mind the fact that you are restricted to 90 days in any 180 day period unless you have a visa.

 

[Mel]

Every one to their own but a dishwasher🥴. They use a lot of amps during the heating cycle!

I agree and European sites can be rated as low as 3 amps; so worth thinking about.
However, sounds like an exciting project. Keep us informed of progress and al the best with it.
Mel

 

[Mr Plodd]

That's a pretty hefty caravan, what are you going to tow it with? As in does your towing vehicle have the legal ability to tow a 1900 kg trailer??? ?

 

[JTQ]

On continental European sites it is the communal dishwashing area that is the hub of conversations and new friendships; don't forego that bit of the experience you will miss too much.

Get plates that "bounce" and make it a thing all the family can partake in if the ages permit; revisit installing a dishwasher after you have experienced these potential pleasures.

As others have said the word "payload" would be ringing time and time again in any plans to change the van, and manner of the trips you plan to make. Generally, the allowances are arguably enough foreven a basic holiday, let alone a longer "residence" like trip. where to likes of dishwashers might come into play.

 

[Paullus1959]

Yes, ditch the dishwasher.
As per JTQ, I’m in France as I write and I do all the washing up simply due to the social aspect. We do have a dishwasher at home though.
The weight of said appliance has been mentioned but consider also, some continental sites only offer a 4 amp supply with 10 amp being the norm and 16 amp the exception.
Get yourself the best and biggest, as there’s five of you, three way fridge you can afford and fit instead. .

 

[otherclive]

Do you know your axle rated load as some of your ideas might lead to exceeding that load. What is the caravans currentMTPLM as that in UK is deemed its max load.

 

[Dustydog]

This will help

Do you know your axle rated load as some of your ideas might lead to exceeding that load. What is the caravans currentMTPLM as that in UK is deemed its max load.

https://www.caravantalk.co.uk/caravan-data/bessacarr-cameo-635-gl-2005-caravan-specifications/

 

[Mr Plodd]

The MTPLM is 1900 kg, as per my previous post. It matters not what tge axle is rated at, the MTPLM shown on the plate cannot legally be exceeded.

 

[Shaino]

does your towing vehicle have the legal ability to tow a 1900 kg trailer??? ?

Yep all good with that. Why so many exclamation marks though?

 

[Mr Plodd]

Because I have, over the years, dealt with many overweight car and caravan set ups, so I wanted to make sure you were not going to break the law as many owners are totally unaware that vehicles have towing limits, and your purchase is a very heavy one so there are not too many things that can tow it.
(They are question marks not exclamation marks)

 

[Seblo]

My suggestion would be to live with your caravan as is, and when ready, put the revamp budget towards your next caravan.
Some of the work you have said you might do are big jobs and could make the caravan unsaleable in the future or unsafe, possibly even illegal if you exceed safe weights or alter the structure.
Sorry if this is not what you want to hear but it could save you a lot of fruitless hard work, not to mention the possible heartache

 

[otherclive]

The MTPLM is 1900 kg, as per my previous post. It matters not what tge axle is rated at, the MTPLM shown on the plate cannot legally be exceeded.

Isn’t that what I said in my last line of #9

The OP did not quote a MTPLM so there was no confirmation that your MTPLM of 1900kg was factually correct

 

[Dustydog]

Isn’t that what I said in my last line of #9

The OP did not quote a MTPLM so there was no confirmation that your MTPLM of 1900kg was factually correct

#10 posts the spec and the MTPLM is 1900kgs

 

[Raywood]

I do agree with most of the previous posts. Frankly a dish washer is not feasible as it will not leave you with the capacity to carry what else you need and will almost certainly have a negative effect on the handling. You would be replacing a very lightweight component with a very heavy one. The caravan has a rear washroom so adding that extra weight at the rear is the worst place for stability and could make towing difficult or even dangerous.
Cutting holes for windows and rebuilding the furniture in the back could again eat into your load allowance and the structural strength of the caravan, the furniture furniture is part of the structure in most models so you have to be very careful what you do. If you change the layout you must check the weight of what you fit and any extra has to be deducted from the load allowance. The caravan does seem to have a very high load allowance though if the figures I have seen are correct but do check the makers plate to confirm. It is a heavy model so do make sure the tow car is up to it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Like others I have concerns about the extent of the changes you want to make. Removal of some items of furniture will reduce the structural integrity of the caravan's body, and especially with such a large caravan that may be more serious than you know.

But also the addition of extra large items of equipment will impose extra loads to the body and chassis. and I also share other correspondents concerns about the available payload capacity to accommodate the changes and the keep within the caravans max weight limit.

When it comes to large scale changes I doubt anyone can offer accurate opinions about how it might work for you. I urge you to carefully consider the concerns that have been expressed.

 

[Parksy]

A freshen up of the caravan interior using paint and the possibility of adding bunks and a fixed bed might be worth exploring, but I'd definitely avoid chopping bits of internal structure or the caravan walls to create extra windows.
I've seen this radical 'revamp' attempted twice before, and both instances have resulted in scrap caravans which were impossible to tow anywhere.
There are upgrades that are well worth doing, such as to upholstery, lighting, floor coverings and paint plus servicing and maintenance that could increase the comfort and usability of your caravan, but with so many different caravan layouts on the market, why buy a caravan that you have to drastically alter to suit your needs?
Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[Shaino]

Appreciate all the comments and concerns raised!

As the caravan is old, there is a lot of dirt/dust, especially in places that are hard to reach. All vertical and horizontal surfaces are going through multi-stage cleaning process - spraying vinegar solution, spraying alcohol solution , Dettol spray, final clean mopping .

This is under front beds:



This is under the oven - no idea what shattered glass is doing there??

 

[Hutch]

The shattered glass, probably from an oven door, we were finding bit of glass a year or two later after we broke one.

 

[Mel]

The shattered glass, probably from an oven door, we were finding bit of glass a year or two later after we broke one.

Or someone closed the cooker lid when the burners were on?
Looks like a major clean up operation. Very satisfying once it is done though.
Mel

 

[Jcloughie]

If a tin of beans falls from the cupboard above the hob. This will do it! 🥵

John

 

[Buckman]

If a tin of beans falls from the cupboard above the hob. This will do it! 🥵

John

Are you talking from experience?

 

[Jcloughie]

Are you talking from experience?

Indeed.

Picking up glass for years.

John