Top 3 Tips???

[alimey]

I will be getting my beloved Bongo converted this summer and have read almost everything I can find about it on the forum & been to the bash to see some options. The Bongo will either be used for my husband, me & dog to camp in - or me & the dog to go competing in.

Here is what I plan to get done (at Celtic Motorhomes):

Full side conversion (sink, fridge, 2 burners)
Lino floor
Rock & roll bed (not the superwide as I need to maximise storage)


But I wondered if anyone had any tips for things that can be incorporated into the conversion - along the lines of either "this was the best thing we did" - or "I wouldn't do that again"

Let's have your top 3.

[Simon Jones]

Top 3 must-haves:
- Compressor fridge (as big as space & budget allows)

- Loads of mains & 12v sockets. I've got 4 & 2 respectively, but they soon fill up with chargers for phone, ipad, camera, toaster etc. I still find it unbelivable that you can spend £40K on a motor home or camper & they only provide one 13A socket.

- As many storage cubby holes, drawers & cupboards as you can squeeze in. Also, look out for Bongo-sized gear such as small low wattage toasters, acrylic wine glasses where the stem unscrews to store inside the glass, & other things that stack or squish down into a small space.

[g8dhe]

If not included in the conversion make sure you get a Leisure Battery fitted, with Split Charge Relay (to charge whilst driving) and Mains charger (to allow charging and running from the Mains for 12 volt items).
Yes add as many 12 volt sockets as possible (adding splitters into existing sockets is a pain and only works for low current items), we have two additional sockets downstairs (4 in to total) and two 12 volt outlets with 2 USB outlets in addition in the AFT, we also carry several 12 volt to USB adapters as well for use downstairs!

[alimey]

Wow - great tips about the electrics. Will write this down on my list. Hadn't even thought of having a power point in the AFT - brilliant!!

Thanks to everyone so far.

I had sort of considered having a couple of USB points added - looks a bit neater than a 12v w/ an adaptor perhaps?

[briwy]

We've got an underfloor water tank, frees up space inside for storage.

[alimey]

That's interesting - who did the conversion? How much does it hold? Do you have to drain it in winter? Do you also have a container for waste water?

Anyone have any other thoughts about this solution?

[dom_e]

I rather like the ability to remove a fridge and hob to free up space or use in an awning. We've got a Weaco CF-25 and a double meths burner in a home made set up. A meths stove also removes the need for a gas locker and the associated space. I would also question the need for a sink given the ease and flexibility of carrying a plastic bowl.

We also find our Mobi 12v pressure washer handy for: washing bikes, washing the dogs washing the dishes and washing the Bongo using rain water from the butts in the garden.

[New Forest Terrier]

Its very much individual taste. I find my rear conversion has absolutely changed how I approach camping in the Bongo. For me the Weaco fridge is the star. Fresh food instead of a collection of tins and ice in drinks. The sink is the second most important item. It makes cooking so much easier and you can clean your teeth without struggling across a dark campsite. The fixed cooker comes lower on the list. Everything greasy is still cooked on a barbecue outside rather than smoke up the upholstery. A cup of coffee in the morning without having to stagger to an awning is good though. All my stuff is fixed as I go to festivals, where the use of awnings or tents is limited and the Bongo has to be self sufficient. Also if contemplating a mud bath, as next weekend will be, you can avoid a drenched tent to pack away.

The amount of power outlets depends on the amount of stuff you bring. I manage fine with two 12v outlets for use on leisure battery and two 240v sockets for hook ups. Again I go off mains a lot so my choice of kit is determined by this. A hefty leisure battery to power this is an absolute essential, plus a split charger so that you can top up the battery during any longer stay.

Storage avoids the awful moment when you realise you have left the cups on the kitchen table. Usually in darkest Dorset where the shopping opportunities are limited. A box under the seat for wellies is also essential. The main thing is not to lug too much though.

Its a great chance to work out your own needs though rather than having to accept what someone else installed. The one piece of unused rubbish in my Bongo though is a removable table. The converter insisted on it, but its main use is to trip people up. I use the worktop on the conversion or a table outside. Others sit round a table though, so its probably just me.

[tallbongo]

Its very much individual taste. I find my rear conversion has absolutely changed how I approach camping in the Bongo. For me the Weaco fridge is the star. Fresh food instead of a collection of tins and ice in drinks. The sink is the second most important item. It makes cooking so much easier and you can clean your teeth without struggling across a dark campsite. The fixed cooker comes lower on the list. Everything greasy is still cooked on a barbecue outside rather than smoke up the upholstery. A cup of coffee in the morning without having to stagger to an awning is good though. All my stuff is fixed as I go to festivals, where the use of awnings or tents is limited and the Bongo has to be self sufficient. Also if contemplating a mud bath, as next weekend will be, you can avoid a drenched tent to pack away.

The amount of power outlets depends on the amount of stuff you bring. I manage fine with two 12v outlets for use on leisure battery and two 240v sockets for hook ups. Again I go off mains a lot so my choice of kit is determined by this. A hefty leisure battery to power this is an absolute essential, plus a split charger so that you can top up the battery during any longer stay.

Storage avoids the awful moment when you realise you have left the cups on the kitchen table. Usually in darkest Dorset where the shopping opportunities are limited. A box under the seat for wellies is also essential. The main thing is not to lug too much though.

Its a great chance to work out your own needs though rather than having to accept what someone else installed. The one piece of unused rubbish in my Bongo though is a removable table. The converter insisted on it, but its main use is to trip people up. I use the worktop on the conversion or a table outside. Others sit round a table though, so its probably just me.

A lot of good points in this and the previous posts. One thing not mentioned is the DVLA regs for classification as a motorhome. The table is one of these, which is possibly why the converter NFT used was so adamant. Other requirements include permanent cooking facilities and a 6ft long bed.

I'll also give another thumbs up to Waeco fridges.

[winchman]

Fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
Having had three campers over the years I fine all to often we take too much stuff with us that we never use

[mikexgough]

110Ah Leisure battery

25m Mains cable

Torch

[umbongocat]

Its very much individual taste. I find my rear conversion has absolutely changed how I approach camping in the Bongo. For me the Weaco fridge is the star. Fresh food instead of a collection of tins and ice in drinks. The sink is the second most important item. It makes cooking so much easier and you can clean your teeth without struggling across a dark campsite. The fixed cooker comes lower on the list. Everything greasy is still cooked on a barbecue outside rather than smoke up the upholstery. A cup of coffee in the morning without having to stagger to an awning is good though. All my stuff is fixed as I go to festivals, where the use of awnings or tents is limited and the Bongo has to be self sufficient. Also if contemplating a mud bath, as next weekend will be, you can avoid a drenched tent to pack away.

The amount of power outlets depends on the amount of stuff you bring. I manage fine with two 12v outlets for use on leisure battery and two 240v sockets for hook ups. Again I go off mains a lot so my choice of kit is determined by this. A hefty leisure battery to power this is an absolute essential, plus a split charger so that you can top up the battery during any longer stay.

Storage avoids the awful moment when you realise you have left the cups on the kitchen table. Usually in darkest Dorset where the shopping opportunities are limited. A box under the seat for wellies is also essential. The main thing is not to lug too much though.

Its a great chance to work out your own needs though rather than having to accept what someone else installed. The one piece of unused rubbish in my Bongo though is a removable table. The converter insisted on it, but its main use is to trip people up. I use the worktop on the conversion or a table outside. Others sit round a table though, so its probably just me.

I agree with you, our table in the bongo just gets in the way really. We tend to use a table outside most of the time. We're thinking of adapting the existing table in the bongo (putting on another leg perhaps) so that we can use it outside which would save bringing an extra table.

[umbongocat]

Its very much individual taste. I find my rear conversion has absolutely changed how I approach camping in the Bongo. For me the Weaco fridge is the star. Fresh food instead of a collection of tins and ice in drinks. The sink is the second most important item. It makes cooking so much easier and you can clean your teeth without struggling across a dark campsite. The fixed cooker comes lower on the list. Everything greasy is still cooked on a barbecue outside rather than smoke up the upholstery. A cup of coffee in the morning without having to stagger to an awning is good though. All my stuff is fixed as I go to festivals, where the use of awnings or tents is limited and the Bongo has to be self sufficient. Also if contemplating a mud bath, as next weekend will be, you can avoid a drenched tent to pack away.

The amount of power outlets depends on the amount of stuff you bring. I manage fine with two 12v outlets for use on leisure battery and two 240v sockets for hook ups. Again I go off mains a lot so my choice of kit is determined by this. A hefty leisure battery to power this is an absolute essential, plus a split charger so that you can top up the battery during any longer stay.

Storage avoids the awful moment when you realise you have left the cups on the kitchen table. Usually in darkest Dorset where the shopping opportunities are limited. A box under the seat for wellies is also essential. The main thing is not to lug too much though.

Its a great chance to work out your own needs though rather than having to accept what someone else installed. The one piece of unused rubbish in my Bongo though is a removable table. The converter insisted on it, but its main use is to trip people up. I use the worktop on the conversion or a table outside. Others sit round a table though, so its probably just me.

I agree with you, our table in the bongo just gets in the way really. We tend to use a table outside most of the time. We're thinking of adapting the existing table in the bongo (putting on another leg perhaps) so that we can use it outside which would save bringing an extra table.

Another good tip is the "catflap" makes access to the roof much easier

[Luke and Debs]

i have a full side convertion from ed at celtic they are just they best. he will fit it just how u want. had mine fitted over a year ago and my dad has his bongo converted by them 4 years ago and loves it.

as for table i keep the table in the roof so it does not take up to much space and for when the weather is nice have another outdoor table kept up there aswell.

the full side convertion meets the dvla standard. all i had to do was send pics and details of convertion off to them and now have it down as motorcaravan for cheap insurance.

one of the best features of eds side convertion is the main cupboard door is a rolling blind. this allows full access and use of space even when the rock and roll bed is up.

can not recomend the conversion high enough.

like another post said look out for small things to save space.

also the conversion comes with a second leisure battery

luke

[alimey]

Thanks Luke & Debs. I'm really looking forward to it - have only heard good things of Ed. Is there anything extra you wish you had asked for - or anything I should think about??

I haven't decided what colour trim - it seems to be only grey or wood - what do you have? Am leaning towards the grey as the rest of the van is grey . . .