How long is a piece of string?

I shall see if I can find him....

 

From the pics the SJS one looks a steal compared to the cheapy opposition. The cheapest fittings known to man had been used on mine and it just hadn't been built for anything other than looking ok. Masses of space wasted and doors fitted just asking to be opened too far and torn off. Rubbish really, I had to remake most of if.

 

There's a full westy interior on eBay right now for a rhd I think (can't be arsed to read back to check what you have!). Priced at £950 or make an offer

 

I made my own first time round (quick lash up job for one season only) then bought my westy continental for £500 which I think is one of the best layouts around.

 

I agree Dave ...put things in bags and chuck um in the footwell and on top of the seats , pile it up to the roof if necessary.

 

The more you are going to use it and the longer at a time, the more important it is. My last was great for a couple of nights, but I've been living in my present one for the last 4 months and it's dandy

I used to have a cab bunk for this - all the clothes ended up on it - perfect. Not so much space with revolving cab seat though.
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Thanks Foxy, I have a full but tired Devon interior. I'm looking for a fit that is going to stand the next 30 years of use.

This SJH kit looks the business - and like it will actually grow old gracefully if regularly waxed.

My only instant reservation is its a smudge over budget and I wonder what it weighs being solid wood?

My van is currently running the original 1600cc motor ( although I'm not adverse to some period tuning ).

I remember as a kid it was sluggish with 4 kids and my parents onboard....but in my hands it normal cargo will be max 2 adults and 1 child.... so perhaps this would balance out the weight difference ?

 

solid wood can be as light, if not lighter than standard ply.....depends on the design, the materials used, how the carcasses have been put together and whether the door panels are hollow (old school caravan style) or framed...ask SJH...he may well have the weights already...
most converters use lightweight, poplar based ply, but this isn't just for weight reduction...it comes in big metric sheets that are easy to machine, consistent quality and there's a whole host of labour-saving trims, edges and mouldings to cut down on manufacturing/assembly costs...

pound for pound, I'd much rather have bespoke units made by a cabinet maker, using traditional methods as these techniques have stood the test of time

 

Have just found him and fired a message accross

 

What I do, fit loads in the footwell, then on the seats etc, up to the roof

 

That's if it turns . We got rid of side rear cupboards and turned it into full bed , although it is still a 3/4 bed we just lowered one top , turned it into a low opener and fitted a thin section of mattress to make the difference .

 

having said that, quality ply, properly treated to withstand moisture is very stable

 

We were discussing ply and on seeing the solid wood the conversation went along the lines of its a little over budget but over the period of time we intend to own it it's negligible. The only issue is we may have to throttle back on some of the other creature comforts in the first year.....

 

best of both worlds would be a full poplar ply with solid wood veneer/cappings where appropriate....I wouldn't be overly concerned about creature comforts...when you're averaging 20mpg on a good day, an extra tube of Pringles is a luxury

 

Idearly you need it to be light, stable and durable with sex appeal going into production early spring

 

Just do your research and assess the pros and cons, wether you choose 3/4 or a full size bed ideally a Rusty Lee , you only want to it once so good luck

 

If you value your back, don't get a rusty lee bed. You have to lean right over and physically lift the back to swing them back to seat mode. No thank you very much, I can do my Westy hinged one with one hand standing in the doorway - easily.

 

Got any pictures , sounds interesting