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the shizzle => equipment => Topic started by: b3n99 on June 27, 2014, 01:26:55 pm

Title: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: b3n99 on June 27, 2014, 01:26:55 pm: So I have recently bought myself the car version of the Citroen Berlingo and was wondering if anybody had any experience in adapting something similar to make it more comfortable to stay in. Will never be extended trips in it as it is very small but anybody have any suggestions for additions that could make it more comfortable for a few nights here and there?

Cheers
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: kelvin on June 27, 2014, 01:42:50 pm: No idea for the car version but I'm off next months for six weeks in my van - two of us for three of those. Due to it's height, I've made storage behind the front headrests that my legs can go under easily when sleeping.

Hope it works out for you.
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: lagerstarfish on June 27, 2014, 01:59:05 pm: those sucker-on silver bubblewrap screens for all the windows
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: ghisino on June 27, 2014, 02:22:37 pm: Quote from: lagerstarfish on June 27, 2014, 01:59:05 pm
those sucker-on silver bubblewrap screens for all the windows

the same can be done with spare suckers and a few cheap decathlon foam camping mats. silver face out for summer, inside for winter.

this page might give you some inspiration if you want to build a removable bed
http://www.webmontagne.fr/divers/Am%E9nagement-Peugeot-Partner.html (http://www.webmontagne.fr/divers/Am%E9nagement-Peugeot-Partner.html)

the tricky bit is how to hold the front plate(s).
3 piece designs require two side beams running lenghtwise, usually suspended on the corner of the rear plate and on some cord hanging from your safety belt loops.
2 piece designs are simpler, but only possible for a short bed or a rather long vehicle (tourneo connect 220, caddy maxi, etc)

Top it with stiff 50mm foam and you're good for much more than a few nights here and there: i slept on a similar bed during my 3 months canyoning guiding season last year, and when i got back i found my regular bed less comfortable!!! ;)
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: Reprobate_Rob on June 27, 2014, 02:28:41 pm: I wouldn't shell out for it myself, but a friend has one of these for hers - http://www.amdro.co.uk/products/boot-jump-camper-car-c-10_15.html (http://www.amdro.co.uk/products/boot-jump-camper-car-c-10_15.html)

Or if you're not using the rear seats you can take them right out pretty easily and just lay pads flat in the boot.
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: SA Chris on June 27, 2014, 02:45:32 pm: If you are over 6ft, it would be improved by buying a tent! :)
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: andyd on June 27, 2014, 04:49:55 pm: Quote from: SA Chris on June 27, 2014, 02:45:32 pm
If you are over 6ft, it would be improved by buying a tent! :)

Yes, this.

Good skills in joining those in the know. What model did you get, the old style or new?
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: b3n99 on June 27, 2014, 06:40:11 pm: Thanks for the advice guys, those insulated decathlon things look like a good shout. Storage slung off the front seats also seems sensible. Got an older model, 04 I believe, loving it so far. Actually fairly nice to drive considering what it is.
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: cha1n on June 28, 2014, 12:44:59 pm: Hey Ben it's Ross.

I've had a look at the van versions of the berlingos and if you replace the passenger seat with a van one, they fold out of the way like so:

(http://www.rms1.co.uk/berlingo/convert/front_seat_folded.jpg)

That leaves loads of room and allows taller people to lie flat. You can either remove the rear seats or build a frame which brings the boot part level with the rear seats folded forward, it's what I plan on doing for short trips away. As mentioned above, those bootjumps have a way around it, I don't think anyone with any sense would pay 2 grand for one but you could steal the design and try and copy it.
Title: Re: Citroen Berlingo - How to improve it for staying in?
Post by: cha1n on June 28, 2014, 12:56:44 pm: Oh and I came across this website a few weeks back; http://www.smallmotorhome.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?13-Cars-and-light-vans-adapted-for-camping (http://www.smallmotorhome.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?13-Cars-and-light-vans-adapted-for-camping)

Not looked properly but there were definitely some ideas there, don't forget that the Peugeot Partner is essentially the same vehicle so include that vehicle in your searches as well!