Hopefully someone can help. I'm looking into buying one of these with the idea to convert into a mini camper and take across Europe for a month with my partner. I was sold on the Doblo but after viewing one I'm cautious because it doesn't look wider enough. After I have put a unit put in the side (cooker n sink), it doesn't leave much space for a double bed.
Does anyone know what the kangoo or billingo dimensions once the back seats have been taken out? Are they wider?
Im Loving the tax, insurance, reliability and economic figures of the Doblo but just need a little bit more bed space. The high roof is great thou.
For the current shape Berlingo & also Peugeot Partner which is same car, different badge, your space across the rear interior is about 1.2mtres. From front to back with rear seats removed you have about 1.8mtres. Rear seats are easily removed without tools, they just unclip.
For ideas of interiors for this sort of car google 'boot jump'. Cooker & sink will be under bed if you want a double.
A few years back, I was hell bent on getting a Berlingo/Doblo/kangoo type vehicle to use as a basic camper (although we also had a 7mtr MH at the time)
We looked at the older shaped Berlingo Multispaces, and also a Kangoo 4x4.
My thoughts: Once kited out with any "permanent" furniture/stove etc, any of that type of vehicle would be "snug" to say the least, especially for two....and especially if touring the Continent for a months!
I think such a vehicle would really need to be used along with an awning of sorts..and as the rear would probably be pretty much *loaded to the gunnels with clobber(holdalls, coats, sleeping bags, folding chairs, cool box etc etc).,I doubt the rears would lend themselves to be "used" much on-route,...not until you're emptied and set up camp..?
(*Once loaded for just a weekend away, the rear of our basic Hiace is pretty much full)
The removable 'boot jump' idea is better because car then reverts easily to normal use after holiday & stays registered as a car & not campervan. Can be easily used with tailgate awning.
I probably sound really niave but if i take out the back seats and place a permanent bed, seats and table, that I have to inform Insurance company?
I love the ide of a yawning, thanks. We shall take a roof.box and bike rack too. We dont want to be reliant on campsites but would go to freshen up etc sometimes or for longer stays.
Is there anything obvious to look out for on kangoo, belingoo.or.doblo?
We love our 2013 Berlingo. We have the Modutop version with the glass roof panels & overhead lockers. If you're going to turn it into a mini camper it would be better to go for the plain version as there'd be more headroom. Dunno about the Kangoo & Duplo but the rear door of the Berlingo is excellent for sheltering & cooking under.
We've just bought a LWB Citroen Dispatch to do similar to you. It's panelled out with ply & when needed we're just going to put mats down for sleeping. Normal camping chairs & table can be deployed as needed All other fixings will be loose (just strapped to cargo rails along sides) to maintain versatility. We looked at camper van options & decided it was too much faff & loss of versatility as we often carry bikes & now have inflatable canoes. We're adding a wind-out awning & that's about it.
It depends how 'permanent' the camper interior is. As pointed out it is so much easier to fit easily removable interior as then it stays as a car & you don't need to tell insurance. If you fit a permanent camper interior then it has to be done to certain specification & vehicle will have to be re classified as 'campervan'.
If you are buying a 1.6 diesel Berlingo ensure you have a full main dealer service history as correct oil & correct oil change procedure at correct mileage is important for health of these engines.
I've got the 2012 Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6 diesel 115 bhp. Absolutely love it. Had it nearly a year now having bought it Feb 2015 at 29 months old, 23K on clock. It's been trouble free and now on 31K.
Fuel is about 48mpg no matter what type of driving
I would say to do as opensuce has suggested and make any camper interior removable. It's such a useful vehicle it would be a shame to clutter it as a camper when in reality it will not be a particularly good camper. If it is to be a dedicated camper then get something a bot bigger which will make a good camper.
I had doblo van and I have had a belingo personally I liked the doblo better it felt better on the road and I preferred the look, I do think that either will be a little small for what you want, maybe something like a fiat Scudo or a Citroen Despatch would be better choice. I don't know much about camper van conversions but I have heard of something called a rock n roll bed, which is a bed that folds into a seat something like that may be worth looking into go and visit a local fabrication engineer perhaps
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Quote: Originally posted by Jongibsta on 31/1/2016
I love the ide of a yawning, thanks. We shall take a roof.box and bike rack too. We dont want to be reliant on campsites but would go to freshen up etc sometimes or for longer stays.
Hi again..
With vehicles of this size, I think you'll need to be using campsites more that you envisage..? (somewhere that you can offload and "set up camp", with awning etc).
You wouldn't be able to "make camp"(awning etc) on the likes of "aires". Would you even be allowed to use aires?..because it may still just be viewed as a car?(only with a mattress/air bed laid in the back).
So really, not much different to kipping in an estate car?...and you probably wouldn't plan a tour of Europe, kipping in a car?...
As others have said, for two of you touring the continent for a month, probably best to view it as a campING vehicle that can easily lug your camping kit and can occasionally be slept in if/when the need arises,
(although to make things simpler, I would be looking at a knocking together a lift out/standalone "chuck box"..one that could be used on-route, left in the doorway/tailgate or could be lifted into the awning etc).
edit: Searching through previous threads may be helpful?
Good afternoon and a massive thank you for all your advise.
I think with the complexity of a full conversion and the insurance issue , I will go for a removable idea. I have found an idea that consistd of a box that sits in your boot and folds out into a bed etc. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhnfziXfjho
What I would like to know is that if anyone knows of whether the Berlingoo, Kangoo or dublo have easilly detachable rear seats? This is required to keep it as a car, if the manufacture has made the car with this feature then it can remain a car when I extract the seats for camping etc.
If anyone has any ideas of this box idea then id really like to hear of them or even better any design plans.
I have a converted Kangoo camper.
It's great for one but may be a little cramped for 2, especially with enough 'luggage' for a month in Europe, it would be easier with an awning, but you can't use those on Aires.
There are quite a few of these type of vans, have a look on ebay, or google small motorhome,
If you remove the seats and convert to a camper you will need to tell your insurance.
If you want to reregister and insure as a campervan then there are minimum requirements e.g 6' long bed, sink, gas rings, rear windows.
On the Partner, and I guess the Berlingo, the rear seats are three separate ones. Some have a two and a one though.
Each seat folds by a single lever to fold seat back down, then a bar underneath to tip it forward. A clip at the back then releases the seat and allows it to be lifted out in its folded state. They are quite heavy.
The seats could be stored either to one side or on the front seats giving you room for a double bed in the back.
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Topic: Converting a Doblo, kangoo or billingo
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