Modifying units sacrilage ?

[john matthews]

Hi all

I'm considering fitting a 3-way fridge to my otherwise original dormobile interior

Even the smallest fridge will require some hacking away at a cupboard aperture

Is this frowned upon ? Would I be committing a crime ?

Or merely improving an old design that has a glaring ommision ?

Thoughts ?

 

[StuF]

Its your bus mate - if it makes it better for you crack on!

Sounds like a top improvement........oh and dont forget to take PICS!!

 

[KevH]

Yep, it's your bus, and only you know what you want to do with it.

If you want a museum piece, then resist hacking in to original features. But if you want to camp in it, to use it as intended, then sometimes you have to accept that the original spec can be improved upon.

There is another thread on here somewhere which shows an original Devon interior painted white. My gut reaction was shock, but it looks to be so tastefully done, and has lightened the interior so dramatically, that I now think it looks great.

You pays your money...

 

[Shorty]

What the others said really.... Make it work for you at the end of the day..

Should you come to sell it, I would think the new fridge would be more appealing than an original cabinet to a propective buyer...

 

[lard]

As above - your bus

If it's stunningly OG (paint, interior e.t.c.) then there's value in keeping it OG, if that's you thing, otherwise, plenty of things to do that will significantly enhance your camping - I ripped out my westy interior and fitting a cooker, full width bed e.t.c. as this is what suited me with a larger family, it would also suit anyone else looking for a bus to cater for 5 people so don't believe I've significantly devalued it - also waiting on parts to fit electric water supply and sure I won't be stopping there!

If it's a case of retro fitting a fridge into an otherwise original interior then that can only be a bonus imo

 

[68_early_bay]

Agree with every one else, it's your bus for you to do whatever you want


But if you're worried about altering a cabinet to make one fit, just spend a bit more time looking and you might come across one that's just the right size and shape

 

[dubdubz]

As all before have said - your bus your decision...

I would just add make sure it done well - make it look as 'factory' as possible then the modern addition will not devalue at all, possibly add as it'll appeal to the non die hards too....

 

[faux]

It is your bus and ultimately your choice. It is rare to see a bus that has had no customisation at all. I do like a clean original bus but I also like to see how people cleverly change their buses to work with modern day living.

I try to avoid modifications that I can not reverse. I have no issue with changing layouts and taking out parts of interiors. If it were mine I would:
1. look for A fridge that did fit, or
2. Look for a second hand interior that I could cut apart to keep the original as it is, or
3. make any modification look factory

Have fun
Jon

 

[john matthews]

Thanks very much

I think I'll remove a cupboard door under the sink but make the aperture mimic the existing whole (curved corners) but large enough for fridge door to open.

The Dometic RM123 is the perfect width for my standard cupboard aperture but much taller

Also, being curved round the corners means the hole I cut will have to be larger than strictly necessary for the fridge door

Thanks everyone, very reassuring

I suspect a fitted fridge will take up less room than a coolbox floating about , even if it does eat up a cupboard, the Dormobile coolbox space becomes available as storage once more

 

[john matthews]

and Pics of the job in progress of course !

 

[Ryanmck1984]

Yep, it's your bus, and only you know what you want to do with it.

If you want a museum piece, then resist hacking in to original features. But if you want to camp in it, to use it as intended, then sometimes you have to accept that the original spec can be improved upon.

There is another thread on here somewhere which shows an original Devon interior painted white. My gut reaction was shock, but it looks to be so tastefully done, and has lightened the interior so dramatically, that I now think it looks great.

You pays your money...

Yes it's mine delilahtoo
I was thinking the same thing John but its your bus and make it yours. I'm glad I painted my interior. Makes it so much more fresh and modern.

 

[KevH]

Yep, it's your bus, and only you know what you want to do with it.

If you want a museum piece, then resist hacking in to original features. But if you want to camp in it, to use it as intended, then sometimes you have to accept that the original spec can be improved upon.

There is another thread on here somewhere which shows an original Devon interior painted white. My gut reaction was shock, but it looks to be so tastefully done, and has lightened the interior so dramatically, that I now think it looks great.

You pays your money...

Yes it's mine delilahtoo
I was thinking the same thing John but its your bus and make it yours. I'm glad I painted my interior. Makes it so much more fresh and modern.

Aha, I knew I'd seen it on here somewhere. It's a lovely job.

As has been mentioned, what counts is that the end result meets our personal needs and looks like a good job, not a bodge job. I'll forgive JTH's use of sausage skins to hold wipers etc. in place. :lol:

 

[Clem]

I agree with faux

 

[Dave M]

Thinking of doing something similar with my dormobile, would love to see some pics if you do it.

 

[Trikky2]

Owners have been fitting fridges to Dormys right from the start. Its nearly always fitted where the water carriers go though I am not sure where the water moves to. It was also possible to order your dormy with a fridge fitted from new.

I would be tempted by one of those Waeco ones where you can have the works remote from the fridge since it means you can have a bigger fridge without it sticking out and getting in the way.

 

[Haveacamper]

i fitted a fridge to my old dormobile by simply taking the largest of the cupboards. if i remember correectly, i didnt have to cut the width any bigger or the height, i think i managed to just cut down to the floor and the fridge slotted in! it was a Vitro Frigo Fridge and the C39i model. Expensive, but may be your best option as you could possibly save the bottom edge to replace in future.

http://www.penguinfrigo.co.uk/shop/#C39i" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

your other option may be to tray and find a small top loading fridge and fitting it in the coolbox area or possibly to just have it on display in your walkthrough?

NaFe

 

[mike202]

I have only had my van for a year but so far havn't missed having a fridge. I definitely will be fitting some form of heating in the van as it gets cool in the evenings. Maybe its the cool summer why I havn't felt the need to put a fridge in. There is just the two of us using the van mostly.
I decided that when I bought the van I would use it first and make changes as I needed to based on experience. I am finding that the more I use it the more I am getting used to all the 'old style' feel of it all. :lol:

There are some great ideas on here though if you decide to go ahead putting a fridge in.

 

[john matthews]

Haveacamper, which cupboard did you plump for ?

I'm thinking right-hand under the table. But I suppose could easily be where the water tank & footpump is , if I re-site the tank and footpump in the nextdoor cupboard ...

I think that's the plan then, cut down to the floor and hope the cupboard edging will straighten to run straight down to the floor instead of curving round to form the bottom of the aperture

maybe I'm dreaming and will end up replacing every piece of unit edging in the entire interior because of this !?

It's not so much for me but people interested in borrowing the van off me seem obsessed by the idea of cold beers & wine, it appears they cannot countenance holiday fun without chilled chardonnnay / budweiser

personally I'm happy to throw a bag of ice in the coolbox , although I admit it's a pain having to stow the bed to get the milk out of a morning