Hi all, new to a caravan as I just came from a bush trailer. In the bush trailer world guys all do major conversion to make them more practical et al, and I was wondering as I just bought a 2005 Sprite Splash, if one can do conversions on a caravan as well. Specifically on the Splash kitchen section opening outwards although a comfortable option, I could not reach items higher up behind the outer wall as part of the kitchen, effectively hidden on the inside of the cavity provided. I was wondering if anyone have, or would recommend, that I cut a second door opening that would open upwards, around 150 - 200 mm to create better access to the kitchen stuff packed away out of reach? Or will I only create issues with the strength and integrity of the caravan sides? Thank you in advance. Cenvinc@gmail.com

Charl, welcome to the forum

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Blouvalk wrote:

Hi all, new to a caravan as I just came from a bush trailer. In the bush trailer world guys all do major conversion to make them more practical et al, and I was wondering as I just bought a 2005 Sprite Splash, if one can do conversions on a caravan as well. Specifically on the Splash kitchen section opening outwards although a comfortable option, I could not reach items higher up behind the outer wall as part of the kitchen, effectively hidden on the inside of the cavity provided. I was wondering if anyone have, or would recommend, that I cut a second door opening that would open upwards, around 150 - 200 mm to create better access to the kitchen stuff packed away out of reach? Or will I only create issues with the strength and integrity of the caravan sides? Thank you in advance. Cenvinc@gmail.com

Welcome Charl. I am sure one could easily make the top shelf a slide out drawer to get easy access.

Give Sean a call at 0118278603 . He is in 36 Machine Ave Elsburg - Caravan Repair Centre.

Charl
I have purchased the Penta KC which is a convertion of the kitchen to outside and some other changes.This was/is done by Kempton Caravans znd sold as such.
We found that the kitchen door opening outward and becoming a worksurface with the stove on, made it difficult to reach the insides of the kitchen racks etc as well as the stove. Wife had to stand next to the latch in front of the caravan door to reach.
It also took a lot of space inside the tent.

We have now had the door altered (split) with a portion opening upwards and downwards. In total the same size as the original, just split in two.
It works much easier and we have replaced the "lost" workspace with a small camp table.
I have seen another van, I think a Classique, where a split door was used as well.
I am not sure whether an additional door would be advisable as you indicate, it may have a negative effect on the structural integrity.

Look at why you cannot reach. Is it distance from the opening or it being hidden behind the wall? That should help in how you address the issue.
Good idea to talk to the person Danie-SLK proposes. He may have an alternative solution.

Blouvalk wrote:

Hi all, new to a caravan as I just came from a bush trailer. In the bush trailer world guys all do major conversion to make them more practical et al, and I was wondering as I just bought a 2005 Sprite Splash, if one can do conversions on a caravan as well. Specifically on the Splash kitchen section opening outwards although a comfortable option, I could not reach items higher up behind the outer wall as part of the kitchen, effectively hidden on the inside of the cavity provided. I was wondering if anyone have, or would recommend, that I cut a second door opening that would open upwards, around 150 - 200 mm to create better access to the kitchen stuff packed away out of reach? Or will I only create issues with the strength and integrity of the caravan sides? Thank you in advance. Cenvinc@gmail.com

If it was me I would not touch the walls and sides of the caravan and would advise that you change either the door of the current kitchen as Pottie suggested or change the fixtures of that door so that you can totally remove it and in its place install a smaller (shorter) work surface for the duration of the actual camping.

I thing the latter is the easy way to go as all it means is change the hinges of the current door to latches and get another smaller work surface to mount when the large door has been removed.

No structural changes to the van and even the door of the kitchen stays original. I would thing this is best to prevent possible water entering the van causing woodrot.

Hi Charl, I converted the kitchen of my 2010 Splash. I took out the plastic section on the inside, removed the water and gas completely, removed the washbasin and gas stove from the lid. I installed two shelves on the inside and put the microwave on the top shelf.
I then split the washbasin from the gas stove, built a separate table with a cutout to take the basin. This attaches to a rail next to the kitchen and then I rerouted water and electricity to the basin.
We use a small convection stove in the modified kitchen for cooking. The latch can be closed quickly at night or when we leave the site.
Very happy with my own conversion!

Looking at the picture I doubt that making a slide out drawer at the top would help in any way. One will still not be able to see what is inside. This design seems for the tall people as my wife would also not be able to reach at the tops. She is just 1mm taller to be a short circuit :)

Thank for all the inputs thus far. Much appreciated. Not sure if the photos show, but the only reason I want to venture into this conversion is that in the newer models they did make the door bigger. Not more practical as per the comments above, but structurally it seems they have worked around the newer models. I again just want to enlarge opening by adding a second door on top

And pictures all borrowed showing new model + bigger kitchen door and old model with smaller kitchen door.

Anyone whom I can contact to assist with such a conversion please?

Danie-SLK wrote:

Welcome Charl. I am sure one could easily make the top shelf a slide out drawer to get easy access.

Give Sean a call at 0118278603 . He is in 36 Machine Ave Elsburg - Caravan Repair Centre.

 

Hi Wynand 1.

Welcome to the forum.

See the post from Danie SLK posted above on 26 November 2018.

He refers to a service provided by Caravan Repair Centre in Elsburg.

Worth a try to contact them.

Kontak vir Klaus Dieter by Caravan Man in Centurion.