099 - My Berlingo Boot Camper Pod - How It Works

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Thanks for all the lovely messages. Unfortunately I haven’t had time to repeat it for a how to video so far. It is something I intend to do in the future using my VW Caddy van, same principles though. The bed is based on a 6ft x 4ft unfolded size, basically buy a couple of 8ft x 4ft sheets of 9mm or 12mm ply from your local wood merchant, ask them to cut each sheet into four 2ft x 4ft pieces. That will give you all your carcass pieces, then you just need some batten to make the skeleton to attach them all to. I used piano hinges for the folding sections. You can literally modify it any way you want to suit your own vehicles, but a 4ft x 2ft x 18” box is your starting point. I may have a notepad somewhere with the drawings in I made while designing it to my spec, if I can find it I’ll make another quick video to show you. Once again, thank you for watching and for all the great comments.

[@kingoffifa]

thanks for the measurements.

[@kailensommah]

I've done one off someoens plans yours seems a little bit more simple

[@charlittou]

we can't wait ! :)

[@FynbosGarden]

Great. Good clear presentation. Wish this man lived next door.

[@mrplatinumskillzonemagfed2552]

This is one of the better stealth camper conversions ,yet loads of thumbs down...?, Great build!

[@elleryjqueen1712]

That is your best video in my opinion, fantastic workmanship and to add you look great, you should be proud. All the best to you.

[@eileen5464]

What an amazing job! It is by far the best I have seen. You are very talented. Please, please, PLEASE show us how you madd it. Id be really grateful. I have just bought my Berlingo tonight so cant wait to get started!

[@davidthomas5295]

I know you haven’t found the time yet to create a how to video but you’ve done an outstanding job there and have inspired me to convert my NV200 van! To the builders merchants tomorrow!

[@opinodeja1]

I' m learning english, and you speak so clear. My next car is a berlingo XL or Peugeot rifter. And i' m watching videos around countries for take any ideas p.e. cooking, taking shower, slepping... And do the travel easy

[@opinodeja1]

Perdón, is some ideas. Not any ideas. I was wrong writing

[@alanhensman6524]

@@opinodeja1 forgive me saying. You were correct first time. just no need for "take". "countries for any ideas. " ;-)

[@kirkwattis1397]

klass... my nephew has took inspiration from you... luvvv it thank you so much

[@umsergio]

What a great job !

[@sosteve9113]

Very nice job,well done my friend

[@MrWoodsy2k]

Nice job. Simple but works.

[@charlottethomas3744]

Yes please to a how to video! Amazing conversion 😊😊😊

[@robintaylor8450]

That's very nice I'm getting a berlingo van and I will be useing your videos to make it like your van I'm inpressed 👍

[@hharrison-parker1606]

Really well explained and very helpful. Thank you!

[@carrots1550]

Nicely made pod and a very nicely made video.

[@bridgetsalter265]

OmG!.....Damon, thought I was watching my late hubby💔 A big strong man who could fabricate anything ,out if nothing !!......your a genius mate . Looking forward to the how to video. Having downsized from the massave tag axle to the wee cit,nemo R-10 solo camper,pop up roof ect ect ,it was amazing how things were made to fit a small space,and ......i am a large lady! 🙊 Wow ,your one smaller man these days mate ,if only my man was still with us I would have asked for your old clothes .....perfict fit !😁😁 Thank you Damon for these great vlogs,just love the way your making x repairing things.....and staying so clean doing it lol👍👌💓

[@douglashouston81]

clever build mate

[@tombirchwood2517]

This is fantastic... so easy and well thought out. Do you have instructions etc? This is exactly what I am intending to do!

[@joygrieve85]

Oh yes! A how to video would be wonderful please! :) Marvellous.

[@chrischeltenham]

This is great:) the kind of thing Joe needs if he gets on the road in a small van.

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Chris Cheltenham Cheers Chris, I said exactly the same thing to Austin lol.

[@bamboopictures1298]

Ingenius! First class cabin comfort if you add in the frills.

[@MrAnon-2024]

Nicely done 👍

[@botero29love]

Nicely done. Simple and practical.

[@christinehipkiss9141]

Very clever!!

[@laetitiaal-hajahmad284]

Oh wow! exactly what we are looking for! A how to video would be great!

[@hanskoeslag1217]

Love it, great work!

[@Athomeintheshed]

What a bloody great design really like this it’s ideal for a weekend away👍

[@leewarren3360]

Another great video thankyou Damon. Brilliant design mate

[@anthonyhughes369]

Yes to the how to video!! Excellent idea

[@rebeccabrown4404]

Love this so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[@lalitaplantbased1744]

This is great ... thank you for sharing ..!

[@davidrowe8747]

Ingenious!

[@joewyatt7751]

excellent job mate well done. I've just bought an Amdro box which is very similar to what you have built. I'm sure your mate will enjoy that and have loads of adventures (when we are all allowed out!)

[@CheckFred]

Damon, that's brilliant!! ..... I drive a Berlingo - never thought you could do so much with one :-)

[@logothaironsides2942]

That looks excellent. I like the cabinet knobs and how you have fitted the last board to fit the head rest supports..Ours is very similar . Hub made it and after a couple of trips, we now have a box where the back seats were too, for longer trips. When he takes it on hols, he probably wont use the parcel shelf as the cushions will need somewhere to go on top of each other . There are a few foreign language forums with loads of ideas as they are massively popular in europe..Search for furgonetas perfectos or furgonetas camperizadas . You can use chrome's translate thing or just cut and paste into a translation page for lingo that you dont recognise.

[@Millie-Rob-Mitchell]

Very neat and nifty, I'm sure he will love it :) all he needs now is a tailgate tent for those longer trips...

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Peugeot expert camper van man Thanks mate :). He did love it. That’s him sat in it on the thumbnail. He has a tailgate tent for it I think already. He’s sorted I think, just needs to get himself a futon mattress probably and a couple cushions. If I still had my Berlingo I’d be making one for it lol.

[@brianmagennis]

This is the best Berlingo convert I've seen! What length is the bed?

[@justindenton6865]

Great job Damon.

[@andynightingale7335]

Nice work Damon!

[@jimnyjolly278]

Tidy job that mate, simple and easy, great.

[@SelfBuiltCamperVan]

Nice tidy job looks awesome

[@glosflamingo9940]

Fab job, you’ve got skills 👍🏻

[@novaadventures5758]

Loved to see a how to video with measurements, I’m just on the verge of buying a berlingo to convert. What thickness floor and bed base ply did you use?

[@davinasemp6180]

You've done a fabulous job 😊

[@lisakinahan6105]

Looking at getting a pod for my Berlingo very informative video . Thank you

[@geraldineteggart3627]

Great job, mine is a 2016 berlingo van i took out the 3 back seats, can you send me message how much would you charge for making conversion. Thankyou so much for shareing god bless

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Geraldine, sorry but I don’t make them to sell, this is actually the only one I’ve made to date. It’s all based on a 4ft x 2ft x 18” box. Start there and you’ll work it out :)

[@manugogo2]

I've just bought a Berlingo and I intend to be able to use it as a weekend camper. Your design is great, I would buy one or if possible try and build one. I hope you will do a video on the build, or maybe you have already have plans to share or sell. Regards, Tom.

[@Shana.Browngedge]

This is great I like this pod, would like to see a how to video very much 👌🏽👍🏽😄😊

[@Min-gj8ri]

Great job.where did you get the table stander?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

It’s a fiamma one that you can cut down, just bought it from eBay I think :)

[@wilding-yt]

Smart little camper!

[@stevescet]

That's very good that is 👍 looking forward to the how to vid now

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Steve Armstrong Thanks Steve ! Not sure if and when it’ll happen, I’m going to be busy with Nina for a month or two lol. I expect I will though. Learned loads from making this one. The next one will have some more improvements no doubt.

[@werejusdoinit6657]

Hey Damon, do you still build camper pods? Very inspiring!

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

That was my one and only one sadly !

[@johnthr33]

You will need to put holes in the wood. So your mattress can breath. I had no holes in mine it was fine for a couple of years but more recently it started to stink. The heat of your body and sweat can go through to the wood and eventually you get a smell of glue. There can be formaldahide in the wood. Some one on reddit who worked with plywood said his shed started to smelll like cows piss or something like that. I have bored holes in mine with circular saw and ive given it two coats of zinner aqua bin its the green one. Water based and easy to apply not to smelly. I used johnston paint for the next coat the statin quick dry but didnt like it. I bought fleetwood statin quick dry and its a much nicer paint. I will probably put one more coat on it and hopefully that will do. Then please God i dont have any further problems. You can also get a breathable mat that you put between the wood and the mattress. If you have any suggestions let me know

[@MrAnon-2024]

Love to see a ‘how to’ video 👍

[@julienjeantet1401]

Hi ! I would like to build the same thing. Could you give the weblink or tell me how you have found the leg table please ? Thank you very much for sharing your beautiful ideas.

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Julien, thank you for your kind words. The table leg I used was the Fiamma Tube Pro Table Leg 70cm. The ends come off, and you can cut the leg to size before replacing the cap. Handy when you don’t have so much height in the vehicle :).

[@EA-58]

Very nice work

[@barryfield3754]

Hi, great job, Ive just bought a Peugot Partner Tepee, Ive measured the inside width and only have a clear approx 1180mm, did you have the 4ft/1200mm clear in the berlingo? I thought they were the same dimensions?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Barry as far as I remember yes I got the 4ft width across the back, all I can think of is you have slightly different plastic mouldings ? You are only 20mm off so I don’t think it will be a problem losing that, you won’t notice I don’t expect :).

[@barryfield3754]

@@ninatheambulancecamper Thanks, I didnt think it would be a problem as the Simplecamper's model is only 1140, I might build mine to that as their cushion set is quite reasonable compared to eg efoam + covers elsewhere unless someones knows better?

[@barryfield3754]

Forgot to ask, what size timber did you use for the carcass. Thanks

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

barry field Pretty sure I used 34mm x 34mm timber from Wickes. You could probably get away with 25mm x 25mm to save a bit of weight, once you screw the sheets to it, it has a lot of strength.

[@barryfield3754]

@@ninatheambulancecamper Thanks again, funnily enough I'm off to wickes to get some 34mm for another job!

[@williamgardner2739]

i like this a lot, but when traveling where do you put the matris

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi William, sorry I’ve only just seen this. If you get the seat cushions made up to size, they will stack nicely on top of it in the back. A lot of people go for the cheaper option of a futon mattress though, and that will fold up on top of it too.

[@evaz2038]

Hi, excellent job, congrats! I'm wondering if you've screwed up the basic box to the car's floor or not? I have a Citroen Berlingo 2006 and right now considering to build a van. Please could you make another video about the whole working process? Thank you and have a great day!

[@suzansadie8185]

Hi there - wonder if you'll get this mrssage as your vide was a long time ago! Ok I have a Berlingo van with three seats at friont -driver and two passengers. No back seats. am going to buy a boot jump but i know i'll have to modify the bit that folds out as a bed as the back is only 160 cms and the bed lenght is 174. I;ll need to fold forwards the two passenger seats at front and cut the bed board out to move round the drivers seat which has a metal bar thing behind it to stop stuff falling on the driver. Am confident this cn be done no problem. any thoughts?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Suzan, I don’t see any problems really, you’ll need a support for the fold out part of the bed, the easiest way to do that would be to cut some 13mm ply board to the right height, I’d recommend using 4 pieces for stability, and hinging them together in a zig zag formation, so they fold up out the way when not in use, when you need to fold the bed out, zig zag them across the space between the box and the passenger seats and lay the fold out board over the top. The front should be supported by the passenger seats. Alternatively you can have some storage boxes at the right height in the space and lay the bed across those.

[@mair888]

Very well done 👍🚐

It is very nice!!!

[@adrian37879]

Really a great idea Damon did you do how do you video ? Going to try and do one for my Vauxhall combo van long wheelbase but I wanna leave the bulkhead in any ideas keep up the good work 👍

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

In materials from memory I think it cost about £120 including the hardware like hinges, runners and table leg.

[@alantaylor1397]

This is excellent, thanks. Can you tell me how long the sleeping platform is in the Berlingo? I know you said 6 foot 4 in your comment but does that include the part the part that folds down behind the bed?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

The bed is 6ft x 4ft. The support is not included in the bed size. If you are 6ft or less you will fit on it :)

[@alantaylor1397]

@@ninatheambulancecamper great - I'm 5' 11" 3/4 !

[@samstillwell7816]

Love this and wanting to do one for ourselves. Wondering if you did a how to video or if you just had the dimensions for your box? Thanks

[@GOLD-TOOTH-ANGLER]

What a great job 👌🏻

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

THE GOLD TOOTH CAMPER Thanks mate :). Sadly not my idea, he showed me what he wanted on eBay, then I made a better version of it. The one he showed me was literally boards and uprights. Was all open underneath, not boxed in at all and no cupboards or drawer. They wanted £399 for that one !

[@onemanandhiswhippet]

You must be organised with such a small space it makes my T5 look big 👍😀🐾

[@delmcavoy1]

Hi, Absolutely brilliant. Do you have plans and/or templates that you would sell?

[@peatcutterscottage7843]

Did you ever get plans?

[@colinbowers4401]

Hi there, can you tell me how do you get insured for having a converted Citroen belingo/Peugeot Partner tepee as they classed as MPV if your involved in a accident would your insurance be non valid, i would to do a conversion myself but not class as a camper with DVLA . Do you know any insurance companies that cover camper conversions

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Colin. This doesn’t covert it to a camper permanently. When it’s folded up it’s just a big wooden box in the back and car itself is unmodified, it’s no different to putting the seats down and lying in the back in a sleeping bag, just a bit more comfy and more room. I have converted an ambulance to a campervan and registered it as such with DVLA, they are very strict about permanent fixtures before they will consider re-registering as a motor caravan. If you were in an accident you are doing nothing more than carrying a wooden box in the back, I would call your insurers and ask them for peace of mind but they really shouldn’t be making a fuss about it as it’s not fitted in permanently and can be removed instantly.

[@grahambailey4168]

Great video would like to see the build video when you do one, keep up the good work. Graham

[@realmadridronaldo7458]

Hi great video I'm thinking of building one for my daughter do you have any plans or sizes that would help with the build thanks

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Real Madrid Ronaldo it’s based on 2ft x 4ft 12mm plywood. Just build up from that and you can’t go wrong :). Just measure side to side in the boot of your car first to make sure the plastic mouldings aren’t sticking out any further. If they are just trim it to fit then build up. Good luck !

[@leegrainger1352]

Don’t suppose you have the sizes as I want to make one for my berlingo. Cheers

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Lee, it’s all based on a 4ft x 2ft box. It’s really easy to work it all out from there. I think the height was around 16” laid flat. Start with 4ft x 2ft sheets of ply and just build up.

[@HW-op7pq]

That is great, did you get plans or make it up yourself? would love a how to video

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

HW100 Thanks mate :). Basically he showed me one on eBay that was just the boards and uprights. It was all open, no cupboards etc, none of it was boxed in, pretty much just a framework that folded out. I took the idea then measured his car and made my own design with my own measurements. The basic one he was looking at was £399 😳. Of course since I’ve made this one I’ve been looking at lots on google images and there are loads that look very similar to mine. The ones that are similar and for sale are £499 upwards ! Wow lol.

[@HW-op7pq]

Nina The Ambulance Camper you could be starting a new little business for yourself :-) your looking well on your new diet mate

[@realmadridronaldo7458]

Great video I'm thinking of building one for my daughter do you have any plans or sizes that would help in the build thanks

[@lexxlizz3814]

I would absolutely love one of these for a Kangoo- could I commission you to build one?? Or do you have templates (as someone else suggested) for sale? 😍

[@-joe90]

Super!!!

[@stokehauntedofficial]

great job

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

stokehaunted Thanks Andy :). He went away happy so I’m happy lol.

[@nezircaglar2381]

nice berlingo camper

[@clarkspiemuncher24]

looks fab that , do you have any drawings with sizes as i am a carpenter and would like to make one for my berlingo ? thanks

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

I don’t I’m afraid, no idea where my notebook has gone from back then lol, but it’s based on 4ft x 2ft sheets of ply if that helps.

[@wayneofox1081]

Awesome pod,would you consider making one for the rear of a transporter t5.

[@splityazzy]

Hello, what are the dimensions and what size hinges did you use? Great idea

[@De_Wally241]

The end song in this acoustic version is spot on, can't find it anywhere, would u help me out with this one 😅.

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

yveskuh168 Ha ha thank you ! It’s my own song that I wrote ‘Living In The Moment’ that was recorded for me by Kludo White. It’s never been released anywhere I’m afraid, so you won’t be able to find it, sorry ! :).

[@De_Wally241]

@@ninatheambulancecamper such a shame, maybe one day u will share it with us 🙌. Nice work writing that text 👍

[@johnbolton8606]

How much does it cost?

[@mischef18]

Looks great bro but noticed the draw with the gas stove dipped down when pulled out, I guess that could easily be sorted with something under it, other than that you have done well. Always looking at ideas for my Toyota Hilux Surf. ATB

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Ken Allen Thanks Ken ! Yeah I bought the strongest runners I could find, I couldn’t side mount them because of the width of the stove. A little wooden leg would sort it out though definitely. It’s actually not that bad, it’s only slight, if you were cooling soup in a frying pan it could be and issue maybe lol.

[@ChrisWilson-mg1it]

How high did you make the seat box

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Chris, normally you would make seat boxes 18”, but I think I made these around 15” due to the height of the car.

[@bina_two]

Please make another and do a how-to!

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

It’s on my list :)

[@brandonkelly5520]

Hey, how much did this cost? Amazing idea

[@garethproctor434]

How much do you charge for these

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Gareth, sorry but I don’t make them to sell, this is actually the only one I’ve made to date. It’s all based on a 4ft x 2ft x 18” box. Start there and you’ll work it out :)

[@littlesansook8966]

I would love a how to video 😁

[@Nick23Wood]

Yes definitely a how-to video (Please (:?)) I've seen a few of these but this is so straightforward and elegant. Are the seats individually removable?

[@kevinmurtagh3434]

yeap

[@prophetia37]

Great job! Thank you for sharing. Would love a 'how to" video please :)

[@Ronniesworld.]

I would love to buy one of these, how much would you charge?

[@pussygaloreful]

will this fit the NEW BERLINGO XL 2019 model, looks very useful

[@tranquilitytravels2994]

Brilliant!

[@grahameaston1217]

How does it work from the first hinge at rear I’ve go mine fixed and cannot get them to lay flat

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Graham Easton Hi Graham, I cut a strip of ply the same thickness as all the plyboards when they are laid flat then double hinged it, as I put it all away you’ll see it can move back and forward on the hinges a little bit.

[@camplinpb]

Looks great , it would be brilliant if you could do a how to video on making it, thumbs up from me and subscribed , look forward to more ATB Paul

[@gkuk10]

Hi D, How fantastic is that, Are you a DIYer or do you have a joinery back ground. ATB Glen 👍

[@daniellewilson5855]

This is great. I want to convert my berlingo. How much did this all cost you?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hey TWW, it was a while ago now but I think the raw materials cost around £120. Obviously you’d need some cushions for it on top of that, or a few duvets or something.

[@markthornton8376]

That's brilliant mate. I was looking to buy a conversion kit. But have been thinking about making my own. Did you work from plans or just your own ideas?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Hi Mark, no just got my tape measure out and started measuring. Just based it on a very simple design of boxes really lol. Hardest but to work out was the double fold of the bed boards, ended up cutting a slim piece of ply to use as a ‘hinge’. Good luck with your build mate.

[@addk3]

Awesome!!

[@eamonnlavery1440]

Great stuff, this! Have you got the dimensions that you used?? Thanks!!

[@eamonnlavery1440]

Also, did you consider putting the front seats down and resting the front panel on them for some extra length?

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

It’s approx 2ft x 4ft x 15” tall. Makes a 6ft x 4ft bed so doesn’t really need the extra length and the front would be used to store things while you sleep I imagine. I think I had to make this one 46” wide to get within the plastic mouldings higher up as you swing the top over. If you bought an 8ft x 4ft piece of ply and had them cut it in to 4x 2x4 that will give you the basic structure if you just put it together with 2” square battens. I obviously used more wood as I boxed everything in and made a drawer etc.

[@BETHEBEST21]

can you send the measurement for this, please? Happy to pay you :)