Conventional Carvan conversion

Hi Motherhen,

Thanks for the prompt reply and advice. The van is a 1999 Gazal Infinity. The cupboards are attached with hindges and twist 2 point lock. Very hard to open with just vibration. IT appears to be dust proof as there are no vents in the doors etc. It is a full piece van (not pop top or extender). Had it for a couple of years and got it second hand from a bloke who bought it just to take it round the country once. I've only taken it on weekends and twice to townsville from the sunny coast for christmas. Ran smooth as behind my 2007 3.0L patrol. Otherwise it's sat in my garage since i bought it. Is in pretty good nick. I was thinking however that I would be better off selling it and as you said buying a purpose built van for the trip. Was just curious in which way to tackle it. Thanks for the advice.

Yes, Snoopyone has read me correctly about the cupboards. He is also correct about the need for door vents, and something manufactured in 1999 would surely have complied with this requirement. Does it also have a roof vent - four seasons or similar? I thought this was an essential component for air flow for gas leaks too (one in one out).

We had an old off road model wind up caravan/camper. Dust poured in through the four seasons covering the slide out beds with a thick layer of red dust. With a full height van your would get less roof dust, but hit a patch of bulldust and it will shower your whole van. Dust poured in around the wheel arches and through the door seal. It had the most amazing cupboard latches which held, however the cupboards were made of chipboard and regular hinges had been used, not special chip board hinges. This meant each night after shaking the bedding, sweeping the floor and wiping the furniture, i got a box of matches and a bottle of wood glue to replace the hinges.

Our 1998 built present van was made to be dust proof. Some comes in through the door vents, but putting towelling across the vents when travelling collects the dust fairly well without preventing gas escape if left in place. The rear window no longer seals perfectly and with the dust that clouds behind us, sometimes some gets in. Anywhere cut for water or gas lines to come up from under the van need re-sealing every now and then as the sealant can come away and that is another place for dust ingression.

Mh