I don't 'Get' the Beach. Tell me what I'm missing

[bilberry]

I absolutely agree. Everyone has their own needs and wants and what's lovely about this forum is that everyone seems happy with whatever they've chosen. There's no competitiveness and I hope my Beach-fandom doesn't come across as such. I'm sure that I'd love a Cali SE just as much. The link to the article above doesn't seem to work, by the way. It should be this one

 

[andyinluton]

I don't know where people get the £10,000 extra for a SE from compared to a beach, by the time you add on the bits that are standard on a SE compared to a beach: 140 engine, heated seats, opening windows in the rear, parking heater, fog lights, MFD, folding mirrors double glazing etc, etc the difference is only £4k
So £4K more for the electric roof, kitchen etc sound quite reasonable - I would also bet that the trade in value of a SE with no extras is going to be more than £4k more than a Beach with an extra £6k spent on it, when trading in the extras tend to make thing easier to sell rather than increasing the value. I would also have thought it easier to sell the cheapest SE rather than the most expensive Beach.

I really need one of each - beach as a people carrier for all 6 of us & an SE as a cosy camper for just 2 of us.

 

[Hotel California]

Voila , THE solution....just buy one of each....
Tkx Andy!

 

[WelshGas]

I've got the cosy camper for 2, as the 5 children are all now well established.

 

[Italiahorse]

I have kept it simple.
I have modified a couple of Kampa cupboards to enable the seat to work and drop the height so a portable stove can be used at Window sill love.
Pictures to follow from my iPhone.

 

[Italiahorse]

 

[Italiahorse]

The units are velcroed together at the front for extra rigidity and can be removed easily and placed in awning as they have extendable legs that place them at normal table height.
All drawers are insulated and removable.
I have removed the padded mattress above the storage unit to get the correct height to the window.
When in place and level at front with storage unit the case containing the portable stove drops exactly in the gap left and can just be seen on the left of the units.

 

[andyj007]

The units are velcroed together at the front for extra rigidity and can be removed easily and placed in awning as they have extendable legs that place them at normal table height.
All drawers are insulated and removable.
I have removed the padded mattress above the storage unit to get the correct height to the window.
When in place and level at front with storage unit the case containing the portable stove drops exactly in the gap left and can just be seen on the left of the units.

love that.. just ordered some... nice one. ta

 

[Italiahorse]

love that.. just ordered some... nice one. ta

There are a few easy mods to do to enable the seat to slide forward.
Both units are a a couple of inches too wide so you need to reduce the width. To do this I took this out the middle of the 4 aluminium width poles and then shortened the table width by removing the aluminium slat end holdings and hacksawing off the required amount. Putting the mouldings back and then just denting the aluminium underneath to hold them in place, To keep the strength I use a cut length of dowel or in my case about 8 inches of a suitable diameter broom handle and some gaffer tape. (It's hidden in the canvass). The canvass surrounds can accommodate this mod as the drawers are a lot shorter than the width available.
To stop things sliding off I use Ikea door handles. It's simply a few drilled hole in the aluminium.
http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/81928_PE207208_S3.JPG
I also reduced the height of the table top to level with the window by taking a couple of inches off the upright poles. Again the drawers can accommodate the mod.
I keep the legs under the table tops as there is a gap.
If you want help or exact measurements just contact me direct.,

 

[andyj007]

There are a few easy mods to do to enable the seat to slide forward.
Both units are a a couple of inches too wide so you need to reduce the width. To do this I took this out the middle of the 4 aluminium width poles and then shortened the table width by removing the aluminium slat end holdings and hacksawing off the required amount. Putting the mouldings back and then just denting the aluminium underneath to hold them in place, To keep the strength I use a cut length of dowel or in my case about 8 inches of a suitable diameter broom handle and some gaffer tape. (It's hidden in the canvass). The canvass surrounds can accommodate this mod as the drawers are a lot shorter than the width available.
To stop things sliding off I use Ikea door handles. It's simply a few drilled hole in the aluminium.
http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/81928_PE207208_S3.JPG
I also reduced the height of the table top to level with the window by taking a couple of inches off the upright poles. Again the drawers can accommodate the mod.
I keep the legs under the table tops as there is a gap.
If you want help or exact measurements just contact me direct.,

super stuff... brilliant... thanks will see how i get on..
cheers

Aj

 

[Italiahorse]

The units are velcroed together at the front for extra rigidity and can be removed easily and placed in awning as they have extendable legs that place them at normal table height.
All drawers are insulated and removable.
I have removed the padded mattress above the storage unit to get the correct height to the window.
When in place and level at front with storage unit the case containing the portable stove drops exactly in the gap left and can just be seen on the left of the units.

Update
IKEA damaged office worktop £10 and Cramer hob £158.
One jigsaw and above insulated draws.

 

[sidepod]

Was there any need to step on this particular land mine again ?

 

[WelshGas]

I understand what you are getting at but the above post and pictures were only responding to a previous request for additional details on what the owner " Italiahorse " had accomplished in his vehicle.
It would have been better in a separate thread but the original request was made in this thread.
Maybe it would be good to have separate Forums for Beach and SE/Ocean modifications to the Habitation Area.

 

[Geezso]

The horse should start a new thread, unless a mod can move those. As to be honest, its the best bit in this particular thread. Maybe a title change and deletion of first 4 pages will do.

 

[Italiahorse]

Update

Was there any need to step on this particular land mine again ?

It's an update for my campervan from my previous post.
Stop moaning, life's too short.

 

[2into1]

The horse should start a new thread, unless a mod can move those. As to be honest, its the best bit in this particular thread. Maybe a title change and deletion of first 4 pages will do.

Why would that be? There are plenty of users here weighing up the merits of a Beach vs an SE? This thread flushed out some good arguments.

In fact, the recent posts just show the lengths some (SOME) Beach owners will go to, to get the kitchen and storage I argued I (I!) felt necessary.

 

[Geezso]

Why would that be? There are plenty of users here weighing up the merits of a Beach vs an SE? This thread flushed out some good arguments.

In fact, the recent posts just show the lengths some (SOME) Beach owners will go to, to get the kitchen and storage I argued I (I!) felt necessary.

I agree, however the overall tone took a turn for the worse 25% in when people started to argue why its best. I think the initial question is a valid one. But similar to choosing say a Ford Fiesta 3 door 1.0 over a Dacia Duster 1.6 estate is that they are very different in usage and in requirements. People buy what they need and what is viable. If you need a big bed and cook outside all the time then its a beach. If you want to be semi set up and and plug in then its se/ocean. We almost went for a beach but the se won in the end for overall practicality in our eyes for our use. But everyone's different.
From what seemed to be a great question (maybe not worded perfectly) its pitting fellow members views and investments against one and other. These vans cost more than a house and to cast doubt over suitability is not cool.
If it was a conversion that's a different story

 

[2into1]

There was a clue in the title. "I" don't.......

It might be an awkward question to some, but I doubt I could have raised it more delicately once I decided to. Read my first post again.....

Anyway, I don't want to spoil a brilliant thread so back to the topic.

 

[MattBW]

What are the name of those drawers? Where did you get them? They look good.

 

[MattBW]

Looks like the Kampa ST0070 Handy Harry Holdall Organiser is discontinued Shame they look perfect for campervans

 

[sidepod]

Admin. Can we have a new emoticon to indicate when one is attempting humour?
At least then, those lacking a sense of humour get the idea

(Note - this is also fun).

 

[Dave650]

Looks like the Kampa ST0070 Handy Harry Holdall Organiser is discontinued Shame they look perfect for campervans

kampa quartermaster work well in my type 2.

 

[Yorkdubshire]

My answer to your valid original question. This is a quote from a reply I made in another thread.

Remove the rear bench seat and multiflex board, put a bit of cardboard in the back, drop the blinds and you have a panel van.
Put the bench seat in the middle, remove the multiflex board, drop the rear blinds and you have a combi.
Remove the multiflex board, put in two single seats at £354 each (bargain in my view) and you have a caravelle.
Fit a slide pod (which I probably will next year) and you have a proper camper.
On top of all that you have a California beach which sleeps 4 people in comfort and the kids will love it!
(Please don't think I'm having a go at the SE or ocean here because I think they are great pieces of kit and under different circumstances I would have one in a shot).

Just my opinion!

 

[Yorkdubshire]

Admin. Can we have a new emoticon to indicate when one is attempting humour?
At least then, those lacking a sense of humour get the idea

(Note - this is also fun).

Sorry just a quick off topic question which emoticon would you use?

 

[Geezso]

Sorry just a quick off topic question which emoticon would you use?

Maybe a "humour Alert" label like a warning sign