The New Beach "kitchen" and retrofitting

[kave]

Many of us have made a small snack table. Works really well if you dont want the full table in the door:

Hubbys Handmade side/snack drink bar for the beach

My husband and I have made a side table for our 2016 beach. It saved us getting the big table out, and is handy for making a brew, putting your drink on or a lap top on to watch dvds. It's made from aluminium with rounded corners and 2 cup holders for our ecoffee cups. It fits perfectly in...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[brasso]

HI @Perfectos , yes the table in the door is great but it's pretty big and tricky to put up without getting out of the van. I just want something smaller that is quick to deploy!

Thanks @kave, some very interesting ideas in that thread

 

[BeagleMum]

My first post, so hello everybody

Instead of the the full stove, a small retractable table would be ideal...A handy place for your JetBoil and a cup of tea. I think that's my only gripe with the beach, there is no easily accessible surface to put anything on.

If it’s just for the Alpkit & mugs we use a ‘Freeform tray‘ or a deep sided bamboo tray on the bench seat.

 

[Mike889]

My first post, so hello everybody

Instead of the the full stove, a small retractable table would be ideal...A handy place for your JetBoil and a cup of tea. I think that's my only gripe with the beach, there is no easily accessible surface to put anything on.

Prototype table attachment for Dometic Fridge

 

[Phil P]

I agree, it looks like it should be a straight forward job. Out with the old trim panels and in with the new, mit shiny stove, although I suspect the gas cabinet would require a vent in the floor.

View attachment 50470

As for cost, that could put the whole project on the back burner!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Hi
where about is the gas locker?
I have a T6 Caravelle and curious to see how it’s fitted. My van has twin sliders.
Cheers

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Hi
where about is the gas locker?
I have a T6 Caravelle and curious to see how it’s fitted. My van has twin sliders.
Cheers

For twin sliders, these guys have some nice UK made units:

Campervan kitchen furniture unit pods for camper conversion for sale

Vangear design and manufacture a range of campervan kitchen pods for sale online, from small sink pods to units with a fridge and built in hob to down the side modular pods.

www.vangear.co.uk

 

[Phil P]

For twin sliders, these guys have some nice UK made units:

Campervan kitchen furniture unit pods for camper conversion for sale

Vangear design and manufacture a range of campervan kitchen pods for sale online, from small sink pods to units with a fridge and built in hob to down the side modular pods.

www.vangear.co.uk

Thanks for your help

 

[Borris]

Hi
where about is the gas locker?
I have a T6 Caravelle and curious to see how it’s fitted. My van has twin sliders.
Cheers

Hello Phil,
This thread concerns retro fitting the new mini pop up kitchen as fitted in the T6-1 Beach "Camping" into a T5 or T6 Beach. This new stove is fitted into the trim on the near/side of the rear T6-1 passenger compartment. Since the Caravelle has twin sliders it wouldn't be possible to do a retro fit in your vehicle. The trim panels just wouldn't fit.

The gas locker is located in the base of that N/S trim behind the front passenger seat.

 

[Phil P]

Thanks for clarifying that, The Beach is a nice van and I take interest in the version with a 3 seater bench seat, lookout for ideas that might be workable in a Caravelle.

 

[Borris]

Thanks for clarifying that, The Beach is a nice van and I take interest in the version with a 3 seater bench seat, lookout for ideas that might be workable in a Caravelle.

Because the Caravelle employs exactly the same floor rail system and the same three seater rear bench seat as the Beach, there are numerous possibilities available to you. However, I'm not sure if you will have a multiflex board bed extension. If not, one of these may prove a useful addition to your van. However be sure to get the higher split folding version as fitted in the Beach with the three seater Beach. It's designed to provide the right height support in the rear for the bed when the bench is folded down to provide a double bed. It also allows for greater storage flexibility in the boot and because of it's spilt folding element, it increases your seating and leg room options in the passenger compartment. You'll also need the VW Comfort mattress which irons out the undulations in the folded bench to provide a perfectly flat bed. Here are some options you could consider:

1. There are number of companies that specialise is making excellent removable pods with or without a stove, sink etc etc. There appear to be many permutations of this pod theme so you should find something that suits you. You may be aware that I have a seven seater Beach and that personally don't favour the pod approach. My only reason for this is that a pod would reduce the available space in the rear passenger compartment. That said, there are some brilliant professionally made pods that may suit your needs well.

2. There is also the ready made slide out boot kitchen to consider. These units are very slick and I believe they can be ordered to your specification and colour to match your van. These kitchens can be used either extended out under the tailgate or removed from the vehicle and used as a stand alone unit.

3. Or you could try the modular approach with a kitchen stored in the boot on a pull out tray. This is very much the DIY approach but it does enable you to design your own specific storage/kitchen solution to suit your own specific needs. A number of members have designed their own storage systems along these lines, some with and some without a pull out tray. Personally, I think that the pull out storage tray is a real game changer as it makes access to everything simple and easy.

Here's a snap of my system:
@Amarillo has another interesting alternative but in the end it's down to you to decide what works best for you.?

 

[Phil P]

Thanks so much for your help, I managed to buy a VW Multiflex board, I have to get a little foam top to match it to the rear seat foam. I think Caravelle bench seats are more sculpted and less flat when reclined but not too bad. A local foam supplier can cut one to the correct thickness. I agree with you about the pods taking up space and some loss of flexibility. A full width slide out offers flexibility for us and less money. I’ve bought a Dometic portable fridge and a Cadac two burner stove. If I was buying another, I think a Beach would be for us with the big bed. California’s are off the £ scale at the moment. We love our Van as it’s very plush inside. We haven’t had a night in it yet . We have a hotel booked in South of Croatia in June for 9 nightsso for us it’s a big adventure, camping in the van 4 nights to get there proper rest and maybe longer route back. We’ve been doing package holidays for last 35 years which have been great But the van offers something different. Hopefully we like camping, last time we camped 1996. just looking to live a little free before we move into the departure lounge. Appreciate you sharing your advice

Because the Caravelle employs exactly the same floor rail system and the same three seater rear bench seat as the Beach, there are numerous possibilities available to you. However, I'm not sure if you will have a multiflex board bed extension. If not, one of these may prove a useful addition to your van. However be sure to get the higher split folding version as fitted in the Beach with the three seater Beach. It's designed to provide the right height support in the rear for the bed when the bench is folded down to provide a double bed. It also allows for greater storage flexibility in the boot and because of it's spilt folding element, it increases your seating and leg room options in the passenger compartment. You'll also need the VW Comfort mattress which irons out the undulations in the folded bench to provide a perfectly flat bed. Here are some options you could consider:

1. There are number of companies that specialise is making excellent removable pods with or without a stove, sink etc etc. There appear to be many permutations of this pod theme so you should find something that suits you. You may be aware that I have a seven seater Beach and that personally don't favour the pod approach. My only reason for this is that a pod would reduce the available space in the rear passenger compartment. That said, there are some brilliant professionally made pods that may suit your needs well.

2. There is also the ready made slide out boot kitchen to consider. These units are very slick and I believe they can be ordered to your specification and colour to match your van. These kitchens can be used either extended out under the tailgate or removed from the vehicle and used as a stand alone unit.

3. Or you could try the modular approach with a kitchen stored in the boot on a pull out tray. This is very much the DIY approach but it does enable you to design your own specific storage/kitchen solution to suit your own specific needs. A number of members have designed their own storage systems along these lines, some with and some without a pull out tray. Personally, I think that the pull out storage tray is a real game changer as it makes access to everything simple and easy.

Here's a snap of my system:View attachment 76899
@Amarillo has another interesting alternative but in the end it's down to you to decide what works best for you.?

Sorry forgot to ask what are your thoughts about awnings, have been looking at Vango?
Cheers

 

[Borris]

Thanks so much for your help, I managed to buy a VW Multiflex board, I have to get a little foam top to match it to the rear seat foam. I think Caravelle bench seats are more sculpted and less flat when reclined but not too bad. A local foam supplier can cut one to the correct thickness. I agree with you about the pods taking up space and some loss of flexibility. A full width slide out offers flexibility for us and less money. I’ve bought a Dometic portable fridge and a Cadac two burner stove. If I was buying another, I think a Beach would be for us with the big bed. California’s are off the £ scale at the moment. We love our Van as it’s very plush inside. We haven’t had a night in it yet . We have a hotel booked in South of Croatia in June for 9 nightsso for us it’s a big adventure, camping in the van 4 nights to get there proper rest and maybe longer route back. We’ve been doing package holidays for last 35 years which have been great But the van offers something different. Hopefully we like camping, last time we camped 1996. just looking to live a little free before we move into the departure lounge. Appreciate you sharing your advice


Sorry forgot to ask what are your thoughts about awnings, have been looking at Vango?
Cheers

I'm not sure about the Caravelle seats being more contoured. You may be right but the bench is basically the same unit in both vehicles.

The VW Comfort mattress isn't just a slab of foam. It's contoured on the underside to mirror the undulations in the folded bench. A simple slab of foam may do the trick but I suspect that if it's not contoured it still won't be that comfortable. Having said that, the VW Comfort matttress provides a perfectly flat surface but can be quite firm for some. So you may need something on top to suit you. I'd suggest that you try sleeping on it before your holiday to ensure that it's comfortable. You may need to make some adjustments.

How do you manage regarding window blinds in a Caravelle?

Btw, we started out wanting a LWB Caravelle with the then bed pack option. Lovely vehicles.

Regarding your awning question, my answer has to be that they are best avoided if at all possible as they are usually bulky, weighty and take up a lot of valuable space. They can be a lot of faff and take a lot of the spontaneity out of Cali camping. However, if you are staying in one location for a few days or more, the extra space they provide can be really useful, especially if you have kids or dogs. We have a Vango Galli low Airbeam awning which we use to entertain in and also when we take our grandkids camping. However, when we take the awning we usually take our trailer which saves space in the van. It's a very well made roomy awning that is quick and easy to erect. It's a bit more of a job to pack it away though especially if it's wet. On those occasions it gets bundled up in a tarp and sorted out at home. So in short, unless you really need one they are best avoided IMO.

Have you thought about a Comfortz awning room? These are quick and easy to deploy and pack away and take up no space at all. In short they are ideal for one night stays and touring. You do need an awning though to attach it to.

 

[Amarillo]

@Amarillo has another interesting alternative but in the end it's down to you to decide what works best for you.?

I developed and created my “alternative” in this thread.

Underbed storage area

I'm planning better use of the underbed storage area in our 3 seat bench Beach boot, in particular the space between the rear of the bench and the multiflex. Here is a cross section of the crates I intend to make for that space. The two large crates and the gas box can remain in place with the...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

My aim was to use every cubic inch of available space in the boot. It has turned out to be a remarkably flexible setup with crates reused to make a kitchen area in the drive away awning.

 

[Max-Felix]

If the [retrofit latest pull out Beach 'cooker'] gas situation is an issue it would be much better all round to simply fit a mini underslung LPG tank with just a small pipe access hole up through the floor.

 

[Nafelsmann2022]

I am sorely tempted once the new 6.1 beach is released to see if the the "kitchen" can be retrofitted. VW are renowned for trying change as little as possible to keep costs in check. I wouldn't be surprised if the part fitted straight in place of the current one, or maybe i am just being hopeful. As VW are doing several beach models with the same base vehicle it may be the same pattern.

I don't use the upper pockets and cup holders much so wouldn't miss them.

May be steep though, the plastic parts normally arent too bad but the cooker may be eye watering. Hoping they do release the beach in the UK so I can get a look at one and compare.

Did they ever release these pop-up cookers in the end?

 

[Nafelsmann2022]

I am sorely tempted once the new 6.1 beach is released to see if the the "kitchen" can be retrofitted. VW are renowned for trying change as little as possible to keep costs in check. I wouldn't be surprised if the part fitted straight in place of the current one, or maybe i am just being hopeful. As VW are doing several beach

Did they ever release these pop-up cookers in the end?

models with the same base vehicle it may be the same pattern.

I don't use the upper pockets and cup holders much so wouldn't miss them.

May be steep though, the plastic parts normally arent too bad but the cooker may be eye watering. Hoping they do release the beach in the UK so I can get a look at one and compare.

 

[two-saabs]

Did they ever release these pop-up cookers in the end?

Yeah it’s in available in the Beach now, we have it, really cool, exactly what you need and not slots away when not needed

 

[Nafelsmann2022]

Yeah it’s in available in the Beach now, we have it, really cool, exactly what you need and not slots away when not needed

Does anyone sell them to retro-fit in a 2014 T5 Beach?

 

[Borris]

Does anyone sell them to retro-fit in a 2014 T5 Beach?

I'm sure that VW would sell you all the parts. However, they would likely cost you an absolute fortune. Apart from the stove and gas supply parts, you would have to change all the near side plastic trim below the window line and forward of the rear seat, including the B post trim. Then you'd have to alter the van chassis to accord with the new set up. This would mean creating a vent for any leaking LPG to escape through the floor to open air from the gas cylinder storage locker. As this stove is a new addition, that facility will not have been designed into the chassis of earlier model years. Also, whether you would be able to purchase all of those plastic trim parts in exactly the right colour for your van remains to be seen.

Then there's the practicality issues to consider. The fold out stove will work just fine with the two seater rear bench seat and storage box set up but it's not so good with the three seater bench variant. In the former's case you could use the stove with the bed in use but forget it with the latter's bed in place. The three seater bench is higher so when converted to a bed it prevents the stove from being used. Even with the three seater bench in seating mode, would you really want to cook whilst seated with you legs under the cooker? In the event of a serious spillage anyone sitting in that position runs the risk of receiving serious burns. And don't think that that scenario wouldn't happen to you because it could! These vans are family vehicles so given a bit of inclement weather and an owner will most likely end up using the cooker with kids and in some cases, a dog or two rattling around inside the van with them. This arrangement has danger written all over it.

In short, the fold out stove is a nice, well designed piece of kit but it needs to be used with care and only after you have reduced any potential risks. Is it suitable for retro fitting? Yes, I can't see any reason why not. But the real question is, would it be worth it? There are many self contained stoves on the market that you could use in the same location that would cost you a fraction of the conversion costs.

Oh and don't forget to tell your insurance company as this would no doubt be classed as a modification.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Probably cheaper to get one of these:

Vangear Mini-Pod-Grey-campervan pod-GEN 2 | vangear.co.uk

Vangear Mini-Pod Campervan Pod - Grey - GEN 2 Fully assembled and ready to fit New updated (gen 2) mini-pod Lead time = 2-3 weeks We have updated our ever popular MINI-POD (gen 2) with new modern styling, we have slightly enlarged the pod for more practical storage inside, there is now a extra...

www.vangear.co.uk

 

[RoB5urf]

Suspect that might not work as expected in a Beach with a storage box. I don't really get these pods with their diddy little sinks but I suppose they work for some folks

 

[two-saabs]

Suspect that might not work as expected in a Beach with a storage box. I don't really get these pods with their diddy little sinks but I suppose they work for some folks

If I didn’t have the mini kitchen, I’d go for a pod like you show inside the van, or switch to the back of the van and use a slide-out kitchen, with the advantage of being stood outside when you cook with the rear door as sun or rain cover. That can be a quick 2k at the back though.

Or keep it low cost and really simple, buy a standalone grill like a campingaz or Cadac, and wash up in a pop-up bowl. 50 quid all in!

 

[Nafelsmann2022]

I'm sure that VW would sell you all the parts. However, they would likely cost you an absolute fortune. Apart from the stove and gas supply parts, you would have to change all the near side plastic trim below the window line and forward of the rear seat, including the B post trim. Then you'd have to alter the van chassis to accord with the new set up. This would mean creating a vent for any leaking LPG to escape through the floor to open air from the gas cylinder storage locker. As this stove is a new addition, that facility will not have been designed into the chassis of earlier model years. Also, whether you would be able to purchase all of those plastic trim parts in exactly the right colour for your van remains to be seen.

Then there's the practicality issues to consider. The fold out stove will work just fine with the two seater rear bench seat and storage box set up but it's not so good with the three seater bench variant. In the former's case you could use the stove with the bed in use but forget it with the latter's bed in place. The three seater bench is higher so when converted to a bed it prevents the stove from being used. Even with the three seater bench in seating mode, would you really want to cook whilst seated with you legs under the cooker? In the event of a serious spillage anyone sitting in that position runs the risk of receiving serious burns. And don't think that that scenario wouldn't happen to you because it could! These vans are family vehicles so given a bit of inclement weather and an owner will most likely end up using the cooker with kids and in some cases, a dog or two rattling around inside the van with them. This arrangement has danger written all over it.

In short, the fold out stove is a nice, well designed piece of kit but it needs to be used with care and only after you have reduced any potential risks. Is it suitable for retro fitting? Yes, I can't see any reason why not. But the real question is, would it be worth it? There are many self contained stoves on the market that you could use in the same location that would cost you a fraction of the conversion costs.

Oh and don't forget to tell your insurance company as this would no doubt be classed as a modification.

Thank you for a wonderfully comprehensive reply, it must have taken some time to type all of this.
I hear you loud and clear, not worth the cost, whatever that would be, plus potential fitment plus safety issues answers my question fully.
Thank you , much appreciated.

 

[Nafelsmann2022]

Thank you for a wonderfully comprehensive reply, it must have taken some time to type all of this.
I hear you loud and clear, not worth the cost, whatever that would be, plus potential fitment plus safety issues answers my question fully.
Thank you , much appreciated.

 

[Andrewmyers]

I'm sure that VW would sell you all the parts. However, they would likely cost you an absolute fortune. Apart from the stove and gas supply parts, you would have to change all the near side plastic trim below the window line and forward of the rear seat, including the B post trim. Then you'd have to alter the van chassis to accord with the new set up. This would mean creating a vent for any leaking LPG to escape through the floor to open air from the gas cylinder storage locker. As this stove is a new addition, that facility will not have been designed into the chassis of earlier model years. Also, whether you would be able to purchase all of those plastic trim parts in exactly the right colour for your van remains to be seen.

Then there's the practicality issues to consider. The fold out stove will work just fine with the two seater rear bench seat and storage box set up but it's not so good with the three seater bench variant. In the former's case you could use the stove with the bed in use but forget it with the latter's bed in place. The three seater bench is higher so when converted to a bed it prevents the stove from being used. Even with the three seater bench in seating mode, would you really want to cook whilst seated with you legs under the cooker? In the event of a serious spillage anyone sitting in that position runs the risk of receiving serious burns. And don't think that that scenario wouldn't happen to you because it could! These vans are family vehicles so given a bit of inclement weather and an owner will most likely end up using the cooker with kids and in some cases, a dog or two rattling around inside the van with them. This arrangement has danger written all over it.

In short, the fold out stove is a nice, well designed piece of kit but it needs to be used with care and only after you have reduced any potential risks. Is it suitable for retro fitting? Yes, I can't see any reason why not. But the real question is, would it be worth it? There are many self contained stoves on the market that you could use in the same location that would cost you a fraction of the conversion costs.

Oh and don't forget to tell your insurance company as this would no doubt be classed as a modification.

Borris slightly off topic, but after doing some re search I have tracked you down to the be owner of the Renault AX N7850. This was my grandads car at some point and I have recently just come across a photo of him in it which must have been in the 40’s/50’s. I would love to share the photo with you. If you would like to contact me on andrew-myers@outlook.com I will share the photo with you and would be great if I could see some photos of the car currently . I look forward to hearing from you, Andrew