Hi from Canada + MTB Campervan TC conversion

[sarah.thib]

Hi fellow Connect-ers!

I'm Sarah, french-canadian from QC, Canada. Here's my little TC micro camper story for those it might interest (and some questions for the TC pros at the end) ?

As an avid outdoors and mountain biking enthusiast, I wanted a small van in which I could sleep in to facilitate and enhance my weekend adventures. I stumble upon a brand new 2019 TC that was already a bit converted (minimalist set up, but still), so I jumped right in and I haven't regret it! The initial set up allowed me to start using the TC as a little campervan right off the start which was awesome, but the optimization-design-comfort-lover in me wouldn't settle forever with that set up...

 

So I made a mid-term iteration plan to get the van to my perfect set up, slowly but surely. Here's how it goes:

 

PHASE 0 (aka what was already included in the initial conversion)

Duration: 0 weekend, 100% completed

• Interior paneling finition
• Sofa-bred module (including 2" mattress)
• Amovible table
• Side and back windows
• Curtains tailored to each windows

 

PHASE 1 (easy, quick and mostly necessary add-ons for the van's purpose)

Duration: 1 weekend, 100% completed

• 2" Hitch at the back
• Bike Rack (Sportsrack 2 bikes, but upgraded to Panache T6 in 2022)
• Roof bars (Thule)
• Solar/roof shower (Yakima RoadShower, 10 gallons)
• Awning (GoXplore)
• Roof cargo box (Thule Pulse Alpine)
• Interior roof light switch (so that it doesn't turn on in the middle of the night whenever I open the door)

 

PHASE 2 (body work and not-so-fun stuff so that my dog can stay cool in the van during summer)

Duration: 2 weekends, 100% completed

• Sound deadening (Kilmat)
• Insulation (Thinsulate)
• Ventilation (2 Maxx Air Dome fans)
• Lighting (4 DEL 12 volts lights)
• Plumbing (23L water container, small electric pump and faucet)
• Solar panel (1 Renogy 100w)
• All-in-one battery (Goal Zero Power Station, 1000w)
• Secret flooring storage (backseat feet area of the Passenger version is unused/covered in the Cargo version)

 

 

PHASE 3 (Interior finition and added storage)

Duration: 2 weekends, 75% completed

• Roof & wall panelling (5/16" x 3" x 8' lambris)
• Overhead storage in the cabine (not shown in the pictures)
• Added Reflectix to the curtains (not shown in the pictures)
• 1.5" suspension lift kit
• New all-terrain summer/four-season tires is we can find something that fits! (got advice? comment away please haha)

 

*Wow! Now it's starting to look like a tiny home ?

 

PHASE 4 (New slide out sofa-bed & kitchen counter construction)

Duration: 2-3 weekends, 0% completed

• Slide out sofa-bed construction
• Kitchen counter construction with a sink (finally)
• Refrigerator (probably an Iceco 12volts model)

*Sorry for the few french notes, but I figured you would get the idea anyway! 

 

* ADVICE REQUEST ABOUT TIRES/SUSPENSION LIFT *

I'm looking to buy new all-terrain tires for this little baby and I'm not exactly sure up to which tire profile I can go. The original tire size is 215-55R-16, but I would like more sturdy, heavy load capable and good looking tires. Last time I got towed, the guy told me the original Continental tires were not rated for such heavy load (considering the bike rack, bikes, fully loaded roadshower, etc.). I was thinking of these Falken Wildpeak or these BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain, but they got high aspect ratio which worries me a bit event if I'm thinking of adding a 1.5" suspension lift kit.
Got tips? Please help this is waaaaay out of my comfort zone!

 

Got questions? Don't hesitate, I might add product links and more specifications if there's an interest.

 

That's it, I hoped this can be of use to you somehow ?

For more photos and future updates on the van conversion you can go checkout my Instagram account @sarahthibo !

 

 

Edited March 20, 2023 by sarah.thib
Typed enter by error, was not finished