From workhorse to weekend camper

Temporarily turning your everyday vehicle into a week-end camper is popular in Europe, as evidenced by clever products like the SwissRoomBox that turns small runabouts into mini-motorhomes in minutes.

Now the concept has arrived in Australia, at least in Queensland where campervan conversion specialist

Southern Spirit Campervans is offering a kit that will turn your weekday workhorse into a campervan (and back) in around 30 minutes.

Southern Spirit’s Pia Fronzoni said the idea came about after the company was invited to exhibit at last year’s Fiat Professional Expo in Queensland, an event that showcased fit-out innovations for Fiat van owners.

Designed to slot into the rear of short or medium-wheelbase Fiat Ducato vans, the basic Vacanza package comprises two cabinets (with rollers and handles for easy handling) that are sit against the bulkhead and along one side of the van.

The lightweight plywood furniture comes with kitchen hardware and push locks and is available in three colours.

Also included is a fold-up table and a sink with tap that slots into one of the benchtops, hooked up to 25 litre fresh and 30 litre grey water tanks.

The 1.88m x 1.42m east-west facing bed comprises a foam mattress with cover mounted on a frame, with additional drawers underneath.

The only permanent changes that have to be made to the Ducato van are affixing a vinyl-covered plywood floor, and putting two RHS bars above the wheel arches, to help speed up the conversion process.

All up the basic kit weighs around 90kg and costs $8500, although that doesn’t include various options including two-burner alcohol stove, 37 litre fridge, built-in safe, roof hatch and vent, second battery system, awning, 12V socket and reading lights, which if all selected might add another $4500 or so to the cost.

The Vacanza layout is only available at the moment for Fiat models, but Southern Spirit wants to expand the concept to other vans and is currently working on a prototype for the popular Toyota HiAce, that would be supplied in flat-pack form for DIY assembly and therefore be suitable for delivery around Australia.

To see how a Ducato is temporarily turned into a campervan, watch the video below…