TO SLIDE OR NOT TO SLIDE
A triumph of Space Technology
Words & photographs by TERRY & MAUREEN ACREMAN
Converters are constantly striving to maximise available space, especially within the constraints of van conversions. The question is how do you make a tin box bigger? American RV’s have solved this problem a long time ago, now some boast up to quadruple slide outs – where the bodyside slides outwards adding valuable additional interior space.
The Fifth Wheel Company recently launched their Inos caravan featuring a single slide out, the first for a UK trailer. Would it work on a van? Innovative Manhattan Motorcoaches did just that around the turn of the millennium, both on a Fiat Ducato van and Renault Master based coachbuilt. In the case of the van (a worlds first with slide out) the nearside sliding door was configured to slide outwards, creating an extra 1.5 cubic metre, allowing a sofa by day and 6’ 3” x 4’ 0” double bed at night. The full specification included blown air heating, swivel toilet in an across the rear bathroom with separate shower.
A GRP moulded entrance door was then cut into the offside of the van, behind the driver alleviating the need to use the cab doors for entrance. Launched after two years of research around a hundred metallic silver ‘Tardis’ vans (for obvious reasons) based on Ducato 2.8JTD are estimated to have been produced from the Blundell, Hertfordshire concern. And today one occasionally appears on the second hand market.
Fast forward to 2011 ‘Doctor Who’ style, and not one but two arrive (just like buses) the concept being used in different styles by Chameleon Motorhomes and Autotel Campers. Wayne Lomas of Autotel approach uses a worm driven mechanism (operated by everyday cordless drill) to operate the rear slide out, which has the Renault Master doors appearing to be closed across the rear. The prototype (on old style pre-lover Master base) has a bespoke interior with spacious bathroom directly behind the driver and kitchen adjacent to the side sliding door.
Bathroom has drop-down sink and cassette toilet, while kitchen features Spinflo three-burner hob with oven and grill. Completed by an 800w inverter, Thetford 97lt 3-way refrigerator and brushed alloy splashback. Coloured LED downlighters are used throughout. The additional space provided by the slide out maximises the rear ‘U’ lounge seating with double-door wardrobe at the rearmost. All furniture is made in-house with soft furnishings by Regal Furnishings to customer’s choice.
The slide is fully insulated and watertight, made from lightweight aluminium composite material that is both flexible and durable. Hopefully the rear doors will be replaced by a GRP moulding and attention may then be turned to a side slide out similar to the Manhattan Tardis.
Owen O’Neill, Managing Director of Chameleon Motorhomes on the other hand has almost completed two luxury prototypes on brand new Mercedes Benz Sprinters, one long wheelbase and the other a medium. With a background in commercial signs (and a fellow motorhomer) he has utilised this vast knowledge to produce a lightweight interior that has no timber components. Besides being practical, the high-tech material is damp-proof and fireproof, and available in various colours and woodgrain’s.
Here the Chameleons slide out is produced from AMC (aluminium composite material) and effortlessly simply glides in and out – being locked in both positions for safety. Its cantilever design provides a luxurious 1350mm x 1980mm bed. Flooring is made up of honeycombed aluminium. These up to the minuite materials are usually seen in luxury yachts and fast ferries, where lightweight, durability and structural stability are uppermost. Corner steadies for on-site stability with slide out are standard.
Again interior is bespoke, but highly specified. The medium wheelbase being two-berth while the longer versions are four berth utilising a French RIB rock ‘n’ roll seat that during travelling offers safe forward facing belted seat for additional passengers. A disabled version is available with single seat and secure wheelchair mounting. In essence the medium wheelbase model on the road becomes a long wheelbase while on site. Future plans may well see a short wheelbase version and Fiat Ducato base.
Kitchen features an attractive acrylic worksurface with inlaid drainage grooves to stainless steel basin, a choice of refrigerator capacity is offered. Electrics throughout are LED from Gel leisure battery, with no less than five 240v sockets available all controlled via Sargent 155 control unit. Heating comes from a Truma combi unit feed from an underfloor 20-litre tank; there is also a 100-litre insulated and heated fresh water tank plus 78-litre waste. For those that like to rally or wild camp an EFOY fuel cell is available as an option.
Storage is vast with space available in the slide out seating, with external access, cupboards and aircraft style overhead lockers with radiused edges.
Besides metallic paintwork, cab air-conditioning and original Mercedes doors are retained for travelling (see photo). Wall and neat headlining material is washable fireproof leatherette, while insulation used is 3M Thinsulate.
There you have it two dramatic and exciting new additions to our lifestyle, look out for them at the outdoor shows.
Further Information
Autotel Campers
Units 11-12 St Nicholas Bridge Business Park, St Nicholas Bridge, Carlisle
CA2 4AA
01228 523980
Chameleon Motorhomes
Unit C, Goodridge Avenue, Gloucester
GL2 5EA
01452 307900
