What camper have I got?

[aaronsm]

Hard to tell without a decent piccy I know, but I am not totally sure as what conversion I have just bought. I think its a Viking Spacemaker but I ain't sure. The inside has just got a full width rock and roll bed, and nothing really else. There is a stove in a cupboard type thing, which swings round and hangs off a hinge near the lock of the sliding door, so its half out the door.

It's got a full length, tall (about 6 inches when closed), hinged roof, connected on one side. Inside the roof is a bed, not bunks, and is similar to the bed in a Westy, and sleeps two.

Any thoughts/ideas?

thanks

Mike

[David Eccles]

year of bus would help narrow it.
Spacemaker roof extends out over the side - full length side roof perhaps Devon Double Top
Swing out cooker you describe is a Devon feature .. though not post 78
Viking kitchens are usually in the rear area
sounds like maybe you have a mix and match bus with bits added / altered by previous owners
no wardrobe? other cupboards? sink / water supply?
David

[aaronsm]

Its 1972. RHD. The roof canopy does hang out over the side of the van. The stove is contained in a big cupboard type thing with foil linings nad swings out so its half hanging out the van. There is no other camping stuff in it. The Rock and Roll bed is full width of the van. The bed upstairs is like a westy bed, but made of 3 padded panels/cushions, each about 2 feet by 4-5 feet wide. These cushions rest on 3 beams which lock into place, still unsure how it all goes together. There is lots of room upstairs though.

Taking the roof down was interesting. The 2 gas struts seized, and so the roof cover, (bloody heavy) ripped itself of the hinges.

Have to get 2 new struts and resecure the roof! Only had the van 2 weeks or so!! :o(

Also managed to scrape the paintwork in a supermarket car park.

Other than that I'm a loving driving the van.

thanks

Mike

[David Eccles]

Ok :)
Viking introduced in 1970 had layout with cooker unit as you describe. also had a sink unit opposite at end of rear bench and some other stuff like a wardrobe in rear. Fixed roof or poip top only.
In 1974 Spacemaker roof introduced and model now called Spacemaker with kitchen in rear. The budget Pioneer had a cooker by sliding door and a bed and not much else apart from seats could face forwards to travel.
Your bus is 72 however ..
BUT Viking did a load of business converting vans for individuals - a major side of the business especially fitting the big roof.
So It sounds like the 1974 > Viking Pioneer interiorwith spacemaker roof has been fitted to a 72 bus for a customer who took it direct to Viking works..
does that help or make sense?
David