Cinzia Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Dear all, we are currently converting a MAN-KAT1 into a motorhome and I would like to ask you if you have any ideas of what kind of door we could use for the bathroom. We are not keen on "folding doors", as they tend to be of low quality. A traditional door would take up too much space. Here is what our living unit looks like at the moment (still work in progress... but you can see the "bathroom area" https://cinziasblog.travel.blog/2019/03/28/converting-a-man-kat1-into-a-camper-part-2/ Any ideas or recommendations are welcome! Thanks!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Doesn't look like much room for anything but a curtain - if you are excluding a folding door. I suppose it's possible that a " quality " folding door is available - but I don't know of one. :-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamRienza Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 My van uses a tambour door in both toilet and shower compartments. You know the type, like shop roller shutters but on their side and made of fairly light plastic sections. It also allows a radius to be achieved rather than everything having to be square. Davy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 A very impressive piece of work! Having seen the pictures, the washroom seems very compact - 'though it is not yet quite clear what you intend installing into it. However, in view of space, I too would suggest a tambour door as most seem to be of plastic construction and, provided the bottom guide can be drained into the shower tray, should double as a shower screen - assuming you intend to install a shower plus tray. Where you can get the "right" kind, I have no idea, but possibly looking at vans for sale may give you some ideas as to what might be available. I don't think the converters make such items themselves, but buy them in from commercial suppliers. It will probably need to be secured for travel (open or closed), and they can rattle somewhat. I imagine the suspension on the MAN will expose any items that might rattle, though I suspect you won't be travelling with the rattles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share Posted April 14, 2019 Thanks guys!!!! Yes, the washroom is rather compact. We will install a wc, a small sink (most probably a foldable one) and a shower. We still have to make the proper plan for it.... at present we are concentrating on the rest of the living unit: we will be travelling to Transylvania in 3 weeks and we want to have the "basics": kitchen, water, heating. The bed and the sitting area are already there. The fridge was installed last week. There is plenty of work still to be done.... but no pain no gain!!! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-14 1:14 PM..................….We will install a wc, a small sink (most probably a foldable one) and a shower. We still have to make the proper plan for it.... …………. The bold bit above would make me nervous! :-) Things that go into washrooms (WCs, washbasins and shower trays) all tend to come in fixed sizes (albeit there may be a range of sizes). To be sure they will all fit, it is wise to plan the room around the fittings. I note you have the walls in, so it would be a real shame to find you need to adjust its size for best fit when you come to fit it out - but can't because its dimensions have become fixed by other items elsewhere, or even to find there is an awkward gap around the WC or shower tray that could have been more easily sealed had the gap not existed. As I said, it is a very impressive piece of work, so it would be a real shame if the quality of fit and finish wasn't quite reflected in the washroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 First question, why do you need a door? Who will be looking in? If it's just to keep the main area dry then a curtain will be fine as long as it hangs inside the showertray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 15, 2019 Author Share Posted April 15, 2019 Thanks for your feedback!!! True, a curtain would be an option too! We are planning to do wild camping most of the times, therefore we will use the shower on a daily basis. For this reason we thought a door would be better in order to avoid water splashing in the living unit but we will also consider a curtain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Hi... So, wouldn't just a simple one piece, outwards opening door work? (made out of "similar" materials to those that you've already used? ) Having made such a good job so far, it'd gall me to end up using an over -priced, "off the shelf" bit of flimsy, rattly tat.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Our previous van (2002 Hymer) had a lightweight door and inside had a wrap-around shower curtain, hung from an aluminium ceiling track, so it could enclose the shower area or be slid back against the wall when not in use. The shower head was part of the basin tap (Reich design). For showering the head was raised on it's flexible hose and clipped in place on the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 16, 2019 Author Share Posted April 16, 2019 Thanks guys! @Pepe: yes, that was actually our first idea. The only drawback is that there is not so much space between the washroom and the kitchen area, so we are exploring other ideas as well. We still have some time (we are not planning to star the washroom until after our trip to Romania), so we are still in the brainstorming phase :-D @Robbo: we are also considering the option of using the sink faucet for the shower as well. I think the beauty of building a living unit yourself is that you can look into all options and then pick the one who suits you better. But having so many options can also be quite confusing .... ;-) Well, at least life is not boring!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 @Robbo: which model was your Hymer 2002? Just asking so that I can take a look at the washroom door :-D Happy Easter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-16 8:15 AM Thanks guys! @Pepe: yes, that was actually our first idea. The only drawback is that there is not so much space between the washroom and the kitchen area, so we are exploring other ideas as well. ! (?) Two narrow doors opening outwards (?) ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-14 10:37 AM Dear all, we are currently converting a MAN-KAT1 into a motorhome and I would like to ask you if you have any ideas of what kind of door we could use for the bathroom. We are not keen on "folding doors", as they tend to be of low quality. A traditional door would take up too much space. Here is what our living unit looks like at the moment (still work in progress... but you can see the "bathroom area" https://cinziasblog.travel.blog/2019/03/28/converting-a-man-kat1-into-a-camper-part-2/ Any ideas or recommendations are welcome! Thanks!!!! A traditional door only takes up space whilst you open it ;-) ......... I'd go for a water proof door and fix plastic water deflectors on the inside to the bottom and sides......... Nice conversion by the way :D ........ You're young obviously planning on going further South than Benidorm B-) ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-21 12:58 PM @Robbo: which model was your Hymer 2002? Just asking so that I can take a look at the washroom door :-D Happy Easter! My 2002 Hymer was a B544 Classic model but expect the more upmarket B544 would have the same door. As I mentioned, the door was quite lightweight with solid wood outer frame and single plywood panelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-21 12:58 PM @Robbo: which model was your Hymer 2002? Just asking so that I can take a look at the washroom door :-D Happy Easter! As you are now only a fortnight from heading abroad I suggest you opt for a shower-curtain. Even if you eventually fit a door, you’ll still need to protect it with something and a curtain is simple, cheap and effective. It is possible to buy specialised doors and waterproofing screens suitable for motorhome installation, but they aren’t cheap and need to be planned for at the design stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 Thanks guys!!!! For our upcoming trip we will only have a toilet, no shower :-( We will start building the shower when we come back. We have an outdoor shower which we can use (weather permitting), and we willl be in campsites most of the times .... so I should survive. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Cinzia......might be worth you contacting the guy who runs this business; https://campervanculture.com/ Personally my preference has always been the wet room type.....not just mh's either but also in the home. To me the advantages far outweigh any disadvantages. But that guy has done numerous conversions including the more unusual such as the one in the pic. He was in Romania at the time but forget where they were heading for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted April 27, 2019 Author Share Posted April 27, 2019 Many thanks!!!!!! Funny that they were in Romania.... we are heading there in a couple of weeks. I have just had a look at the website and I have actually seen that they've been to Transylvania.... and have done part of the route that we are planning to do. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 Cinzia - 2019-04-27 5:16 PM Many thanks!!!!!! Funny that they were in Romania.... we are heading there in a couple of weeks. I have just had a look at the website and I have actually seen that they've been to Transylvania.... and have done part of the route that we are planning to do. (lol) Yeah he was a nice chap and the only other Brit i'd met was in Serbia six weeks before who ironically came from a small village just a few miles away from where i live! It's well worth doing the Transalpina and Transfagarasan roads in Romania if you have chance. The scenery is incredible though both are best done during a dry sunny day. Just make sure your brakes are in sound order! https://rolandia.eu/en/blog/discover-romania/9-stunning-roads-in-romania-that-you-should-drive-on If i can dig my diary out i'll get you the co-ords for that site i was on as it was deceiving because it turned out to be a bit of a hidden gem. It was just out of a small village....a large property with two bits of spare ground either side. The ground was fairly rough and basic but the rear of the property was a large Restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking a small brook......and the meals were absolutely fantastic! I was sorry to leave but was heading for Poland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 Hi Bulletguy! Unfortunately we will have to skip the Transfagarasan road this time, as I believe it will still be closed (we are travelling in mid May). But if we like Romania (and I am sure we will), we will surely return :-D Here is our planned itinerary https://cinziasblog.travel.blog/category/romania/ If you, or anybody else from this forum, have any tips or recommendations, I would very much appreciate!!! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted December 21, 2019 Author Share Posted December 21, 2019 Dear All just wanted to give you an update... we eventually decided to leave the curtain in the bathroom (instead of installing a proper door). The bathroom is now more or less ready and looks like this: https://cinziasblog.travel.blog/ As soon as we have finished all other work (cabinets, etc.) we will re-consider the door versus curtain option : :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wilkes Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 why did you not look at a bi-fold door that folds into the bathroom as it would be better than a curtain and give more privacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Cinzia’s enquiry originated in mid-April 2019 and included the staterment We are not keen on "folding doors", as they tend to be of low quality” When the enquiry was made, a planned trip to Transylvania was just 3 weeks away and essential work on the conversion was still in progress. Given the tight deadline, using a shower-curtain was the logical option on a temporary basis (see my posting of 21 April 2019 3:04 PM above) and whether or not to fit a ‘proper’ door could be delayed till later. The photo of the bathroom on Cinzia’s blog indicates that it is quite roomy with a deep sill at its entrance, so a simple curtain across the entrance should not cause any problems. My current Rapido’s shower has bi-fold Remis-made translucent plastic doors, as did my previous Hobby motorhome’s shower, and (like Cinzia) I’m no fan of them. However, the Rapido and the Hobby has/had an opaque door hiding the toilet area and providing the privacy that many people would insist on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted December 22, 2019 Author Share Posted December 22, 2019 Yes, exactly.... we opted for a curtain as we needed a quick solution - we were about to leave for our first trip with our truck and a curtain was better than "nothing". Since then we have made some further progress on the truck (we now have a proper kitchen, hot water, etc.) and we have more time to think about better options. In October we did a second trip (this time to Sardenia), and we had the opportunity to re-think our priorities: I am still not a big fan of the curtain (I strongly believe a door would give more privacy), but our priority for the winter will be to build the cabinets (for the bedroom area and the kitchen area), as the lack of storage space is rather annoying. In the meanwhile, we will continue to search for alternatives to our curtain :-D I think this is a work in progress project..... it will take at least another two years before we are happy with all features of our truck (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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