Do it yourself: The Kliems and their journey to their own daily camper
The Kliems are passionate motorhome enthusiasts. After looking at many external vehicles, they came up with the idea: we can do better! They build their daily campers based on the Fiat Scudo.
It sounds logical that the Klien family converts camper vans. On closer inspection, you wonder why the three of them have ever done anything else. With so much expertise, the path is actually predetermined: Andrea and Thomas have been passionate camper van builders for more than 30 years. camperThomas is also a travel journalist, Andrea works passionately with fabrics, and son Tim is a trained automotive mechatronics engineer and is currently completing his master’s degree in automotive engineering. From panel vans to alcoves to vans, the friendly Kliems tried everything until they came up with the idea: we’ll do it ourselves, we can do it better!
And so in December 2020, the family start-up in Kalkar on the tranquil Lower Rhine started with two privately converted vehicles. When the first interested parties stood in front of them and wanted to buy the campers, the decision was made. There is a clear concept when it comes to converting the mobile homes suitable for everyday use: “In principle, we build the vehicles like this because we use them on vacation ourselves. That’s why we develop solutions that seem simple but increase the quality of travel,” explains Tim. And you can see that immediately!
Office above, conversion hall below: the former motorcycle workshop.
Photo: Stefan Rogge
There are a lot of details in the Dailycamper that only real campers can think of. “For example, we thought it would be nice if you could open the rear window from the inside,” says the student. Is this the case with the Fiat Puntowhich serves as the base vehicle, is not possible, the Kliem family quickly developed a mechanism to open the window and keep it open a crack. “This means the window can remain open even when it’s raining, and the car can still be locked,” explains Thomas.
Working together routinely: Every single screw goes through Tim and Thomas’ hands.
Photo: Stefan Rogge
Detail-oriented expansion concept
Such clever ideas run through the entire expansion concept. For example, the family business is currently working on a ventilation grille for the sliding window. And when you look at the seating area, you notice that the folding table that can be attached has a slanted base. “This gives both of them the legroom they need,” says Tim. There are also numerous standards that are simple but well installed, such as the cool box, gas cooker, auxiliary heating, a heavy-duty pull-out at the rear or the circuit diagram, which the son also developed.
The Kliems pay particular attention to the insulation of the vehicles. “That is really important to us,” reports Thomas. When making furniture, only materials that are heat-resistant and have scratch-resistant surfaces are used.
Absolute attention to detail: legroom thanks to the slanted table leg.
Photo: Stefan Rogge
All edges have aluminum caps. Father and son even manage to fit a mobile toilet into the almost five-meter-long car. It is located under the bed structure and can be pulled out when needed.
Expansion takes three to four weeks
The three of them finish ten to twelve vehicles a year. They need about three to four weeks to convert them. The Kliems use the Scudo as their base vehicle out of conviction. “It’s simply comfortable to drive, and the fuel consumption is low,” explains Thomas. A cold foam mattress with an additional fleece cover ensures sleeping comfort. Everything is sewn by hand by Andrea. “When we make the blackout blinds at the front, we make sure that the fabrics are really opaque,” she reports. A table and chairs are also a must in the daily camper. “The car is equipped so that you can travel with it at any time; we don’t want to sell any extras,” says Thomas.
Seems to fit! Andrea tests her blackout blinds for the passenger door.
Photo: Stefan Rogge
The Kliems’ concept seems to be well received. 40 vehicles have already changed hands. One customer even came from Austria to the Lower Rhine to pick up her daily camper. In fact, customers drop by the Kliems from time to time. “We think: Now they’re coming and they’ve had a bad night’s sleep or are complaining, but luckily we only get positive feedback,” says Thomas. No wonder, since a daily camper conveys the Kliems’ enthusiasm for their vehicle in every corner.
