Frankie

Location: Frankie's pick-up location is in Nelson town centre and only approx. 8km (10 mins drive) from Nelson airport. Arriving into Picton? There's an Intercity bus service that connects Picton and Nelson and if you’re driving your own car, it can be safely parked at the property (off-road) while you’re away.

In The Cab: 3 seats in cab up front (2 with 3-point seat belts and centre seat with lap belt); stereo with Bluetooth/aux connections.

Kitchen Area: Frankie has a simple but very effective layout with the kitchen space running behind the cab providing lots of storage, along with a timber countertop, tiled splashback and generous sink with electric pump tap.  There’s a 40L compressor fridge stored under the bed which slides out on runners. And for cooking, Frankie has a 2-burner camping stove (with 2kg gas bottle) and all the essential utensils, pots, pans, knives, crockery and cutlery etc.

Dining/Living/Sleeping Area: Frankie has an internal height of 1.65m – so standing room if you’re on the shorter side! The main feature of Frankie is the generous fixed bed which measures 135cm x 190cm, basically the same as a standard double bed. There are handy shelving units both next to the bed and over the cab. Frankie is insulated and has mid-weight curtains for privacy. Note: we list bedding and towels as Extras at the booking stage in case guests prefer to bring their own.  Under the bed (accessed from the rear) where you’ll find two huge drawers.

Water Facilities: Like all Quirky Campers in NZ, Frankie is certified self-contained. There are removable 25 litre fresh and grey water tanks. The fixed toilet (meaning Frankie can be used for freedom camping) is stored under the bed and can be pulled out into the kitchen space for use as needed.

Electrical/Lighting and Audio Equipment: Frankie has a leisure battery charged via a roof-mounted solar panel and also while the engine is running which then powers the fridge, lights and an inverter with USB sockets for charging devices. There is also 240V camping lead available for use on powered campsites (essentially an extension lead that can be run through the window).

Type of Heating: Insulated but no other heating besides cab heater.

Outside: Frankie has a 2.5m x 2.5m awning for that all-important shade as well as camping chairs, an outdoor table and a solar shower pack. She also has a swing-away bike rack as an optional Extra.

Conversion Story: Round 2! After building our other van Meg, we knew what worked and what features we wanted to try out next time. We also needed a winter project to keep us busy, enter: Frankie! I had my heart set on a sleek pull-out kitchen, and Hunter was left in charge of working out the logistics (of course he didn’t disappoint!). I’ve asked him where he’s learned how to build, wire, plumb, weld, etc, and he always shrugs and says, “Dunno, I just do”. DIY prodigy! Being keen mountain bikers ourselves, kitting Frankie out as a mean adventure camper was a no brainer! Decor-wise I had a vision of a little slice of home, hence the red dirt linen, Australian wildflower motifs, azure splash-back and sandy yellow ceiling and bench top. Frankie is named for Hunter’s maternal grandmother - Emma