FAQ's Piggl CAMPERVAN

1. What van models can I fit Piggl CAMPERVAN into? 

Piggl CAMPERVAN has been specifically designed to fit all short or long wheelbase T5 or T6 Volkswagen Transporters including T5.1 and T6.1's. 

If you own a long wheelbase T5 or T6 VW Transporter van please bear in mind that Piggl KITCHEN will be installed from the rear of your van as is it installed over, and in front of, the rear wheel arch. 

2. What is Piggl CAMPERVAN made from? 

Piggl CAMPERVAN is precision CNC machined from phenolic resin faced birch plywood with a black hexagon shaped finish. Inner surfaces have a smooth black phenolic film finish. This material is robust, waterproof, UV resistant and hardwearing. The attractive, exposed birch plywood edges are sealed with linseed oil.  

If you want campervan furniture that's hardwearing, but don't mind a few knocks when you're lashing your mountain bikes in for your next adventure, then our furniture is perfect for you.

Piggl KITCHEN is manufactured in 15mm thick phenolic resin faced birch plywood and Piggl BIKE-BED is made in 18mm thickness. 

All cupboard doors and drawers have high quality stay-closed hinges, runners and latches. 

We only use suppliers whose plywood is FSC® certified from sustainable European Forests. (FSC products have their forest of origin independently inspected and evaluated according to environmental, social and economic criteria agreed by the Forest Stewardship Council® AC.) FSC® (the Forest Stewardship Council®) is an international, non-profit making association whose membership includes environmental and social groups and progressive forestry and wood retail companies working in partnership to improve forest management worldwide. All depots of supplier have been awarded FSC® accredited certification by BM TRADA. 

3. Do I have to buy Piggl BIKE-BED and Piggl KITCHEN together? 

Piggl BIKE-BED is designed to work in unison with Piggl KITCHEN. The slimline design of the kitchen means that our bed is an impressive 1.2 meters wide - plus the integrated bike rack and storage drawers are not available from anyone else! 

Whilst you can purchase Piggl KITCHEN and Piggl BIKE-BED separately, please be aware that a standard depth camper van kitchen from another supplier will not allow you to use Piggl BIKE-BED as there simply won’t be space to fit alternative kitchen units next to it. 

If you only purchase Piggl KITCHEN and choose to install an alternative bed, then you will have a large gap and wasted space between your bed and kitchen. Plus, you will miss out on our unique 3-bike travel rack and in-built drawer system that Piggl BIKE-BED provides. 

We recommend purchasing the complete Piggl CAMPERVAN system to maximise the use of space inside your van, take advantage of our unique bike rack system and to ensure matching colour and surface finish on your campervan interior. 

4. What does self-assembly mean? 

Piggl CAMPERVAN, Piggl KITCHEN and Piggl BIKE-BED will be delivered to you on a pallet as a flat-pack kit. Each component is provided to you pre-cut and pre-drilled along with all the fixtures, fittings and instructions you will need to assemble it. Simply follow our step-by-step guide and in no time, you will have a robust, campervan kitchen and bike-bed ready to install into your van. 

A good degree of DIY competency and some of your own tools like a PZ2 power-driver and alley-keys will be required - as will two people to help build, lift and install. If in doubt, consult a qualified trade person. 

5. How does Piggl BIKE-BED fit into my van? 

Once assembled Piggl BIKE-BED is installed using three existing floor mounting points of your van. You will need to locate and expose the mounting points (which may be under your van's sub-floor) prior to installation. 

Detailed fitting instructions are provided. The frame can be unbolted and the entire unit can be removed from your van if required. However, we don't recommend doing this too often as you will weaken the screw fixing points.  

6. How do I put my bikes into Piggl BIKE-BED? 

In travel-mode Piggl BIKE-BED has three slots machined into the top of the bench seat. Each slot is 60mm wide and is designed to hold one rear bicycle wheel (up to 29 inch and 2.4 inch wide). If you have a large frame, wide handle bars or require wider bike slots please feel free to contact us to discuss your bikes fit or a custom slot size before placing your order. Due the variable geometry of bike frames we cannot guarantee that all bikes will fit.  

Please note: You will need one lashing strap per bike. Bike lashing straps are not provided with Piggl BIKE-BED, but are available to purchase from our website here ↠ 

Road bikes will need to be placed with the front wheel into the bike slot. Not all road bikes are suitable for use in Piggl BIKE-BED due to the variable geometry of the frames. Please contact us to discuss your road bike fit prior to purchase. 

Bikes need to be removed to collapse the bed; three bikes can be stored in the gap alongside and in front of the bed, behind the driver's seat, with a wheel removed. One bike will fit alongside the bed without removing any wheels. Alternatively, lock up securely in an awning or other secure location at a campsite.

7. What size bikes can I fit into PIGGL BIKE-BED WIDE SLOT? 

Piggl BIKE-BED with two Wider Bike Slots it exactly the same Piggl BIKE-BED, but with two wider bike slots in to transport: 

The two wider bike slots are the central slot and the driver's side slot. The nearside slot is unable to be enlarged as it will interfere with the drawer underneath.  

We cannot guarantee that other types of bikes (such as gravel bikes or road bikes) will fit due to the varying geometry of frames and position of gear wheels. These types of bikes are best fitted with their FRONT wheel in the bike slot, but we offer no guarantee of fit as Piggl BIKE-BED is designedfor mountain bikes only. 

8. How do I stop mud and water dripping through the bike slots in Piggl BIKE-BED? 

Prevent mud and water drips on your Piggl BIKE-BED by using our microfibre Piggl TOWEL as an absorbent and protective barrier. Simply lay over the top of Piggl BIKE-BED and insert your bike wheels into the bike slots as normal. The towel will absorb drips from your bikes and can then be machine washed ready for the next use.  

9. How does Piggl BIKE-BED convert into a double bed? 

In its upright position Piggl BIKE-BED is a bench seat or bike rack. To convert into a double bed for the night: 

To fold Piggl BIKE-BED away simply remove the mattress and bedding, pull the strap to raise up the middle two sections of the bed then push the bed backwards from the front. The bed will slide back easily on the runners in a smooth action and lock back into place. It’s that simple! 

10. What do I sleep on? 

Piggl BIKE-BED Mattress Cushions are are custom made to follow the exact shape of Piggl BIKE-BED and we have carefully selected dual-density foam to provide comfortable sofa cushions to sit on and a supportive mattress to sleep on. The four cushions form a slouch-style sofa when Piggl BIKE-BED is in its upright position, then transform into a mattress when converted down into a bed. 

We believe in quality and durability and Piggl BIKE-BED Mattress Cushions are made to last - there are no cheap foam imports here! Each mattress is handmade to order by highly experienced upholsterers in Chester, UK.  

All four cushions can be stored on the back shelf of Piggl BIKE-BED when the bike rack is in use.  

As an alternative, you can place an inflatable, double mattress on top of the bed to sleep on. Find our suggested mattress in the accessories section of our website. 

Find out more about Piggl BIKE-BED Mattress Cushions here ↠ 

11. Will Piggl BIKE-BED fit with a Kombi Transporter or Shuttle? 

KOMBI SEATS: Piggl BIKE-BED can be fitted into a SWB or LWB Transporter with Kombi seats in place BUT it cannot then be used as a bike rack and the bed cannot be collapsed flat as the kombi seats are in the way. You need to remove the Kombi seats and, ideally, their floor brackets to use Piggl BIKE-BED correctly. Both can be bolted in and out. 

The kombi seat floor brackets prevent the front drawer in Piggl BIKE-BED from opening. If you wish to keep the brackets in your floor you will need our Kombi KIT which fits seamlessly to the base of the frame and raises it up so that the drawer can open over the floor brackets.   

VW SHUTTLE: Whilst we have had customers fit Piggl BIKE-BED into their Shuttle, it is not designed to fit into a VW Shuttle as the interior panels will interfere with the fit of the bed. If you want to fit Piggl BIKE-BED into a VW Shuttle, then you will need some skills and be prepared to cut into or remove the wall panels, some of the floor and the rear tailgate panel as these will prevent the bed from being fitted. 

In a LWB Shuttle, the floor mounting point for the bed may be located in the floor underneath the wall panels (in front of the rear wheel arch). Piggl cannot accept responsibility for any parts broken or damaged in fitting Piggl BIKE-BED into a VW Shuttle and the responsibility lies soley with the buyer as Piggl BIKE-BED has not been designed for this purpose.  

Add Kombi Kit to your Piggl BIKE-BED or Piggl CAMPERVAN order ↠ 

12. Where do I put my bikes when I convert Piggl BIKE-BED into a bed? 

The bike rack of Piggl BIKE-BED is just designed to transport the bikes inside your van whilst on the move.  

Bikes need to be removed to collapse the bed; three bikes can be stored in the gap alongside and in front of the bed, behind the driver's seat, with a wheel removed. One bike will fit alongside the bed without removing any wheels. Alternatively, lock up securely in an awning or other secure location at a campsite.  

13. What vans can I fit Piggl KITCHEN into? 

Piggl KITCHEN has been designed to fit over the rear wheel arch of all short or long wheelbase T5 or T6 Volkswagen Transporters, including T5.1 and T6.1's. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you own a long wheelbase T5 or T6 VW Transporter van please bear in mind that Piggl KITCHEN will be installed from the rear of your van as is it installed over the rear wheel arch from the D-Pillar. 

14. Will the Piggl KITCHEN fit into a long-wheelbase T5-T6.1 Transporter? 

If you own a long wheelbase T5-T6.1 VW Transporter van please bear in mind that Piggl KITCHEN will be installed from the back of your van as is it installed over the rear wheel arch from the D-Pillar. 

15. How does the Piggl KITCHEN fit into my van? 

Piggl KITCHEN needs to be secured to the internal wall panels of your van. We recommend one of these two options: 

Option 1: If you have access, you can to fit permanent bolts to the metal panels of your van that are exposed after you have insulated and carpeted your van interior. The kitchen can then be drilled to fit over these bolts and you can secure the kitchen in place with washers and locking nuts. 
 

Option 2: You can screw through the back of Piggl KITCHEN directly into the interior metal panels of your van using self-tapping screws. 
 
NOTE: You may also wish to secure the front pod of Piggl KITCHEN to the floor of your van using a metal bracket (not provided) and the mounting point in the floor of your van behind the driver’s seat.  

Piggl KITCHEN comes in two modules that, once assembled, fit seamlessly together. 

16. Does Piggl KITCHEN come with a hob or cooker? 

We prefer to keep cooking smoke and smells out of our van. Therefore, our Piggl KITCHEN does not include an inbuilt hob or gas ring. However, this portable gas camping stove is the perfect size to be stored neatly on a shelf inside the Piggl KITCHEN cupboard and placed onto the worktop. 

Purchase your gas stove here ↠  

If you have also purchased Piggl BIKE-BED, then why not add Piggl PANEL to your order? This panel fits neatly into the top of the extended rear drawer forming a robust platform, allowing you to place this gas stove on top for outdoor cooking*. Piggl PANEL can be purchased here ↠  

*Do not place hot items directly onto Piggl KITCHEN surfaces, always use a suitable heat protective mat. 

17. Does Piggl KITCHEN come with a fridge or cool box? 

As standard Piggl KITCHEN does not include a cool box or fridge. We recommend a stand-alone cool box that can be used inside and outside your van. Shown in the image below is a Dometic CF16 coolbox.  

18. Where does the waste water go from the Piggl KITCHEN sink? 

As standard a slimline sink is provided with Piggl KITCHEN. It is up to you how you dispose of waste water. 

Some users install fresh and foul water containers in their kitchen. This is the best option if you plan to use detergents to clean dishes. We recommend this fresh water installation kit plus a foul water collection container which can be purchased from us separately here ↠ 

Other users choose to drain the waste water to the outside using the standard bung hole in the floor of their Transporter. This is only acceptable if all you are not using detergents which may cause harm to the environment. If you don't want a waste water collection tank then you might consider this fresh water installation kit which can be purchased from us separately here ↠ 

19 . What is Piggl PANEL and how does it work? 

Piggl PANEL is an optional extra part for Piggl BIKE-BED that slots into the top of the extended rear drawer to create an outdoor cooking station. A portable gas stove and other cooking equipment can be placed on top when in use*.

Alternatively, the panel can be used as a table to rest your drinks or other equipment on whilst relaxing outdoors. 

Piggl PANEL sits in the top of the rear drawer of Piggl BIKE-BED and can be neatly stored inside the drawer when no longer required.   

The panel is CNC machined from the same black phenolic resin faced birch plywood as Piggl BIKE-BED giving a robust and hardwearing surface. All exposed edges are sealed with linseed oil to prevent moisture ingress.  

Add Piggl PANEL to your Piggl BIKE-BED order today ↠ 

*Do not place hot items directly onto the Piggl PANEL surface, always use a suitable heat protective mat.