what is the usable interior width of a Ford E-series van

[LocalmotionSC]

I've been searching all night and haven't been able to figure out, how wide a bed can be in a ford E-series van. Does anyone know how wide an E350 or other E-series van is (either stock or after insulation etc)? How big can the bed be if you are going to sleep width wise?

Thanks

 

[southpier]

this may get you started: http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/eseries-cargo-van/specifications/interior/

bed can be as big as you want, but the width dimension ain't gonna change!

 

[cwsqbm]

With finished walls, the widest (longest if you're sleeping across the van) is 70" according to Sportsmobile.

 

[kcernest]

My 93 lwb E350 was 71" at the widest part above the wheel wells with just one layer of reflectix bubble wrap insulation. I've added more rigid foam since then so it will be about 66-67 once the wall panels are in place, just depends on how much insulation you want.

 

[Ozrockrat]

I don't have the actual diminsions but!!!

The Sportsmobile I had used thin insulation and had feet/head wells at the end of the bed when sleeping across, the Turtletop didn't. That extra 4" made a big difference in comfort level. I am 5' 8" and it was OK in the Sportsmobile but sucked in the Turtletop.

Penthouse was a much better sleeping area IMHO but being old, fat and inflexible it was a challenge after a couple of adult beverages.

 

[derjack]

Hi,

check out this:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2012/2012_E-Series_v1.0.pdf or this: http://www.ford.com/trucks/eseries/specifications/interior/

I was also looking for this, as I have the same "Solution" in my truck actually- the Iveco in my avatar. My rig has in around 50cm from the bottom 1,80m width- witch is enough for me [1,78m]. Note that the side walls are not straight!
If I wold go for any changes on the Exterior, I would go for making the Van wider not longer! German low for changes on cars is very very strict and even CA is a dream land in comparison. This is what people are doing when they have some money left, wider and longer http://www.innovation-campers.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=59&lang=en the complete Iveco is around 150k$

 

[desertspeed]

I found this to be pretty accurate.

 

[LocalmotionSC]

Thanks for all the responses guys. The spec sheets desertspeed and derjack linked to have a ton of information, definitely worth taking a look at! The SMB and info from E350 owners about the real-world width is really helpful to. I think this thread will be a good resource for the DIY van crowd, I searched all over the internet looking for information on bed width in e-series vans and couldn't find anything.

@Ozrockrat
I'm about the same size as you (5'9"), and am trying to decide between a bed that runs width wise or length wise. I would prefer a bed that runs the width (more space for storage and living) but am not sure whether a width oriented bed would be comfortable. Sounds like you had an OK experience sleeping width wise in the past? would you do it again? what about for an extended 3-6month road trip with another person?

Thanks for the help guys,

- Tyler

 

[Ozrockrat]

I may be a fussy bugger but with the sportsmobile using all available space it was bearable for up to a week. We had a poptop and it was worth getting my fat ******** into the penthouse bed for more leg room. The TurtleTop sucked even for a night.

As for the 3-6 months. When we made the decision we wanted a vehicle for 3+ months travel at a time we bought an ambulance. Mind you no one has ever accused me of anorexia so the getting past each other in the aisle was a major consideration. As was the additional storage and the cool factor (what's that saying "big rig little ????")

 

[Itsavanman]

there are other things you can do to improve usable space, just need to think outside the box, look at a pop up camper, thats all your getting, see what you can figure out. what I am doing will almost double the interior space of my van

 

[LocalmotionSC]

@ozrockrat
thanks for the quick reply, I would love an ambulance if i can find a decent one in the area within my price range, I'm also looking at the Provan Tiger XL and GT. However I have had trouble finding either in my area and budget. From what your telling me it sounds like sleeping front-back might be the best bet in terms of comfort (a pretty big consideration for a 3+ month trip).

@itsavanman
Sure I know there are other things I could do to save space but sleeping across the width of the van would give me an extra 2 feet of usable length / 12 sq. ft. of floor space. And if i didn't really need that extra space for sleeping, it would just be dead space that could be used for storage or counter space. Ideally I would buy a pop-up like you mentioned, but its hard to find a suitable pop-up within my price range (sub 8k). Any ideas to improve usable space are welcome though. And if you hear of a pop-up or ambulance in California shoot me a PM.

Thanks

 

[LocalmotionSC]

For reference here are a couple images of a model of the interior I am planning to build. This model has the 6' (front-back) bed/dinette and the base vehicle is an extended length e350 with a 24" high top roof.







If i were to choose to build the bed across the width of the van, I would push the dinette further towards the rear and add a closet and more counterspace

 

[Jeeper2018]

If youre even still on this site, can you tell me how much that 24" top cost. Im 6ft so i cant do the short top and i just want a high top no pop top

For reference here are a couple images of a model of the interior I am planning to build. This model has the 6' (front-back) bed/dinette and the base vehicle is an extended length e350 with a 24" high top roof.

View attachment 154741

View attachment 154743

View attachment 154744

If i were to choose to build the bed across the width of the van, I would push the dinette further towards the rear and add a closet and more counterspace

 

[RVflyfish]

If youre even still on this site, can you tell me how much that 24" top cost. Im 6ft so i cant do the short top and i just want a high top no pop top

Check out Fiberine. I got a quote in 2019 for a 24" with windows and wood reinforcements on the ceiling and sides. With installation
it was about $5400.

 

[06xpressAWD]

Check out Fiberine. I got a quote in 2019 for a 24" with windows and wood reinforcements on the ceiling and sides. With installation
it was about $5400.

Now it's even more expensive,7500! Wait a year and it'll cost you your 1st born.