Best option for sleeping 4, and tall guy!

[phlite]

Hello!

This is my first post. We are searching for a solution for a family of 4. We have two kids, 6, and 8. I'm tall, 6'4". I've done a moderate amount of research and searched the forums for the best solution for us. While I think a popup trailer would work out pretty great, having the ability to stealth camp, make coffee on side of road, use restroom, etc would be really awesome.

We rented a ducato campervan in Ireland and it really worked out pretty perfectly. My only gripe (pretty huge) was the bed outside of the bunks was only 5'10" in length. Other then that, we really really liked this van. The van was a wildax solaris (sorry can't post a link). That one is a Citroen, but I'm pretty sure they are the same van.

I'm thinking that realistically a sprinter would be the best fit, but i don't think there is a proper length bed layout to allow 4 berths. Also, it's clearance is really low and the 2wd would not get us where we like to go. We like to get off the beaten path, like the majority of folks on here!

We are looking for:

- Option for stealth camping
- Ability to go off road, nothing too insane. 4x4 may be the way to go
- Pretty good gas mileage
- Ability to sleep 4, and preferably till the kids are in their teens
- Non-restricted sleeping for 6'4" person
- Fridge
- Cook top
- Sink
- Toilet/shower (could potentially live without)
- High ceiling (could potentially sacrifice, but I think I'd be miserable). Even with a penthouse popped up in a ford, you only get 55" in most of the van? Maybe if the kitchen area was directly below the 6'10" area that would work out ok.

Any ideas guys? Any tall guys with ford van sportsmobiles? I'd rather buy used. The new sprinter 4x4 really looks like the dream for us, but still don't think the bed layout would be good for me.

Thanks a bunch!!

Best,
Chris

 

[Mwilliamshs]

...Even with a penthouse popped up in a ford, you only get 55" in most of the van?...

Say what? The upper bunk attaches to the underside of the roof unless it's in use. Inside height is well over 6' for the full length of the Penthouse (6'10" IIRC).

Take a look at http://www.sportsmobile.com/penthouse-top/

These three items:

...
- Pretty good gas mileage
- Ability to sleep 4, and preferably till the kids are in their teens
- Non-restricted sleeping for 6'4" person
...

Are gonna be the toughest.
What's pretty good gas mileage? I'd say if you need more than 12 mpg loaded and going some place quickly or steep you're in the wrong market.

Sleeping 4 full-size people basically requires 4 twin size beds, minimum and at your height, I'd say twin XL (39''x 80''). That's gonna soak up a good chunk of space. I know as a teenager I would not have wanted to split my PH top bunk with my brother. If I'd had a sister...no way. So you and mom go up there and find room for two beds downstairs? I just don't see sleeping 4 full-size people in a van. Sorry. Bunkbeds maybe? A 6 footer ain't sleeping across the van, lengthwise only. 80" of bed takes up a lot of the length. Convertible couch is the best way to get it IMO, either gaucho or westfalia style.

 

[phlite]

Mwilliamshs,

Thanks for the reply.

Sheesh i didn't realize the bed was easily moveable from the penthouse, duh!

12 mpg is reasonable.

Regarding the beds, with a EB50 type floor plan I think it could be doable with 4. The bed down stairs looks like it would be 81"x50". Thats a nice sized bed, and the penthouse one would be plenty big too. But, you could be right while the kids wouldn't mind sleeping by each other right now, later it could be a problem.

Chris

 

[mikracer]

When your kids are old enough to complain about sleeping next to each other, thats when they get put up in a tent. You can also get bed extensions for the penthouse which would give you plenty of length.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

When your kids are old enough to complain about sleeping next to each other, thats when they get put up in a tent. You can also get bed extensions for the penthouse which would give you plenty of length.

My concerns about the PH bed are related to its width more than its length. It's fine for a couple but a couple of teenage siblings would be uncomfortable IMO.

 

[phlite]

That's a good point mikracer!

When your kids are old enough to complain about sleeping next to each other, thats when they get put up in a tent. You can also get bed extensions for the penthouse which would give you plenty of length.

 

[Rovertrader]

We have a '06 Navion with MB 5 cyl diesel netting right at 20 mpg. But, no 4x4, and pretty low to ground. Very expensive to convert to 4x4, but the couch in the slide out is fine for my wife and I, and I am 6'-3". Daughter takes the upper bunk, son the dinette convertible. Stand up height a plenty....

So, why did we go back to an E350 4x4? It's gonna be an adjustment big time, but the 4x4 capability and ground clearance is the main draw. Just starting the build, and it is going to be very difficult to come close to the convenience, room, and function of the Navion- and not to mention living with half the fuel mileage. A lot to give up to get away and explore off the beaten path, but everything has trade offs. Wish I could afford a 4x4 conversion to the Navion....

 

[phlite]

Rovertrader,

Right on ya that will be an adjustment for sure! But you'll be able to head to many better places!

I'm curious if you are going to use a Smb floor plan for a template? If so which? There are a coupe that I've seen that definitely look like they'd work for 4 fairly nicely.

Are you building yourself to save money or to design it specifically for what you want? Either way I'm curious on what your layout will be!

Best,
Chris

We have a '06 Navion with MB 5 cyl diesel netting right at 20 mpg. But, no 4x4, and pretty low to ground. Very expensive to convert to 4x4, but the couch in the slide out is fine for my wife and I, and I am 6'-3". Daughter takes the upper bunk, son the dinette convertible. Stand up height a plenty....

So, why did we go back to an E350 4x4? It's gonna be an adjustment big time, but the 4x4 capability and ground clearance is the main draw. Just starting the build, and it is going to be very difficult to come close to the convenience, room, and function of the Navion- and not to mention living with half the fuel mileage. A lot to give up to get away and explore off the beaten path, but everything has trade offs. Wish I could afford a 4x4 conversion to the Navion....

 

[Coachtone]

Chris,

Have you looked at some of outsidevan's floor plans?
here is one that has everything but a bathroom.

http://www.outsidevan.com/night-fury.php

I have seen online, high roof sprinters with bunk beds and a sleeping loft (entire width of van).

I'm going to be in the same situation as you in a couple of years. I currently have a 2001 Ford E250 EB that I minimally converted to a campervan, my kids are 3 and 5 years old now. I'm expecting in the next year or two our family of four we will out grow and I'm researching for the next project. I'm also tall 6'1 and my daughter is following my footsteps, so head room and sleeping space a big concern. I currently have a queen size bed that the wife and i share and the kids sleep underneath the bed in separated berths.

I'm looking at converting either a sprinter or a transit.

 

[yelnam]

For sleeping 3 or 4, take a look at the poptop from coloradocampervan.com.