Camper Layout

[Backcountry Traveller]

Hello everyone this is my first post so please bear with me.


I'm intending on putting together a camper within the next year or so.

I'm going to keep it as simple a build as possible, insulated and boarded out with a fixed bed that can double as storage and a fixed unit that will contain the stove, sink and clean and grey water storage.

Now my main question and query that i'd like the input from you guys would be which layout i should go with.

I've got the traditional layout where i have a fixed rear bed that will either be at low level or high level depending on the height of the roof i get. This would be with the unit at the front with the front sliding load door being the main point of ingress and egress.

The second layout i'm thinking about would be with the layout flipped so the bed would be at the front with the units at the rear. (see accompanying pictures for clarification)




Now i can think of a few pros and cons of either configuration but i'd like to know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance.

Sam

 

[Bbasso]

Strange looking layout for a van...

 

[quickfarms]

Are you in the US

Most full size vans have the sliding door on the passenger side.

the conventional layout is more practical.

 

[huskyhauler]

The first step is finding the van. The best layout is the one that fits the van you get. Are you looking for a small van like an Astrovan or are you looking for something along the lines of an 18-passenger Ford E-Series, or a Sprinter van?

Will you be utilizing the rear access doors of the van?

 

[Backcountry Traveller]

Strange looking layout for a van...

Hey, not sure if that was suppose to be comical or serious, but It be a standard European van, there may or may not be a pass through from the cabin to the habitat. So for this I just showed a self contained habitat layout.

Are you in the US

Most full size vans have the sliding door on the passenger side.

the conventional layout is more practical.

No I'm in the Uk and Europe, so the sliding door would be in my passenger side.
On hindsight I should have added that to the initial post.

I was thinking of the traditional layout. However the other layout would allow me to haul more gear and utilise the rear doors more.

The first step is finding the van. The best layout is the one that fits the van you get. Are you looking for a small van like an Astrovan or are you looking for something along the lines of an 18-passenger Ford E-Series, or a Sprinter van?

Will you be utilizing the rear access doors of the van?

The idea of using something like a passenger bus has crossed my mind but most of them that would suit me are over the tonnage that my licence will let me drive.

because of that and the fact Im from the Uk it'll be either a short or Medium wheelbase vehicle such as the sprinter and transit chassis.

 

[luthj]

Having the bed at the rear allows for swiveling front seats. This adds a lot of usable space. Another option is a bed lengthwise along the wall. It could be flipped up out of the way for hauling gear.

Having a removable (or high) bed in the rear can allow lots of space for hauling stuff. Do you have specific things you need to haul?

If you decide on a box van, or van without a pass through, having the bed at the front makes sense in this case. It allows maximum access from the rear doors.

How many will be sleeping in the van?

 

[Backcountry Traveller]

Having the bed at the rear allows for swiveling front seats. This adds a lot of usable space.

That would be useful but most van I've been looking at are solid bulkhead and i know they can be removed but I'm also after being able to transport as many people as possible and removing the front bench seat and replacing with a swivelling front seat negates this.

Another option is a bed lengthwise along the wall. It could be flipped up out of the way for hauling gear.

Having a removable (or high) bed in the rear can allow lots of space for hauling stuff. Do you have specific things you need to haul?

Yes I'm an outdoor instructor and guide so i have racks of climbing gear, outdoor paraphernalia such as shelters and other misc.

If you decide on a box van, or van without a pass through, having the bed at the front makes sense in this case. It allows maximum access from the rear doors.

How many will be sleeping in the van?

It would probably just be me most of the time but I often travel with my girlfriend so the extra birth to bunk on would be useful. Add to the fact I'm 6ft 2 and I like to be able to stretch out in a double bed



Thanks for the input.
Sam


No trees were destroyed sending this post. However a few electrons were slightly inconvenienced.

 

[luthj]

The major issue at 6ft+ tall is that you cannot sleep sideways in most vans. This means a 6ft+ long bed, which eats up floor space. If you need maximum storage, 2 bunk beds may be the way to go (stack them on top of each other). They could even be made folding with pretty minimal work.

You might consider searching the conversion forums over on Sprinter-Source.com. There are a couple of builds by climbers and mountain bikers. Some good inspiration.

With a bed at the rear, and mounted 36"+ high, you could have lots of storage underneath. On my build I made the bed as high as I could and still allow room to sit up in bed.

Don't underestimate the value of a walk-through to the front cab. You could also add a bench or single seat in the rear area if you need to carry another passenger.

 

[luthj]

Here are a couple builds.

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27653

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10351

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16773

 

[Retired Tanker]

Allowances for fender wells?

 

[Heloflyboy]

A good place to look at all kinds of layouts would be Pinterest. I have found a lot of ideas on there. Put van camping into your search. I am starting to work on a defender 110 van and have been getting good ideas on how i want to do the interior.
Good luck

 

[Paddler Ed]

Have a search on UK Rivers Guidebook - one of the best conversions was on an ex-private ambulance (undertakers collection van) about 7 years ago.

Otherwise, when I converted my backpacker van in Aus I based it around a queensize mattress, and set the base height so it cleared the wheel arches... we lived in it for about 18months

If using it as an outdoor activity bus, don't forget to factor in getting things on and off the roof, as inevitably you'll end up with boats on there. I've seen a low roof SWB Ducato set up quite well to take 2 open boats on the roof, whereas a friend who had a XLWB Ducato with the full height high roof had a bit more of a challenge getting boats on top BUT the XLWB Sprinter/LT's are long enough I think to take most open canoes inside them.

If you're on a post January 1997 licence then you're good for up to 3500kg and 8 passenger seats if you don't have D1 (I do as I got it through one of my jobs - I worked in Outdoor Education/Activity from 2002 to 2013 in the UK and overseas). Maybe keep an eye out for a Ford Torneo as well - they aren't going to be subject to commercial vehicle speed limits like a van would be... unless you jump through the hoops and register it as a camper; lastly, don't forget that the Severn Bridge etc will be probably be commercial vehicle toll rates, not cars.

Hope that all helps,

Ed

 

[Backcountry Traveller]

Have a search on UK Rivers Guidebook - one of the best conversions was on an ex-private ambulance (undertakers collection van) about 7 years ago.

Otherwise, when I converted my backpacker van in Aus I based it around a queensize mattress, and set the base height so it cleared the wheel arches... we lived in it for about 18months

If using it as an outdoor activity bus, don't forget to factor in getting things on and off the roof, as inevitably you'll end up with boats on there. I've seen a low roof SWB Ducato set up quite well to take 2 open boats on the roof, whereas a friend who had a XLWB Ducato with the full height high roof had a bit more of a challenge getting boats on top BUT the XLWB Sprinter/LT's are long enough I think to take most open canoes inside them.

If you're on a post January 1997 licence then you're good for up to 3500kg and 8 passenger seats if you don't have D1 (I do as I got it through one of my jobs - I worked in Outdoor Education/Activity from 2002 to 2013 in the UK and overseas). Maybe keep an eye out for a Ford Torneo as well - they aren't going to be subject to commercial vehicle speed limits like a van would be... unless you jump through the hoops and register it as a camper; lastly, don't forget that the Severn Bridge etc will be probably be commercial vehicle toll rates, not cars.

Hope that all helps,

Ed

Thank you for the reply paddler ed.

You've given me lots to think about and I've already started thinking about alterations to my ideas.

I'd love to hear more about you're backpacking van If you could.

Sam


No trees were destroyed sending this post. However a few electrons were slightly inconvenienced.