Here is the concept mock up for the interior. The design is based on input, other posts from various websites and my own needs. As far as I can tell, it is only
partially unique, so my apologies for any duplications. The short story is It's basically 2 big drawers that pull out the back and hold everything you would need for your camp out.
Here's a break down of the basic functionality:
- You can extend one or both drawers out, based on what you need. These drawers will fit within the confines of the existing van doors and rear glass so that each can be used independently without leaving the entire vehicle open. Each drawer is supported by a pair of 400lb 50" drawer slides (about $80 all in on Amazon... amzn.com/B018TG1LI6) which will extend their entire length.
- Each drawer has a unique purpose: (Kitchen and storage/ tools for me). The kitchen drawer is basically a housing for the built-in stove, water tank, wash and rinse basins, and dinnerwares (cups, plates, etc). Cooking utensils would be in a sub-drawer located under the stove. This can be modified to be used with a standard folding camp stove, just adjust things accordingly.
On the bottom of this drawer is a flat table which can extend out to use as a staging area or dining table.
The storage drawer will have 3 compartments for bedding, clothes, food, rifles, fishing poles, etc. Built into this will be 2 smaller drawers for my tools because my friends and I have Jeeps and well they break.
- You can flip the drawers around to face to the outside if you want the kitchen to be usable with them both open (I don't, I plan on using the rear glass as a shelter over the kitchen so I don't
have to use an awning).
- When retracted, the drawers fit into the rear enclosure, which is sealed off from the outside world, so you can leave the drawers extended without letting the elements in. This enclosure will be made with 1/2 steel square tube for the frame, covered in... probably plywood, with semi-matching carpet. The height will be level with the rear seat when folded so the bed will lay flat. The enclosure will butt-up against the rear seat when opened, with a little wiggle room to allow the seat to be folded up.
- I plan to take a basic futon mattress and backing it with a felt-covered hard board to make the bottom rigid. This can be folded out to sit on the top of the enclosure and the folded seat for a bed; which should sleep 2 comfortably. When not in use, it will be folded back up and rest on top of the enclosure (secured somehow) or removed when not needed for around the town use or hauling. Since the mattress has a sturdy hard back, stuff can be stacked on top of it without smooshing around in the back.
- The cool thing is... your gear is always there, always ready and never in the way... and you can totally go stealth, or adapt for your bug-out needs I suppose.
- This basic design can really be used on any vehicle; I'm planning on adapting a version for a friend's 4Runner actually. I may also make it modular, so the entire unit can be installed, removed or even shared with other 'Stroverlanders'.
- I won't have a project cost or build time for a while, but I'm thinking the whole thing can be done for somewhere in the neighborhood of $500-$800 and take a good 40-60 man hours.
Please be kind, it is just a silly paintbrush mock-up, still need to make room for the wheelwell, size the drawer to fit with the water bottle and all that. My hope is that it inspires more people to try it out and we can all share our notes. I am putting this out here for my fellow explorers, not for production at a profit so please be respectful of that.
Comments and suggestions welcome, thanks for stopping by.
