Sprinter Pods/Flares for Ford?

[jamesk]

As a 5'11" human, laying width-wise in my e-250 campervan doesn't work without contortion. I see the sprinter gang has mitigated this issue with pods or flares thru vanspecialties and flarespace.

Has anyone attempted to either create, or fit one of these flares to their ford van?

Thanks in advance.

 

[spencyg]

This is a really interesting concept, and one I haven't seen applied to a Ford (or any) van before. I've had an idea in the past which addresses the problem in a similar but needlessly more complex way in the use of a flip down side panel that accordions out like a tent. I first saw this applied with Jay Shipiro's "EcoRoamer", but he has since blitzed most of his build pictures on the build thread, so the evidence is all but disappeared. I like this idea of a hard bump-out though. Simple and effective. I'm considering a fresh start with the interior of my rig, and sleeping sideways hasn't ever been a possibility due to the same issues you allude to so this is a little bit of an eye opener.

Good luck in your search.

SG

 

[luthj]

It is definitely possible to make your own window flare. The flares you mention are only available for 2007+ sprinters. Mine is a 2004, so I decided to make a custom flare. I absolutely had to sleep sideways (I am 73" tall) for my layout to work.

. by J Luth, on Flickr

This is my build thread here.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/156260-Overland-Sprinter-Build

Here is the detailed build thread for the window flare.
http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36124

Here is a few photos of the flare

It is quite time consuming though. But fiberglass is very forgiving, and simple to work with.

 

[86cj]

It's worth some effort to make sleeping sideways possible, it has worked really well for us. Little things like rolling out of bed on your own side, putting your shoes on and going out your own door. Our bed is close to window height giving the most width (no thick insulation) and is plenty wide for a little diagonal stretching. I also noticed as long as the front to back is level we sleep great without rolling into one another, so I don't have to worry about side to side much, just an observation.

 

[jamesk]

Luthj, thanks for the build thread and ideas. Unlike you, I'm not gifted with the virtue of patience. I'd rage quit pretty quick.

I wonder if it be faster to weld one up and attach it to the side of the van? It won't look as slick as the fiberglass molded version, but hell, it's a used ford, not a luxurious European van! /s

 

[luthj]

If the window cut outs are not too curved a welded version would be simple. Regardless, sheet metal could be made to work.

 

[Bikersmurf]

If I was going that route, I'd make a slide out that fit the window opening. Closed it would look like a blacked out window, and open you'd have the space. It could seal against the outside of the window opening with 'door' weatherstripping (or similar) and open, it would seal against the inside. If you happened to have an awning that opened overtop even better.

If I was going to the trouble, I'd want it to go out at least a foot... Possibly more

 

[luthj]

Instead of a slide out, a tip up with suspended floor may also be a viable option.

With the sprinter I only need 4" or so extra to sleep sideways. Anything additional was just bait for passing tree limbs. :sombrero: