Van floor plan with 2 small children?

[carcrafter22]

I've been reading everything I can about making my own campervan and have a pretty basic understanding of what I want, nothing fancy just the basics.

I've been looking at alot of floor plans lately coming across some really neat ideas, I know I want a 22" tv for long drives to keep the kids entertained, I want a medium to large fridge 2.5-4 cubic feet, small microwave, portable stove and a small sink that can have a cover over it to give more counter space. I think thats a pretty basic setup that can be had in one cabinet with the right use of the given space. I think I'd like to put all this behind the drivers seat but am flexible to better ideas.

The biggest issue is planning all this and making a place to sleep as well as safe seating for my 2 daughters ages 5 and 12.

I plan on buying a 2006-2010 chevy express passenger van (the wife loves all the windows so the kids can see) for long road trips (hence the tv), pulling the boat and 2-4 day camping trips. I'd like to fit the items listed above somewhere prefereably behind the drivers seat so I can also mount the TV in the same area and I'd like to have a little space at the rear of the cabin to carry any extra camping gear like a honda 2000 generator, clothes bags, etc.

I do eventually plan on getting a penthouse top so we have a bed up top and probably a fold out seat on the floor for them but for now it will probably be some sort of fold out bench or just a roll up foam matress for temporary use.

Any suggestions? I looked at the goucho seats and like them but I dont feel safe having my children sitting sideways cruising at 70mph down the highway. Is it safe letting them travel sitting like that?

I also like the idea of putting a bench at the rear with side seats and a table in the middle that will convert into a bed, what do you guys think of that?

Whats a safe way to have them travel while still being able to watch tv cruising down the highway for 10hr periods and still have enough floor space to lay out a small foam matress to sleep on?
Thanks
Randy

 

[1leglance]

I can tell you based on my year of Sportmobile ownership...
get 2 captains chairs for them, that way you can swivel all the chairs to make a eating area, they each get their own space and you get a walkway down the middle.

You can then do a sofa/sleeper in the rear area with space behind it for storage. That will also let you carry their friends or your family if needed.

Get the longest body you can....the slight reduction in wheeling ability (I wheel mine hard, actually newbie disabled folks wheel mine hard) vs the extra valuable space is a no brainer.

Also ditch the standard side opening RV fridge. They are not as efficient as a quality top opening off road fridge plus it sucks when stuff falls out.
You can either make the top opening one come out on a slide or just make it level with the countertop for more space.
That is what I did with my National Luna, and it works really well.

get the van, switch out the seats then start using it to see what you need from there.
And report back with lots of pics!

 

[dsw4x4]

I did this layout for a customer that would work pretty good for your needs. I would change the bench to a bench/ fold out bed you could then sleep four on the lower section when you add a top you could then replace the bench with two captians chairs as your kids get older this will give you more room and they could sleep up top. I will be doing a van with those mods to the same lay out in the near future. If you go with a fixed top our ccv beds are not fixed and when they are deployed they drop down about 8 inches making the bed usable for adults by providing enough head room to move around in bed. When the bed is folded up you lose no head room in the van and it allows you to stand up and walk around the entire van.
Derek

views from the rear with the bed deployed

View looking out the rear with the bed deployed

View with bed folded up

 

[carcrafter22]

I like that layout dsw. I've been meaning to call you about that penthouse top kit. I'm in the process of looking for the right van right now and will be ready to do the top by febuary.

 

[RocKrawler]

I did this layout for a customer that would work pretty good for your needs. I would change the bench to a bench/ fold out bed you could then sleep four on the lower section when you add a top you could then replace the bench with two captians chairs as your kids get older this will give you more room and they could sleep up top. I will be doing a van with those mods to the same lay out in the near future. If you go with a fixed top our ccv beds are not fixed and when they are deployed they drop down about 8 inches making the bed usable for adults by providing enough head room to move around in bed. When the bed is folded up you lose no head room in the van and it allows you to stand up and walk around the entire van.
Derek

I like that setup and didnt know your bed dropped that much... what top is that van equipped with? Any outside shots of it?

 

[dsw4x4]

Rockrawler,
That is a 24 inch bubble top with that style bed you get about 30 inches of head room at the tallest point. Here are some exterior shots.

Bed deployed looking backward

Bed folded up looking backward

The bed folded up out of the way

 

[loren85022]

I can tell you based on my year of Sportmobile ownership...
get 2 captains chairs for them, that way you can swivel all the chairs to m a eating area, they each get their own space and you get a walkway down the middle.

!

I second the motion for kid's chairs mid cab. But mostly because the backseat is really a bumpy ride when hitting the trails.

 

[RocKrawler]

Rockrawler,
That is a 24 inch bubble top with that style bed you get about 30 inches of head room at the tallest point.

The more I look at the fixed tops the more I like the simplicity & lack of rippable material. Are the fixed tops easy to install and then trim up to add the bed and headliner, etc? Its got to be easier then a lift assembly and tent I would think...

 

[dsw4x4]

Done in the correct order it is not a huge deal, but due to the inconsistency in the fiberglass tops and the fact that the bed rails need to be welded into the van structure to build a drop down bed makes the drop down bed a pretty big ordeal to build. Just mounting a fixed top and finishing it out is not a huge undertaking, it can be done with some pretty basic tools.
Derek

 

[carcrafter22]

After talking with Derek today I plan having him make a low profile penthouse top with insulated walls (as soon as we find a van we like). Derek was very helpful with all my questions and will definately be our pop top guy.

For the layout I've been thinking about it alot today and (again after talking with Derek) I'm really thinking of doing a bed across the back of the van that is 39" from the rear doors to just behind a pair of captains chairs, in between the 2 chairs will be an 86qt fridge that we will more than likely purchase from Derek when we get the top. On the drivers side I will make a small cabinet area to hold the stove, microwave, sink, tv etc.

This layout will give the area a more open feel (even more so with a swiveling passenger seat) and provide easy access to a bed for the kids as well as the storage area under the bed. I also like the idea of 2 factory seats unmodified with safety belts for my girls.

What do you guys think?

 

[RocKrawler]

What is the standing headroom in the van with a 24" bubble top (cringing, knowing it wont be enough for me or my son to stand up straight...)? And how much weight will the upper bunk support?

 

[dsw4x4]

The 24 inch bubble top is arched shaped but it allows me to stand up and walk front to back about two feet from the very back I have to duck down a little bit I am just under 6'2". The fold out upper bunk will support two full size adults or 400 pounds.
Derek

 

[18seeds]

After talking with Derek today I plan having him make a low profile penthouse top with insulated walls (as soon as we find a van we like). Derek was very helpful with all my questions and will definately be our pop top guy.

For the layout I've been thinking about it alot today and (again after talking with Derek) I'm really thinking of doing a bed across the back of the van that is 39" from the rear doors to just behind a pair of captains chairs, in between the 2 chairs will be an 86qt fridge that we will more than likely purchase from Derek when we get the top. On the drivers side I will make a small cabinet area to hold the stove, microwave, sink, tv etc.

This layout will give the area a more open feel (even more so with a swiveling passenger seat) and provide easy access to a bed for the kids as well as the storage area under the bed. I also like the idea of 2 factory seats unmodified with safety belts for my girls.

What do you guys think?

What I have found best is to start laying out your van in powerpoint. I downloaded the SMB DIY Kit to get the overall dimensions. PM Me your email address and I'll send you a blank layout

 

[AUTO360]

This type of top is what I'm thinking of. I like the simplicity of it. The Sportsmobile top has its pluses, but for me I think this one would work better. It has more of a stealth look which is what I need most.
Anyway, now the big question. How much is it to buy and have installed...the 24in one.
Second, would it affect fuel economy much. I have an 03 E350 w/7.3

Thanks for any help on this.
Matt

 

[18seeds]

Here is a good place to look at overall pricing

http://www.discountvantruck.com/vantopsraisedroofs/vantops.htm