Back after X2 vans. Looking to possibly self build (1 Viewer)

[davidathomas42]

Hi.

So I joined in 2016 with a Swift Escape 696 2015 model

It was a great Family van with 2 young kids..... But fast forward to 2019 and I got divorced so sold it.

I then did a self build camper can in the first lockdown

Really nice van that. And had a good laugh in it...... But after having a full size motorhome its just not enough for me. I like free camping next to lakes and having a full house on wheels.......

So I am deep into research for "MY" van.......

I ideally want something with a garage I can drive/park an electric motorbike in with charging point. So lots of solar and lithium power for off grid.

I also want a fixed bed. Over the garage feels best....

And a proper sofa..... The next two photos will explain it. But I cant stand 99% of motorhome seating. There are all (my swift included) stiff 90deg upright cushions that are loosely fitted to the wall with dodgy clips or none at all.

No ones sofa anywhere is designed like that.

I just dont understand why anyone would want that. Not one seat is where I would want to sit to watch a movie and relax with my girl. Its just beyond uncomfortable. Cramped looking and doesn't have that living room chilling watching a movie feel.

Excuse the man spreading photo. But thats how I like to relax at home. So if im on my holiday in the van I want the same level of relaxation.

I have seen some great Mercedes conversions on eBay but they are between 90-110k and even +vat. ticks a lot of boxes but not the sofa area. Just a big big let down. Other issue is vans tend to curl in as they gain height so they just dont seem to have the same feeling of internal space.

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Other Motorhomes I really like are Bailey Autograph range. They seem closest so far as far as internals go. But with the lack of mega garage to have a motorbike.

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The sofa on this one as least looks to have some recline.

So...... Im still looking / thinking / researching..... Oh and raising funds. I dont have a budget yet really. But if its a self build I was thinking 25k ish for a donor van and then with the help of pro's and self build I could custom one myself over 4-6 months with no finance needed.

If its buying one then I think £40-60k with a combination of cash and finance would do it. leaving me some money to buy stuff needed like LPG and solar etc.

Anyway... Hi all again...... Hope the van life is treating everyone well in these odd times...... I am hoping to be doing a few trips over the next few months in a friends Caravan so at least ill get to some sites and have some mini trips until I get my Motorhome sorted.

Dave

 

[WynandJean]

Hello and welcome back from West Midlands.

Wyn

 

[CazPaul]

You need to be careful to not go too large as you like wild camping, parking next to lakes etc, it could restrict you going larger.

Murvi Morello is a good layout PVC, wonderful sofa for during the day which makes into a good sized double. No garage though unless you go for the ELWB 6.39 metre one.

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[davidathomas42]

You need to be careful to not go too large as you like wild camping, parking next to lakes etc, it could restrict you going larger.

Murvi Morello is a good layout PVC, wonderful sofa for during the day which makes into a good sized double. No garage though unless you go for the ELWB 6.39 metre one.

Does have a better sofa that one but no garage is an issue. Also I 100% refuse to make a bed on a night out of slats and sofa cushions. It needs to be a fixed style. I prefer rear ones with a walk space either side but I dont think il get one high enough in the middle to get a motorbike under it in a garage so im more likely looking for the raised style

 

[CazPaul]

The layout like that is very popular with the motor cross fraternity, there are usually tonnes with that layout for sale on eBay etc, usually terribly done DIY attempts.

I can see why you want to do your own conversion.

 

[ambulancekidd]

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[EML]

Sounds like you're looking for a tardis. Once you've got a garage in there, you're basically stuck with having a transverse bed on top of it, and the fancy sofa would take up everything else. It doesn't help that the Sprinter is narrow; there's no way I could lie across it, at 6'2".

Why don't you try some 3D modelling? I used Sketchup, which is free. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you can quickly work out what is and isn't possible.

 

[CazPaul]

Something has got to give, a long sofa and a fixed bed and a garage plus you like wild camping, parking next to lakes etc so don’t want one too long?

 

[davidathomas42]

One way around the bed is to have flared sides

Might be an issue on the slide door but be interesting to see if I can steal enough width to lay head and feet at the sides (transverse?) to save forward space for the sofa.

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[Otter Spotter]

If you are looking at a Panel van for self build then you will not be able to do a fixed bed with space around to walk as you will have to sleep transverse in a Sivel van or longitudinal in a Transit or VW as they are narrower.
Either way I cannot see how you can get a fixed bed, garage and a lounger without having to convert a BT van or Luton Box van, which always look like a amateur job.

 

[rolosroller]

 

[Snoopy]

Hi and welcome

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[Jamesh]

If you are looking at a Panel van for self build then you will not be able to do a fixed bed with space around to walk as you will have to sleep transverse in a Sivel van or longitudinal in a Transit or VW as they are narrower.
Either way I cannot see how you can get a fixed bed, garage and a lounger without having to convert a BT van or Luton Box van, which always look like a amateur job.

Mk 8 transit is wider if you put the bed at window height with a decent garage under you can easily sleep transversely.

Cheers James

 

[Otter Spotter]

Mk 8 transit is wider if you put the bed at window height with a decent garage under you can easily sleep transversely.

Cheers James

Agreed, but it will be cold in winter (no space for insulation) sleeping in winter with your head against either the panel or window will give you brain freeze

 

[Alfie159]

Get the garage and then alter inside to get the sofa you want from a model that’s got a sofa you’re not keen on perhaps

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[Dutch 68]

Get a unimog, make your own box , all sorted, there is a very nice self build unimog thread on here with custom made box!