Designing the space

[RollingRobson]

Hi,

We are a family of 5 who would like to convert a panel van into space for 5. I have a plan of what I want but how did people design their spaces to make sure they were going to work?

Ideally want three seats at front as usual. Behind on off side a table and two more seats. Ideally a set of seats that would convert to a bed. I know Rock and Roll do this but seem to take out quite a bit space when down that must be left empty unless I am wrong. Then behind that the wet room. Then at the back a U shaped lounger 1.8m long. On other side if possible a full-height fridge freezer(the bigger Dometic) followed by kitchen space.

Now I know will fit in a XLWB I think given load area but wonder if anyone knows a designer that won't charge earth to see if would fit in a LWB sprinter or Crafter as easier to get hold of?

 

[TheBig1]

Maybe Wissel could help, he has started a small business converting vans and has the expertise to help you

 

[mitzimad]

To get five comfortably you real need a pop top

 

[Jamesh]

If you have 1.8m bunks at the rear,

0.9m toilet and kitchen unit,

0.9m kombi seats.

=3.6m lwb.

One child can sleep across the front or second row of seats.

Another option is using bongo seats and runners which slide forward and back and fold back to give a narrow double but your legs would hang off the edge without extra support.

Cheers James

 

[Wissel]

You could get the help you want here on Fun

Maybe start by downloading an accurate floor plan of the van you'd like, then draw out a rough layout and post asking for input.

You'll likely get loads of replies and re-designs from a lot of people with a lot of knowledge. Plus answers to any questions you have during your build. Not bad for £20 a year

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[rosalan]

Last night on TV was a film showing a couple designing their own pop top panel van. They budgeted for £20,000 but wound up paying over £30,000.
The builder was a graphic designer with extensive visualisation skills. He did not find the task easy.
On the other hand I converted an ambulance by drawing the fittings on the floor and with ignorance in abundance, converted it to suite our needs on a minimum budget. It was far from pretty but gave us loads of fun. With a little less ignorance I converted a high top VW and later sold it at a profit/ Good Luck.

 

[the1andonly]

I had the 3D cad skills to design the interior but used the old methods of measuring drawing and cutting out scale templates and moving around bits of paper when sorting out my Bongo. I also changed it totally 3 times before just allowing it to evolve. I used the cheapest ply to make prototype templates and perfect ideas before committing to vohringher.

Edit look at lots of examples then look again

 

[tacr2man]

dont forget gross weight

 

[Stealaway]

In my opinion I would avoid any Domestic appliances. Expensive crap. Thetford products are far better. Have you thought about converting a box van? Much more room for five.

 

[MisterB]

Slide outs would give you additional space, especially if you fitted a rear slide out using the rear door opening. You could make it into a rear lounge/dining area that converts Into sleeping accomodation at night? Start thinking outside of the confines of 'the box' of the van.

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[PeterCarole29]

After having converted our own vans total of 8 over 40 yrs i have found its much easier to get hold of what i call trick bits that are space saving and adjustable in many ways. so really do research on factury fitted one taking ideas of parts you can get hold of new and second hand.
Apliances we love a large frigde freezer and have that in our van we have had for several years but in our van i am converting at the moment which is a 2017 renault master because of the curve of the side of the van haveing my prefered 3 way fridge freezer pushes it to far into the van.
Finnally i am a convert to compresser fridge freezer. which having the compresser on the top is stepped .
I have realised one reason factory fitted panel vans are the fiat is because they are a few inches wider unlike the renault and sprinter.
Parts for converting fiats are also more readily available .

I steered away from the sprinter because you see even 2016 vans rusting badly once stone chiped.
I,m not suggesting you buy any particular van just i have noticed these things myself and thought it may help

 

[IanFl]

I've just finished my conversion of an XLWB boxer. I've got seating and beds for 4 - I think you will need either a pop top or bunk beds to comfortably sleep 5.

I used SketchUp software to design it - there is a free option that is absolutely capable. Its not too difficult to learn - there are lots of YouTube video tutorials.

Ian

 

[IanFl]

The challenge is the 2nd row of seats that convert to a bed - as you say, a rock and roll bed will do this, but you need to budget the length in the extended position - approx 1.8m

Therefore you've got 1.8m for the front bed, 1.8m for the back bed, and not enough left for even a very narrow bathroom.

A Ducato / Boxer / Relay is wider than a Sprinter and you can sleep width-wise at the back which shortens the length to 1.3m and gets the bathroom in, but you'll lose the U shape lounge.

You can get side pods for a Sprinter that give an extra few inches in width the achieved the same thing.

 

[rod_vw]

From the experience of converting five smaller (VW T4, T5s, 7 T6) over the past seventeen years I suspect that whatever you create will spawn a number of subsequent conversions each tuning the design to your needs.
There are many component suppliers who can be used to source everything for insulation to lighting.
If you think of buying a very recent model to convert you may find this FB group worth a look https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017CrafterTGE . There are also various other sources on the internet devoted to self-build campers, Google is your friend.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

40+ years ago we had a Volkswagen caravette, with a popup roof with 2 bunks ,one on each side.,the front seat was a bench with no access through to the rear so we made
a couple of pieces of ply that were cut so they fitted over the seats with hinged legs to accommodate a child bed across the seats .So with the rock and roll double we could accommodate 2 adults and 3 children Space was tight but you seem to get into a rhythm of doing things so you were not falling over each other .

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[IanFl]

This is YouTube series of a van conversion for 5 people - it might give you ideas of what's possible

 

[Jamesh]

From the experience of converting five smaller (VW T4, T5s, 7 T6) over the past seventeen years I suspect that whatever you create will spawn a number of subsequent conversions each tuning the design to your needs.
There are many component suppliers who can be used to source everything for insulation to lighting.
If you think of buying a very recent model to convert you may find this FB group worth a look https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017CrafterTGE . There are also various other sources on the internet devoted to self-build campers, Google is your friend.

Defo go for a crafter my next van will be a new shape crafter / tge, best vans ATM.

Cheers James

 

[rod_vw]

Defo go for a crafter my next van will be a new shape crafter / tge, best vans ATM.

Cheers James

We've got a TGE on order, but who knows when it will be delivered. Best dealer guess is May 2022 but I'm not holding my breath!