Is it possible to covert a 4 berth Autotrail Arapaho into a 6 berth?

Taff015

Taff015

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Silly question but is it feasible/possible to remove the above cab lockers on a 4 berth Arapaho and put in an above cab bed instead?

only asking as prices for 4 berths are (in my price range) are much lower than the 6 berth variants.

Many thanks


Paul
 
If the extra bunks are for kids then the cabbunk could be an option.

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Basically, i need the front dinette for a disabled child as a permanent bed/changing area. that then leaves the above cab for my 15 yr old (who is nearly 6ft!) and the rear u shape for sleeping/eating/tv etc.

That was my great idea. but the 6 berths all seem to be really expensive hence my pondering about a 4 beth and convert.
 
On a 6 berth Arapaho the overcab pod is larger than on a lowline, so space will be tight.
 
raysalaugh said:
On a 6 berth Arapaho the overcab pod is larger than on a lowline, so space will be tight.
Click to expand...

thank you, i didn't notice when i was looking at them both. that sort of screws the idea somewhat...ah well id best start putting more money together then!!
 
I think this is possible but could maybe effect the sell on price on the van . My youngest son is also disabled and we have an older child that uses our over cab bed . How quickly do you need the motorhome ? I know there are not many 6 berths out there at the moment but I think the situation could change in the next month . I hope you find a solution 👍🏻
 
You will know how specific things need to be for families like us! Getting him in through the door is difficult enough... however, I’m not desperate Yet. I sold my Van last week so the money can sit in bonds until spring if needs be. I’m sort of hoping prices will come down a bit!!!

trying to find a van with a wheelchair lift and wider entrance Is hard enough, not to mention overly expensive!. This is why the 6 berth arapaho fits most of the criteria.

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I know the hardships ,although it’s sounds like you have more specific requirements than me . So glad you are able to take some time over this . We can all help out and try and keep an eye out for something suitable . I know it’s hard work but as you know a motorhome can be a great way to get out and about when you have a disabled child .
Good on you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
 
What price range and age are you looking at?
 
I've had a quick shuftie at the 4 berth ones and I think it could be do-able: if you remove the doors of the 2 side lockers you could then put a base across the existing upper cab surround and get some base cushions made to fit the centre section and inside each cupboard base then put a memory foam mattress topper on it all to give a nice comfy level base. Obviously it won't be wide enough for 2 people but should be okay for 1, you'd also need a ladder but it won't be difficult to get hold of one and you 'might' need to put on a restraint to stop your lad rolling out (images below of 2004 and 2007 models).

0ab33a08589f4be4a7b8597201132a99.jpg


aa558df766cb4a328a73c8735bb24801.jpg
 
Minxy Girl said:
I've had a quick shuftie at the 4 berth ones and I think it could be do-able: if you remove the doors of the 2 side lockers you could then put a base across the existing upper cab surround and get some base cushions made to fit the centre section and inside each cupboard base then put a memory foam mattress topper on it all to give a nice comfy level base. Obviously it won't be wide enough for 2 people but should be okay for 1, you'd also need a ladder but it won't be difficult to get hold of one and you 'might' need to put on a restraint to stop your lad rolling out (images below of 2004 and 2007 models).

View attachment 423093

View attachment 423094
Click to expand...
Great idea 👍🏻
 
Just another thought on the above ... you might need to buy him a hard hat instead of his wee Willie Winkie hat for night time! 🤪

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Minxy Girl said:
What price range and age are you looking at?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not a great deal to be honest, Due to little one, only one of us can work. Currently looking at £30K max. I'm hoping the premium bond fairy kicks in at some point!!

Age wise 2004 upwards.
 
It might be worth contacting this company and have them let you know when anything suitable comes their way.

<Broken link removed>


They have this one in your price range at present.

<Broken link removed>


This one is a bit more than the 30k you are aiming at.

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Last edited:
Stroppy Bird said:
If the extra bunks are for kids then the cabbunk could be an option.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cabbunk - Extra Beds For Kids - £50 Saving For Van Conversion Model

Had only seen Cabbunk https://www.cabbunk.co.uk/unique-patented-cabbunk-twin/ on the web previously so it was good to see it fitted on a Hobby van conversion at the recent NEC Show. It impressed us as a well designed, good quality product filling a gap in the market for extra childrens beds in...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cabbunk - Add TWO Extra Childbeds into YOUR Motorhome

Cabbunk - a new and inventive way to add two extra childbeds to your swivel seat motorhome. Fiat Ducato, Renault Master, New Ford Transit, Ford Transit Custom, VW T5, VW T6, Mercedes Vito, Mercedes Sprinter
www.cabbunk.co.uk www.cabbunk.co.uk
Click to expand...
I like this idea.
Am possibly thinking of changing our van in the future, and this idea would solve a problem very well.
2 berth for Mrs Yoghurtpot and myself And then when grandkids want to come along, OCCASIONALLY 🤔, this could work!
Would still need 4 belts though, but the market seems to have plenty of 2 berths with 4 belts.
Thanks for the info and wish Taff015 good wishes in his search.
 
Taff015 Just food for thought if it helps in any way.....
I appreciate your situation as my son and I had to modify my son's caravan bed layout structurally quite considerably for his disabled wife.
I've had my 75,000 miles, one previous owner 1995 Compass (VW T4 base vehicle) for 8 years. It's 6m long, 4 berths, 4 belted seats and toured extensively around Europe with no mechanical or habitation issues. It's a 2.8 non turbo diesel so not fast but it suits me to cruise at 50 to 60mph. Around 23 mpg.
The dinette makes up to a good double, the settee makes up to a 6' 3" long x 3' 6" wide single. Both these beds have interior sprung mattresses and are sublimely comfortable. There's a decent overcab single about 6' 6" long with a short ladder. Headroom at the overcab isn't sufficient for an adult to sit up but it's wide with a decent mattress and there's more room than it appears in the photo below.
End kitchen and bathroom, loo, sink, shower etc. It has sailed through MOT's every year with never a single Advisory.
Fully loaded for a month's trip with two people - full diesel and water tanks, gas bottles, clothes, books, food, awning, tow bar, tools etc. etc. it weighs 2505kg leaving 255kg 'spare' payload.
The downside may be that the hab door is 'normal' width but on the upside I paid only £13,500 at an excellent dealer so they are about.
RH side.jpg


Looking to rear.jpg


Overcab double.jpg

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Spriddler said:
Taff015 Just food for thought if it helps in any way.....
I appreciate your situation as my son and I had to modify my son's caravan bed layout structurally quite considerably for his disabled wife.
I've had my 75,000 miles, one previous owner 1995 Compass (VW T4 base vehicle) for 8 years. It's 6m long, 4 berths, 4 belted seats and toured extensively around Europe with no mechanical or habitation issues. It's a 2.8 non turbo diesel so not fast but it suits me to cruise at 50 to 60mph. Around 23 mpg.
The dinette makes up to a good double, the settee makes up to a 6' 3" long x 3' 6" wide single. Both these beds have interior sprung mattresses and are sublimely comfortable. There's a decent overcab single about 6' 6" long with a short ladder. Headroom at the overcab isn't sufficient for an adult to sit up but it's wide with a decent mattress and there's more room than it appears in the photo below.
End kitchen and bathroom, loo, sink, shower etc. It has sailed through MOT's every year with never a single Advisory.
Fully loaded for a month's trip with two people - full diesel and water tanks, gas bottles, clothes, books, food, awning, tow bar, tools etc. etc. it weighs 2505kg leaving 255kg 'spare' payload.
The downside may be that the hab door is 'normal' width but on the upside I paid only £13,500 at an excellent dealer so they are about.
View attachment 423139

View attachment 423140

View attachment 423141
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info.
our last van (and our first!) was a Hymer B564. I loved the van but the downside was that the dinette bed coouldnt be used for anything else when the little one was with us. The above cab bed was too high to throw him up on as I’m stumpy and lifting a 35kg wriggling lump above shoulder height was causing back issues.

the painful one also doesn’t sleep well which is why he needs his own bed (preferably in a different county mind!)

I am looking at Arapaho‘s as they seem to cover all the bases. I am thinking about any 6 berth tbh but a lot of the rear single bed jobs either don’t have 4 seatbelts or are too expensive!

my other option was looking at American RV types but they look really dated and again dont seem to have rear seatbelts. I am also limited to 9m on my driveway to store it when not in use.

it would be easier to sell my youngest and buy a nice van tbh!😂😂
 
Could the elder lad sleep in an awning or tent outside? Obviously don't know if this is possible in your circumstances but others do it that way.
 
Taff015 said:
........our last van (and our first!) was a Hymer B564. I loved the van but the downside was that the dinette bed couldnt be used for anything else when the little one was with us. The above cab bed was too high to throw him up on as I’m stumpy and lifting a 35kg wriggling lump above shoulder height was causing back issues.
Click to expand...
My layout with the dinette is a compromise. I'd prefer port and starboard singles with a central removable pedestal table in place of the dinette to avoid needing to make up the double but as most of my touring is trailering my classic motorbike to European biking events I have learned to always make it up before setting off to the beer tent. Particularly if I'm likely to not be in a fit state to get up the ladder to the overcab bed.
 
Thst
chaser said:
Could the elder lad sleep in an awning or tent outside? Obviously don't know if this is possible in your circumstances but others do it that way.
Click to expand...

thats exactly what we were doing before. I’m not adverse to it but if I can avoid it I would like to
 
Another consideration with the Arapaho is that I have seen reports that the 4 berth can be on a 3500 max with hardly any payload, not even enough for 2 people. This might not suit your circumstances as I imagine you need to carry a lot of extra stuff.

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Riverbankannie said:
Another consideration with the Arapaho is that I have seen reports that the 4 berth can be on a 3500 max with hardly any payload, not even enough for 2 people. This might not suit your circumstances as I imagine you need to carry a lot of extra stuff.
Click to expand...

Lol, yeah we do not travel light! a 2 week trip consumes a lot of nappies, milk and medicines!!! plus add a wheelchair, car seat, all terrain buggy and a dog and its rather tight!!!
 
With four of you plus the equipment and a dog it must be extra demanding if you are often packing away to move on.
I realise it's not an answer to your question but perhaps be a bit less itinerant and have a habitable awning for the m/home rather than a tent................or if I may suggest it and assuming you need to stay on sites with services, a caravan, having more usable/flexible inside space?
Either way I acknowledge your determination to overcome the challenges. (y)
 
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Spriddler said:
With four of you plus the equipment and a dog it must be extra demanding if you are often packing away to move on.
I realise it's not an answer to your question but perhaps be a bit less itinerant and have a habitable awning for the m/home rather than a tent................or if I may suggest it and assuming you need to stay on sites with services, a caravan, having more usable/flexible inside space?
Either way I acknowledge your determination to overcome the challenges. (y)
Click to expand...
Yeah, an awning will be a must tbh. I'm not caravanning again.....ever!!!! (yes it was over 25 years ago, but I'm still mentally scarred for life!!! which probably more to do with who i was with at the time and not the van!!!) I've only so far used caravan club or camping and caravan club sites in the UK. no idea what they were in Germany but had all the necessaries.

I need to be quite specific as this is the only way we can take the little one away. everything else is so expensive when you mention those golden words "special needs"

I'm also wondering about 5th wheel options. how are they perceived in the UK and at campsites?

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