Storage and layout questions from a prospective Newbie!

[Shinglebeacher]

Hello Everyone,

Before I get to my question I would just like to say what a great site this is - so much useful information and so many (mostly!) helpful people.

We are looking to buy our first van conversion. The Adria Twin Supreme 640 SLB is top of our list at the moment. We like the layout - especially the large storage area under the bed that is accessed from the rear doors. I have looked for other vans with this type of layout and can't seem to find any to compare. Are there any out there please?

If you chose a layout in a different van with a rear lounge, where do you store all your large stuff - eg folding bikes, outdoor table and chairs, other outdoor sports equipment?

If you chose the layout with the dinette(?) at the front ie swivel the driver and passenger seat and the bench seat with the additional two seat belts, and table - do you find that you can get a comfortable place to relax?

Thank you

 

[Gaston aires]

Hi. Firstly you have asked the right question. Layout is the essence. You have to decide what is best for you, you will get close but I have never met anybody that ticks all the boxes.
Parking space, how many people, storage etc. You gain one thing and lose something else. Payload counts for a lot of storage space. Carrying bikes, scooters, need to be taken into consideration.
Best of luck.
Phil

 

[Andy MacD]

If you’re hoping to get a new Twin better get on with it as there is very little availability so you could be looking at late 2021.

You could try a Malibu 640, I hired one for 4 days to try it out and while the bed and storage was great the washroom ruled it out for us with the sliding toilet and shower screens.

The SLB layout is very common on the continent so most continental PVC ranges will have something similar.

Good luck with your search.

 

[AndyPK]

Welcome, and enjoy your search........!

 

[Riverbankannie]

We have the IH 630RL
Outside table and chairs are of the fold into a bag type and go under one of the beds at the side. Our 2 Bromptons fit on their sides under the rear of the beds accessible from the rear doors. We can also fit levelling ramps there. Should we decide golf is more important than cycling, the clubs replace the bikes. With the PVC, you can park nearer to places and not always need the bikes.
It is always a compromise but for us rear lounging comfort and very long single beds was more important than fixed bed and any extra storage.
We moved up from a VW conversion so knew we could manage without lots of stuff.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[seakay22]

I've just returned from a 48 night trip in Europe, first trip away in a Malibu panel van having downsized from a Hymer A class. Yes, layout is paramount but so is compromise. From a driving/parking perspective the smaller size of a panel van is absolutely superb, I've got the new 9 speed auto/160hp and it is simply fantastic on the road. Personally having used the shower over that period I think it's great, takes less than a minute to unfold and the same to fold up again, the benefit of the sliding toilet is you have a decent sized space both when using it as a toilet and when showering, no real compromise for me. Sleeping, mine has a transverse bed whereas you're looking at lengthways singles/extra large double. I added a Duvalay 50mm topper complete with fitted seats and it's just like sleeping at home, other benefit is because the sheet zips around the mattress, there's no issues with the sheet moving around or having to tuck it around numerous cushions. Also when you want to access beneath the bed you just fold the mattress in half which allows you clear access to lift either side of the bed.

I have found the swivelling captains chairs to be ultra comfortable and because the bench seat is not far back you can use it as a footrest.

Kitchen size is somewhat compromised but with the extra hinged workspace (I think the Adria has that too) and the table next to that I had no real problems getting used to it.

I wasn't sure how I'd get in with the smaller space but after 7 weeks away it's a keeper. I know you're looking at an Adria (equally great van btw) but the layout is virtually the same as the Malibu so hopefully the above gives you some help in making a decision.

 

[69473]

We have a Hymer Grand Canyon S based on the Sprinter van.
Transverse rear bed with excellent under storage for paddleboard and inflatable canoe. Clever side pods on van body give increased bed width.
Extra comfortable front swivel seats for lounging. Large poptop for kids to watch films etc while adults relax downstairs.
Excellent lounge table that can double in size if needed i.e when playing board games on rainy days.
Compromise in this 6m van is the bathroom, small but fine for us.

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[ambulancekidd]

 

[Snoopy]

Hi and welcome

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[carolyn]

Hi and welcome. It does depend a bit on the type of motorhoming you want to do and if you want to be away and living in it when the weather isn’t so good. We have the same van as Riverbankannie, and knew we wanted to be away for weeks at a time so didn’t fancy the front dinette and wanted the big rear U shaped lounge. You feel as though you have more living space.
The downside is making up the beds but you soon get used to that. We carry our bikes on a bike rack so have plenty of boot space but that of course makes the van significantly longer.
The shower is fine for us and we’ve used it a lot this year but we’re not very big but it’s bijou with a shower curtain and a trigger shower head and if your dimensions were larger I think it would be a right pain.

The van you’re looking at is really nice though and the layout would suit lots of people. I am envious of the bathroom.

 

[Rjcamper]

Hi and welcome

Layout all depends on you, our first MoHo had rear lounge, over can be etc, was just the two of us and it really didn't work. We then spent time at a dealer going through all the layout options they had.

The rear garage under the bed area works so well for access when arriving for chocks, chairs, dog retaining equipment etc and we find the front lounge perfect. Fixed bed and separate shower was also essential for us.

Our MoHo also has loads on internal storage cupboards which Mrs Rjcamper still has filled

But as said above there will be a compromise somewhere and it's what works for you, don't rush and maybe hire one to see.......(when and if they come available in the current demand)

 

[Dave_E]

We travel two adults two dogs in the van you are looking at.The layout is what works for you but we are really pleased with ours.I'm 6'1" and find it comfortable to live and sleep.Storage is fantastic.We went for the 160 engine and auto box.Very easy to drive.

 

[ntg]

I have fairly limited experience but have owned an Adria twin 6m van and loved it. Here are my personal thoughts:
Having had the interior apart for various modifications, (solar, camera, LPG tank, exterior BBQ & shower) I found it really well made with decent quality fittings. That said, it was a 2008 van so I can't vouch for the latest builds. The 640 SLB is a cracking van and it's one we are considering.
We found this type of van great for touring as it would negotiate mountain roads and small villages easily (although we did have to reverse out of a small village in the south of France as it wouldn't get round a corner; much to the disgust of the queue of French drivers behind us!. C'est la vie). The longest trip we did was to Crete and for this type of trip in the spring and summer, it was absolutely perfect. As has been said before, the layout and size depends on how you intend to use it. If touring in the warmer months, this type of van is perfect for us as most of your living is outside under the canopy with that lovely big sliding door open. If touring in colder climates or for extended periods in one spot, we found the inside space is cramped but that's my opinion.
With this in mind we looked at small coach built vans such as the Swift Rio 340. It sounded perfect on paper with a 6.4m length and barely wider than a panel van with a drop down bed maximizing living space. However, there was little storage space and although it had a large opening rear door, We like the large sliding door of a panel van. After looking at various coach built vans, we have been drawn back to panel vans. In particular the 6.4m vans as they offer a little more space than our old Adria Twin. I have a small shortlist of fixed bed vans to view which you might be interested in.
Globecar Summit 640.
Globecar Globestar 640.
Malibu 640.
Wildax Solaris XL (bunk beds)
Adria Twin.

I'm always adding to this list as I come across more vans so there's plenty more out there. I quite like the idea of a Mercedes Sprinter based van but haven't found any with my preferred layout yet......and they're expensive.

Finding anything for sale at the moment is an issue. Everything is sold, reserved or ridiculously priced!

So to summarize, if I was touring in the sun I'd go for the type of van above. If touring in the cold or extended periods on a camp site you might want something bigger. The rear lounge panel vans I looked at just didn't have the storage we needed for extended trips away.

Hope that helps.

Nick.

 

[ukdw]

Really like the look of the twin SLB 640 myself too. Looks like bed length is 6"3' which would work for me. Also looks like the under bed storage even better than my current 6m Autocruise Alto.

i agree with the points made above about fixed bed, we had a couple of vans where you had to make the bed up every night - however much prefer fixed bed due to less effort, not having to use up storage with bedding, plus flexibility it gives when you don't necessarily both want to go to bed at the same time.

Our current front dinette isn't super comfortable - but the Adria twin seats look better from pictures,

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Don Campbell]

In the end, as many others have told you, it comes down to personal preference. If you need lots of load space then the double bed/twin singles with all the storage underneath wins hands down. The rear lounge and having to make beds up gives you less usable storage space but more sitting around space so nobody can advise you on which layout to choose. The bathroom arrangement is very important but again to some extent depends on whether you are going to use camp sites or small CL's with no toilets or showers. In addition to the vans mentioned previously add the Globecar range as they have the same underbed storage with differences in the details and the toilet arrangements. The Campscout is built using the heavy duty Ducato chassis and also offers the 3 way 130 litre fridge as an option which is something that swung it for us.
Can't remember if the others do. I seem to remember they don't but could be wrong.

 

[colyboy]

Have a look at Rapido V68 and much the same Dreamer D68 also made. by Rapido

 

[Sapper520]

Our set up. Fixed bed, plenty of storage.

 

[Calamaster]

Hi. Firstly you have asked the right question. Layout is the essence. You have to decide what is best for you, you will get close but I have never met anybody that ticks all the boxes.
Parking space, how many people, storage etc. You gain one thing and lose something else. Payload counts for a lot of storage space. Carrying bikes, scooters, need to be taken into consideration.
Best of luck.
Phil

Phil, absolutely right. We researched and hired our 'preferred' layout options before we bought. We have Raised permanent bed above garage cos we hate making up beds every night.. we can just crash. We are designing a Garage Storage Configuration based on Larder / Electric Bikes / BBQ / Tables / Chairs and associated stuff! When we build it will post ith photos.