Storing Bedding In A Panel Van Conversion (1 Viewer)

Aug 10, 2019
62
149
Funster No
63,150
MH
A class
Exp
12 years
Just purchased an IH 600 RL N class. Where do other van conversion owners store their bedding? Room under seats very limited. Previously had Hymer A class & all bedding was stored in pull down bed. We have a mattress topper, duvet & pillows. Don’t really want sleeping bags.
Sensible suggestions only please!
 

ROCHESB

Free Member
Mar 18, 2022
112
211
Funster No
87,516
MH
Itineo SB740
Exp
SInce 2002
We stored our bedding under the rear bench seat (Autocruise Rhythm). It had to be rolled tight to squeeze it in. There is a lot of air in a duvet & pillows that can be squeezed out.
 
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BillandHelen

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Nov 17, 2013
846
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Edinburgh United Kingdom
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29,056
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Wildax Elara
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since 2004
We used to keep the 2 duvalays with low tog duvets in the empty rear seat locker, other was full of boiler and pump etc! Pillows went in the front over seat locker. Was all a bit of a squeeze.

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Oct 9, 2019
4,904
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Todmorden
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Van conversion
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FUNSTER in a PVC
We use 2 Duvalays and just either roll up and stuff in isle between bench seats or lay them out along bench’s.
 
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Bobby-gg

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Feb 28, 2020
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Ducato IH pvc
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Since 2010
We have a ih 600 and really struggled with our bedding until we saw on the Facebook ih group that someone, can't remember who, placed their bedding inside the ih throw cushions.
Absolute game changer, and released the space under the sofa for more wine....

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Apr 26, 2018
814
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England, UK
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53,592
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A Class
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Learning all the time
Just purchased an IH 600 RL N class. Where do other van conversion owners store their bedding? Room under seats very limited. Previously had Hymer A class & all bedding was stored in pull down bed. We have a mattress topper, duvet & pillows. Don’t really want sleeping bags.
Sensible suggestions only please!
Bit off topic but why from A class to pcv?
 
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OP
OP
S
Aug 10, 2019
62
149
Funster No
63,150
MH
A class
Exp
12 years
Bit off topic but why from A class to pcv?
Our Hymer was old, wanted something newer that would need less maintenance (hopefully). I found the A class far too big to drive although it was only 5.7m, it seemed a lot bigger. I also found the gear box difficult, just not happy attempting to drive this van. New van is automatic and feels a lot smaller, even though at 6m it is longer (I know that sounds mad). Being a modern van it is so much easier to drive for me. We wanted a rear lounge and looked at Elddis Accordo, they also looked big, again only 6m. Husband didn't want a sliding door, so we went for the N class.
 
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May 8, 2011
3,834
47,991
God's county. Helmsley, North Yorkshire.
Funster No
16,317
MH
IH Tio 630 RL
Exp
Since April 1846 but have always camped.
Our Hymer was old, wanted something newer that would need less maintenance (hopefully). I found the A class far too big to drive although it was only 5.7m, it seemed a lot bigger. I also found the gear box difficult, just not happy attempting to drive this van. New van is automatic and feels a lot smaller, even though at 6m it is longer (I know that sounds mad). Being a modern van it is so much easier to drive for me. We wanted a rear lounge and looked at Elddis Accordo, they also looked big, again only 6m. Husband didn't want a sliding door, so we went for the N class.
Is it based on the Crafter?

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Jul 27, 2013
823
3,884
Wilts/Oxon border
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27,149
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since childhood!
I've got a VW. My bedding folds into 3 and is stored on the back 'parcel shelf' during the day. It works very well and means I can make the bed up in about a minute, and pack it away in about 2 minutes! When travelling various other bits and pieces get stored on top of it. Everything always in the same place so I know where everything is.
 
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May 13, 2015
393
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Leicestershire
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36,341
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Looking
Exp
Newbie
Sue, we have an N630 RL. We have two fairly bulky quilts and four pillows and they all fit in the above cab locker no problem. We roll the quilts up before we put them in.
Enjoy your van.

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Riverbankannie

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Mar 11, 2016
10,432
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Bristol
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41,967
MH
IH 630 RL PVC
Exp
12
Just purchased an IH 600 RL N class. Where do other van conversion owners store their bedding? Room under seats very limited. Previously had Hymer A class & all bedding was stored in pull down bed. We have a mattress topper, duvet & pillows. Don’t really want sleeping bags.
Sensible suggestions only please!
Welcome to the club. We have feather filled duvets. We can push a pillow into each top rear corner and then the thin mattress topper, the sheets and the duvet get rolled up and go in the rear top cupboards. Ours not N class but I think the top cupboards are the same - wraparound.
It is surprising how much you can store right back in those corner cupboards!
There is a good Facebook group for owners and an online IH Owners club and regular meets.
 
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OP
OP
S
Aug 10, 2019
62
149
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63,150
MH
A class
Exp
12 years
Thank you for your suggestions, we are just not used to squeezing bedding into small spaces and being careful with storage space! We will make it work for us! Having looked round the van, husband thinks location of water pump on one side and gas regulator on the other side are good for maintenance but a waste of space under the seats. But then again, no van is perfect! I think the more vans you have had the more critical you become, certainly true in our case.
 
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Jun 22, 2012
3,717
40,471
Sherborne Dorset
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21,586
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2012
We have the IH630RD so keep our bedding in the overhead cab space. We always make up a double bed and found a double duvet on the bottom just as comfy as a duvalay mattress and much easier to store. Really thought Duvalays overrated. Made my hips ache for some reason. As soon as I hopped out of bed it was gone.

May try the idea of storing pillows in the cushion covers if I can be bothered. We use the wrap around top cupboards for clothes. I do find that rear little cupboard annoying though with it’s door that doesn’t stay open on its own.

In our latest 630RD which is an automatic the cupboards above the cooker aren’t quite as deep as in our previous one. Also the shelf in the cupboard behind the cooker is now central so is pretty useless. You used to be able to fit dinner plates in it nicely but you can’t now. It’s so narrow that it’s ended up as a drug cupboard haha! Minor details I know, we like them as we’re on our 2nd.
 
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Feb 16, 2013
19,505
51,186
uttoxeter
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24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
Ours just rolls up at the back, memory foam mattress and a duvee and pillows, takes about thirty seconds to roll up or unroll (y) slats slide out in the middle.
IMG_20220514_145506959_HDR.jpg

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Stonemags76

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Aug 14, 2011
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Auto Sleepers Warwick Duo
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We use a double duvet as a mattress topper/bottom sheet, pillows as cushions, & the duvets are under the seat. We made a divider so that the chairs & bedding are at the front under the seat, & the hook up etc are at the back. We used to access those from the back doors, but we just lift the seat now. The divider was a good idea to keep things clean!
 
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DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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PVC, Murvi Morocco
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2013
In our Murvi there is a shelf above the driving compartment, behind a little curtain. Pillows and duvets go in when not needed. You can see it in the photo below like a wide letter box. The table which fits between the seats goes in here too.

PXL_20220514_143457147-1_copy_1612x1209.jpg
 
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Oct 20, 2016
982
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Northampton
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Autotrail Imala 625
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Since 2016 and caravanning before that
The You Tubers Poshcats store theirs, rolled tightly, in the back locker of theirs.

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Riverbankannie

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Mar 11, 2016
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IH 630 RL PVC
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12
We have the IH630RD so keep our bedding in the overhead cab space. We always make up a double bed and found a double duvet on the bottom just as comfy as a duvalay mattress and much easier to store. Really thought Duvalays overrated. Made my hips ache for some reason. As soon as I hopped out of bed it was gone.

May try the idea of storing pillows in the cushion covers if I can be bothered. We use the wrap around top cupboards for clothes. I do find that rear little cupboard annoying though with it’s door that doesn’t stay open on its own.

In our latest 630RD which is an automatic the cupboards above the cooker aren’t quite as deep as in our previous one. Also the shelf in the cupboard behind the cooker is now central so is pretty useless. You used to be able to fit dinner plates in it nicely but you can’t now. It’s so narrow that it’s ended up as a drug cupboard haha! Minor details I know, we like them as we’re on our 2nd.
Clothes go in the wardrobe ! 🤣 I find the lift up beds too heavy unless the back cushions have been removed. Spare stock of medication goes in the one over water pump and outside chairs under the other. We don’t use the cupboard over the battery or the floor cupboard there. I suppose it would make a good hidey hole as I have replaced carpets with mats so not obvious that there is a cupboard under there.
The central one at top rear for dvds - cannot remember the last time we watched one - and medical kit.
 
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Riverbankannie

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Mar 11, 2016
10,432
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Bristol
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IH 630 RL PVC
Exp
12
Have just discovered the fitting of the Truma pressure release hose ! Worth checking yours carolyn
You need to unclip the warm air hose to see it.
We have had a big clean up job after discharging the powder extinguisher into the oven - don’t ask 😳 and yes it did get into the Truma compartment too and everywhere else
7851C80D-A007-4D15-BE58-C168D6CB3146.jpeg

805D89DB-8DE9-4438-87C1-F00E6AC80F61.jpeg
 
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panda

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Dec 16, 2011
427
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notts
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19,190
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van conversion
Exp
since 1996
I have adapted our small campervan,and have taken backs out and replaced with cushions which have the divan and pillows in and the memory foam with bottom sheet in situ,stay on the bench seats with a throw to hide them
20220207_114742.jpg

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Jun 22, 2012
3,717
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Sherborne Dorset
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Van Conversion
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Since 2012
Clothes go in the wardrobe ! 🤣 I find the lift up beds too heavy unless the back cushions have been removed. Spare stock of medication goes in the one over water pump and outside chairs under the other. We don’t use the cupboard over the battery or the floor cupboard there. I suppose it would make a good hidey hole as I have replaced carpets with mats so not obvious that there is a cupboard under there.
The central one at top rear for dvds - cannot remember the last time we watched one - and medical kit.
Obviously I put clothes in the wardrobe but we must take more clothes than you if we go away for a few weeks! I do use the cupboard over the battery for a few tins, spare tea and coffee.
I will check that pipe now, yours must have been like it for years, how did you manage to straighten it? Actually I’ve looked at ours and it is a bit pinched but not like yours but I can’t really see how to sort it without getting a much longer piece of pipe as the hole in floor is almost directly below the valve bit, it looks like it needs a decent loop to stop the kink really.
 
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Minxy

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Aug 22, 2007
32,489
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E Yorks
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149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Instead of pillows use the existing cushions and just make a bespoke pillow cases for them or if they're too big remove them completely and use some smaller cushions instead - you can buy loads of mini-pillow sized ones now which you can just make a cover for, that's what we used to do when we had our first PVC.

For the duvet/bedding you could get some of the large storage roll bags that expel air (not requiring a vacuum cleaner to suck it out), once the duvet is in just roll it to get the air out and it will be much easier to store somewhere as its surprising how small they will go once deflated. Mattress topper - if singles I'd just leave them on the seats with a nice throw (as previously suggested) but if it's a double maybe just fold or roll it up tightly?

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Sep 10, 2012
2,118
3,564
worcester
Funster No
22,842
MH
Sunliving van
Exp
2012
carolyn " I can’t really see how to sort it "
2x straight pipe connectors and a length of pipe. Cut where kinked and insert new pipe with a nice gentle bend.

Back to the original topic - we have a nice big base cupboard under the side seat that takes all the beding with room for spare sheets and duvet covers when away for a while. Pillows get put in a different pillow case and used for daytime lounging if we can be bothered.
 
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cliffanger

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Apr 15, 2013
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Saltford
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Hymer A class
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Since 2013
I have adapted our small campervan,and have taken backs out and replaced with cushions which have the divan and pillows in and the memory foam with bottom sheet in situ,stay on the bench seats with a throw to hide themView attachment 618031
Ann, I was just going to put a post on this thread, telling the OP what you do, and what a clever idea it is. You (and others) beat me to it!
 
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