What van would you build?

[Pudsey Bear]

My spec would be, Full auto, XLWB L4 H2, twin armrest in the cab with Climate control, CC, St nav DAB, the newer style of Remis blinds, SLD delete, a full size 3 way fridge or (compressor with plenty of Watt/Amps) ( I did see one with a freezer drawer) Proper Stoves cooker with at least 600mm of worktop for Liz, Basic bathroom, small as poss to save space, tall w/robe for Liz, 2 ful size Hekis, rear lounge, with single beds, large Seitz windows in the lounge and rear doors. Not sure about heating, neither of us likes blown air, so maybe the Alde? plenty of storage, lockers and a few drawers, not forgetting Solar and Lithium, and a couple of PSW inverters, USB sockets everywhere, and sufficient lighting, including inside the top lockers and wardrobe, if I could do it in my build, then why not the big boys.

Probably forgot a few bits.

 

[trevskoda]

Detest arm rests, they were on my seats and i removed them.
Dont see the point in a lounge, just turn seats round, dont like rear door either, removed mine and paneled in
Instead of wardrobes we use plastic seald boxes under the back seats in lockers, coats hang on back of seats.
Solar and good batts a must, electric fridge, proper windows with blinds, lots of usb points, esp in bed room to charge phones or l top.

 

[Jo001]

We met a couple in a van who had fitted a leveling mechanism to their bed, so they didn't need to worry about parking on a slope and having to put out levellers, especially in places like Spain where they can be a bit twitchy about anything outside the van.

I thought that was pretty cool.

 

[barryd]

I would just build the van we have now which is a size massive rear lounge, mid bathroom, front dinette and over large overcab. However I would double the size of the gas locker and beef up the rear lounge bed supports! I think thats about it. Going gasless would be good as well longer term but not that much of an issue really, especially if it had a bigger gas locker

 

[Pudsey Bear]

If the locker was big enough for larger cylinders, I'd maybe just put a larger door on it, a very easy DIY job.

 

[wildebus]

The setup I would build if I were doing a conversion ....

Base would be a Low-Loader Box Van conversion. Preferred vehicle probably a Renault Master fitted with twin Single Seats and 100% with Armrests Seats would swivel to be able to rearward face the lounge area.
Layout would virtually replicate what I already have (which is kinda the reason why I have not really bothered looking into doing a conversion) - Which is front lounge, central Kitchen and rear 'en-suite' bathroom. And the reason I am saying 'en-suite' is that it is not small. It has toilet, basin, separate good sized shower cubicle, wardrobe and drawers and two bathroom cabinets plus room to dry and dress after a shower in a room that is the full width of the body. Very different to what most people look for in a Motorhome, but everyones different
Bed would be interesting ... try and do something like on an A-Class with a bed above the cab beds.
But what I would add - and a low-loader body would easily accomodate - is creating a space aka garage behind the bathroom the full width and height of the body accessible from the rear (probably using the original rear doors and making an internal wall around probably 2' - maybe 3' - inwards where the living accommodation will start.
Windows and Vents? Goes without saying really
Door? For sure I hate the idea of having to use the cab doors to come in and out. Makes no sense to me but again, different folks, different strokes.
But something that I would like on a Door and seems to have gone totally out of fashion ... a stable door style i.e. being able to open the top half while keeping the lower closed. I am surprised these are not options, especially for motorhomers with dogs.
Probably be a gasless van - diesel heater, electric cooking and cooling and a nice big battery bank of maybe 1,000Ah (12V equivalent. Would actually likely go for a 24v 500Ah setup) with solar on the roof everywhere possible with sliding panels to deploy and layered when driving.
And ... just for a bit of fun and to try something different ... would not go for a full monty Victron electrics setup but maybe try out the TBB Power System that Photonic Universe are selling. Saw it in the flesh at the Photonic stand at the NEC last October and looks smart and make a change from the usual.

 

[barryd]

If the locker was big enough for larger cylinders, I'd maybe just put a larger door on it, a very easy DIY job.

Nah! Explored every avenue. All thats ever going to fit in there is 2 x 6kg bottles. It is what it is.

 

[exwindsurfer]

Detest arm rests, they were on my seats and i removed them.
Dont see the point in a lounge, just turn seats round, dont like rear door either, removed mine and paneled in
Instead of wardrobes we use plastic seald boxes under the back seats in lockers, coats hang on back of seats.
Solar and good batts a must, electric fridge, proper windows with blinds, lots of usb points, esp in bed room to charge phones or l top.View attachment 150241View attachment 150242

Like you Trev I removed the arm rests to wast of time for me .

 

[mark61]

Still can't decide on a layout But would be pretty much what I ordered last time. Sprinter, Iglhaut, 319 or 419, 4x4 if I win lottery, standard 4x4 if I don't, auto, air con, suspension drivers seat, twin side doors, coolant pre heater, heavy duty tow pack, L2H2 if I can figure out layout, much easier on L3H2, wouldn't touch a L4 Sprinter. Don't do a V6 anymore, guess will have to make do with a 4 pot.
No gas, diesel heater. Can't decide on shower/loo, probably no on a L2 maybe yes on a L3, then gotta make room for 300 litre tank, otherwise pointless.

 

[trevskoda]

I like the idea of wildbus wanting half door, meens you can sit almost naked with only wearing a shirt and tie.

 

[marchie]

We met a couple in a van who had fitted a leveling mechanism to their bed, so they didn't need to worry about parking on a slope and having to put out levellers, especially in places like Spain where they can be a bit twitchy about anything outside the van.

I thought that was pretty cool.

We used the semi air suspensionn in Moncofa when all the German, French and Dutch Vans were told by the Guardia Civil to retract their metal levelling feet, portable solar panels etc after a German Mhomer complained to the Police that the German next door was running his engine to recharge his batteries [he was already using rooftop solar and portable panels so must have been powering 1/2 of the town if he needed to run the engine as well ...]

Steve