Conversion Question.

[KeepMovingForward]

Bought my van a few weeks ago! It's a '98 something or other...lol yes I am that knowledgeable about vans. I keep calling it a cargo van because that's what it looks like except it has windows all over the place. Anyway four beings will be living inside this space ( two people and two cats) so I'm trying to think up ways that we'll get the most use out of the space available. I really like the way VW Westfalias are set up and would have bought one had there been one in my area. I'd really like to recreate that style of camper inside my van and was wondering if I'd have to worry about any sort of weight balancing issues? I've attatched a few images in case you've never seen what I'm talking about. In the first image you can see the bench seat which has storage underneath and works similar to a foutan and pulls down into a bed. Then behind it to the right you can see a closet which I'd like to build in my van, floor to ceiling storage would be nice. I plan to use a nice light weight plywood or something along those lines. Behind the bench and next to the closet I plan to build a platform to extend the bed out so it's actually useable as far as length goes. The platform will have storage underneath it. A compartment for my cats' litter box and another one for something else. The second image as you can see shows the cabinets. I plan to keep the cabinets alongside the bench but remove one of the top flaps so that I can put in a small cooking surface. The fridge area will be completely removed to be replaced by a small cat tree. It might be a minor waste of space but in my van there's a nice window there that opens enough to let in a breeze but not let the cats out and if they're going to sit in a van some days I figured they need a nice place to sit too. I do plan to put a fridge in between the front seats at some point. There's a rather large gap there that I think would fit a dometic 12v fridge quite nicely and use an otherwise unused space anyway. Well anyway back to my original question, how can I keep the van balanced? With the majority of storage going to one side of the van I don't want to find myself being too lopsided. Thanks for your help in advance. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.adventure-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/syncro10.jpg?9d7bd4" class="bbc_img"><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.cs.rochester.edu/~jag/vw/gen/images/westyCabinets.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Kag and welcome from New Mexico....good to have you.<br><br>I think if VW does it, you won't have too many problems as Long as you aren't a blacksmith and be carrying steel, and anvils...lol<br><br>bRI

 

[KeepMovingForward]

Thanks for the quick reply <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Yea I suppose that's true. Just figured I'd cover all of my bases.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I wish I had made more effort to even out the weight of my interior. &nbsp;In addition to my own 220 lbs in the driver's seat, I have 120 lbs of batteries, and a 7 gallon water tank on the driver's side. &nbsp;My only cabinet is on the driver's side as well which contains at least another hundred pounds of contents. &nbsp;My Bed in the back is evenly distributed, but I try to put the heavier items stored underneath on the passenger side.<br><br>I have rear airbag helper springs. &nbsp;I need to keep 10 more PSI in the driver's side bag to even it out. &nbsp;I replaced my front springs with beefier models. &nbsp;The driver's side front coil spring had gone hideously soft with the extra weight and abuse and time. &nbsp;The handling is much improved, but when braking hard, I can tell the weight is unevenly distributed, and need to counter steer. &nbsp;I bet a driver unfamiliar with this &nbsp;handling behavior would get scared.<br><br>This uneven weight distribution can really factor into the equation very unfavorably in hard braking and or avoidance maneuvering. &nbsp;I'd make an effort to keep the weight low and more evenly distributed, but sometimes this just requires so much more effort to accomplish, it might not be worth the time and expense.<br><br>Unless of course compromised handling due to poor weight distribution and the right conditions come along to cause a rollover in which case you lose the whole van, contents, and maybe more, like your life, health or loved one's due to it.

 

[KeepMovingForward]

Ah the solar batteries! I didn't even think about them. I can store those on the passenger side of my van to help even things out. And yes a roll over was what had me concerned the most. Keeping my weight below what the van can reasonably handle is import too, which is why I plan to use a very light weight plywood to build the cabinets and such. So long as I don't fall into them or throw an excessive amount of weight on them I figure they'll stand up alright.

 

[Simran]

I just love those Euro cabinets in those V-Dub's<br><br>gus