Question about height of Astro cargo vs passenger, and beds

[jrs]

Hi. New to the forum. Am about to start a camper conversion. I like the Astro even though it is tiny. I do have a few questions. 1. I want windows but hear that the floor to roof height of the cargo is greater then the passenger van. Is this true? And can I get that height back by removing anything in the floor? 2. Everyone builds some sort of bed platform, usually from a fold out seat/couch.&nbsp; this limits headroom when sitting up in bed. Is there any reason why people don't just put the bed on the floor. I have an idea of a fold away bench &nbsp;seat, and maybe memory foam in three parts that assembles into bed (on the floor). I plan on putting a kitchen at the rear, accessible from the back and at a pinch from inside.<BR>My plan is to make this a weekend/week camper for 2 people.<BR>Any and all comments welcome.<BR>Thanks<BR>John

 

[VanFan]

Hi John.&nbsp; Welcome to the forum.&nbsp; I think you'll find lots of Astro fans here, and I believe one would make a fine camper for two.&nbsp; It seems most people do raise their beds to allow storage underneath.&nbsp; We have tried both, but currently sleep at floor level.&nbsp; Our storage is in the back.&nbsp; Everything is easy to reach from inside or out. <br><br>Our van is a full sized low top Chevy, which I believe provides about 6" of headroom over the Astro.&nbsp; If if were just me, I would probably have a small, permanent bed on a raised platform.&nbsp; However, when we did this as a couple, it didn't work all that well.&nbsp; Accessing the underbed storage was a headache and it seemed I was always on my knees shuffling totes around.<br><br>Our bed is a ...errr... "system" of 4" deep x 22" wide by various length cushions that stack when not laid out as a bed.&nbsp; In the current configuration, the two stacks can easily be lifted out of the way if desired, leaving all but the rear storage area clear for other uses.&nbsp; We can, for example, set up a small table and four bag chairs with room to spare.&nbsp; When made up, the bed is 8" thick, 44" wide and 80" long.<br><br>Two drawbacks have emerged:&nbsp; 1) the bed takes up a lot of room when in use, so it usually gets at least partially put up and has to be remade each night; and 2) I am uncomfortable using any source of heat with it laid out, since there's not a really good place to put a heater away from the flammable foam.<br><br>On the plus side:&nbsp; 1)&nbsp; my tall husband feels more comfortable at that level, 2) lots of floor space when not in use; 3) in the summer it can be up to 10 degrees cooler on the floor than at the ceiling; 4) in the winter, 8" of foam with no air space between it and the floor helps keeps it warm; 5) no storage Tetris or lifting a platform to get to things; 6) van can be quickly converted for cargo use.<br><br>Recently, I thought about going back to a platform for a beach trip.&nbsp; Then I realized that having it higher was not the key to keeping sand out of the bed.&nbsp; Instead, I focused on keeping sand out of the van.<br><br>Maybe you could try the floor first and see what you think.&nbsp; Either way, please let us know what you come up with and how it works for you.<br><br>Happy van camping!!!<br><br>Vickie

 

[Wild_E]

Hello JRS,<br>there are two or three current builds on the&nbsp;forum&nbsp;right now for Astro and Safari.&nbsp;<br>go to the Search feature and put in the words there and it will show you all the links that will help out.&nbsp;<br><br>Another thread is entitled If you like looking at pics of conversions/vans?? that link will just blow you away with all the builds and pics it has on that page!!<br><br>To directly answer your question, sure some put bed on the floor, though you have no room for anything else really. Some put in modified slider beds/couch there are a few builds here with those as well. If your kitchen is out the back, make sure you take the time to create a removable overhang as not all days are created Sunny and warm. The Astros I had came with barn doors, the Safari I have now has the two half doors with over lift down/up door. This provides some weather protection but not too much. <br><br>Good luck with your build&nbsp;

 

[coultergeist]

Hi John,<br><br>I have a Safari that I converted.&nbsp; The normal height passenger van is the same exact height as the cargo van version.&nbsp; The only real difference is that in the passenger version it has a headliner that hides the ribs.&nbsp; So there's maybe an inch or two hiding up above you don't see.&nbsp; That's the only difference.&nbsp; The interior height is right at 48 inches.&nbsp; <br><br>Storage is always really tight in a Astro/Safari.&nbsp; I definitely recommend putting the bed on a low platform of some type.&nbsp; Mine folds up and stores away.&nbsp; When out is, the platform that the mattress sits on is 12 inches above the floor.&nbsp; This is I think the ideal height for it in this type of van.&nbsp; It will give you a reasonable amount of storage area underneath, but also be pretty comfortable to sit on.<br><br>Patrick

 

[Ballenxj]

I don't think there is any difference in floor to ceiling height between the passenger Astro and Cargo Astro. After all they are both built with the same body.<br>&nbsp; One has windows and the other does not. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>-Bruce

 

[bpeck]

All I have to say on the subject is... I'm 6 feet tall and I got a Ford E150 conversion van with a high-top roof, and I don't regret it one bit.

 

[jrs]

Thanks for the comments. I have done a lot of web research and pretty well have the plans layed out. I will share at a later date when the conversion starts. Planning on a small sink made from a stainless mixing bowl with plumbing, using a camp stove if it rains.&nbsp;I am an electrical engineer and think I have pretty much worked out the electrics as well - battery and external 110 power, battery isolator for house/vehicle battery, inverter etc. <BR>The pull out bed will pull out in 2 parts basically making a single bed, or with the second part making a (cozy) double.With the single out it makes a bench seat with room to move around. Now all I have to work out is the DIY pop top - or maybe leave it for later.<BR>I wonder what people do for venting. I have bought a few 12 volt computer type fans (80cm fans) that I may use to vent to the outside via louvred panels.&nbsp; Oh it takes guts to start cutting holes in a "new" van.<BR>The adventure starts.....