Van Layout

[Devine Gypsy]

:s Hi there!  Right now I'm a newbie wannabie.  I'm planning on retiring in about a year.  So far in my researching I am drawn to a Ford or Chevy, long or short wheel base cargo van.  I would like to experiment on interior design layouts but I don't know what dimensions to use.  Can anyone point me to a detailed diagram of either or  both of these van choices?  And I'm recognizing that the passenger vans have all the windows, but what is the criteria for vans having some windows or no windows?  Can I truly be stealth if I have door or side windows? I can get a bit claustrophobic and would really like to have windows, but being stealth is more of a priority. I appreciate for any information you can share. Thanks.

 

[LeeRevell]

The extra windows are easy to cover. I like having them, when I am boondocking in the wild - love the view! In town or a busy campground, I keep them covered. I don't worry about "stealth". I do like privacy.

 

[MrNoodly]

There are two basic layout options to start with, then figure the rest out from there. Bare vans are 6 feet at the widest point. If you're less than 5'10, or like to sleep diagonally or in a fetal position, or with your head and feet against the bare walls, the bed can go widthwise. If you're taller than 5'10, then the bed will need to go lengthwise.

 

[Almost There]

IMO, that 5'10" height suggestion needs to be lowered somewhat.

The 6' measurement is at the floor level.

For example, in my 2002 GMC Savana 2500 my bed mattress is 68" after I take in to consideration the curvature on the walls and the finishing I put inside. Only by having paneling directly fastened to the wall studs would I have been able to add 3/4" on either side (so 1.5 inches total). My bed is rather high compared to a lot of beds because I needed the height under the bed for the fridge unit but still!

I'm 5' tall and I sleep comfortable across the width of the van. Most people even a couple of inches taller than I would not be comfortable.

 

[FALCON]

Keep in mind that different Makes of vans have different widths. I believe the Dodge vans are wider than Chevy or Ford. (I'm talking the normal style cargo vans that the big 3 all made up until the last few years). I'm 5'10". I have an inch of insulation on each wall, and I still have a few inches of extra room when laying straight and flat.

 

[TrainChaser]

DG- For van dimensions here on the Forum, go to the Choosing the Right Vehicle section, then click on VAN. There's a sticky there that shows the dimensions of quite a few vans. There are 3 pages right now. Direct: https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Van-Dimensions-Sticky

You can cover windows with Reflectix, making the covers removeable by using Velcro tape. Up, down, halfway up, any way you want.

 

[masterplumber]

If you go to Sportmobile's web site you can download diagrams for different vans and doodle with designs for each. Before I built my trailer I was looking g at vans and found those to be very helpful.

 

[Devine Gypsy]

DG-  For van dimensions here on the Forum, go to the Choosing the Right Vehicle section, then click on VAN.  There's a sticky there that shows the dimensions of quite a few vans.  There are 3 pages right now.  Direct:  https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Van-Dimensions-Sticky

You can cover windows with Reflectix, making the covers removeable by using Velcro tape.  Up, down, halfway up, any way you want.

WOW!  Thank you so much.  This was exactly what I was looking for but didn't know where to find it.

 

[Devine Gypsy]

If you go to Sportmobile's web site you can download diagrams for different vans and doodle with designs for each. Before I built my trailer I was looking g at vans and found those to be very helpful.

This is so helpful!  Thanks ever so much!

 

[DannyB1954]

I think the first thing to decide is what type of bed do you want. Do you want a full time bed, or a couch that makes into a bed. Can you sleep on a bed that is 3' wide? What type of bed will help determine where it gets placed. After the bed comes storage. How much and where. With a full time bed it is usually under the bed. If your couch folds out into a bed, it might be floor to ceiling storage where you would have put a full time bed.

 

[Auto360]

DG,
I'm new to forum so I don't want to begin acting like an authority here but I just finished my 3rd "remodel " in my E350 extended body and this design is working great and I live my van while going to school. I will be doing a pictorial soon of my design. I'm doing something that in all research I've never seen...and it was my mom's idea! I'm doing what some posters are saying not to do. Their not "wrong" but ultimately you need to see for yourself. In fact I was doubtful my design would work but I couldn't be happier. But sorry, school work is calling shortly so I don't have much time at this moment.

 

[accrete]

Greetings Divine and welcome to the forum.
Best wishes on the hunt for the perfect-for-you rig, it can be a fun process.

As an FYI for a DIY van build, my wife and I did much of ours and also had some pro help after we'd spent a couple seasons with wood mock up interior. For us a platform bed with a comfy sleep system has worked out great. We spend most of our time once in camp outside and have yet to cook inside the rig (we don't like the possibility of smells that can soak into fabrics and such).

Top items we appreciate in our now-six-year-old conversion:

1) Froli Sleep System on the permenant bed platform with storage under

2) DIY Wag-Bag style potty

3) External easy set-up (3 min?) kitchen

4) Utilizing simple lightweight camping tarps rather than a fancy awning (that we sold) like a Fiamma.

I've got an in-depth build thread if you are curious on details _at this link_. Always happy to answer Q's. My wife and I had a great time during the process, and the van doubles as her daily driver. She luvs it !!

Happy Trails,
Thom

 

[TrainChaser]

You could also so some cardboard mockups to show how much space everything would take up.

 

[Devine Gypsy]

Greetings Divine and welcome to the forum.
Best wishes on the hunt for the perfect-for-you rig, it can be a fun process.

As an FYI for a DIY van build, my wife and I did much of ours and also had some pro help after we'd spent a couple seasons with wood mock up interior. For us a platform bed with a comfy sleep system has worked out great. We spend most of our time once in camp outside and have yet to cook inside the rig (we don't like the possibility of smells that can soak into fabrics and such).

Top items we appreciate in our now-six-year-old conversion:

1) Froli Sleep System on the permenant bed platform with storage under

2) DIY Wag-Bag style potty

3) External easy set-up (3 min?) kitchen

4) Utilizing simple lightweight camping tarps rather than a fancy awning (that we sold) like a Fiamma.

I've got an in-depth build thread if you are curious on details _at this link_. Always happy to answer Q's. My wife and I had a great time during the process, and the van doubles as her daily driver. She luvs it !!

Happy Trails,
Thom

Thanks so much.  Very helpful.

 

[Gadget728]

Hello DG, I have an extended hi-top much like accrete's. (Love their Van) In many of Bobs videos, and a lot of folks here point out, since this will be your home, a comfortable bed should a very high priority.
The younger crowd can sleep in just about any position, on any kind of mattress. I've seen some posts showing vans with nothing more than a sleeping pad like hikers use. There are also many posts from others with elaborate, expensive memory foam, or even custom made mattress', built to suit them. Personally, I'd love to have my bed across the back, to gain some "middle of the van floor space", but at nearly 6', I'm afraid I'd be cramped. Since I do have a hi-top, and gain a bunch of upper storage, I'm willing to go lengthwise, and it will probably be at least a twin size. Memory foam or a high quality pillow top are my final choices right now.
Keep looking at others bed setups and consider how comfy you want to be. There are some real craftsmen & women here that have built some sweet setups, it seems like all the really nice ones have a really comfortable bed in them.

accrete: love the bumpers

 

[Devine Gypsy]

Hello DG, I have an extended hi-top much like accrete's. (Love their Van) In many of Bobs videos, and a lot of folks here point out, since this will be your home, a comfortable bed should a very high priority.
The younger crowd can sleep in just about any position, on any kind of mattress. I've seen some posts showing vans with nothing more than a sleeping pad like hikers use. There are also many posts from others with elaborate, expensive memory foam, or even custom made mattress', built to suit them. Personally, I'd love to have my bed across the back, to gain some "middle of the van floor space", but at nearly 6', I'm afraid I'd be cramped. Since I do have a hi-top, and gain a bunch of upper storage, I'm willing to go lengthwise, and it will probably be at least a twin size. Memory foam or a high quality pillow top are my final choices right now.
Keep looking at others bed setups and consider how comfy you want to be. There are some real craftsmen & women here that have built some sweet setups, it seems like all the really nice ones have a really comfortable bed in them.

accrete: love the bumpers

Thanks so much for the great advice.  I guess you just need to "kiss a lot of vans" until you find your prince.

 

[LeeRevell]

There are two basic layout options to start with, then figure the rest out from there. Bare vans are 6 feet at the widest point. If you're less than 5'10, or like to sleep diagonally or in a fetal position, or with your head and feet against the bare walls, the bed can go widthwise. If you're taller than 5'10, then the bed will need to go lengthwise.

My two Gen Three Ford vans are 5'9" wide inside at widest point. I am 6'4". No crosswise bed for me!

 

[Van Lady]

..................Always happy to answer Q's. My wife and I had a great time during the process, and the van doubles as her daily driver. She luvs it !!

Happy Trails,
Thom

[/quote]

Thom,

Would it be at all possible to see close up pictures of the storage area on/covering the van back doors and explain what is in them and where you obtained them?

Thanks!


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