You have lines to color inside of, which simplifies things. Others are still trying to weigh the Pros and Cons of which wheelbase and height van to get!
A 130 MR isn't very big, and I certainly wouldn't want to try to sleep more than 2-3 people in one (or in a 148). Trailers are a good extension, but require licensing and insuring, and limit your mobility some. BUT, depending on your situation, can serve multiple purposes. We have friends who have a small restored vintage trailer that serves as a "guest house" when they have company, or as a quiet secluded den for reading.
A good tent, maybe one that attaches to the van, might be a good choice. An awning, maybe the Batwing style that covers side and rear, would extend the usable space of the van when camping, leaving the van itself as a bedroom. It takes longer to set up a camp with a tent and outdoor kitchen etc, much longer than just opening the door to the trailer, but is modular, cheaper and easier to store. I've found that setting up camp is fun for the kids, they look forward to that almost as much as anything else on a camping trip.
I've seen some builds that basically turn the van into a teardrop layout, with the kitchen accessed via opening the rear doors. This can easily be accomplished with a mobile kitchen setup that you put in the rear of the van just for camping trips. You'd probably want that batwing awning if you did this. Sleeping platform for the bed could be on top of the kitchen cabinet.
A 130 MR isn't very big, and I certainly wouldn't want to try to sleep more than 2-3 people in one (or in a 148). Trailers are a good extension, but require licensing and insuring, and limit your mobility some. BUT, depending on your situation, can serve multiple purposes. We have friends who have a small restored vintage trailer that serves as a "guest house" when they have company, or as a quiet secluded den for reading.
A good tent, maybe one that attaches to the van, might be a good choice. An awning, maybe the Batwing style that covers side and rear, would extend the usable space of the van when camping, leaving the van itself as a bedroom. It takes longer to set up a camp with a tent and outdoor kitchen etc, much longer than just opening the door to the trailer, but is modular, cheaper and easier to store. I've found that setting up camp is fun for the kids, they look forward to that almost as much as anything else on a camping trip.
I've seen some builds that basically turn the van into a teardrop layout, with the kitchen accessed via opening the rear doors. This can easily be accomplished with a mobile kitchen setup that you put in the rear of the van just for camping trips. You'd probably want that batwing awning if you did this. Sleeping platform for the bed could be on top of the kitchen cabinet.
