[taverre]

Greetings,

After MANY years of wanting, dreaming , talking myself into, out of and back into building a campervan it finally seems like it's going to happen! I am not sure yet which transit I should be looking at although I'm thinking medium or high roof with the 144(?) length. I have three small kids (4, 6, 8) and my wife coming along for trips. I am into mtbing and ultimately want a comfortable sleeping and bike/gear hauling rig. I plan on getting a cargo van, cutting out windows, adding a bench seat for the kids directly behind the driver/passenger seat (similar to crew cab just want to put in pop out windows, is that smart?)

Then I want a platform bed for me and the wife, high enough to fit five bikes under. I will build two hammock beds for 2/3 kids and the remaining kid can sleep across the bench seat. Another consideration is to buy a sofa bed bench seat and then two of them can have a real bed.

I'm going to insulate and put in a floor, wood panel walls and ceiling fan as well as add a couple batteries to run the fan and my cpap machine for sleeping.

I figure that should get us started for this summer's cross country trip. Later I will add other things.

So can anyone suggest the specific transits I should look at? I'm 5 foot 7 and my wife is 5 foot 10. I realize we will loose a couple inches of height with insulation, floor and ceiling installed. Could we still stand in a medium with those modifications?

Or Do we have to get the high top? In order to stand and have room for platform bed above bikes?

 

[bicyclist]

By the time you add the floor and ceiling, you'll be scraping in the MR. If you're going to add seats and windows, you'd probably find it easier to just buy a wagon and take out the seats you don't want. There's a market for discarded seats. Adding a roof fan to a wagon is complicated by the rear AC ducts that run in the usual rear fan location. I think that the wagon guys are putting the fan in a forward location.

 

[Hein]

148WB high roof will give you more room for storage and feel more open inside. You won't loose 2" for insulation unless you raise the floor. We recommend 3M Thinsulate(TM) which goes between the ribs of the roof and in the walls so no space wasted.


Hein
Impact, Inc.
Hood River, OR
54l 49O 5O98
impactproducts | eBay

 

[yelnam]

With kids you might consider a poptop -- SMB or CCV. Sleep 2 upstairs and 3 downstairs or vice versa...


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[jonsobi]

Taverre,
I feel that excitement! I just finished my conversion recently, its all about trade-offs. Here are some thoughts to help you along the way.

Based on your stated requirements, your needs will be challenging to achieve even in the jumbo Transit. This assumes the van is a conveyance for five with their toys, with a place to sleep. Most of the time expect to be outside. IMO, forget any plans to cook and dine in the van.

Your vision is doable if you make the right trade-offs early.

The platform bed with storage below is a good way to go. Keep in mind that sitting up in the bed is important. That means you need about 40" from platform top to finished ceiling. This assumes a 5" mattress height. Assuming the bikes are rolling in underneath, the handlebar height will determine below-platform clearance, I'm thinking another 40".

From a floor length viewpoint, the crew seat will eat up space quickly. It also will present challenges from an ease of slider access perspective. Assuming you will have a galley and a toilet, things will be getting tight. Non of this is insurmountable, but an inch or two either way can have a huge impact, so carefull planning is critical to success. My personal build traded off an enclosed toilet for more floor space and a comfy chair. I'm glad we did, but others may have found that to be a bad trade off.

At one point in my planning, I used our small kitchen to approximate the exact dimensions of the van I wanted. Using cardboard "walls", I even wheeled my MTB in to visualise it. The footprint it took was surprising! I recommend this very useful exercise. It changed my design thinking. My guess is that at least some of your 5 bikes may need to go outside on a rack. This will be one of your first trade-off decisions.

Keep sight of where everyone's "stuff" is going to go. Five active people need space, otherwise a fun trip can soon become a van full of pouters!

Whatever happens, don't let go of the dream. It is very doable. Just make the right trade-offs early. The objective is to get out there. Having to cook the meals outside on a camp stove isn't all that bad.

Any other questions, you will find good options from many on this forum.

 

[yelnam]

In regards to possibly carrying bikes outside, consider the factory tow package. A bike rack in the tow hitch works well and the factory hitch is cheaper and arguably better than aftermarket later ... .


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[ilovehotshot]

With the HR, drive-thru is not going to happen. Most clearance is 8'6" or 9'. Not a biggie, but with kids....

 

[USMC Vet]

With the HR, drive-thru is not going to happen. Most clearance is 8'6" or 9'. Not a biggie, but with kids....

ilovehotshot,

Not necessarily true. Haven't had a problem yet as quite a few drive throughs have made their lines with enough clearance for RV Campers. Also one of the members, don't remember exactly who, advised he just angles around the overhead bars. If I'm in doubt, I just park and go inside and when I'm done I ask them the height of their drive through, so I'll know next time. Tried leaning out the window but it is hard to judge and since I can't just hop out and check my clearance, I don't risk it. (takes too long to get wheel chair out and often not enough room anyway)

Also taverre with the tow package, to stow your bikes, you get the extra wiring harness.

Semper Fi

 

[taverre]

By the time you add the floor and ceiling, you'll be scraping in the MR. If you're going to add seats and windows, you'd probably find it easier to just buy a wagon and take out the seats you don't want. There's a market for discarded seats. Adding a roof fan to a wagon is complicated by the rear AC ducts that run in the usual rear fan location. I think that the wagon guys are putting the fan in a forward location.

this is one of my concerns although the wagon will have too many windows that need to be covered for light and energy loss. The crew version is a serious consideration though. I could always try to replace the side windows over time with pop outs.

 

[taverre]

148WB high roof will give you more room for storage and feel more open inside. You won't loose 2" for insulation unless you raise the floor. We recommend 3M Thinsulate(TM) which goes between the ribs of the roof and in the walls so no space wasted.


Hein
Impact, Inc.
Hood River, OR
54l 49O 5O98
impactproducts | eBay

Thanks Hein, does this mean that you think I might be able to get by on a medium roof? you said HR will give "more room" but if medium is sufficient I may jump on that. I do not plan on spending too much time in the van other than driving and sleeping. Everything else will be outdoors.

 

[taverre]

Taverre,
I feel that excitement! I just finished my conversion recently, its all about trade-offs. Here are some thoughts to help you along the way.

Based on your stated requirements, your needs will be challenging to achieve even in the jumbo Transit. This assumes the van is a conveyance for five with their toys, with a place to sleep. Most of the time expect to be outside. IMO, forget any plans to cook and dine in the van.

Your vision is doable if you make the right trade-offs early.

The platform bed with storage below is a good way to go. Keep in mind that sitting up in the bed is important. That means you need about 40" from platform top to finished ceiling. This assumes a 5" mattress height. Assuming the bikes are rolling in underneath, the handlebar height will determine below-platform clearance, I'm thinking another 40".

From a floor length viewpoint, the crew seat will eat up space quickly. It also will present challenges from an ease of slider access perspective. Assuming you will have a galley and a toilet, things will be getting tight. Non of this is insurmountable, but an inch or two either way can have a huge impact, so carefull planning is critical to success. My personal build traded off an enclosed toilet for more floor space and a comfy chair. I'm glad we did, but others may have found that to be a bad trade off.

At one point in my planning, I used our small kitchen to approximate the exact dimensions of the van I wanted. Using cardboard "walls", I even wheeled my MTB in to visualise it. The footprint it took was surprising! I recommend this very useful exercise. It changed my design thinking. My guess is that at least some of your 5 bikes may need to go outside on a rack. This will be one of your first trade-off decisions.

Keep sight of where everyone's "stuff" is going to go. Five active people need space, otherwise a fun trip can soon become a van full of pouters!

Whatever happens, don't let go of the dream. It is very doable. Just make the right trade-offs early. The objective is to get out there. Having to cook the meals outside on a camp stove isn't all that bad.

Any other questions, you will find good options from many on this forum.

Thank you Jonsobi! EXTREMELY helpful reply!! I will take some measurements and figure out how much height I need in order to be able to sit up and add that to the height of my bike to determine total needed. Regarding other topics you mentioned, you were SPOT ON with the space limitations and I am planning on this build being extremely utilitarian to the point of, sleep, bikes, driving and clothing. Maybe an emergency paint bucket with bottom cut off and a toilet seat on the rim. Otherwise public restrooms, rest stops or digging holes outside. Might be a decision I regret down the road with 4 women (three daughters and wife) but we can try and see how it goes. I test drove a Sprinter Crew van and I believe, although tight, that would be about the right size for platform bed, hammock beds for kids and bikes, clothes etc.

So ultimately, less a "camper" and more a shelter plus gear.

 

[bicyclist]

The obvious answer to roof height is to take your wife to a dealership and have her walk around in a medium roof. They're easier to find than ones with a high roof. If she's comfortable, yer golden. Depending on how much space you want, the extended body comes only with a high roof.

Windows can be covered with Reflectix, which will block light and help keep the interior cooler.

 

[taverre]

Now I'm considering cargo vs wagon. I know there are drawbacks on both (if you will be bringing back seat passengers and I will). Wagon means less car sickness with Windows that I didn't have to install or purchase separately. Air conditioned back and seats already included. Cargo means, more insulated and possibly lower heating and cooling needs. Possibly ok without rear air as 1) insulation reduces heat and 2) kids bench seat up front right behind driver so they will get some air from front. Also, how "great" is the rear air anyway? Another plus is the Windows I would install would pop out and provid greater air circulation. Cargo also easier to install roof and possible floor vents. I have not priced out the cost of seats yet although I have seen sofa bed benches with lap belts that go from $1,00-$2,000. Seems a bit pricey but then we would have two good sized beds after I install a platform bed.

This brings me to another question, are there any step by step pictures, threads or instructions on materials needed to build the bed? I understand many opt for the motorcycle ramp as a bed platform but how does it get attached to the van and where do you get one?

 

[JP4]

If you're doing a lot of camping I'd go for the biggest Transit. That's what I have and it's tight even with three people if it's raining and you're all stuck inside. I'd also strongly consider the Wagon. It will have removable seats already in it, and rear air. All you'd need to do right away is rig up some beds, through in a cooler and your camping gear and be ready for the summer. Outfitting a van is really fun and rewarding, but as probably everyone here will attest to, it's a painfully slow project. I have a Van but occasionally wonder if it wouldn't have been better to start with a wagon.
JP

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[jonsobi]

On the subject of van over wagon when carrying passengers, I would go wagon every time just from a safety perspective. Installing multiple seats with crash tested belts and seats in a cargo, IMO, is a big job best done by (expensive) professionals.

We're it me with three kids, I would give serious consideration to a 148 med roof wagon, towing a pop-up!

Hope that does not mess you up!

 

[taverre]

If you're doing a lot of camping I'd go for the biggest Transit. That's what I have and it's tight even with three people if it's raining and you're all stuck inside. I'd also strongly consider the Wagon. It will have removable seats already in it, and rear air. All you'd need to do right away is rig up some beds, through in a cooler and your camping gear and be ready for the summer. Outfitting a van is really fun and rewarding, but as probably everyone here will attest to, it's a painfully slow project. I have a Van but occasionally wonder if it wouldn't have been better to start with a wagon.
JP

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Thanks for the perspective. I realize it will be tight but we have done tent camping with rain and that was even tighter (or at least close to) and we just used that day to find some place indoors to explore (nature center). I hope we will be doing a lot of camping but realistically it may be several weekend trips every other month and two big camping trips (one that lasts at least a month). I also plan on most days being outdoors for near the full day and alternating hotels every 4th day so we have air conditioning, full bathroom and shower...etc. I think I will need to approach this as a process in phases. phase one will be getting the van and making it ready for carrying passengers, gear and sleeping, phase two, climate control, phase three the nicer things like electricity/battery, maybe a fridge, porta potty, outdoor shower.

I am pre-phase one now trying to figure if its a wagon or cargo. I think while sleeping in it, climate control on will be a top priority (+ 1 for cargo) however driving would be more pleasant with windows and AC (+1 for wagon).

 

[USMC Vet]

tavarre,

You said there would be back seat passengers, so that should settle your quandary.

Wagons are crash tested for passenger safety, vans aren't. Why, because they aren't designed for passengers other than the drivers compartment.

Semper Fi

 

[driley]

Greetings,

After MANY years of wanting, dreaming , talking myself into, out of and back into building a campervan it finally seems like it's going to happen! I am not sure yet which transit I should be looking at although I'm thinking medium or high roof with the 144(?) length. I have three small kids (4, 6, 8) and my wife coming along for trips. I am into mtbing and ultimately want a comfortable sleeping and bike/gear hauling rig. I plan on getting a cargo van, cutting out windows, adding a bench seat for the kids directly behind the driver/passenger seat (similar to crew cab just want to put in pop out windows, is that smart?)

Then I want a platform bed for me and the wife, high enough to fit five bikes under. I will build two hammock beds for 2/3 kids and the remaining kid can sleep across the bench seat. Another consideration is to buy a sofa bed bench seat and then two of them can have a real bed.

I'm going to insulate and put in a floor, wood panel walls and ceiling fan as well as add a couple batteries to run the fan and my cpap machine for sleeping.

I figure that should get us started for this summer's cross country trip. Later I will add other things.

So can anyone suggest the specific transits I should look at? I'm 5 foot 7 and my wife is 5 foot 10. I realize we will loose a couple inches of height with insulation, floor and ceiling installed. Could we still stand in a medium with those modifications?

Or Do we have to get the high top? In order to stand and have room for platform bed above bikes?

After years of thinking about the same thing we pulled the trigger last year and have no regrets.

Just the wife and I but we have toys to store inside and when with a platform bed and big garage underneath. I'm sure you could get away with a medium roof but high roof is great. Still plenty of room to sit up in bed. Kinda of a cool place to hang out.

We are both 5'8" and can sleep sideways.

I would go for the 9500 GVR or so, to allow plenty of capacity for conversion and the family.

 

[taverre]

Great points all and now you've got me thinking wagon. Any examples of platform bed and how you attach one in a wagon?

 

[cargovanconversion]

I got a T250 3.7L LWB MR last year and am busy with the conversion right now.
I'm 5'7" and will barely be able to stand up straight after the floor is put in and the ceiling covered. The 5'10" of your wife will be a sacrifice. Basically for 2 adults and 3 children, a HR and LWB-Ext, is the ultimate choice. I use mine as my daily transport and live in a deed restricted community. So, as a single person the MR and shorter version is better. It remains a compromise.

Van Williams