Campervan BENCH SEAT | Part 1 | Fiat Ducato | UK Self-Build Campervan Conversion

Welcome back to the channel. In this video we start the build of our bench seat that is running widthways across the van below the bed. The structure needed to support the bed, inched a place for the batteries, provide an angled seat back and provide opening hatches from the living area to the garage. It took quite a while to plan it but we're really pleased with the result. It's the perfect height and depth and gives us a variety of sitting options.
This video is Part 1 of our seating video. In Part 2 we'll show you how we changed plans and decided to create a permanent seat around our portable toilet. We wanted to show you the finished seat but we can't apply the finish until other bits are done in the van (you know how it is!) so keep an eye out in future videos.
Mark & Neil
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Products Used
100Ah Lithium Iron Batteries: renogyuk.refr.cc/marktansey
Evolution Mitre Saw: amzn.to/3nRGcBs
Bosch Jigsaw: amzn.to/3zjNMqx
Evolution Circular Saw: amzn.to/39zuTFX
Makita Plunge Saw: amzn.to/3AkimSl
Makita Combi Drill & Impact Driver: amzn.to/3wwzJ0B
Timings
00:00 Intro
01:13 Planning
02:37 Supporting the bed
08:11 Building the seat frame
16:47 Plywood back, seat & base
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WHO ARE WE?
We're Mark and Neil and this is Our Van Plan. We've always wanted a camper van and took the plunge in 2020 by ordering a brand new medium wheelbase (L2H2) Fiat Ducato. We are converting it ourselves into the van of our dreams with little previous experience. We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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FOLLOW US
You can follow our build in real time over on Instagram....
/ ourvanplan
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#ukvanconversion #vanlife #campervan

[@jonathandilk5722]

Love your videos look at many others on KZbin but keep coming back to yours for instructions ideas and inspiration well done

[@OurVanPlan]

Ah that’s so much means a lot. Glad you’ve found them useful.

[@stevesimpson5417]

Fab! Another belting video. Been waiting for this one to see how you did the seat, I'm copying most of what you're doing. I think I'm gonna have 2 seats at each side with a Lagun table in the middle that will convert to a single so essentially I'll have either 2 singles or 1 double. I'll be travelling mostly on my own being single and need a spare single bed for friends who may tag along but still retain the pull out double for Grindr friends lol

[@OurVanPlan]

Haha that’s flexible layout to the max! Sounds like a great idea though, and we did consider the opposite seats with a table in between. Glad you liked the video and thanks for following our build. Hoping to speed up the editing on the videos now it’s cold and wet outside 😂

[@TheVanderfulLife]

Its coming along nicely! Still in 2 minds whether I get a van or not, its only just occurred to me I don't really have anywhere to convert it! I got a car parking space but if its raining got no where to cut or draw on large materials as well as no electricity at the car parking space!

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks. Yeah I must say if we didn’t have the garage as a dumping ground I don’t know what I’d do! People do convert them on the street or with no garage but I can’t imagine how!

[@stevesimpson5417]

I have no garage, I can sometimes park in my back alley to get close to the yard and electrics but mostly I work from the street. It's a pain in the arse but doable. Especially when oddball neighbours, who's only experience of camper van is a week in Towyn, bob their head in to tell you how you should do it lol. I bought a generator for when I had to work out of reach of electricity and thought it's come in handy as an emergency starter if ever I got stuck with no power, but I haven't used it yet but that's an option for you.

[@kjs1069]

Good stuff man. Suggestion. Route lightening slots or drill lightening holes into the ply seat base. You'll lighten whilst maintaining structural integrity & promote airflow.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks. Good idea, need to get it on a weigh bridge soon eeek!

[@andrewranucci5349]

Hi Mark and Neil, I'm starting on a seat soon and keen to learn from your experience. Any chance you could pass on the measurements? Height of the seat base, depth of the seat base?, height of backrest? rough angle of backrest? etc etc Really appreciate your video's. I have also bought a Truma D6 so I am keen to learn from your install. I have a Ducato L3H2 🙂

[@thenoworriesnomad]

As always guys. 👍👍, also a small velcro strap over each battery would of done the trick...

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks. Yeah good point, those straps we used are annoying so might change them!

[@bobbyfischer6786]

Looking great... May i ask what height from floor was the finished seat and what depth (from knee to bum!) you went with? Been really enjoying your build looking forward to seeing finished look.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks. The seat is 44cm from the floor and 54cm deep. Then cushion on top of that which is 9cm thick.

[@bobbyfischer6786]

@@OurVanPlan lovely jublie. Just yrying to work out what is most comfortable. Yours looks just right

[@ukjose1]

Hello, amazing work. What is the height of that bench? Thanks

[@OurVanPlan]

It is 44cm from floor to top of plywood then has a 9cm cushion on top

[@weejimmyhannah]

Hi Guys, just sold my off road and build van like yourselves. In the past used Enerdrive system which is twice the price as Renogy but with 5 year warranty. What is Renogy like, quality and reliability? Regards James Australia

[@OurVanPlan]

Hey James, I’m impressed with the Renogy. It’s good quality, been reliable and reasonable price. You can get cheaper but I think renogy js a good balance. Also their customer service is great.

[@bazzarooney123]

Where’s part 2??

[@OurVanPlan]

It’s the video about the secret toilet compartment!