Designing YOUR Perfect Van Layout. Tips from a full-time builder.

[@stevehori673]

Jeff your series on van building has great advice for anyone who wants a van. I'm 95% done with my van and have thought of everything you have said. I spent hours just sitting in the van thinking through the process. I have to do this before I can do that. The thing that kept me out of trouble the most was doing the cardboard walk through (from George at Humble Road). I could tell whether I had room for a shower, how big the bed can be or how small my galley ended up because I couldn't get to the back of the van when the fold-away bench seat was deployed. Keep up the videos, I'll be rewatching your video on the drawers next (the 5% I have left to do).

[@thrivans]

Awesome! Enjoy your van.

[@fionamorrison7530]

Another fan tuning in from Australia! We are about to have a 144 fitted out by a van builder and the information you have provided in this video has been invaluable. You make so much sense - and your willingness to share your knowledge is very much appreciated. We will continue to binge watch your other videos. Thank you.

[@thrivans]

Welcome! All the best with your van conversion.

[@superbettynow]

I'm also in Australia, preparing to embark on vanlife - about to buy a van, also a 144 (MWB) .. What are your plans re shower? I keep wondering if I should get the LWB just to have a fixed shower space!

[@fionamorrison7530]

@@superbettynow Hiya - we have decided a shower/toilet is a “must have” so we’ve gone with a small shower cubicle with a composing toilet. Had a LWB previously and I’m really looking forward to having a smaller van - for manoeuvrability and parking purposes.

[@superbettynow]

@ wow so you’re going to fit a fixed shower into the 144?! I’d love some info on your layout

[@driftlessheights6177]

General question. - Why do most non-cross beds assume we want to sleep with our heads to the rear of the vehicle. As we get older we need to crawl all the way back , pull down the covers before twisting under. Then every time we need to get up to use the facilities we need to repeat the whole process and wake up our spouse. The answer to why - is we don't want our pillows to drop off the bed during the night into open space. That can be remedied by a movable headboard at the forward end of the bed to hold pillows in. If you have your head forward and the bed is wide enough, you just sit up in the center of bed, rotate and stand up out of the bed. If the headboard is soft and you can angle it you can read in bed. A TV person could mount the TV in the rear and hinge it so the TV could swing from the ceiling on demand. A slide out table under the bed turns that space into an office with the TV as a monitor. This solution also allows for the creation of much more overhead storage space in the rear above your knees so no sense of claustrophobia from a lack of space over your head. I plan to do my build next year when I retire and love the idea of buying water and electrical systems from you. My variation is I am thinking of starting with an eSprinter, e-Transit, or Brightdrop, depending on who is providing the best range as the new batteries become available. So I am curious about how the electrical system needs to be modified with an EV. Someone could run: - a separate electrical system, or - a separate battery system that periodically refills from the van EV batteries, or - run everything directly from the EV batteries (with safety limits on minimum EV battery level). That is how I camp right now with my KIA EV6 using the vehicle-to-load ability. I run a portable fridge, induction cooker, and camp light with hardly a squirt from my 80 KWH battery. Weight is also why I like your 8020 weight advantage. Maximum EV range. I am learning how to work with carbon fiber to integrate with cabinetry and 8020 to keep weight very low.

[@richardsracingmad]

Hi great video….i am at the layout planning stage…fortunately we have 60cm (23 1/2”) and 40 cm pallets on the farm- so, after struggling with sketchup, I am a lot happier now in being able to see what my layout will look like / feel like actually in the van. Ahhh..I feel like I am making progress now!

[@thrivans]

I found sketchup clunky and not very user friendly. Making models is the best way I've found to get a feel for the layout. All the best with you conversion!

[@CompassCustomCreations]

I very much appreciate your dimensioning and thoughtful discussion. Well done sir!

[@ifell3]

How have I missed this!!

[@markwilson4710]

Great video! I'm about to start with my kitchen and seating layout. I've been going back and forth, but I really like the Moab layout. (Lived in Moab for a while). Do you mind sharing the depth and height of your kitchen and benches? Thanks

[@thrivans]

We do our kitchen galleys 22” deep and 36” tall. Benches are about 21” tall and 20” deep.

[@markwilson4710]

@@thrivans Thank you

[@brianmoore4299]

@ourthrivinglife. Love your videos. You're so informative and willing to share great info on how to build a van. I appreciate you. You do a great job at it too.

[@fredzuccarelli]

👍👍👍

[@davepadmore2982]

Sadly, you have totally ignored those with a disability or other health issues. Some people need a shower and/or bathroom and there was no mention of access in and out a van for those with mobility issues… I guess people with those issues and their partners are left out of your version of van life. Not even a brief mention 😢

[@thrivans]

We build custom vans around the needs of our customers.

[@thedalillama]

Yes, he should cater to professional victims