Revealing our Camper Van Layout!! - DIY VW Crafter Camper Conversion

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[@ABusAndBeyond]

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[@garagefaff]

Before building out. Think about side impact protection for the kids (rear) seat. The side of a cargo van is tin foil thin. You’ll have SIPS beams in the front doors leaving the little one with nothing. 👍

[@Wildernessadventuresoz]

Great advice I did not know that

[@lorny4u]

Great advice

[@10gimp39]

Use flare side panels and rear bed could be width wise giving you more space forward of bed

[@PHN-2024]

I would suggest you do a Cardboard Markup next. Get some Cardboard Boxes then Cut, Tape and Size them to the Various Components that are going into a Van. This will give you a better feel of how the Interior Space will be by having a 3 dimensional view of the Build out.

[@rickyard11]

Is the van wide enough to sleep width ways? Otherwise you’ll end up with dead space to the side if you sleep length ways. Don’t forget the table!

[@jasonhadlow9198]

I did the rear bed on mine, gained about 20 cm by countouring it into the rear door recesses. Just chopped the corners out of a memory foam mattress. It gives you a bit more space to play with going forwards

[@James1980-]

I’m watching it with interest. I’m waiting for a autotrail expedition 68 to replace my California. It’s their new van for 2022 and has a bike garage under the fixed bed.. may be of interest to you for layout and dimensions. I understand that converters use the Ducato as it’s steep sides allow sleeping width ways. I agree with others that sleeping sideways would help create more space.

[@Splitty93]

I’d be putting the rear bed width ways, by fitting side pods to get the extra width. More than big enough garage space below, frees up space in front of the bed to easily get a wet room in and a bigger kitchen storage etc. Could have the toilet so the cassette is accessed into the garage, no holes and easy access 👍🏻 Good luck!

[@stevebennett6727]

Deffo a transverse bed. Didn’t need pods with my Ducato but easy enough to fit on a crafter/ sprinter. Frees up so much extra space in the front of the van then for a good size shower room etc

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Side pods are not available for Extra Long Wheel Base Crafters and it’s not wide enough without to sleep widthways

[@dalecousins7373]

@@ABusAndBeyond how tall are you both? Maybe consider not going for a standard size mattress if possible

[@Splitty93]

That’s a real disappointment they don’t do them for the xlwb. Seems like thee extra length gained from having the xlwb is going to be wasted on the bed. Looks to me like everything you want you could fit in a mwb, rear width ways bed and garage, wash room 4 belted seats but with a pop top for the extra bed. Without having the hassle of driving a crazy long van! Check out vanguard campers in fort William, some good inspiration there! Amazing what you can squeeze in. Looking forward to seeing it progress!

[@ABusAndBeyond]

We disagree, we are really excited about having a nice big bed and plenty of room. We tried sleeping widthways in the Grand California 600 and it felt claustrophobic

[@gustavokuster47]

I love the shower in my possl roadcamp R540, it has the shower in the middle of the corridor and uses a cleaver slider system that gives us a huge (for the size of the van) shower without occupying any space practically!

[@CliffordDive]

I'm just starting a conversion on the 7m long Crafter (the "old" Sprinter based one), and looked at many possible layouts, so very interested to see where you're going. I considered something similar to your proposal, but I'm favouring longitudinal bunks at the back on the driver's side and the other half of the back as the shower room (similar philosophy to you, Porta-Potti in a shower tray and no holes in the side - I think we can do 760mm square). In front of the bunks is a belted travel seat for two, and in front of that a sideways facing settee which can convert in double bed, using the travel seat for extra length at the foot end. The rear end of the settee (left side as you sit on it) can flap down to provide leg space for the travel seat, but goes up in camping mode so that we have an L-shaped settee. The double passenger seat will rotate. Kitchen will go where yours is, on the sliding door side. I'm hoping to get lots of seating and good open floor space - sideways settees favour this. I'm intending that the bunks can act as triple bunks for children (giving about 2ft of headroom each), so that we have 5 belted travel seats and 5 sleeping berths, but bunks can be removed (from the bottom one up) and the space used as garage, giving very flexible configurations in that 3ft x 6ft space, at either zero, 2ft, 4ft or full height. Saying all that, all I have at the moment is a large white empty van outside the house. I'm building it as a project rather than for me - I already have a Pilote coachbuilt - but rather fancy building one for me once I've had a practice run on an older one. I'm hoping it might make a profit (if I assume my labour is free) - but I'm not convinced. These things take a lot of money. First steps for me - windows. I've decided to pay someone to do that for me. It's easy in principle, can opener and glue, but I've concluded it could be really bad if it went wrong. The first DIY jobs are laying the floor and insulating the walls and roof. I'll be very interested to watch your development. Anyone any comments? Am I mad?

[@chantelengland9939]

Having had many Van conversations, I like your ideas but really think to benefit having more space a bed across the back from left to right maybe using a space pod to gain the room to lie. That would give more living space then!

[@timmo3351]

It’s amazing how even with a monster van how quickly its filled up/how much compromise there is. When you unveiled it thought it would be easy to get everything in!

[@scottkinghorn6971]

I love the Tonke VW conversions with the swivel kitchen. This might work for you guys and lets you cook inside and out. Good luck.

[@majavanfan]

You will loose a little width once insulation is in and covered (assuming of course you put insulation in. I myself think it is a good idea :-) ). Put the bed in the back a little higher and more central. You will like the added space below. Composting toilet instead of Po-Po? R&R bed on airline tracks so you can move it back and forth. Windows above kitchen a little higher/narrower so that the worktop comes a little higher and you save yourself the backache which comes with low worktops. Nice project, good luck with the build.

[@merlejoyce8318]

What I was trying to say before my phone went wonky was that my 71 reg roadscout r has the exact layout you are are taping. Only the single bed isnt rock n roll. It has the fridge you describe in the same place. Ideal for getting into from outside. The layout you describe works extremely well even with 3 people. Good luck x

[@henlowridge8598]

Once you know the accurate internal dimensions allowing for stud walling and insulation you should make a to scale cardboard model of the living space with a removable top and side section to get a real feel for the usable space and what size (hxwxd) units you can live with. Architects do this on house design for good reason. Could save a lot of money and regret in the long run. Good fun too if you have the time.

[@davidbentley4099]

It all starts to come to life even with just tape on the floor. We've just bought an new T6.1 Transporter and already looking at a Crafter (already converted as I'd make such a Bo770ck5 of any conversion). Can't wait to see how you progress with this. Good luck.

[@stevenday6945]

Have you checked out Humble Road's KZbin channel. If you're keen on building your own van build, some of his tips and construction techniques may be right up your street. I love the idea of the ali frames, 'free' hot water, plumbing and wiring. We currently have a T6 camper built by Three Bridge Campers, and are now looking at go large like you guys. I'd like the idea of building my own and taking a few tips from Humble Road, but in reality, we probably won't have the time to build the van. The next best option for us is likely to be a beautiful conversion by Three Bridge Campers or Vanworx.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

I’ll check out the channel. Thanks

[@jeremycrouch5548]

It’s going to be interesting watching your transformation. I like the adage you build your first van for your enemy, the second for your friend and the third for yourselves. I would have a look at sleeping width wise first it would free up a massive amount of space. I don’t think it’s chance that commercial conversations are all width wise. Also I think a 2 meter deep garage will be difficult to use efficiently. I think a pop top on this type of van would be great a bit like a bigger version of an Adria twin sport Good luck

[@Great-to-be]

Think I’d be putting all the wooden panels in first TBH. That will give you finite dims. Great project, can’t wait to see how it turns out. 👍👍👍

[@Wildernessadventuresoz]

Love this. I just can’t get enough of the van conversions. Thanks for sharing your van build 🥰

[@RichardEllaPhotography]

did you look at feasibility of a drop down bed in the rear of the camper.

[@marks-0-0]

I'd recommend to anyone what i did, physically build each structure with cardboard and duct tape and place in position. Its a much more realistic gauge of size over a tape measure 👍

[@Macktheknife11]

Yeah, this is an absolute must. You really don't get any feeling of space or claustrophobia until you do it in 3D.

[@faithgoodman7957]

Love this video thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂🙂🙂 The HYMER duo car on a sprinter that you did the video for us and then we now have our own one has the fridge that Shaun is wanting with the DOMETIC double door but is only 70L (10 series) It also has the hob over the top of the fridge with the sink alongside with drawers underneath. The gap between the long sofa and kitchen is 54cm in our duo car and is plenty big enough even for our labrador to turn around. Looking forward to the next update 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@rosscoooo4854]

Will be lovely to have that huuuge bed but I think the rest of it will be really cramped. Maybe put the rock n roll bed on rails so it can be pushed forward when not in use ?

[@MrTrs1978]

The space under back piece of the rock'n roll bed you can use to put the porta potti when you want to shower,

[@adiehull]

So excited for you all, this is gonna be a great build!

[@shirleylambden1561]

Just imagine how good it will feel doing the van tour...good luck guys x

[@robertstevenson3126]

Put a center line down the van to work things out

[@clivemillington8452]

Love the fact you are gonna be doing the van yourself , you will really enjoy .and the viewers on the work to get there ,I personally would buy side flares s you can put the bed in sideways .look them up on eBay about £300 each but well worth it . They may even supply foc if you do it on your vlogs EVO DESIGNS do them good luck on the build . New subscriber here 👍

[@anjnewton]

Great video! One comment…don’t underestimate the size of car seats when kids get older. The best now have side impact protection, that expands as kids get older (as they are required until 12 years old). Our seats will be 44cm wide at full width! We have twins, so this is a real challenge!

[@lorny4u]

Oh no you called us Scots Scotch!

[@l33jcm]

Perhaps you can borrow a trick used in MH's, where the shower door can be swung open 90 degrees to block off the passageway, still giving you privacy while allowing you the legroom to sit on your portapotty? That will keep the shower cubicle narrower when not in use. You have to use a shower curtain though.

[@arunraval4478]

Why not fit floor rails and be able to adjust the RIB bed position?

[@4Hester]

Rails are not good either the hound or the child I think…

[@roxannewise6602]

Don't think you need an oven you can use a halogen oven on the hook up .

[@gillosborne9516]

Be careful with rock and roll beds. Some are not crash tested. I’m sure they would be safe, but insurance companies might balk at insuring a seat which hasn’t gone through the official testing.

[@Groucherino]

Great video and very excited to see what you end up doing to the van. Thanks also for the Readly tip, just subscribed through your link :) Fantastic idea, great value and will be a boon whilst away in our Eriba! Good luck with the project!

[@_-000-_]

A nice big van with so much potential but it seems as though its all taken up with just two beds. Have a single bunk under the main bed, will still leave a nice garage. A drop down bed would be perfect with a dining area underneath. Maybe just me but I think living space is more important than sleeping space.

[@stellaswancounselling]

Ooh I Will be keen to see the van build take shape how exciting xx

[@richardsracingmad]

Quick look on the Bay , I found LWB Crafter side pods, seller Black Rock Outfitters, hope that helps

[@ABusAndBeyond]

They’re not for XLWB though

[@nasseral-momen1463]

Good luck guys. I would definitely do the side pods and turn the rear bed.

[@Lilrom2003]

Is it possible to fit the California rear bench as passenger front seat and also as bed at night,with associated extension temporary? Love the idea of pop top bed for warm days and a dinette conversion bed when too cold

[@pineman10]

Really enjoying and looking forward as this build progresses, your the only channel of this type i sub too, 2 really nice genuine people… 👍

[@yvonnemerchant3916]

Love watching you guys and can't wait to see the windows, so exciting ❤️❤️❤️

[@benbartlett4278]

Would you consider putting a pop top on the crafter?

[@Brownhillphotography]

Great forward thinking, it’s always a good idea to have somewhat of a plan! Great stuff! Hahaha be 18 but the time you finish 😂

[@alansteele3757]

There’s a company called Jerba camper vans they use a different type seat/bed that allows permanent storage & it’s supposed to be more secure. Maybe give youse another option. Good luck with the build 👍

[@karlospappy8908]

Basics are right but the devil is in the detail, I would go for a transverse bed rather than length ways. Cassette toilet emptied from outside and a slightly larger shower room is much easier than moving a container of crap so you can have a shower. Best of luck,

[@debshamish6533]

Going to be fab - although, where’s Bentley’s bed going? 🤣

[@herbiecostello5408]

Can you not fit transverse bed and will free up plenty space

[@sontaranlee3369]

Well done guys great to see lots of different ideas which will help my layout eventually 👍

[@michaelmorley6522]

How much width will you lose with your insulation? See if that comes up in video

[@tradersato]

Make cardboard mock ups of the furniture and various items you want in the space and put them in. A floor plan is 2D and can be deceiving. A 3D mock up will be closer to reality.

[@leew3211]

Hi When do you think will be finished? Thanks

[@WanderbusAdventures]

Looking good guys. Exciting stuff. Have you seen the Ford Tourneo seats. We have those and they have isofix points on them and built in belts.

[@danielle5780]

Kids pick the things we didn't know we needed 😂

[@frstesiste7670]

No way you can fit the bed sidewise? You'd gain at least half a meter for the rest of your build. Regardless, look forward to see how it turns out!

[@greigallan1973]

Great video and thanks for the heads up too Readly. We have subscribed already. Its amazing.

[@reruedamotor7514]

I´m excited to see the final result!!!

[@annemarsden2323]

Looks like. A busy time ahead 🚐❤️

[@RB-yw9xv]

Hi my name is Jeffery from Blackpool and I live in a tent in the back of a van and I have for two years but A O if you put a box chest freeze wich have better insulation and if it was soft start it would be very economical and at 150 to 200 conperd to 600 to 1000

[@derekmay8427]

Watching this one with interest as doing exactly the same process due to outgrowing our T5 ! Much luck 😎👌

[@Professionalmoochers]

You could consider cutting some “flares” into the rear side panels which allows you to have your bed widthways, giving you more floor space 👍🏼

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Unfortunately side pods or flares are not available for Extra Long Wheel Base Crafters

[@Professionalmoochers]

@@ABusAndBeyond didn’t know that! Shame

[@theindieprojects]

🙌🙌🙌

[@wandango5913]

If you wanted the bigger beer fridge you can get a single rock and roll bed or Rib bed

[@PappysTravels]

Hi, you didn’t mention dining, so I assume your front seats will swivel and you will have a table in front of the rock & roll bed?😁

[@davidgrover2665]

Nice video - good to see Harvey on the hazard lights again! 😂 #HazardHarvey

[@diwarburton5369]

Have you considered a transverse bed which would give you so much more room or would it not be long enough for you both. Really looking forward to your build.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

It wouldn’t be long enough and they don’t make side pods for an Extra Long Wheel Base Crafter

[@peterdrury8859]

Big van like that and you soon run out of space!! Wow Harvey 15 months old how time flies.

[@volvocars5189]

It's recommended in several European countries that until a child is around four years old, he or she is safer travelling facing the rear. A rearward-facing seat absorbs the violent forces and protects the child’s sensitive head and neck. Small children who travel in forward-facing child car seats are five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared to children in rearward-facing child car seats. Therefore you should not turn your child around too soon. The recommendation is for children to sit facing rearwards for as long as possible, normally until they are around four years old.

[@peterdrury8859]

Toilet idea sounds good though👏👏👏

[@DD-vl4ih]

I know this will be said a few times but I can't wait to see the end result. Best of luck guys 🤞

[@ABusAndBeyond]

We can’t either! Thanks so much!

[@rpjwhite]

Can you retrofit isofix seats?

[@merlejoyce8318]

Is the layout to the globescout r that I'm living in just now

[@lleo100]

Put those windows in. Let there be light and you can see for miles 🤓

[@j.kachele9644]

Why don't you took the grand California?

[@edwardsmaza581]

Really enjoy watching your progress in your new adventure, but where is Bentley going to sleep?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

He will sleep wherever he wants to sleep. 😂. The van is his oyster!

[@merlejoyce8318]

So the layout you've taped is the layout t

[@voyageadventurevans]

I would recommend the dometic 10.70 . It is the smaller of the 2 dual door fridges and is only about 400mm wide. This keeps your front part of the kitchen narrow where the pinch point always is. I would also strongly recommend an oven. This for us is a game changer. So many times we pull up late on friday night to a park up, and just stick some pizza and wedges in the oven. Specially through the winter (or uk generally) where the BBQ is often rained off😉. We have quite a few similar layouts on our channel if you wanted to take a look. Regards Ed

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Good ideas there Ed thanks

[@jamesholmes4256]

Love the hair 🥰

[@the_lost_traveller]

Don’t forget the insulation and cladding tho

[@650Swift]

It was a 21 plate at the dealers and now it’s a 71. How did that happen?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

We literally explain that in this video 😂

[@650Swift]

@@ABusAndBeyond I’ll have to watch it again then. Missed that bit

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Sorry my mistake, it was in the previous video when we explained it… basically the dealer put the wrong plates on originally

[@eprohoda]

‘sup?~ you did breahtaking upload. have a good day!bro.

[@DunkfaeOotnAbootWiUs]

You'll change your design a few times like we did before you really settle on the one

[@Kellinator-zm5ny]

Plinth

[@SuperWolffie]

i don't follow this. Why didn't make a floorplan on scale? Measure the floor and go drawing!!! You can use cut out paper with the measures of the furniture and try and play with it untill you get the ideal plan........

[@SuperWolffie]

and make a solution with the bed because now it takes a lot of room. Like a partial removable bed (halfup) or a lift bed. You want to do it pro.....and use a portapotti and remove it when you go shower...NOoo......(sorry, i don't want to be rude but I was expecting a lot)

[@flybyairplane3528]

AB&Beyond,hello,it’s been some time, but DONT FORGET INSULATION& walls,I see you making measurements from bare empty frame, ,so I guess you ran out of space in your last vehicle ? Stay well all of you CHERIO 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ABusAndBeyond]

*** Get 2 Months Free when you sign up to Readly and then it's just £9.99 a month after that. Sign Up Here - readly.me/abusandbeyond *** Thanks to Readly for sponsoring this video