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Topic: 4 berth van conversion

stacetop

18/7/2011 at 9:01pm
Location: uk
Outfit: Motorhome

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Hello we are thinking of getting a van conversion done and will need a 4 berth with rear seat belts and reasonable storage area. I'm struggling to find a layout or van type that this would be possible with. I'm looking at sprinters but they seem narrow or fiat ducato lwb vans?? Does anyone know of a roomy conversion on a van of this size??

naebother

18/7/2011 at 10:42pm
Location: central scotland
Outfit: aztec cantera 9 vango tamor500 vango

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The fiat ducato is one of the widest panel vans available, this means you can have a rear bed across the width of the van.Under neath the bed gives a big load area.

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John

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jockgee

18/7/2011 at 10:58pm
Location: fife
Outfit: citroen relay motorhome

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Hi, We had similar requirements. The van we went for in the end was a 2006 LWB Citroen Relay. This is basically the same van as a Fiat Ducato or Peugeot Boxer.

I've made it 4 berth and able to carry 5 people all with 3 point seat belts(3 in the front seats and 2 in the rear facing seating directly behind the front van seats). It has 2 bunk beds width ways across the back doors, and the 6ft rear facing seats fold out to a double bed. The kitchen is in the middle on the offside and the fridge and additional storage is on the nearside. This van is 6 ft wide and all beds are 6ft in length apart from the top bunk which is 5'5".

The sacrifice I had to make was there is no room for a toilet/shower room. However a portapotti (for emergency use only) can fit under the bottom bunk with a curtain affording some privacy from the seating area. We will be using campsites so no real need for a full toilet.

Storage spaces are under the bottom bunk, under the seating, under the kitchen, and cupboards on the nearside, high level storage cupboards running from the kitchen to above the seats and the parcel shelf above the cab.

It took a bit of planning and head scratching but we got there in the end.

This is the first conversion I've done. I'm not even a accomplished diyer, but I'm learning as I go along, getting help from this site and the SBMCC forum.

I hope this helps you plan your own build.

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Its a spigure of feech!

stacetop

18/7/2011 at 11:31pm
Location: uk
Outfit: Motorhome

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Thanks we had been told sprinters were the way to go but they do seem narrow. I will look at the largest ducato with bunks at the rear. I want captain swivel chairs rather than the bench front seating so we can access the rear and forward facing rear seat for child just need to work out how that bit would work oh and also want a bathroom!!! I need a tape measure

happybonzo

19/7/2011 at 6:54am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar

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The best Fiat is the extra long wheelbase model. They are about but will take a bit of tracking down

If you want a free CAD programme then this may do the trick for you. It has been used by a lot of the self builders http://sketchup.google.com/

Septic

20/7/2011 at 12:03am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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It's pretty difficult to get a useful amount of room in a van conversion for more than 2 people.

We have a long wheelbase LDV convoy minibus we converted, with 5 seats - 3 in the front and 2 behind. We have room for a 6 foot bed width wise and put a double bed in the roof above the cab. We managed a toilet/ washroom with a porta-potti. It works - although my children would probably rather sleep in a pup tent than in the roof, if the weather is suitable.

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Everything comes to he who waits

steveiem

20/7/2011 at 12:59pm
Location: Clacton on Sea . Sunshine Coast
Outfit: Compass Navigator 1200 TDi swb

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have a look at the iveco , race truck conversions , bullet proof engines and a sturdy chassis , the garage bit wont be what you're looking for but it will give you a good idea of the possibilities,,

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There's a place for all gods creatures ,,

Right next to the potatoes and veg ,,,

stacetop

20/7/2011 at 11:26pm
Location: uk
Outfit: Motorhome

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Septic , how did you put a bed above the cab as this may interest us!! Thanks

Septic

21/7/2011 at 11:02pm
Location: None Entered
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Our vehicle had a high roof and had a shelf in already above the cab, which is about half the size we needed. We rigged up several spars going across and a sheet of plywood which pulls out from the existing shelf. During the day we can pack it up fairly readily. We also use the shelf for storage with a net over it to prevent things falling out. We use an old bunkbed ladder for our children to get in. The space isn't very deep - we use thin camping mattresses, but our girls seem to like it ok.

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Everything comes to he who waits

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