Why did you choose your van layout?

2cv

2cv

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Why did you choose your van layout?

We all have our own requirements when choosing a van so why did you choose your particular layout?
Personally I wanted a fairly small van, with a rear lounge to make the most of the views in the places that I planned to visit. Putting these together meant accepting the compromise of no fixed bed, but I've not found that to be a problem as changing from seats to fully made up bed takes less than five minutes. I found that PVCs were slightly smaller than I wanted even though I could see many advantages, but ended up with a coach built. Having no fixed bed meant that there needed to be space to store bedding, and the overcab storage in a coachbuilt provides this. Many modern vans appear to have a skylight which means that the overcab storage space is lost, I prefer to have that storage.
Choosing a van and layout is always a compromise of course and in having a relatively small van I am limited for storage space, and certainly could not carry a motorcycle or scooter for example, even fitting extra batteries for example would be space limited. I can only transport and accomodate two people also, but I've found this rarely to have been a problem. Against these disadvantages can be measured the fact that I can go most places that a car can, even being able to park in normal car spaces with some judicious overhang use, and finding the remote spots that I love most is not limited by my vehicle size.
I spent years considering what would suit me best before buying, I'd have been interested then to know what factors affect peoples layout choices so think it would be great to hear your reasons if only to help potential new motorhomers make their choices.
 
For me it was the garage as I need my mobility trike I needed a motorhome with a big enough garage as I could only find 3 vans that fit one was a Hymer but when I took it for a test drive I did not like the large internal dashboard me being under 5’ , the other also was a Hymer I think a 343compact but slightly more than I wanted to pay but had 2 single beds in the back that folded into the wall and s large rear boot door so my trike would be inside, the third was the Rapido that I bought it’s a solid well built van slightly bigger than I actually wanted but that was my compromise,
 
We bought the Hymer B544 after looking at various different models over the years when tugging.we always ended up at Hymer,reliability,room,build quality! The van we have we have been served brilliantly by but are looking to change .today we are going again to sec show to wander around,the next layout I think will be coachbuilt,German?rear u shape lounge or two single beds ,
must have a fairly big garage.the reason I say German imho we have seen other models and we have been spoiled by the build and finish quality albeit twenty year old Hymer (which I hasten to add has not let us down once)a few members keep saying to me why do I want to change as the cond is good but I’m afraid the two main reason are ,rear lounge and garageour van has a great double drop down/a really ample single long couch that extends as well to fit my girth as well,then the double diner seats go to make a double which can join the couch for a abso massive king size bed ,end kitchen so brews can be made while we still have beds down.great old bus imho
 
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I always wanted a rear U shaped lounge and front dinette as I liked the space and the large rear lounging area with all round views that this layout provides. The fixed bed or continental layouts seemed to pretty much make half the vans space unusable during the day and felt cramped to me. Also the rear lounge bed is massive compared to most fixed beds and if you want you can leave it down.

Never regretted that decision although as we also carry a scooter on a rack finding a replacement van with the same layout and enough payload has proved almost impossible.
 
Looked at many many vans.
Like rear fixed bed
Like open front dining area which can be converted to a double bed (almost never). Windows both sides and good light from cab area
Like good bathroom with door to shower area also shower works well (like coffee Hot & Strong ! )
Like Captain seats
Like 3 burner hob although 2 burners would do
Like Decent sized fridge
Like can get to underbed storage by lifting the bed
Dislike outside door to same storage is hinged at the top and requires a bungee strap to keep it open
Dislike said storage a bit limited
Dislike floor on front (dining area) a bit higher than rear Floor (for kitchen and bed)
Like good overhead storage lockers
Like Heiki Rooflight.
All in all lots of likes
Last 2 Likes
A) 2.5 litre engine with 6x forward gears
Finally
B) good sized wheels (and so Tyres)
 
The reason we did a conversion was mainly because we couldn't find a van with the layout or equipment we wanted.
 
We have pretty much identical opinions as 2cv. I didn't want to drag around an extra metre or so for the sake of a fixed bed when just takes 3 mins to set up beds on rear bench seats. There's more space in our sub 6m van than my sisters 7.5m six wheeler !! We like waking up...lifting the blinds to enjoy the views. Also, being less than 6m and less than 3.5kg seems to best fit various criteria. We have definitely taken this van where others would not fit. However, we appreciate all you who enjoy the comforts of larger vans with different layouts. As said all horses.....Maja
 
......err....3.500kg lol !! Oh, and fully appreciate the various needs people have for a garage...
 
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Are some beds difficult to make up or something as Ive never quite understood why people seem to think its such a hassle. I can make our rear lounge bed up and the front one in 2 min. Its never been thought of as a hassle either even on a six month trip. Sometimes I work in the van as well so its useful having the Front dinette and Mrs D can relax and sit in the back or watch TV etc. The last thing I would want to do on an evening is sit in the same chair in the front ive been sat in all day.
 
I like having a fixed bed, and my late husband needed it as he spent a lot of time on it, due to his disability. What i have now is a semi permanent bed, which I can if needed turn into a bench seat across the back of the van, but in reality, I tend to use it as a fixed bed, and the cupboard I built for bedding storage, I re-built as a seat. My cab is separated from the rear by an insulated bulkhead, with sliding door, as is the back of the van, the bed/seat is also insulated from the boot, so my van is very warm in winter, and it helps keep me cool in summer. The one thing I don't like is the sliding door, and if I had, had access to a covered workspace I would have changed that. The other thing with my van is that it is sort of gypsyish/bohemian influenced.
 
I look at how they are built and what equipment they have then the decision is made by the boss because it has nice curtains :Loudly_Crying_Face_
 
Banned member;n25649 said:
I look at how they are built and what equipment they have then the decision is made by the boss because it has nice curtains :Loudly_Crying_Face_
Click to expand...

Karen will always be a bling girl and you'll just have to live with it Charlie lol
 
Fixed rear bed for us as months in end touring bed making was a fag after a meal or sone drinks.
Previous rear lounge did give lovely views.
prefer low profile cab with huge roof light.
we have lounge seats behind cab which gives us plenty of day space. Don’t need storage space for bedding with permanent bed made u.
Huge boot storage under bed.
Also only just over 7m wouldn’t want anything longer.
 
PROs

Under 6m, preferably 5.7m:

Fits our drive and ready to go at the drop of a hat.

Fits easily in parking spaces.

Good on narrow mountain roads with tiny passing places




Long front bench seats / beds with rear kitchen.

making up takes a couple of minutes at most.

Maximum living space for size of van, using cab area as well.

Both have bad backs, so need to stretch out whenever possible, so don’t like continental front ends with one tiny seat.

Can decide on 2 singles or one double as it suits.

Don’t like climbing over each other in the night, so transverse doubles or drop downs not appreciated.

Max load capacity, so extra weight and loss of storage space with drop-downs not good.




Under 3500kg…

Age and license thing.




Over cab cupboard:

For storage of bedding, Duvalays and bulky stuff

To give somewhere to add weight at front to compensate for overhang.




CONs




Very few make such vans…so few choices.

Most have now omitted overcab cupboards or made them minuscule.

This layout not viable except with short wheelbase and largish overhang, so poor front wheel traction without weight of overcab cupboard.

Limited roof or underfloor space or for adding useful toys.




However recently discovered Autosleeper will do ES model with large overcab cupboard instead of overcab beds. So thinking about it…but need to find space for bigger gas tank and solar panels.
 
We have an AutoSleeper Inca on a Puegeot base. We chose this particular van because it has a full shower and not just a wet room and all in a 6 metre van.

Bernie
 
My van was chosen mainly for the rear lounge with masses of light and panoramic views. Even if a huge van would fit on my drive or in my budget (which it won't) I still would never have a fixed bed because I personally can't help but see it as wasted, dead, dark space in the day, usually with nowhere to sprawl and read or watch tv in comfort other than in bed, which you can't really do with visitors! My bed takes a few minutes to make or break and is well worth the effort for the lovely, bright, relaxing space during the day and enough lounge room for it to be a party van in the evening for visitors.

If I could magic up the perfect van it would be mine but with a separate shower and maybe a drop-down bed at the front instead of an overhead.
 
Chose our N+B Arto 69GL because of


Fixed bed at rear over garage.

Drop-down bed for when we have guests

Large Garage for bikes and general storage space.

'L'-shaped lounge with sofa long enough for two of us to lounge at either end. [Note: Not all Continental MHs have small front seats]

Captains seats which give nice recline when used turned to lounge.

Big panoramic windscreen plus the long side-screens and lounge windows give a great view.

Long table which, with extension, can seat 6

At 7m long and 3m tall it has general feeling of space.


[Oh and it has all the things Barry does not like and none that he does, so that is a plus:Smiling_Emoji_with_:Smiling_Emoji_with_:Smiling_Emoji_with_ we have been batting this to/fro for years]



Those were the layout considerations. Add to that they quality and as soon as I saw it I knew it was right - 8 1/2 years later it still is even though it was a first MH.

Geoff

 
I didn't. I hate my layout, but I wanted something small and compact to easily fit on my drive and run round town, park etc. So I chose the van and it came with this layout. I much preferred the layouts of my previous coachbuilts and van conversions, but this was what came up at the time and I fell in love with the van itself first. Having never had a side conversion before I didn't realise the limitations, I would never buy another.
 
Under 3.5 ton (in anticipation of losing C1)

LEZ & Germany compliant. This was before French requirements)

Fixed bed (SWMBO made this condition) or drop down that can remain "made" during day. .

Addition sleeping place for Grandson.

Payload

Comfy seating for watching TV

Space for two in Galley

Low level oven & grill (Previous Van hadhligh level combine cooker / grill and HO had to stand on a step to use it)

Min 100 litre each for fresh & Waste.

Usable shower suitable for my large dimensions.

Captains seats

Storage (when we take the bike the helmets etc take a lot of space.)

Space for 2nd battery

Lots of 12v & 240v sockets

Easy to get into bed (too old for ladders)








 
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