Van Layout Questions

Ondway2grey · Veteran Member

Van Layout Questions

Possum3 · Guru

For us, we like our single beds - it makes so much more usable space - they are a little difficult to change sheets and such as the custom made innerspring mattresses are heavy, fitted sheets alleviate the problem somewhat.

Ceramic toilet is a little heavier than the plastic bowl but so much easier to clean and doesn't stain.

High sides on shower pan allow it to be used as a bath tub. Not a relaxing lie back but great to sit in to wash feet - or grandkids.

Our 6.5 meter Evernew has genuine timber and leather furnishing with many roomy cupboards. Happy wife, happy life.

We originally had jerry can holders mounted each side on front A frame, outside of the Gas bottles - they made accessing the front boot difficult, so we had them removed. Much better access.

Two louvered hatch/doors behind the fridge (large two door, 3 way, Dometic, Tropical) allow the rear of the fridge to let heat escape when parked up - they can be opened up and become an awning at the back of the fridge - the child bride always has ice cold wine.

It is considered to be a luxury van - new models now costing around $159,000.00, but you can see and feel the quality, it's definitely not a plastic box on wheels.

Ondway2grey · Veteran Member

@ Possum3

Thanks for the insights. Sounds like you don't miss the jerry cans. What size water tanks do you have? I have also read about getting the tropical rating & ensuring good ventilation for the fridge. I agree the Evernew's look a quality van (just waiting for the right one to pop up). Thanks.

vince56 · Senior Member

The favourite parts of our Crusader is the rear bed / front ensuite set up which allows the vertically flat rear wall to be a bed head, amazing the amount of people who comment on the ability to sit up straight in bed, small thing but very comfortable.
We have recliners, VERY comfy and people who have been on the road for a while sit in them and comment on the luxurious feel of a soft leather reclining chair as opposed to the upright cafe / club lounges.
Agree with Possum, ceramic toilet worthwhile despite weight.
For us we wouldn't be without the island queen bed (with topper over innerspring mattress).

Brodie Allen · Guru

I have had about6 vans over the years.

Best invention yet was the slide-out bed.

Turned a 19-footer into a 21-footer equivalent.

The big window at my feet is better than looking at the kitchen!

And a German diesel heater. 10 years all winter travelling 4 months
and 8- 10 hours/day - wouldn't know it was there.

B

Possum3 · Guru

Ondway2grey wrote:
@ Possum3
Thanks for the insights. Sounds like you don't miss the jerry cans. What size water tanks do you have? I have also read about getting the tropical rating & ensuring good ventilation for the fridge. I agree the Evernew's look a quality van (just waiting for the right one to pop up). Thanks.

We do a lot of "Outback" travelling but never needed extra fuel - the Patrols are relatively economical on fuel (17/19 Liter per 100klm), particularly with all that excess power on tap.

Water two tanks at 90 liter each in van - also carry 30-liter Keg in tug if going off grid. I carry a small fold up scaffold/bench in boot of van that is correct height to match water fillers - the idea being to sit 30-liter keg and gravity feed water to tank/s.

Keg also used when camping off grid and unhitched - to collect water.

Gundog · Guru

I agree with Vince Cafe or similar seating very poor, one of the best things we done was to have it removed and 2 swivel recliners installed.

3 Way fridges a nightmare, we installed a Domestic digital inverter household fridge more efficient and no problems ater 8 years ( recently left the van unpowerer at a caravan park for 9 days the fridge ran off the battery and inverter, on our return it was still running)

Recently we replaced the roof top Airconditioner with a domestic split-system, the difference in cooling and performance is like cheese and chalk, I was talked out of doing this 5 years ago, silly me.

As for diesel heaters unless you are planning on free camping a lot, then they are a waste of time a $20 fan heater does the job.

If I was to buy a new van tomorrow there it wouldnt have any roof top vents particually the one's that are perspex, all the acheive is to magnify the heat in summer.

Ondway2grey · Veteran Member

I have seen the recommendation a few times now for a compressor fridge over the 3 way.

I also came across this van in looking at all different options https://mobinomad.com.au/. It seemed to be one of the only ones that used a domestic a/c.

When using the camper trailer I started with the $20 heater. Did the job, but after an update to the diesel heater much nicer heat & can't beat the efficiency as mentioned for the free camp.

@Possum3
What size fuel tank do you have? Long range?
I like the idea of the little table to siphon. Beats holding a 20L jerry.

Cupie · Guru

Some really good ideas here.

I am particularly impressed with the ventilation at the rear of the 3 way fridge, if you are going that way. Also installing recliners is something that we should have done years ago. Too late now.

But I do like our double bed with pull out extension piece.

A full ensuite across the back with separate shower & toilet is luxury.

Not so sure about the ceramic toilet though, but I haven't experienced one in a van. Have to be really good to justify the extra weight if it's at the rear of the van.

We don't camp off grid so water carrying capacity is a non issue for us.

I reckon that a sail track & full length shade screen along the side opposite to the awning is really good for shading the van, providing privacy & somewhere to park up the 4WD out of the sun if required. For me a good spot to store the kayaks too. But you should look at a cord & pulley system to fit the shade cloth without needing assistance.

-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 11th of February 2024 10:58:00 AM

Possum3 · Guru

Ondway2grey wrote:
@Possum3
What size fuel tank do you have? Long range?
I like the idea of the little table to siphon. Beats holding a 20L jerry.

130-liter fuel tank (petrol) no reserve tank in Y62.

I don't siphon - tap at bottom of 30-liter keg, I attach 300mm X 12mm dia clear plastic tube to tap, then put other end direct into filler.

Fold up work bench/scaffold has four height positions (telescopic legs) also used at top height to stand on whilst washing solar panels, or similar top of van tasks. I bought mine on special at Super Cheap $89.00 years ago - never travel without it - even use it sometimes as a BBQ stand - top 800mm X 350mm.

AndyCap100 · Senior Member

Hi ,we had a 20ft Jayco Journey first, front bed and slanting front window ,literally a pain in the neck if you like ,as we do to read in bed .The `L` shape lounge area also looked straight onto the kitchen ,was terrible .
We now have a 21 ft Journey ,mid caravan slide out bed ,large upright window behind to prop the pillows against and another in front to make it feel light and airy ,its bliss .
U shape lounge at the front ,with 3 lots of windows around ,again perfect . The slide out really does make an enormous amount of differance .
Diesel heater keeps us nice and toasty here in NZ.
What would i swop ? The 2 stupid small front side locker doors for the larger ones on our previous Journey .Its the same larger space inside so why put smaller bloody doors on !!!
Cheers ,rock on , Andy .

KJB · Guru

AndyCap100 wrote:
Hi ,we had a 20ft Jayco Journey first, front bed and slanting front window ,literally a pain in the neck if you like ,as we do to read in bed .The `L` shape lounge area also looked straight onto the kitchen ,was terrible .
We now have a 21 ft Journey ,mid caravan slide out bed ,large upright window behind to prop the pillows against and another in front to make it feel light and airy ,its bliss .
U shape lounge at the front ,with 3 lots of windows around ,again perfect . The slide out really does make an enormous amount of differance .
Diesel heater keeps us nice and toasty here in NZ.
What would i swop ? The 2 stupid small front side locker doors for the larger ones on our previous Journey .Its the same larger space inside so why put smaller bloody doors on !!!
Cheers ,rock on , Andy .

Remove the small doors and replace with larger doors ....all these doors, hatches and windows etc. are available from caravan parts outlets.

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Think about when you are stuck inside because of the weather, the insects or whatever. You need to maximise the view to the outside, not look at walls.

Lots of big windows and cross flow ventilation.

We have nothing above bench height at the rear where our seats are so we have an unrestricted 270 degree view to the outside.

06 Seats & tableE.jpg

We find that our outside fold down table with storage, light, water and gas cooker is a winner.

05-06-30 07cE.jpg

Weight distribution is not just about ball weight. At least as important is keeping the yaw inertia low. That means avoid weight at the ends of the van and concentrate it over the axle.

KKEM 000066 VR2048 CB465 16x9 2m 240111A (youtube.com)

Cheers,

Peter

Ondway2grey · Veteran Member

Hi Peter,

Some great ideas with the view & having good crossflow (with midgee mesh of course).

Agree with the weight over the axle & as low as possible. It is interesting to see some van designs where tbm tare stamped is already at the non legislated rule of thumb of 10% & everything is yet to be stored forward of the axle.

I like the pull out containers in the pic. We did a similar thing in the camper. No extra weight & volume loss of stainless steel bracketry.

Cheers.

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

And overhead cupboards where stuff stays where you put it when the roads get rough.

Cheers,
Peter

AndyCap100 · Senior Member

KJB, Thanks for that bit of enlightening advice ,Aussie brain working overtime to come up with that snippet .!!