If you developed a slide (for the few extra feet (pun intended)) for you to sleep side to side, you would be a rich man. Could be like an accordion (rubber) and have legs to support it. There are Australian caravans that you can look at where they have walls that fold into each other that make the box. You are a great researcher, so you can find them.
Yes, I totally agree with the static layout. In my 2nd build, I have a completely static layout. The only thing that moves is the sliding dining table that comes out from the garage area, but that's it. I love that everything has its place and nothing needs to be changed to work. In my 1st van I had to slide the bed out so I could sleep front to back but in this build I sleep side to side so there's nothing to move, and it's great. I chose the Ducato (Ram Promaster for you) because it's wider than other vans and you just build bump outs into the framing at each end and get 190cm in length for the bed. I'm 187cm so it's a perfect fit for me.
Thanks for all the info. It's nice to hear how these designs worked out, or didn't, now that you've experienced using them. I was wondering about stepping on a wet bathroom floor when not showering, I'll look into a similar shower mat. You may have saved me muddy footprints or wet socks. I plan on having a pegboard with a bunch of tools. I think your pantry cabinet setup might be a perfect way to hold them without taking up wall space. Everyone seems to have floor problems. I recently watched a van build video where someone had to cut their entire floor down to the metal because there were all kinds of moisture problems. My trailer build is only partially done. I think I'm going to remove the floor, finish the walls and cabinets and everything else, then do the floor last. I'll try and have separated sub-floor areas so water can't leak between them. A whole floor mat like yours will be last. Easy to remove to deal with moisture, and easy to replace if it can't stand up to whatever wear and tear. Worst case scenario, replace it every few years as a wear component. I put ugly flood lights all around my trailer. You definitely win the contest for cool-looking. My trailer will definitely look better when some tree branch knocks off some of those lights. I think Maddie is a third-wheel in your relationship with your van :p
Loving the stache man! Also, thank you for making these update videos, it would be super fun to follow along with you on a trip to see how the van does. It's by far my favorite design for a DIY camper van
I like almost everything about your van. The few things I won't say I don't like them, it's more that they wouldn't work for me. Such as all the white. I'm not big on all the white, just a personal preference. The microwave is great but don't they make microwaves with air fryers built in now? I'd get claustrophobic in the bathroom and need a window (which would aid in ventilation. I did notice your heating system wasn't one of the things not mentioned, any reason? All in All, I love your fan and could spend a lot of time in it exactly as it did and be perfectly happy. My comments and critiques above were just personal preferences. You've done a beautiful job and all the planning, designing, redesigning. planning, replanning, building, rebuilding and hard work all show. It looks like a million buck van from some exclusive builder.
Love your van!! I patterned my build after yours for the most part. Gave me great ideas on the build!! Thank you for the inspiration!! QUESTION: could you post a link for the company you mentioned fabricated the custom teak mat for you? It’s been one of my struggles.
I’ve tried using the bathroom door and it still won’t cool the front half :/. But I invented the extendo vent which does work to keep me cool even on super hot days.
Steven, I love your build and all the effort that went into it. I also like to camp as remotely as possible, how often has 170 wheelbase been a problem off road? I am trying to decide between a 144 and 170.
144 is about 20% better off road in my opinion. I am going to try pretty hard to fit my layout into a 144 next build. That being said … if this 170 was my forever van I would be pretty happy :)
Hi Seven O. I'm 6'4" and I sleep side to side in my 144 Sprinter van without bump-outs. That said, I do sleep somewhat diagonally on the bed, but not as much as you would think. This is probably because where the rear side windows would be if the van was a Passenger van has no framing and the inside of the van is simply the exterior steel skin of the body. So, I added some insulation but was careful to keep the interior panel I used as thin as possible, so there is a conservative bump out in that area. I have never had a problem with it. I have a queen size mattress that is the full 60 inches in width, but I cut the mattress with an electric carving knife so it fits with a small space between the mattress and the side of the van. Queen size sheets and such fit fine. The trade off is less interior space, but the huge advantage is that you can park the van in any space you can park a car.
Hey SOS, love these retrospective videos now that you’ve lived with the build. How is your headroom at 6’5”? It seems like you’re good but I thought the Sprinter was too low? This is the high roof model, right? I see you’re in your socks when you’re demonstrating the pantry but you seem to be just about ok. I ask because I’m an inch taller but still really want a Sprinter. There’s a super high roof Sprinter but they don’t sell it in the US anymore… Looking forward to an alternator install video - maybe they’ll come down in price soon?!!
Love your build. Im getting a new long transit this week and your build and this other one are my top two: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5-_6V6r07jo.htmlsi=ab8IXrd8xlqe1t4M I was wondering if you ever saw this. Love your rear passenger seat as well. Great job and thanks for all the vids. Can I pick your brain sometime on ideas and tradeoffs?
Looking at your roof, seems you are missing a solar panel. Do you have anything to say about your experience with the CMP solar panels? I was looking to do something similar since I haul kayaks up top. Love your vids!
