Evo motion design and Vanshades - can they work?

Skyliner33

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Just wondering if anyone has managed to get a work around for fitting Vanshades with an Evo motion Design set of furniture?

Evo Motion say they wont fit there splashbacks.
 
In a similar predicament. Have Evo side unit. Van Furniture full length splashback/side panel (I think is designed for vanshades to fit), which replaced the Evo splash back. Want to replace my curtains. My observations:

The evo splashback has a much bigger window aperture, so suspect the Vanshade will not sit inside that. I did actually make a copy template and here is a pic of the plywood copy template and Evo silver splash back superimposed

1758015613118.png

The van furniture full length panel is the mdf one with black stripes. Its about 10mm thick. I have to have my Evo side unit tight to the side to fit my 115-8(?)cm Cali bench on rails. This means there isnt a lot of space behind the panel for the shade to go in. This might not be an issue for you.

I made a template of the panel to get the mounting holes in the right place and because I might want to replace it with something thinner in the future - the Evo splash panel is a better scribe and also includes the cut out for the C-Piller, which I added to the van furniture panel. I think the van furniture panel is designed to take a vanshade and sit much further out into the van (on batons) to allow space for the vanshade behind and probably sit above the side unit, not overlapped behind. It overlaps on mine possibly because of the raised floor for the cali rails. I could cut it to sit above the side unit but then it might foul the door of my top loading fridge. All doable, I just need to put a bit more thought into it.

Also will be looking for a cheaper option than Vanshades 😂
 
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I don't have a splashback but will be looking to add vanshades with evomotion furniture.

I just need to sell a kidney first.
 
In a similar predicament. Have Evo side unit. Van Furniture full length splashback/side panel (I think is designed for vanshades to fit), which replaced the Evo splash back. Want to replace my curtains. My observations:

The evo splashback has a much bigger window aperture, so suspect the Vanshade will not sit inside that. I did actually make a copy template and here is a pic of the plywood copy template and Evo silver splash back superimposed

View attachment 303367

The van furniture full length panel is the mdf one with black stripes. Its about 10mm thick. I have to have my Evo side unit tight to the side to fit my 115-8(?)cm Cali bench on rails. This means there isnt a lot of space behind the panel for the shade to go in. This might not be an issue for you.

I made a template of the panel to get the mounting holes in the right place and because I might want to replace it with something thinner in the future - the Evo splash panel is a better scribe and also includes the cut out for the C-Piller, which I added to the van furniture panel. I think the van furniture panel is designed to take a vanshade and sit much further out into the van (on batons) to allow space for the vanshade behind and probably sit above the side unit, not overlapped behind. It overlaps on mine possibly because of the raised floor for the cali rails. I could cut it to sit above the side unit but then it might foul the door of my top loading fridge. All doable, I just need to put a bit more thought into it.

Also will be looking for a cheaper option than Vanshades 😂
Thanks, thats really helpful.

Just to get a few things clear - you have the Evo furniture along the side of your van? Which units do you have? Any pics?

Is this the panel you mean?

Screenshot 2025-09-16 at 13.28.58.webp

I think the OEM cali bed on rails is 112cm (thats what I have). I am really struggling to get s set of furniture that works with the extra height of the floor. (27mm). In some ways I am regretting fitting the Cali rails as its making linf really difficult to get a set of units (combined with a Horizon roof).

I had pretty much decided on Evo furniture until the said they wont work with the Vanshades.

I think I am stuck with going for a top loading fridge, again because of the Cali bed and rails. It wont slide to the front with the step out for a front fridge. So almost defeats the pint of doing it.

I wanted to fit a Vanshades printed splashback.
I will be very interested in what solution you come up with. I might have to go with Van Furnitre units and see what they can do.
 
I don't have a splashback but will be looking to add vanshades with evomotion furniture.

I just need to sell a kidney first.
If you don't have a splashback where would you mount all the switches/sockets/12V outles and all the other gubbins?
 
If you don't have a splashback where would you mount all the switches/sockets/12V outles and all the other gubbins?
I'm having a pop-up power outlet in the worktop for 240v stuff plus USB ports.

Then I have a USB outlet in the C-Pillar.

Will be adding further USB outlets from the LB once I know where I want them.

The lights are controlled from a switch in the B-Pillar.
 
1758028025604.png

1758028054169.png
This is my set up. T5.1, first installed during 2017.

My Cali bed is 115cm wide (just checked). I discussed this combo with evo when I bought the Evo5 front section and they said it would work if pulled against the wall and it did.

The extra Height of the Cali floor hasn't made much of a difference. Their fitting instructions do say to trim the bottom of the full height rear sections if fitting to a raised floor but this didnt apply to me as was fitting the front section only.

I have been really pleased with the Cali bed, being able to slide it all the way forward has been brilliant for bike and furniture lugging. Trips to the tip etc. I now use it with a 4" trifold mattress that sits on the multiplex board, which is super comfy.

I fitted the home made rear low cupboard (with water jug), front gas locker, Van Furniture side panel and top cupboard this year when I replaced the electrics. The other thing that irks me about the Van Furniture rear panel is it is scribed so the stripes are parallel to the top (which slopes slightly on a transporter) not base unit work tops, so you can see them at an angle in the picture with the bottom black stripe disappearing behind the rear unit. I would much prefer them parallel to the work top and the angle being behind the over head lockers when its not so noticeable. If they were local and I had more time I think I would have returned it and made my own. As it was I was in a rush, had driven down to "MTB Van" (who are excellent btw) in Macclesfield from Dumfries to collect it, and distracted by a family crisis so pressed on.

Evo design component quality and customer service has been outstanding, lots of little details have made me very pleased. My experience of van furniture is too limited to say.

You can get Evo side units with a slim depth front opening fridge which will allow the sliding bed to come all the way forward.

On the Van shades dilemma. I think I just need to put some more thought into it. I need more space behind the wall panel, so maybe it has to go above the worktop but then there is the fridge door thing. I might make a new wall panel out of Aluminium composite panel (ACP), which is what the evo one is. Possibly get a print overlaid on it. I have two unused Evo splashbacks (even loooonger story) so may use them
I find Vanshades very expensive for what they are and the website unhelpful (the title bar takes up 40% of my laptop screen so difficult to see the product). I would need to visit to be happy with what I am getting. I would like to research other alternatives eg The ikea hack, all the ones on ebay, the other company that make them.
(I am also contemplating removing the gas altogther or even just buying a Crafter :rolleyes:😂)

It looks like what we are trying to achieve is similar
 
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I'm having a pop-up power outlet in the worktop for 240v stuff plus USB ports.

Then I have a USB outlet in the C-Pillar.

Will be adding further USB outlets from the LB once I know where I want them.

The lights are controlled from a switch in the B-Pillar.
Similar. On mine.

The main cluster on the side beyond the fridge door so it doesn't foul them are 240v x 2, USB A & C, Rear & Middle recessed lights, Inverter control panel. If didnt use full length side panel would make a small panel and fit to carpeted lining for this cluster.

I have two additional 240v sockets wall mounted by the front of the base unit and one in the NS B pillar.

12v socket by tailgate and on both B Pillars. Additional USB A & C sockets on both B pillars. Front and side door footwell lightswitch on top of NS B pillar just inside sliding door .

Two LED strip lights under overhead lockers.
 
View attachment 303382

View attachment 303383
This is my set up. T5.1, first installed during 2017.

My Cali bed is 115cm wide (just checked). I discussed this combo with evo when I bought the Evo5 front section and they said it would work if pulled against the wall and it did.
Thanks, that looks good. Im shocked at that as all Cali beds are supposed to be the same, to fit the Cali furniture. /puzzled.

The extra Height of the Cali floor hasn't made much of a difference. Their fitting instructions do say to trim the bottom of the full height rear sections if fitting to a raised floor but this didnt apply to me as was fitting the front section only.
They now adjust and cut units for the 27mm floor so even better
I fitted the home made rear low cupboard (with water jug), front gas locker, Van Furniture side panel and top cupboard this year when I replaced the electrics. The other thing that irks me about the Van Furniture rear panel is it is scribed so the stripes are parallel to the top (which slopes slightly on a transporter) not base unit work tops, so you can see them at an angle in the picture with the bottom black stripe disappearing behind the rear unit. I would much prefer them parallel to the work top and the angle being behind the over head lockers when its not so noticeable. If they were local and I had more time I think I would have returned it and made my own. As it was I was in a rush, had driven down to "MTB Van" (who are excellent btw) in Macclesfield from Dumfries to collect it, and distracted by a family crisis so pressed on.

Evo design component quality and customer service has been outstanding, lots of little details have made me very pleased. My experience of van furniture is too limited to say.

You can get Evo side units with a slim depth front opening fridge which will allow the sliding bed to come all the way forward.

On the Van shades dilemma. I think I just need to put some more thought into it. I need more space behind the wall panel, so maybe it has to go above the worktop but then there is the fridge door thing. I might make a new wall panel out of Aluminium composite panel (ACP), which is what the evo one is. Possibly get a print overlaid on it. I have two unused Evo splashbacks (even loooonger story) so may use them
I find Vanshades very expensive for what they are and the website unhelpful (the title bar takes up 40% of my laptop screen so difficult to see the product). I would need to visit to be happy with what I am getting. I would like to research other alternatives eg The ikea hack, all the ones on ebay, the other company that make them.
(I am also contemplating removing the gas altogther or even just buying a Crafter :rolleyes:😂)

It looks like what we are trying to achieve is similar

I agree about Vanshades, but haven't found a better product but as I already have 2 fitted I'm hoping to go with them for the third window (behind the units).

Not being able to fit the Vanshades to the Evo furniture is therefor a deal breaker. I guess the solution would be to fit the vanshades pod and forget a splashback. Then Im struggling to fit the switches etc.

Yes, I think we are trying to find the same solutions.

BTW any rattles from the tambour doors?
 
I agree about Vanshades, but haven't found a better product but as I already have 2 fitted I'm hoping to go with them for the third window (behind the units).

Not being able to fit the Vanshades to the Evo furniture is therefor a deal breaker. I guess the solution would be to fit the vanshades pod and forget a splashback. Then Im struggling to fit the switches etc.

Yes, I think we are trying to find the same solutions.

BTW any rattles from the tambour doors?

If Vanshades were anywhere near me I would go over and talk to them. I am not sure they are incompatible with the Units, just the splashback with the bigger size aperture and maybe the splashback/wall panel/whatever used, needs to sit forward of the back of the evo units and over the worktop to get sufficient depth. Whats the depth they require and how does the sliding window handles affect this?

Is your rear section full height?

I would have thought switch location is the least of your worries. Loads of places to fit.

(My Cali bed is probably from a 2013-2016 T5.1. That might be why different width. If yours is 112cm then have an extra 3cm to play with. Thats loads!! 😂 )

No rattles from front tambour in 8 years. Didnt use one at the rear as they take up too much storage space when open & rolled up IMO
 
If Vanshades were anywhere near me I would go over and talk to them. I am not sure they are incompatible with the Units, just the splashback with the bigger size aperture and maybe the splashback/wall panel/whatever used, needs to sit forward of the back of the evo units and over the worktop to get sufficient depth. Whats the depth they require and how does the sliding window handles affect this?

Is your rear section full height?

I would have thought switch location is the least of your worries. Loads of places to fit.

(My Cali bed is probably from a 2013-2016 T5.1. That might be why different width. If yours is 112cm then have an extra 3cm to play with. Thats loads!! 😂 )

No rattles from front tambour in 8 years. Didnt use one at the rear as they take up too much storage space when open & rolled up IMO
I might be going to see a converter later this week not too far from Vanshades, I could maybe call in and speak to them?

I havent bought a set of furniture yet. I would like to fit a full height unit at the rear.

Haha at 3cm.

Thats good to know about the tambour.
 
Interesting. If I did without a splashback it would fit. I wonder if you fitted the Vanshades splashback after, so that it sits on top of the worktop rather than dropping behind then it could work.
 
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