Family Of 5 Day / occasional Weekend camping ?

[mattsummer75]

Hi All , sorry if this has been posted before......after having a T2 1968 Van in my 20's i am now looking at getting a T6 in my 40's for my family of 5 . Two teens and a 7 year old!

I would be looking to use this van as my main car to work ( Only have a short 15 min drive each day ) and then to use it for days out to the beach / surfing and weekends away with possible summer trips to Europe as well. I know most likely will have to get an awning for the teens to sleep in and would look at a Pop roof for the youngest.

I'm not really looking for a 'fully kitted out' California as such and would like something more 'basic' but with the option to cook / fridge/ sink.....I know there a MANY conversion companies and options from very basic to fully equipped across the UK and also many locally to me in Bath but really looking for some recommendations and ideas!

I would LOVE to see some photos of your VANS for an ideal set up for 5( oh and we have a dog!) with three 3 seats / rib bed across the back and minimal furniture to give a feeling of space

I guess i would also be looking at a LWB to get most use of space also.

Thanks in advance Matt

 

[t0mb0]

We have a LWB with a Reimo variotech sliding seat in the rear that seats three. On our latest trip the two eldest kids went in the poptop and the youngest (age 7 like yours) slept in a cab bunk. If you’re staying in a site for more than a few days, an awning is definitely easier with five.

 

[Cymro]

I have the same LWB set-up (Variotech 3000/bonded rails) with three sitting in the back. Being able to slide the seat forward and back is useful. Sliding forward gives more luggage room, whilst sliding back would probably provide a good space for the dog. It’s an expensive system, but gave us what we wanted.
It’s a CMC Reimo conversion so their website will give more/better photos than I can probably provide. Converting Your Van - Concept Multi-Car | VW and Reimo Campervan Conversions and Dealers

The extra 500mm length of a LWB gives the benefit of extra interior space for 5 people to shuffle around in etc. You might want to think about whether the extra length will be an issue for you with regards to parking spaces if you will use it to commute. I have a rear camera fitted which helps with short parking bays.

I have swivel seats in the front which is an useful set-up and an Eberspacher diesel heater which extends the comfortable camping season.

The tap in the sink we have has a small shower head with a retractable hose which I can pass through the side window to rinse sand off feet (or could be useful for rinsing a dog?).

Just remember, the most important addition you can make are charging points in the back for the kids’ phones and electronic devices.

 

[t0mb0]

I have the same LWB set-up (Variotech 3000/bonded rails) with three sitting in the back. Being able to slide the seat forward and back is useful. Sliding forward gives more luggage room, whilst sliding back would probably provide a good space for the dog. It’s an expensive system, but gave us what we wanted.
It’s a CMC Reimo conversion so their website will give more/better photos than I can probably provide. Converting Your Van - Concept Multi-Car | VW and Reimo Campervan Conversions and Dealers

The extra 500mm length of a LWB gives the benefit of extra interior space for 5 people to shuffle around in etc. You might want to think about whether the extra length will be an issue for you with regards to parking spaces if you will use it to commute. I have a rear camera fitted which helps with short parking bays.

I have swivel seats in the front which is an useful set-up and an Eberspacher diesel heater which extends the comfortable camping season.

The tap in the sink we have has a small shower head with a retractable hose which I can pass through the side window to rinse sand off feet (or could be useful for rinsing a dog?).

Just remember, the most important addition you can make are charging points in the back for the kids’ phones and electronic devices.

Sounds like we have a pretty similar setup, we have a CMC conversion too (TrioStyle I think they call it).

 

[IestynD]

All be it a T5, we have a Kombi as the seat options are better (IMO that is). I can remove 1, 2 or all 3 back seats in a few minutes.

We have the amdro boot jump combi kit: Amdro Website
Honestly have to say we are delighted with it. It can also be removed fully within 15 minutes. That said we leave it in all the time.
We have a Dometic CFX35 fridge - Best portable fridge we have EVER used. Its brilliant low power consumption, easy to strap in and out etc.

Our van is a van for moving timber/sheet goods, its a van for taking the kids bikes to grandmas house (nice and easy), but best of all its a family member we use all the time to ensure we get out, have fun (walking, cycling, river swiming etc. ). We are a family of 4 and coming back to the van to get warm soup, or hot pasta, and a home made latte is pretty dreamy!



This is us at Blenheim Palace.
Hot soup followed by Lattes... My mates take the mick that we only bought the Van as i'm too tight to buy £5 latte's... The van is refered to as the most expensive flask in the world!! - Hot drinks on tap, whats not to like!!

Good luck

 

[Deleted Member]

I can sleep 5 in my Kombi, 2 in the pop top, 2 on the Kombi bed and a little one on a Cabbunk at the front.

But it’s a squeeze, so we’ve added an awning rail and have a drive-away awning, which sleeps 2 people and 2 dogs on a nice comfy airbed and then the rest in the van.

We never cook in the van, you’ll stink it out so we cook outside or get a takeaway if it’s raining.

 

[t6 soon]

hi mate have a look at a california beach might suit you

 

[t0mb0]

Plenty of options here. I guess the most important high level decision you need to make is how much of a 'camper' you want to make it versus a more general purpose van that also does camping. We have a classic side kitchen layout, which for the kind of trips we do, is the only thing that would work for us but as the posts above show, there are loads of ways of doing things to achieve your specific aims.

For what it's worth, our back seat arrangement looks like the below. It's obviously not as wide as a full-width kombi size seat but it's fine for our lot currently. Maybe get yourself down to a converter and sit in some different seats to check space?

 

[SENTINEL]

Plenty of options here. I guess the most important high level decision you need to make is how much of a 'camper' you want to make it versus a more general purpose van that also does camping. We have a classic side kitchen layout, which for the kind of trips we do, is the only thing that would work for us but as the posts above show, there are loads of ways of doing things to achieve your specific aims.

For what it's worth, our back seat arrangement looks like the below. It's obviously not as wide as a full-width kombi size seat but it's fine for our lot currently. Maybe get yourself down to a converter and sit in some different seats to check space?

View attachment 83837

What make is the rail and storage bag set up please? That looks useful!

 

[t0mb0]

What make is the rail and storage bag set up please? That looks useful!

The rail is just part of the Reimo Variotech sliding seat. The storage bags are DIY, just bought cheap satchels and used screw/rivet on poppers to create a detachable fitting to the base of the seat. It gives each of the kids a travel bag to keep a few bits in.

 

[SENTINEL]

The rail is just part of the Reimo Variotech sliding seat. The storage bags are DIY, just bought cheap satchels and used screw/rivet on poppers to create a detachable fitting to the base of the seat. It gives each of the kids a travel bag to keep a few bits in.

Thanks, great idea.

 

[Cymro]

Sounds like we have a pretty similar setup, we have a CMC conversion too (TrioStyle I think they call it).

Yes, same one and very happy with it. The only problem I have had has been the edging on the under-seat drawer has come away in places which I have re-applied with contact adhesive and something in the drawer under the hob has snagged a wire which needs soldering back on.

 

[mattsummer75]

Thanks all for the comments very useful and certainly a lot to think about .

will be visiting some local converter companies and also heading to the show at Bath and West next weekend .


What do you do for bed options in the Kombi?

 

[IestynD]

Thanks all for the comments very useful and certainly a lot to think about .

will be visiting some local converter companies and also heading to the show at Bath and West next weekend .


What do you do for bed options in the Kombi?

Amdro Kombi boot jump as my above post. Very comfy and takes up soo little space.

 

[russ_e]

A Kombi and a decent tent could be a better solution.

 

[SENTINEL]

All be it a T5, we have a Kombi as the seat options are better (IMO that is). I can remove 1, 2 or all 3 back seats in a few minutes.

We have the amdro boot jump combi kit: Amdro Website
Honestly have to say we are delighted with it. It can also be removed fully within 15 minutes. That said we leave it in all the time.
We have a Dometic CFX35 fridge - Best portable fridge we have EVER used. Its brilliant low power consumption, easy to strap in and out etc.

Our van is a van for moving timber/sheet goods, its a van for taking the kids bikes to grandmas house (nice and easy), but best of all its a family member we use all the time to ensure we get out, have fun (walking, cycling, river swiming etc. ). We are a family of 4 and coming back to the van to get warm soup, or hot pasta, and a home made latte is pretty dreamy!


View attachment 83808View attachment 83809View attachment 83810
This is us at Blenheim Palace.
Hot soup followed by Lattes... My mates take the mick that we only bought the Van as i'm too tight to buy £5 latte's... The van is refered to as the most expensive flask in the world!! - Hot drinks on tap, whats not to like!!

Good luck

Oh, looks like they have sold out and not planning to make any more at the moment. That's a pity.