Interior - i'm in a bit of a pickle!

[TheGrapeEscape]

Evening everyone, I'm having a bit of a nightmare.

After just over a year of having the new kitchen and 3/4 rock n roll bed, i'm having urges to rip it all out and change to a U shape design.

Ideally, the u shape seems the better option for me, but i'm having a few doubts, mainly the following

1) resale value - am i devaluing the van with a u shape and no pop top?
2) lack of seat belts/same as above - will a van with just two captain seats be desirable when I come to sell?

The only reasons i'm doubting the kitchen is because I've never used the sink or hob, can't really get to the cupboard when the rnr is in bed position and then there's the need for more space (feels crowded when lay in bed because its swb)

Current setup


And what I'm looking at (minus the hob)



What do you guys think?

Am I being stupid wanting change, or should I just wait until I've got a different camper?

 

[Bav]

If it helps your decision, you can get a u-shape set-up with seatbelts...

Solace - Cascade Conversions

Solace Conversion tested ‘U’ shaped seat/ bed system, only available to Cascade Conversions. The only company in the UK / EU has the patent to install this

cascadeconversions.co.uk

 

[Paynewright]

Ooo thats a difficult one when you’ve put so much energy into the build.

For us, good sleep is a priority over everything else - we’re done camping on air mattresses and a menopausal wife needs space!

Is there anything you could do to improve the sleeping arrangements? Bit drastic but could you convert the tall cupboard to something low level to increase the bed width? Bit of infil cover matched foam would increase the bed to full van width!

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

Ooo thats a difficult one when you’ve put so much energy into the build.

For us, good sleep is a priority over everything else - we’re done camping on air mattresses and a menopausal wife needs space!

Is there anything you could do to improve the sleeping arrangements? Bit drastic but could you convert the tall cupboard to something low level to increase the bed width? Bit of infil cover matched foam would increase the bed to full van width!

I think the only way to increase it is full width rnr bed. I've been offered £1800 for current kitchen. Bed, sink and hob (no fridge) and vanproject77 are offering a u shape with unit for 1500

 

[Paynewright]

I’ve seen set ups with low level units aside the R&R bed to extend the width and keep the cooker unit.

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

I have found a low level unit which i like, but it's the same height as my normal cabinet, so a fair bit higher than the rnr bed. I'd consider keeping the rnr bed and having that low level with just a sink and no hob.

 

[Hobo Mikey]

When I get my T6 I need a full width bed and really like the lounge set up so that’s the way I will be going. I don’t need seat belts in the rear. I will be building it for two not a family of four. If that de values when I come to sell it, so be it. While I own, I am building it as a keeper, I want it the way I want it to enjoy.

 

[stehunter9]

Hi, we bought a new "standard layout" camper from a converter just over 2 yrs ago. Last year we realised the rib bed upright seating position was not that comfortable for us so decide U shape was the way forward as there are only the 2 of us so additional belted seats are not important. We had all of the reservations you mention about resale etc but realised the camper was for us to use at present and there are more U shape layouts being produced so there must be demand. We went ahead, I built all of the furniture myself from furniture ply, had the upholstery made and integrated all of the old appliaces etc. Sold the old furniture and bed for about the same as you have been offered. We are really happy with the outcome as it allows us to stretch out in comfort and generally gives more space in bed and seating.

 

[cgtmiles]

Evening everyone, I'm having a bit of a nightmare.

After just over a year of having the new kitchen and 3/4 rock n roll bed, i'm having urges to rip it all out and change to a U shape design.

Ideally, the u shape seems the better option for me, but i'm having a few doubts, mainly the following

1) resale value - am i devaluing the van with a u shape and no pop top?
2) lack of seat belts/same as above - will a van with just two captain seats be desirable when I come to sell?

The only reasons i'm doubting the kitchen is because I've never used the sink or hob, can't really get to the cupboard when the rnr is in bed position and then there's the need for more space (feels crowded when lay in bed because its swb)

Current setup

View attachment 314420
And what I'm looking at (minus the hob)

View attachment 314419

What do you guys think?

Am I being stupid wanting change, or should I just wait until I've got a different camper?

Crowded in bed

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

If it helps your decision, you can get a u-shape set-up with seatbelts...

Solace - Cascade Conversions

Solace Conversion tested ‘U’ shaped seat/ bed system, only available to Cascade Conversions. The only company in the UK / EU has the patent to install this

cascadeconversions.co.uk

Just had a price back....£5,600

 

[cgtmiles]

I guess if you want a full size bed and don’t want a kitchen then why not go for a beach/day van type layout?

I like the look of these U shaped layouts and would consider it myself if starting over but the cutout in the bed for the kitchen (especially in a SWB) makes it a little pointless (or at least awkward ) to me.

I don’t like sitting on the RIB bed when camping, I always sit on my swivelled driving seat, but are these really more comfortable, but It really depends on the quality of the cushions I guess (same for bed) so really needs to be verified before any purchase.

The other negative of this layout is that there is virtually zero boot space, yes the under seats could be used but does that really make up for it?

When it comes to resell price, you are really in the lap of the gods as to what somebody would pay for it regardless and f the layout, all you can do to maximise the return is ensure the everything is done to a high quality so if someone does come to look at it they appreciate the value. But should this really be a concern for you? Are you building a camper to sell or to use?

 

[StratosFearXX]

If you can get 1800 for existing and U shape is 1500 I'd do it in an instant, no brainer for me, can't stand the 'standard' camper setup personally, like a bit of space and that's in short supply in a SWB!

 

[JOG]

Just had a price back....£5,600

That will help focus one’s thinking!

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

Hi, we bought a new "standard layout" camper from a converter just over 2 yrs ago. Last year we realised the rib bed upright seating position was not that comfortable for us so decide U shape was the way forward as there are only the 2 of us so additional belted seats are not important. We had all of the reservations you mention about resale etc but realised the camper was for us to use at present and there are more U shape layouts being produced so there must be demand. We went ahead, I built all of the furniture myself from furniture ply, had the upholstery made and integrated all of the old appliaces etc. Sold the old furniture and bed for about the same as you have been offered. We are really happy with the outcome as it allows us to stretch out in comfort and generally gives more space in bed and seating.

View attachment 314423

That's a great set up!

When I bought my van. It had no bed, just a little pod unit with fridge, sink and hob (no worktop) . Kind of wish I kept that and just got the u shape.

Had two people wanting my furniture. 1 wants the kitchen for £1100 with sink, hob and gas bottle. The other wants bed included at £1800. Only trouble is, only 12 months ago, it cost me over 3k all in . I'm wondering if i'm silly losing so much on it

 

[ben5560]

I mean i would offer you more than that, if you wanted to sell it all together...

 

[Bav]

Just had a price back....£5,600

Oops!

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

Nuclear option, sell it as is and buy a LWB

 

[aliwhitevanman]

Hi, we bought a new "standard layout" camper from a converter just over 2 yrs ago. Last year we realised the rib bed upright seating position was not that comfortable for us so decide U shape was the way forward as there are only the 2 of us so additional belted seats are not important. We had all of the reservations you mention about resale etc but realised the camper was for us to use at present and there are more U shape layouts being produced so there must be demand. We went ahead, I built all of the furniture myself from furniture ply, had the upholstery made and integrated all of the old appliaces etc. Sold the old furniture and bed for about the same as you have been offered. We are really happy with the outcome as it allows us to stretch out in comfort and generally gives more space in bed and seating.

View attachment 314423

That looks awesome.

 

[aliwhitevanman]

When I get my T6 I need a full width bed and really like the lounge set up so that’s the way I will be going. I don’t need seat belts in the rear. I will be building it for two not a family of four. If that de values when I come to sell it, so be it. While I own, I am building it as a keeper, I want it the way I want it to enjoy.

Hi just to let you know that's been my thoughts too. I'm literally inches away from finishing so if your keen I'll share the design, the cushions will be finished mid march.

In essence I wanted to keep the van for multi use:
Its a SWB T6.1, hard top kombi
1. Daily use with U shape rear end, or not.
2. Adapt for weekend. for putting bikes in etc and sleeping
3 Full on 'camping when required
4. Full width bed
5. Literally all furniture comes out when required and can be flat packed away, its basically a sheet of 8x 4 buffalo board cut to specific roles
6 Can remove second row double and single (factory) if required.
7 Will take an full awning side or rear and/or sun shade awning
8 All required 'camping' kit gets thrown in when required.
9 I've designed the second row double seat to turn round and face the rear, so part of living space. and part of bed at night.
10 It will have 2 tables if required
11 EHU literally just comes into the van and at moment not connected to the vans electrics, just so you can use 240v on a site, I've only a SB.
12 A few battery banks which will power fridge, separate to the van electric circuit (led lights outside lights, fan, airfryer, etc), linked to unfixed solar panels.

I wanted this as cheap and flexible as possible, but with some class about it.
I've pinched many ideas off here, which quite honestly is the best place to get advice.

I'm sorry to hijack thread but thought the author and Mikey may appreciate, I'll post photos when cushions ready as they will finish it off and show the possible combinations hopefully.

cheers Ali

 

[stehunter9]

Not sure if you've advertised your old bed/furniture or just had someone make an offer but try your hand at advertising it, you may get more £ for it. You already had Ben5560 above willing to talk? Our thoughts on changing included the fact that if you're thinking about changing at all you not happy with what youve got so not going for it will continue to niggle until you do something about it. Think about exactly what you want and go for it so its right for you. I built ours for that reason as we couldn't get exactly what we wanted off the shelf as such.