Layout advice for T6.1 LWB Twin slider

[Penguin Power]

Hey, we're about to buy a T6.1 LWB Twin electric slider van. We have two young kids so want to have them within reach while driving. We want the van to be usable for occasional commuting, family camping and one off city breaks for the two of us. I'm thinking of going modular, so day to day its a people carrier, then for a family camp trip we setup our bell tent on the driver's side as an awning and have a wind out awning of the passenger side. Then have a three seat belt bed on rails about 1.2m wide, leaving space for a unit down the driver's side. I'm thinking we partially cover the drivers side slider with a unit and the have a fold out part that can cover the door completely. In that space we would also have a mobile domestic style fridge and loads of power sockets. Then you can access that bit of unit from the outside. So then thinking of having an induction hob on the end closest to the driver's seat. Then not sure what to do wit the rest of the units. Also might get a unit on the ceiling at the back above the bed. Also have a pop top. Plus we need a heater.

I've done a rough drawing to illustrate.

Any ideas/critiques on the layout?
We'll mostly be on leisure battery rather than EHU so need to think how feasible the induction hob would be, and we would also bring a stand alone gas one for bigger trips.

Thanks in advance

 

[EricVanDynamite]

this was essentially our dilemma but in a swb.
We ended up going for the 112 glide motion rib bed. And the twin slider kitchen from EvoMotion Design. Photos attached below.
Happy to answer any questions if that’s useful.

 

[Penguin Power]

Oh wow that looks smart. Yeah we have very similar ideas. We definitely want three belts in the back and so we'd end up with less unit depth. How would you rate the comfort of the RIB bed? Do you know if there's a wider 3 belt version?

The pine coloured table, what do you use it for?

What do you use each unit for?

If you were doing ours, what would you advise us from what you've learnt?
(I'm off to bed shortly if I don't reply until tomorrow)

 

[EricVanDynamite]

Im sure they do a wider version, yes.
It’s very hard as a seat, and very high. Doesn’t bother my 7 year old in his seat but it’s tough on a long journey for an adult, especially a 5ft 1 wife. But we wedge an awning under her feet to rest on and she’s happy enough.

It’s fine to sleep on with a topper though.

We use the pine table as a bit of worktop extension, or swing it out the van to cook on when it’s nice out.

There’s not a tonne of storage - we have to pack carefully. Bedding under the bed. Food in the low unit. Cooking and other food in the left side of the wardrobe, clothes and other bits in the right side of the wardrobe and clothes in the overhead locker.

There’s a slim water bottle in a low cupboard which works for us. We’re happy to accept some compromises when camping as they don’t outweigh the practicalities of it being our daily and only vehicle.

I think with a lwb you would have a bit more flexibility.

Where are you based?

 

[Penguin Power]

Thanks for all the info.

Bed - I'm going to look at the Reimo ones and see

Worktop - how do you swing it out of the van

Storage - if you did the build again would you opt for more or happy with what you have?

Water - if money was no object I think I'd go for underslung tank, but I think the budget will put pay to that

We're in Bristol, you?

 

[JumpShip]

Quote - setup our bell tent on the driver's side as an awning and have a wind out awning of the passenger side.
Be careful just how big your total set up is cuz there's many places that this kinda thing isnt gonna fit .
You'll probably have book a tent pitch rather than a camper pitch anyway (as your sleeping unit is a tent) which tend to be larger in a lot of places but make sure the pitches are big enough for all your gear before you rock up.
Also worth double checking that your parking area is next to your tent as I've been to a couple where parking is separate and thats not gonna work .

 

[EricVanDynamite]

Quote - setup our bell tent on the driver's side as an awning and have a wind out awning of the passenger side.
Be careful just how big your total set up is cuz there's many places that this kinda thing isnt gonna fit .
You'll probably have book a tent pitch rather than a camper pitch anyway (as your sleeping unit is a tent) which tend to be larger in a lot of places but make sure the pitches are big enough for all your gear before you rock up.
Also worth double checking that your parking area is next to your tent as I've been to a couple where parking is separate and thats not gonna work .

So if I’m honest we’re a cupboard short. But as you are a lwb I think you will be golden!

Swing out table uses an Ovano arm and custom top.

Down in Brighton. Was going to suggest a tour!

 

[drinfinity]

We have a Reimo which is great, and has 3 belts even on the narrower version. The Mobiframe looks good, only seen them online but they advertise they are at shows so you can look at that option.

 

[Sim667]

This was my dilemma too, but we had quite a tight budget, and with a variotech coming in at a tad under £7k fitted and a RIB EZ Glide at £5k we decided to buy a newer base vehicle (Kombi) and use an ovano style system in the back. We don’t really want units as all that happens with the ones in our current van is that my wife litters it with use makeup and empty drinks cans/bottles at festivals, and I end up tidying it all up every ten mins…… so all that stuff can go in the divorce in a bag outside that well buy to go with it

 

[Tomver]

We have a 3 belt Reimo and are happy with it. We use our van daily, weekends, holidays etc, have two young kids. For us, the width of the bed isn’t sufficient but we have a nice layout where the space between the cupboards is used to sleep as well works very well for us! When the Reimo folds down, it’s the same height as the bed. We took out the d pilar storage though, kept bumping our heads.

Maybe this helps.

 

[Charliexjr]

Hiya, similar set up to my T6 lwb rear 3 seater, on rails, great for passengers (grandkids) can move right up close behind front seats,

 

[Charliexjr]

My rear set up on rails

 

[tommorose]

We have a 3 belt Reimo and are happy with it. We use our van daily, weekends, holidays etc, have two young kids. For us, the width of the bed isn’t sufficient but we have a nice layout where the space between the cupboards is used to sleep as well works very well for us! When the Reimo folds down, it’s the same height as the bed. We took out the d pilar storage though, kept bumping our heads.

Maybe this helps.

View attachment 317424
View attachment 317425

Hi @Tomver that looks great. Would you mind sharing the bed width and where you got the furniture from?

Thanks
Tom

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

I did my own twin door sliding seat interior which you should be able to link to in my signature below.
My front unit unbolts in a few minutes which I thought would be useful but to be honest I don't take it out often.
Other key parts are the chest fridge and water storage that is accessed from the side door. The electirc hook up cable goes on the footstep below the units.
Its a Reimo 3 seat which most importantly is very comfortable as a bed.
Most of the details are in the build thread.

 

[Tomver]

Hi @Tomver that looks great. Would you mind sharing the bed width and where you got the furniture from?

Thanks
Tom

We got this conversion done at bascampers in The Netherlands. The total bed width is 160, not sure what the reimo is. I expect 120 or something close. The extra space makes a big difference for us.

 

[tommorose]

I did my own twin door sliding seat interior which you should be able to link to in my signature below.
My front unit unbolts in a few minutes which I thought would be useful but to be honest I don't take it out often.
Other key parts are the chest fridge and water storage that is accessed from the side door. The electirc hook up cable goes on the footstep below the units.
Its a Reimo 3 seat which most importantly is very comfortable as a bed.
Most of the details are in the build thread.

I might be being a bit dense, but cannot find the link to your build thread. Would you mind sharing?

 

[Bav]

I might be being a bit dense, but cannot find the link to your build thread. Would you mind sharing?

Thread 'Windsurfing Dream Van'

15 Feb 2020

Finally got the chance to build the van I really want. It will be used for surfing, cycling, camping and hopefully some epic trips abroad. Retiring this year so want to get it sorted in time for the summer.
It started out as a LWB Kombi 4Motion with an EU5 180 engine. Most powerful vehicle I have owned since I sold the Sunbeam Lotus!!
List of stuff;
Jerba - Poptop, rear windows and carpeting
Westward Leisure - Reimo 3000 with floor
Own work - Sound proof and insulate, first fix electrics, H7 headlights, Sounds like a golf door seals.
To fit, RIB Swivels, TN Power 100ah Lithium, 160w solar...

• Farnorthsurfer
• build thread.
• Replies: 70
• Forum: Camper/Day Van Conversions

• 

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

Thread 'Windsurfing Dream Van'

15 Feb 2020

Finally got the chance to build the van I really want. It will be used for surfing, cycling, camping and hopefully some epic trips abroad. Retiring this year so want to get it sorted in time for the summer.
It started out as a LWB Kombi 4Motion with an EU5 180 engine. Most powerful vehicle I have owned since I sold the Sunbeam Lotus!!
List of stuff;
Jerba - Poptop, rear windows and carpeting
Westward Leisure - Reimo 3000 with floor
Own work - Sound proof and insulate, first fix electrics, H7 headlights, Sounds like a golf door seals.
To fit, RIB Swivels, TN Power 100ah Lithium, 160w solar...

• Farnorthsurfer
• build thread.
• Replies: 70
• Forum: Camper/Day Van Conversions

• 

Thanks @Bav I should pay more attention
There should be a link to that thread just under here in my signature