new member - question about lwb vs swb internal dimensions

[thehman]

Hi,

Been lurking on the forum for a while now - unbelievable amount of info and some great looking vans.

We are finally getting round to pulling the trigger and getting a van - looking for a 6.1 transporter to convert myself into a weekend van / MTB van.

Favouring two side sofa / units which can convert to full width bed (full width bed is a must for the wife - otherwise no van!) with kitchen unit between drivers seat and bed.

We are trying to decide between SWB (wife) and LWB (me). I am trying to find out the actual usable internal length when there is no bulkhead in place so I can work out what length bed + kitchen I can build in.

Looking at...

VW Transporter dimensions | Van Guide

Get all the information you need on Van ownership, maintenance, modifications and technical specifications.

www.vanguide.co.uk

They have the following dimensions. I presume the difference is to account for the bulkhead and possibly the seat backs being at an angle.

SWB 232cm - 257cm (at floor level)

LWB 272cm - 297cm (at floor level)

So when the bulkhead is gone, what is the max length I can work with?

 

[Paynewright]

We have a SWB and full size bed. Just fitted swivels on captains chairs and it really opens up the space. That said only about 50cm at the end of the bed!

 

[airhoguk]

I fitted 1800mm benches from van furniture in our swb previously. Still allowed a 400mm wide unit on the drivers side for a fridge. Had an Underslung water tank that fitted around the spare wheel. Made up into a full width bed at night

 

[manfrotto]

Our van is a LWB with no bulkhead. I have built a full length bed with a kitchen between the bed and back of drivers seat. The backrest of the drivers seat does slope back and the seat also slides forward/backward, so at bench height quite a bit of lenghth is lost compared with at floor level.



For self containment in NZ we have a requirement for a Toilet, but you could put a small fridge there instead. It would be challenging in a SWB.

 

[drinfinity]

LWB ever time for this use. I have the regular 3/4 bed layout, and use the van for weekends with bikes. That extra 400 mm makes a huge difference. It gives you room to stand up and move around to get changed/make breakfast with the bed down, and makes it easier to carry bikes on the inside. I did a road bike event with a mate in their SWB, and found it much more constricted. I still park it in regular parking bays.

15% more van space for almost the same money.

 

[CSG]

LWB ever time for this use. I have the regular 3/4 bed layout, and use the van for weekends with bikes. That extra 400 mm makes a huge difference. It gives you room to stand up and move around to get changed/make breakfast with the bed down, and makes it easier to carry bikes on the inside. I did a road bike event with a mate in their SWB, and found it much more constricted. I still park it in regular parking bays.

15% more van space for almost the same money

 

[CSG]

Hi, that's a very interesting read as we want a van that will take 2 large eMTB's. Are you able to post a picture of your van with the bikes in ? Or send privately if you don't want the world to see ? Thank you.

 

[doncarlyon]

SWB's look like a cut n shut with a few hundred mm's missing

 

[drinfinity]

Hi, that's a very interesting read as we want a van that will take 2 large eMTB's. Are you able to post a picture of your van with the bikes in ? Or send privately if you don't want the world to see ? Thank you.

I don’t, but I’ll get some next time I load. I have a Reimo 3000 sliding bed too, which makes it easier still.

 

[CSG]

Sound.

 

[windsurferlee]

LWB for sure - you'll really appreciate the extra space for storage and for getting changed, plus it gives you more options when you design your layout.
I do shy away from really tight car park spaces if I'm going to be sticking out too much (e.g. caused by wall behind the space) but otherwise it's not usually an issue.
For servicing, I found my local independent garages wouldn't service a LWB as they said they did not have service bays or ramps long enough, so you could be restricted to commercial vehicle places and the odd chain like ATS. Just something to bear in mind as I hadn't considered it until it was due a service.

 

[Ed-T6]

Hi, that's a very interesting read as we want a van that will take 2 large eMTB's. Are you able to post a picture of your van with the bikes in ? Or send privately if you don't want the world to see ? Thank you.

Mines a LWB kombi. That’s a size large trail/enduro bike on the left as an idea of size

 

[Paynewright]

We now use a thule express on the tow bar as rarely need to carry 4 bikes (and camp!)

 

[drinfinity]

I don’t, but I’ll get some next time I load. I have a Reimo 3000 sliding bed too, which makes it easier still.

Chucked the bike in the back. This is with the bed in the mid position (rear flap down). It is bungeed to the table rail. To get more bikes in, I would move the bed all the way back, or put the first one with back wheel between the seats, front wheel up on the back seat. Picnic rugs to protect the upholstery and bikes, and a couple more bungees to keep it steady.

 

[CSG]

Hi again, and a special hi to everyone that posted and replied back to my original question late last year. I had lots of very useful information including pictures from you on how to carry two large eMTB's inside a T6.1. The good news is that after much research and looking I've bought a LWB Kombi in Highline spec! It's now gone to a campervan converter for a complete fit-out and I'll be collecting it sometime in April. Looking forward to riding in new areas, weekends and maybe a week away and taking "the mothers" to the coast. Many thanks y'all, what a great helpful bunch of people you are. I'll post a picture come late April. PS : Can I ask you what wheels & tyres should I be going for ?

 

[ORION]

Sounds a great buy. Will be great to see some pics of your bus when finished.

For maximum comfort on our UK roads ( A.K.A cart tracks ) and a bit of extra traction off road or dirt tracks with the MTB's I would go with some nice All Terrains on a 17" Swamper style wheel.

Note I am somewhat biased as I am now on my second Swamper build ( T6.1 LWB High Top 4 Motion ) and love that look!

Always been the best choice for us on wet campsites, mild off road and muddy festivals.

Rogue do some nice wheel packages.

All Terrain Alloy Wheels And Tyres | Rogue Alloy Co Ltd

Build a unique alloy wheel and tyre package to suit any van or truck right here! Swamper all terrain alloy wheels and tyres rogue alloy co ltd

www.roguealloy.co.uk

I'm just about to hit the button on this set with Falken AT3WA's

 

[windsurferlee]

Hi again, and a special hi to everyone that posted and replied back to my original question late last year. I had lots of very useful information including pictures from you on how to carry two large eMTB's inside a T6.1. The good news is that after much research and looking I've bought a LWB Kombi in Highline spec! It's now gone to a campervan converter for a complete fit-out and I'll be collecting it sometime in April. Looking forward to riding in new areas, weekends and maybe a week away and taking "the mothers" to the coast. Many thanks y'all, what a great helpful bunch of people you are. I'll post a picture come late April. PS : Can I ask you what wheels & tyres should I be going for ?

Have a google at van pics in your colour and see what you like the look of. Everyone has different preferences and if you ask 100 people, you'll probably get 100 different replies! You will need to make sure your wheels and tyres are load rated for the model of van and then based on the width and offset judge whether you're happy how far in (or not) they sit. It's a bit technical, but there is a lot of great info on the forum and calculators. I have a t32 and did find i was more restricted in choice.
I went for Wolfrace Wolfsburg GTR Racing Carbon 18s - not that pricey. They have a width of 8.5J and offset (ET) of 38. Tyres, I went for Falken AZENIS FK520
255/45/18 103Y (I needed that load rating for a t32).
My van is also lowered 90mm which is a bit too much really but l love the look. You can see how that spec of wheel sits in the arches.
Have fun looking...just be aware it might take you months to arrive at a decision!

 

[Touchwood]

With the Mobiframe slid to the front I can get both Trek Rails XLs in the back with wheels on. With the front wheels off I can also fit 3 people (with legs) on the bench. Planning on an under bench drawer fridge and a narrow full length kitchen - LWB. Good luck with the conversion and exploring trails.

 

[Greybeard]

A different perspective of length available in our LWB Kombi; Highline with twin captains front seats, now on swivel bases and 2+1 rear seats.

When camping we have a 2000mm-long IKEA Hammarn sofa bed which unfolds in the back behind the rear seats.

The head end just needs to be raised ~50mm to be above pull-down strap fixing block on the tailgate.

We usually remove the single seat and site a portaloo there.

Andy

HAMMARN sofa bed, Knisa dark grey/black, 120 cm - IKEA UK

This sofa quickly and easily transforms into a spacious bed for two. A tense fabric makes it nice to sit and sleep on, and its lightweight.

www.ikea.com

 

[Jay586]

That's so useful to see how the Mobiframe and eMTBs fit in an LWB. I have a probably slightly smaller eMTB and I like the look of those seats. Thanks for posting.