Slidepods To Design Traditional Campervan Layout.....

[slidepods]

Yes you heard it here first! We are building a "normal" campervan!

We recently had a customer choose us after visiting several companies to carry out a full conversion on their van including .....
Leisure electrics, Webasto Heater, Lining, Soundproofing, SCA roof, curtains and a RIB bed install. Initally they were planning on taking the vehicle elsewhere for the kitchen but asked us if we would consider building it for them. We said yes and rather than just buying a flatpack kit we set about designing a slimline kitchen to work with a 130cm RIB bed.
The build is well underway and we have as always focused on functionality and our customers needs. That means that we have tried to maximise storage and give easy access to everything we possibly can.

So if your looking for a SWB 130 bed setup add us to your list of converters.

I will post up some pics when its finished.

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

In the process of looking for a ‘slim’ LWB unit to work with a Reimo Variotech 3000 seat system which is size 10 and 1250mm wide.
Guess there are a huge number of variations possible but not many options available for this bed size on the market. Evo have recently started to do slim units but not many.
Be interested in your ideas for the space?

 

[slidepods]

Well here is a sneak preview of how the design is progressing.


This is a SWB version but we would be keen to adapt for LWB.

It has a tall slim 51 litre fridge so the cupboard can run right to the end of the kitchen behind the fridge.
We are fitting a 57 litre under chassis tank for fresh and a 21 litre under chassis for grey.
The gas locker will be under the rib bed and accessible from the rear of the van. All worktops are solid hardwood and machined thinner where possible to save weight. It will also incorporate a double burner and separate sink.

 

[slidepods]

 

[slidepods]

We are trying to keep the design as simple and un-cluttered as possible. We have also tried to make everything as functional as possible, I can't believe how many layouts i looked at with the slim kitchen units that required you to drop the rock and roll bed down to access the tall cupboard . I also cannot get my head around any normal campervan layout that requires you to lift in and out plastic jerrycans of fresh / waste water from a cupboard????

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

Looks great, and I really want a solid wood worktop and exactly the sort of clean lines you have got there, however.....
Underfloor water tanks are a bit more work in terms of keeping them clean and off road might be vulnerable to damage. Freezing would be a consideration up here in Scotland for a year round use van although global warming is taking care of that!
The L shape design looks good but doesn’t make the best use of space for a full length slider, the idea is to get the seats up front for travelling. I am considering a removable fridge at the front to free up this space and also use access from the twin slider (not a configuration everyone has).
This would make sense in a multi use van, like an XXL pod I guess.
The wardrobe at the back is also a consideration, thinking of making it a low level unit with full length wood worktop and having a removable top unit that clamps in for camping next to the rear quarter window.
This again makes the van more useable during the week for visibility and weight with capability for camping when you need the storage.
Just some ideas, not criticism of what you are designing which looks great.

 

[slidepods]

Looks great, and I really want a solid wood worktop and exactly the sort of clean lines you have got there, however.....
Underfloor water tanks are a bit more work in terms of keeping them clean and off road might be vulnerable to damage. Freezing would be a consideration up here in Scotland for a year round use van although global warming is taking care of that!
The L shape design looks good but doesn’t make the best use of space for a full length slider, the idea is to get the seats up front for travelling. I am considering a removable fridge at the front to free up this space and also use access from the twin slider (not a configuration everyone has).
This would make sense in a multi use van, like an XXL pod I guess.
The wardrobe at the back is also a consideration, thinking of making it a low level unit with full length wood worktop and having a removable top unit that clamps in for camping next to the rear quarter window.
This again makes the van more useable during the week for visibility and weight with capability for camping when you need the storage.
Just some ideas, not criticism of what you are designing which looks great.

I've not had experience of any underchassis tanks being damaged and have fitted loads. Having the grey tank outside is fine as you can just leave the valve open with a bucket under it the fresh can be fitted with an element to keep it above freezing point or you could have a port in your plumbing internally to have a temporary internal tank to drawer off when very cold. A low level unit with full length worktop will make access and use of the space over the wheelarch at the rear awful hence why we went full height cupboard.

 

[Pete C]

I also cannot get my head around any normal campervan layout that requires you to lift in and out plastic jerrycans of fresh / waste water from a cupboard????

Because it’s much cheaper, won’t freeze in the winter, can’t be damaged by loose stones or rough tracks, doesn’t need a drainage point to empty, nor do you have to park near a tap to fill. Also easier to clean regularly.

Pete

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

I've not had experience of any underchassis tanks being damaged and have fitted loads. Having the grey tank outside is fine as you can just leave the valve open with a bucket under it the fresh can be fitted with an element to keep it above freezing point or you could have a port in your plumbing internally to have a temporary internal tank to drawer off when very cold. A low level unit with full length worktop will make access and use of the space over the wheelarch at the rear awful hence why we went full height cupboard.

The variety of ideas is what makes the whole business so interesting, thanks for sharing your ideas I love the design ethic of the natural wood and clean lines.

 

[Ann3x]

If youre relying 100% on underslung tanks you will have an issue with 4mo vans where there isnt space. Might be worth having both options...

Designs look solid but access to the middle/lower area looks a bit limited - only a problem with rail vans.

 

[Dilbert]

What is it with so many people liking these round cornered 'caravan furniture' doors?????  .......

 

[Dieseldonkey]

What is it with so many people liking these round cornered 'caravan furniture' doors?????  .......

Do you mean tambor doors @Dilbert . In a camper they are very very practical. As @slidepods has pointed out, you can access them whatever the configuration is in the van. I dont think Mrs Donkey would appreciate a smack off the napper from a hinged door, if she's lying in the bed and I'm trying access a fresh pair of smalls from the rear locker. I'd suggest there would be violence and i'd end up standing in a corner, outside the van. My bed is on rails so can move fore and aft but the sliding tambor mean you can get into the lockers at any time without moving the bed. Perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing, but takes away and frustration.

On a similar note @slidepods, just from a market point of view, although the L shape front gives more worktop area, it prevents the drivers seat rotating. Not a problem if there are 2 or 3 of you onboard. But 2 adults and 2 kids can be accomaddated round the dinner table if you allow the drivers seat to rotate too. Also the kids can be out the way while your making the tea in the mid ships. Just thinking you might be limiting your potential market if the L shape is the only design you are considering offering up.

 

[Dilbert]

Do you mean tambor doors

No. We have some tambour doors and agree they are very practical. But they are fitted in rectangular holes with square corners. As are our hinged doors.

Many furniture kits have round cornered doors that are often fitted on the outside to make things worse! Just appears very dated to me. But that's just my opinion........

 

[Roadrunner]

. I also cannot get my head around any normal campervan layout that requires you to lift in and out plastic jerrycans of fresh / waste water from a cupboard????

Because it’s much cheaper, won’t freeze in the winter, can’t be damaged by loose stones or rough tracks, doesn’t need a drainage point to empty, nor do you have to park near a tap to fill. Also easier to clean regularly.
Pete

If you tow a caravan you will have a tank for grey water and one for fresh that are external and need to be emptied, To my mind haveing a cupboard with a tank in is a waste of spce especally on a T6. I know some caravans come with an on board fresh water tank but the go external with the waste. What is wrong with having a waste that just comes outside and goes into a seperate tank. As for fresh drinking water we just use a 5 ltr spring water bottle from tesco that we buy before we go and refill when it is needed. Face it the water you get out of a tap in the T6 will be cold and you cannot was up in that.

 

[slidepods]

Som good points from everyone raised here. We went for rauiused doors as we wanted to take design styling ques from our Slidepods. Hopefully some of our design style will show through on the final product. I agree about surface mounted doors (I'm not a fan). We had no intention of making the drivers seat swivel as this is a slim furniture and we felt that pulling the position of the tall locker forward to the B pillar position ( which is further forward than any other designs i have seen) to allow easy acess into this cupboard without needin the seat to be folded down to a bed was critical. The knock on effect of this was that worktop length was reduced and our customer was adamant that they wanted a double burner and a small sink so by sacrificing the abillity to swivel the drivers seat we were able to install a slim tall 51 liter fridge and open up all the space behind it for more storage, which on balance was in our eyes a sensible compromise to make. It was tricky to design in ample ventilation for the fridge but with a little head scratching we managed to get the 300 square centimeters required. I have to say I'm extremely pleased with how clean and un-complicated the furniture is looking and cant wait to get it into the van and have a play around with the functionallity. We didnt want to jump in to the standard layout designs with a 112 bed as we cant shake the feeling that a bed of this width is just too narrow for x2 adults and the 130 ouens up the possibillity of being abole to build 6 seater vehicles. so if people are using them as daily drivers they have maximum versatillity and if they are being used as a 4 berth camper sleeping comfort is optimised.

 

[slidepods]

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