SWB configuration with only one door and one window

[nabodepotro13]

Hi everyone!


I recently bought a T6 SWB that was previously used as a roadside assistance vehicle, so in the load area it only has one window and one door (apart from the rear door and window). I’m 1.85 m tall and my wife is 1.65 m, which makes the interior layout a bit tricky for us.


We’d like a bed at least 1.30 m wide, and we’re open to irregular shapes. We’ve been considering a U-shaped layout, but I feel that the section of the bed that’s about 1.35 m long doesn’t make much sense in practice (please correct me if I’m wrong).


I’m now leaning toward something similar, but with the kitchen side reduced and arranged in an L-shape. The passenger seat swivels, and I could add a folding table if needed. Since there’s no window in that corner, I could even fit a shelf. Still, I’m not entirely sure.


I’ve been searching online for days but haven’t found much beyond these options, so I’d really appreciate any ideas or suggestions.


Thanks!

 

[TrevorK]

Hi everyone!


I recently bought a T6 SWB that was previously used as a roadside assistance vehicle, so in the load area it only has one window and one door (apart from the rear door and window). I’m 1.85 m tall and my wife is 1.65 m, which makes the interior layout a bit tricky for us.


We’d like a bed at least 1.30 m wide, and we’re open to irregular shapes. We’ve been considering a U-shaped layout, but I feel that the section of the bed that’s about 1.35 m long doesn’t make much sense in practice (please correct me if I’m wrong).


I’m now leaning toward something similar, but with the kitchen side reduced and arranged in an L-shape. The passenger seat swivels, and I could add a folding table if needed. Since there’s no window in that corner, I could even fit a shelf. Still, I’m not entirely sure.


I’ve been searching online for days but haven’t found much beyond these options, so I’d really appreciate any ideas or suggestions.


Thanks!

Search results for query: 130cm bed

www.t6forum.com

From the search. Quite a few of us hove opted for the 130cm bed option.

 

[nabodepotro13]

Search results for query: 130cm bed

www.t6forum.com

From the search. Quite a few of us hove opted for the 130cm bed option.

Ups, thank you so much!! I was struggling looking for: u-shape, kitchen l-shape, king bed... but not 130cm bed... sorry!

 

[nabodepotro13]

Anyways, more options are also appreciated with widther beds. Thanks

 

[Paynewright]

I’ve seen a couple of arrangements for tall people and those wanting a wide bed. SWMBO likes a lot of space so we need as wide a bed as possible and I’m 6’1”! I’m building something temporary using an Inofia double mattress till we do the build proper!

Anyway the two set ups I’ve seen and like are….

1) A rib / rock & roll bed infilled at the side with low level units so a basic rectangular foam pad can be added to make a full width bed and provide some storage.

2) A U shaped set up with more / all low level units where the kitchen area usually is. I’ve seen one with a single taller unit behind the drivers seat and a hinged shelf with lockout to create more kitchen workspace.


I have pondered over ours for quite some time as currently we need 6 seats with two singles up front and want a comfy bed hence the temp solution! Long term we dont want a pop top nor want to cook inside bar making a brew!

Anyway enough of my design musings!

 

[nabodepotro13]

I’ve seen a couple of arrangements for tall people and those wanting a wide bed. SWMBO likes a lot of space so we need as wide a bed as possible and I’m 6’1”! I’m building something temporary using an Inofia double mattress till we do the build proper!

Anyway the two set ups I’ve seen and like are….

1) A rib / rock & roll bed infilled at the side with low level units so a basic rectangular foam pad can be added to make a full width bed and provide some storage.

2) A U shaped set up with more / all low level units where the kitchen area usually is. I’ve seen one with a single taller unit behind the drivers seat and a hinged shelf with lockout to create more kitchen workspace.


I have pondered over ours for quite some time as currently we need 6 seats with two singles up front and want a comfy bed hence the temp solution! Long term we dont want a pop top nor want to cook inside bar making a brew!

Anyway enough of my design musings!

thank you so much for your answer... do you have any link/image of the setups? Thanks!

 

[Paynewright]

My findings are all from this forum. This was the only screen grab I can find….

 

[Paynewright]

Actually I might be getting mixed up on the 130 Rib and very low units.

I think it was actually a 130 rib with the thinner side units but no tall ‘wardrobe’ cupboard at the rear so basically a kitchen height unit all down the RHS. I think this appealed as we already have windows in the back so maintained the view!


All that said it would be feasible to build low level units aside the RIB to maximise bed width.

Personally, I’m reasonable at DIY so can build something to suit our needs. It wont be to the same standards as a CAD designed CNC machined ply arrangement but will look reasonable and 100% suit our needs.

 

[nabodepotro13]

Actually I might be getting mixed up on the 130 Rib and very low units.

I think it was actually a 130 rib with the thinner side units but no tall ‘wardrobe’ cupboard at the rear so basically a kitchen height unit all down the RHS. I think this appealed as we already have windows in the back so maintained the view!


All that said it would be feasible to build low level units aside the RIB to maximise bed width.

Personally, I’m reasonable at DIY so can build something to suit our needs. It wont be to the same standards as a CAD designed CNC machined ply arrangement but will look reasonable and 100% suit our needs.

Thank you so much!

The 130 Rib is a bit out of my budget (bit == a lot) and the car is for me and my wife (I have another car in case I need to carry more people). I was more interesting in the u-shape. The problem is the part of the U that it is in the kitchen side, to obtain at least a lenght of 160-165cm to allow my wife to fit on it.

And, since my van does not have a window, to include a shelf or something like that in the kitchen module.

 

[Paynewright]

I’m going to build a platform from CLS timber and ply which can be left in behind the kombi seats with a hinged platform / legs to extend out, with seats removed, to make a full size double bed - operationally like a gate leg dining table. Inofia mattress. I think full build costs 350-400 incl mattress. Its evolving but not massive expense if we want to change completely when we need less (occasional) seating for 6.

We’ll mostly use a drive away awning for cooking / gear storage - we just want a comfy bed inside the van. Both in our 50s, we’re done with air mattresses on the floor!

 

[Paynewright]

This is current inspiration for the bed platform…imagine that with a sheet of ply plonked on-top. Its the simplicity of the frame design rather that the size that inspires. I’ll modify dimensions to suit the van (without the headboard!)

 

[Green Giant]

I think the short part on a u shape layout is mainly for head shoulders and right arm.. the rest of you, your legs knees and toes, are into the longer section, I’m guessing.
Also check the full length of a u shape bed, some’ are only 170cm long in a SWB, ours was.
But there was a good 10 cm gap between the end of the bed unit and the tailgate, so I replaced that section of ply so it ends 1 cm from tailgate, so bed is now 180 cm and pillows don’t fall down gap

 

[nabodepotro13]

I think the short part on a u shape layout is mainly for head shoulders and right arm.. the rest of you, your legs knees and toes, are into the longer section, I’m guessing.
Also check the full length of a u shape bed, some’ are only 170cm long in a SWB, ours was.
But there was a good 10 cm gap between the end of the bed unit and the tailgate, so I replaced that section of ply so it ends 1 cm from tailgate, so bed is now 180 cm and pillows don’t fall down gap

Thank you so much... but do you think that it is worth it for two people or is it better to go for a 1.30m bed and avoid sleeping in diagonal ?

 

[Green Giant]

Thank you so much... but do you think that it is worth it for two people or is it better to go for a 1.30m bed and avoid sleeping in diagonal ?

Both arrangements are so different, that it’s really a personal choice on how you want your van kitted out, lots of people need rear seat belts so a u shape is out of the question and get a folding bench type bed, also how much storage do you need?
When we go away I like everything in a cupboard stored away, nothing on the floor.
We didn’t need rear belts in the van so went for the cheaper u shape layout, but from the start I had planned to built a storage unit on top of that right hand rear short section, basically making an L shape seat/bed layout, we never slept using that shorter section.
We have a poptop but still prefer sleeping downstairs, I think bed is about 112 wide.
Ours was a Van furniture kit, you will need to check the bed length as your 1.85, there must be other kits available with longer bed length. Watch a few YT videos on camper layouts such as Combe valley campers etc

 

[JumpShip]

We went with the traditional layout but reduced the depth of the cupboards and made the bed 122cm wide x 188cm long.
The cupboards are still deep enough to house our microwave and cool box and the bed is a more suitable size for us .

 

[JumpShip]

That's 4' x 6'2" in old money

 

[nabodepotro13]

I'm a bit confused about the interor length of the VW... is it 2324mm or 2510mm? Thanks

 

[Skyliner33]

I'm a bit confused about the interor length of the VW... is it 2324mm or 2510mm? Thanks

LWB or SWB?

 

[nabodepotro13]

LWB or SWB?

SWB