T6 Day Van Build – Must-Have Features & “Wish I’d Done That” Advice?

[And Away]

Hi all,

Newbie here again. I’m currently in the process of putting together a spec sheet for a T6 day van conversion and getting ready to approach a few companies for quotes.

The van will mainly be used for family trips—2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog—with lots of camping holidays. We’ll mostly be in a tent, but want the flexibility to sleep in the van for shorter breaks or when the weather turns.

I’ve already been doing a lot of research around electrics, heating, and general layout, but I’d really value some real-world input from people who’ve been there and done it.

What I’m trying to understand is:
What are the must-have, game-changing, or life-improving features you’d recommend including from the start?

Particularly interested in:
- Things you wouldn’t necessarily think of as a beginner
- Features that are difficult or expensive to retrofit later
- Small upgrades that make a big difference to day-to-day use

For example, I’ve seen a lot of people rave about the sliding door table as a simple but brilliant addition.

I’m trying to strike the right balance between keeping the build relatively simple/flexible, but also not missing anything obvious that I’d regret later.

Any “wish I’d done that” or “don’t bother with this” advice would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Badjamin]

I wish I'd hired a few with different layouts before going in all gung ho. Still undecided regarding U shape vs rock,n,roll with side unit.

I rarely use the bench swivel seat, but the folding bracket for my bench passanger seat is amazingly useful.

Have you already bought the vam then?

 

[And Away]

No, I've not bought the van yet. Scouring Auto trader as we speak

Layout-wise I’m pretty set — full-width bed on rails, no extra built-in furniture.

I’ve rented a few vans before and never ended up cooking or washing up in them, so I don’t really see the value in building that in. For me, it’s primarily a vehicle for moving the family around comfortably, with the option to sleep in it when needed.

One thing I’d be interested in hearing about is how people handle travelling with dogs. Are there any smart ways to keep them safely restrained when they’re on a floor bed while driving?