BEST VAN LAYOUTS: how to design your van conversion | VAN LIFE BUILD
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2020
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Starting to plan for your van life build? One of the first things you'll want to figure out is which van is best for you. Next up, it's all about the best van layout for your lifestyle!
Today we're covering the best van layouts and how to plan your layout in your van conversion. We'll discuss things you'll want to decide before you plan your layout, and where to start first when planning your van layout.
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What van layout do you like the most?!
Get more details on these van layouts here: bit.ly/2Oki2wB
I'm still waiting for the day you do a Murphy bed - I'm sure you would make it amazing!
I love and I'm looking for a traditional gypsy vardo I don't know if you've ever looked into them but they are beautiful with some great compact living
I like the hippy lounge layout, good for smaller vans like the Toyota Hi Ace. Have a big double bed at the back that converts to a bench seat running east-west along the back of the van.
And another small bench seat (which becomes part of the bed, along with the rear bench seat) on the port side of the van, with a gap for your legs on the rear bench seat. You have an L shaped lounge with the gap for your legs so you can use all of the rear bench seat. The rest of the van is basically empty except a cabinet running east-west (immediately behind the driver&passenger seats). In the Hi Ace (which is fairly long) you can have this cabinet fairly thick (angled near the starboard sliding access door for easier access). Lots of storage under the rear bench seat (or main couch potato lounge) and the other bench seat and the front cabinet (which can be the galley if roof is high enough). Or/and you can have the galley at the rear with the tail gate door open (with a portable BBQ) and cook behind the lounge back rest (that is insulated with metal sheeting, so the heat doesn't affect the back rest). That area can be tented off with a great solid roof and you could use it for a camper shower as well. And at night the backrest folds down (like in my van) and the table becomes part of the bed. You can have the table set up or not set up (for that feeling of space when you kick back with a comfortable back rest angle). The east-west couch with van length allows a back swept back rest, whereas a north-south bench doesn't (not without it taking up most of the width of the van. And sitting on the rear east-west bench seat give a sense of loads of space cos you are at the rear of the van facing towards the front of the van, that is basically "empty" (except for 2 benches and the large cabinet at the front). Like a chillout hippy lounge with heaps of floor space. I did it to my Town Ace van (except your port&starboard are reversed cos I'm from Australia). And also mine doesn't have the extra small (north-south) bench seat. And the cabinet at the front is thinner and lower (so it's also part of the bed). The Van is so small. Yet there is a sense of heaps of space (without the being table set up) heaps of floor space. Have a look on my ch.
I wish more van conversions did a bathroom in the back of the van. It's so rare that I find a build that does this.
50 th like and 5th comment and thx this was a great u
“You shouldn’t be able to take a crap and scramble eggs at the same time.”
Priceless!
😂😂 great one liner by Alex
Shovel them in and spit them out. Lol 😆
Came straight to the comments after that one! 😂
I cringe when I see van tours and see the toilet stored in a kitchen drawer. 😂
@@daliavg1 exactly! Seriously if I smell shit I don't get hungry 🤮
Just a tip:
When you're talking about the layouts, show the layouts. What I mean is that I can hear you talking and don't need to see you on camera. While you're describing something, I want to see what you're describing.
More van pictures, less people pictures!
Good POINT!
True
True
That’s true and i even i went to there website and I didn’t faind the layout but I guess it’s they work and there designs so i get it they don’t want to share that muchto protect they idea and that them rights and still nice clip
@@madsam75 understandable but the cover picture for the video (with layout) was misleading)
Finally, someone points out the true necessity and hygiene of a bathroom
If you live in a big city your probably fine but I see some people going to really remote areas and I just????? You can’t possibly be clean.
Sockpuppett 15 it’s amazing some people’s hygiene practices.
@@sockpuppett9300 we are also dealing with a pandemic which means alot of places where van dwellers go to take showers are closed. Which is why its important to have some way to bathe/shower in your van
Crip2Knyght there are people who shower once a week or every two weeks and think that’s ok, and then there are those with dogs, it’s gotta smell in the small van.
@@maeu59 those people that only shower every week or 2 are nasty af then lol🤷🏽♂️
I was really hoping she’d say “And there’s a big reason why we put a bathroom in every layout , number one .... and number two”
I’m so glad someone finally said what I’ve been thinking about the toilet situation in vans for ages 😂 it’s true it’s not hygienic at all to do a 💩 in your kitchen and I don’t understand the people who don’t have a toilet in their van at all I mean what if you were in the city and couldn’t do it in the woods 🥴 and because of this whole Covid thing public showers have been closed so what would you do without one of them 🤔 if I was living in a van I’d definitely have a wet bath 💯
Thanks to Covid, people are thinking about shower floor plans. Personally, the shower was my #1 requirement followed by bed. So I watch every video I can that mentions showers (which brought me here). I'm willing to sacrifice on the kitchen because I'm not much of a cook.
@@asma1405
"Can make a good van'bathroom char for 💩 ir not?"
It depends on your comfort level with your bodily fluids. Some people are way more comfortable than me. For example, some people use water bottles and a bucket. Then you have others who are on the other extreme who use a full black water system (closest to a septic system). So you have to find your personal balance.
"And what the total price of this caravan?"
It's as expensive as you invest into it. Sorry this isn't the answer you were looking for. For me personally: Electrical, vehicle, kitchen (honestly the cost will be mostly in the 12v DC refrigerator), shower/bathroom, insulation, lumber, accessories (latches, door slides, ect), and misc. In order of most expensive to cheapest (cheapest being relative).
For us visual people, could you leave the visual representations a little longer. I would rather see what you are talking about than watch your faces the whole time. I hope that is understandable. I can't really see what you are talking about if you just flash one design for a few seconds. Thank you.
I would have loved to see the design layouts more too
@@nikki_revs err you can pause the video DOH!!!
@@michaelreynolds6543 they don't want to stare at the layouts, they want to have the explaination while seeing the designs... But sure play dumb
If only there was a website
Especially for visual people with borderline ADHD who zone in and out of spoken descriptions.
This is very generous of you two... Most people would charge for this information.... Thank you so much xo's
They do... $60.
Ditto🙏
They Charge you..
I thought the same. Very good to share your knowledge!
I'm probably years off getting my van, but I have a few of my favourite layouts on paper already. Im constantly adding bits, tweaking parts and re doing whole sections... hopefully by the time I have the van , I'll have it pinned down 😂 This video was really helpful 👍
Glad it was helpful!!
Check out Trent and Allie also on TH-cam. Their layout to me by for is still a top contender with only a couple of things I would want to change.
I'm doing the same, dont have a van yet but i have a bunch of layouts ready, until the time comes I'm camping in my tiny Renault Megane hatch :)
Isn't that how manifestation works??
@@liammcgrath5720 u like 12yrs old?
What you said about the bathroom being fixed is exactly why I have decided that I want a fixed bed. I plan to drive around Europe and if I am doing a lot of sightseeing and walking on cobbled streets in say, Rome, the last thing I want to do at the end of a long day is spend 15 mins playing Tetris with a futon and a table and then have to put the sheets on and shit. I want to come home and collapse on a memory foam mattress like I would if I were staying at a hostel on a regular holiday.
Playing Tetris lol. I do absolutely love that game but you’re so right I don’t want to do that either 😂
Who told you that you MUST interchange between the bed vs seat? The bed-seat layout is an option. So if you just want to jump into bed directly then just leave it in bed mode all the time.
@@peteran4721 No one did, dude. Chill. I'm just choosing design options.
Exactly my thoughts, I want a permanent bed and definitely a toilet. I prioritize a toilet over a shower lol
@@aga2353 I want to have a shower cubicle but my plan is to also have a spare solar shower, just in case it goes on the blink and I have to fix it.
After perusing for many van outfitting videos, I must say that your videos are one of the most straightforward, insightful, and authentic out here. A pleasure to find!
I used legos to approximate the best layout for me.
That is so sick!
I know I am late to this comment but this made my night
Chasey Lorraine lol same :)
I am gunna get some lego now
@@danthelambboy My kids who are grown now, still have two foot lockers full of lego pieces and boards. Using a standard lego block I made the length 1' and the width 6" so using that as my scale I was able to make a pretty accurate layout. Lego also made half width long pieces (which which works out to a scale of 3") I used these as the side walls with insulation and wall covering. It all works out to be a fairly accurate approximation (i know, it is an oxymoron).
I love you guys for bringing up the GROSS toilet in the kitchen no-no!!! Thank you soooooo much!!💥💥
“You shouldn’t be able to take a crap and make scrambled eggs at the same time”. -Alex James, VanLife Grandfather
The kids sleeping in a tent is what my parents did when I was a kid in the 70s. They had the van set up basic but made sure they had a comfy bed, a removeable camping kitchen and lots of storage. The layouts are great inspiration - thank you.
I think you two have done the best wet baths I've seen. An absolute must for me as I always get up sometime during the night to go. And I'm not going outdoors in the middle of the night. Covid also made a wet bath a must have now.
I TOTALLY agree with your thoughts on having a shower toilet combo space... I have seen enough youtube videos on van lifers who blabber in their van tour ... and then ... conveniently leaving out the issue of the missing toilet and/or shower... I mean, I have seen small vans that had it, so clearly, space is not the issue... priorities are. And I can not imagine , specially a single female van lifer, who does not have one or both! I rather sacrifice the oh so impt entertainment space... and have instead toilet and shower for the sheer reason of PERSONAL HYGIENE on demand ... With such a small relatively enclosed living space... you wldnt want floating around unwashed body smells even if they are your own ... and one wld think it is a given for most... that you wld want toilet convenience and hygiene even if you are living small and mobile ...
your designs, layouts, and intentions are so in line with how imagine making a fully functional homey van would be set up. Awesome work!
Knowing what's underneath your van to guide your build is great advise. Thanks for pointing that out.
I’ve camped for most of my 74 years and now I’ve settled for three-four day trips in an ‘84 VW Vanagon to state parks or KOA spots where shore power is good and I don’t need a bathroom. I’m a solo camper and my biggest beef with the Vanagon is all the space set out for sleeping. I have spent many evenings inside whether it was cold or raining or buggy and I’d love to see better lounging for book reading and cooking. The one thing I like the most is the shelf above the kitchen that securely holds so much stuff. What’s up there is easy to find and it doesn’t rely on closed cabinets to stay secure and accessible. I never need the sleeping space above the roof but the standing room is so vital to spending time inside.
Finally someone with common sense when it comes toilet rutine and shower, i am with my boyfriend for 13 years, that`s the line that i don`t want to cross to see each other on the toilet!! And the other reason is the hygine like you mention, you wouldn`t take a "shit" in your kitchen at home so why do it in the van ? Thank you for a great and informative video, Adrienn
You've been with your boyfriend for 13 years? Do you think it might be time to get married? Or are you still trying to figure out if it's going to work LOL
@@KMF3 why should we get married? because society ? Is just a paper, wich doesn`t mean that much to me. There are mariages that don`t last this long. In 13 years we never had a fight and never raised the voice to each other, so i think you are doing just fine, thank yo very much :)
@@adriennmichaels5878 why are you so scared of marriage? It is a different relationship. one of lifetime commitment.
@@KMF3 why do you feel everybody should get married? Like she said it's just a piece of paper
@@KMF3 Why are you obsessed with marriage?
I’ve seen van builds without a seating area and or wet bath. Thank you for prioritising both.
Thanks, you've given me a lot of food for thought before I build out my van. I was planning on doing the insulation and installing the vent fan first but I realize now I should figure out the interior layout first.
Very great video, you guy's van builds always stuck out to me because of your designs and every single build you have done is one that I would consider living in I really love your second van buid you did for yourselves
Keep up the good work and stay safe in 2020 ❤❤❤
Thank you Sara and Alex! All the van build are so beautiful and awesome! 👍😍
Thanks for laying out some options I love my 95 RoadTrek's shower. Folding closet doors open up into the hall which is a shower pan. You get a huge shower without it taking up any space when not in use. The design won all sorts of awards in it's day and the RV itself spawned 18 patents. Cheers 😚🚙😚
This video was absolutely helpful and you guys are HILARIOUS 😂😂❤️❤️
I really love the light and airy look of a van. Great options and we all know, life is all about options!!!
Wow! Beautiful! This is exactly the one I want!😍😍
I love how you explain all they layouts 👏
That van layout guide looks like a sweet deal for anyone serious about living in a van!
Thanks - great video, lots of useful ideas for those considering converting their own van, school bus, box truck, trailer, or military vehicle (M1079). Love the combo bathroom right inside the door (behind the driver's seat), and love a bed or seating area and windows in the back. Love the hygiene argument, one thing if you were a bachelor, but I don't carry my coffee cup into the bathroom at work. Heating, cooking, solar, water (fresh and waste), flooring.
I think it's completely different when you're living together in a small space I appreciate your having stipulations about privacy I totally agree when living with someone!
Love the video! Keep up the great ideas. I think you two are great and found the humor make me love you both even more! Stay Happy, Healthy, and thank you for the smile you brought to me! Cheers! 😃
Omg THANK YOU! I agree with you on the whole bathroom thing!
Hey guys loved your video, new to your channel, I’ll be getting a empty sprinter long wheelbase in about 12 months and having it converted, been looking at floor plans and very impressed with yours. I live full time in my campervan at present so up grading is exciting. I’m an older person but fit and healthy at present. Love things to be kept simple and uncluttered. I’ll be following you from now. Have a wonderful 2022. Cheers from Australia. Judy
Fantastic vid! Extremely helpful. And I completely agree with everything you said about the bathroom. A full bathroom makes the difference between roughing it in a vehicle and living in it. 👍🏼😉
I was looking for something about layouts for a (future)fiberglass camper renovation and happened upon your video. You do beautiful work. Your explanations shed some light on why most camper layouts look the same.
One thing that I love about you guys is that you build a bathroom in your van and it’s classy it’s really cute but also when you come up with a new family van make sure or try to make it for Family 👨👩👧👦 or for because I think that it is a bit more convenient for families to travel.And I know this is a bit too much but some families like to travel with a dog in their family or for now obviously a van it’s not as big as a house or a buzz but there could be a way to have a van for a family of four and the dog will be an amazing amazing Investment.
Wow--nicely done! I am very impressed with your thinking and planning skills. Great job of explaining layouts with always including a full bathroom!
All good advice.. As someone who copied a friends design and put the bed sideways in a Sprinter and had the bathroom and garage in the back.. My advice.. listen to these guys.. A build is a big big project..
Do you have pics or video? Sounds interesting.
Taking a crap and scrabbling eggs is a great idea. Full utilisation of time. I'll design that into my plan.
Best explanation of how to come up with a layout. Excellent! Thank you ❣️
I agree having a bathroom and shower 🚿 is a must.
Thanks for sharing your your van builds. We have a Hymer 1.0, RV and this short van sleeps 4. We have the extra bed that 2 pieces of wood Velcro together and is mounted up front using the two front seats face each other and wood sits on them and the two back seats ect. Works great just have to find a place to store the bed pieces As a bonus if your not taking the kids you can leave the bed at home.
TOTALLY agree about the bathroom :-) I know those portable toilets and pop up showers seem to be trending now but NO THANKS! :-) To each their own but I’m happy to hear there are others out there like me, and I am solo!
This is the first vid I have ever watched and not skipped the beginning, I have chuckled and laughed all the way though (with you) such a lovely couple! easy to listen too and so informative. Just bought out 1st camper and looking for ideas and got lots of info, Thank you :-)
Excellent discussion, thank you!
The combination of the loft and happy Jack lift for the bed is my favorite layout :)
I love your joie de vivre guys. Thanks for your advice. keep up the great work.
Omg someone finally built the van build that I've been imagining for me when I grow up 😂
5:55 LOL! Hahahaha, that's so true. That made me laugh and totally made my morning.
Valuable info guys. Much appreciated!
Thank you for being open and honest
I completely agree with the bathroom thing. Privacy and no difficulties are good.
You guys are so much fun!
Soo much to think about but love the attention to detail! Thanks alot guys. Aloha from Maui!
You two are 1) hilarious and 2) extremely creative & brilliant. Just re-watched this after all this time & so glad I did.🦋✌🏼🌀
Great video! Thanks for taking the time to make it. In the next year or two I will be contacting you guys for a Sprinter build for mostly-full-time living with the happy jack bed/shower/kitchen/composting toilet, but as would be solo living it might work in a 170" non-extended. We'll see! Thanks again. Love, love, love your van builds and your website!
i loved that! "you don't want to be able to scramble eggs while you are on the toilet!!" LOL!!
Love the video. You guys are awesome for sharing what you've learned. Gave me some ideas for my own (first time) build. Super cool couple. ☺️ Thank you. 👌🏻
Thank you for sharing... For us who can't hire a builder. More power to you both
Amazing video. Great concepts. Very helpful. Thank you.
Oh my goodness thank you 🙏🏼 for all the great 👍🏼 information. How awesome 🤩
I agree with you 100 percent about the bathroom!
Loved watching this, so informative! Keep up the great work guys 👌🏻❤️
These are really cool! I'm moving into a 1988 chevy van home and I'm building it out now. Thanks for the ideas! Cheers love and blessings!
You guys are awesome. Thanks for your content!
Sacred space -priceless! Enjoying your vids from Malta 🇲🇹
This is gold info, thank you and keep going 💪🏼
This is such an awesome informative video! Amazing job!
Great video & tips, about van & SqSpace. Thanks.
I definitely will measure and Sketchup possible floor space layouts of my van.
Great food for thought...lots of very helpful information on layout. Thank you so much👍
Thanks guys for enlightening us on this crucial topic 👍
I was so happy to find this TH-cam this morning. My husband, of 41 years, and I rented a van last week to try out van life. We had a great time, loved it, but the lack of bathroom (in the middle of the night especially) made van life for us ridiculous! Imagine a couple of 60 year olds running around during Covid looking for a bathroom! Pathetic! We basically shelved the idea once we got home. Now, finding that you two young people find a dedicated wet bath a necessity (!) makes me want to open this whole project up again. Thank you for your voice of reason! My favorite layout, and I didn’t get a really good look at all of them, is your first one! Queen [long] bed that converts to a table and bench seats, kitchen, wet bath, and I guess closet space. Not sure what you call it. BTW, I love the kitchen sink with window behind the driver’s seat. Absolutely love it! ❤️❤️❤️ How can we get our hands on one of your used vans???
Beach House, and we also need a dedicated space for our dog-out of the traffic stream.
Yessss Love you guys. Thank you re the Bathroom I said the same thing with each conversion I viewed.
Cant wait for the new van build guys
I respect you guys. I totally agree. I always thought it's insane to place the bathroom by the kitchen directly with no wall. It's disgusting
This has helped me so much. Thank you!
I enjoy watching all these great ideas. One of the things which will separate me from typical person is, I'm not designing a van, but a midsized limousine bus, and secondly, I'm wanting to create something which will definitely be a one of a kind layout. I will use my bus for both work and personal. And it's the "floorspace" I need for my work. I am a copier dealer, and I haul copiers part time in my vehicle. What I want to design are 100% completely "modular" connectable units which can be rolled on and off the bus and that is proving to be quite a challenge.
I was a fuel and electrical systems repaid specialist in the Army, changing out complete wiring harnesses in M1 Abrams tanks, so I'm sure I can figure this out. But it would be nice, if anyone who view this comment, could guide me to others who may have had similar ideas. Where either one or more of their "living pieces" were modular and removable... I just need some basic concepts to stir the creative juices... ;)
Hello, you made me cry with Laughter 😂 scrambled eggs & a crap! 😂 Erica x
Your thumbnail is exactly what I'd like my build to be, except mirror image (I'm Australian). Thanks guys.
Thank you. The vans are beautiful. I want one done❤️
I can't wait to see your van with the rear bench seat that can be turned into a bed. I am far away from getting my own van but I would love to have an idea of what I can do for my future van.
OMG ! I agree ! I need a bathroom built in.
Very informative.. lots to think about. Would you ever consider building out a 15 passenger shuttle bus?
Thank you! And we have considered it - there would be so much more you could do!
New to your channel, now subscribed. All in all, excellent video. Hoping to have a van built later next year sometime - so doing lots of research this year. I’ll be in touch when the time to purchase and convert the van becomes a reality.
I'm in the process of building a 2021 Ford E350 with a 14' box, 80 wide interior and a 84" ceiling hight. Sometimes it sux being tall. I choose this one because I needed to towing ability to pull a modified Jeep on a trailer. I have the bed across the rear with a shower to the front. I am using a lot of ideas and techniques I picked up from your videos. I always give a thumbs up 👍.
That is a good size. I've looked at a few box van or truck.
Does it have a side door?
Alex has always wanted a E350! I’m sure we’ll covert one someday!
@@277kne you can get them with a side door or a slider
@@SaraandAlexJames everything is square 😉
Was wondering about the fiberglass box. I have considered some but don't know how many windows can be put in. Would that weaken the side of the van? I'm disappointed that I didn't buy the CargoMax.
They aren't be made now. I think 2008 to 2010 only. There is a website with all the information.
Thank you so much for such an informative video!
I can agree with that it would be nice with a wetroom... but then you get to the actual build and realize it'll take a lot more time to build. So I've decided to go with a toilet in the closet, type of solution!
Really helpful! Thank you.
love this build!
Very helpful! Thanks!
I just saw someone who has the toilet in the kitchen with it facing a mirror no less..and when Sara laughed it was so on point. I felt the same.
The best van layout is what's best for you dont listen to anyone else have it your way it's your van do what ya like, I do 👍✌
I love the Van that you made for Susan. That could also be used as a family Van because when you turn the table into a bed if you have 2 children you could leave the middle open and have a child sleeping on each side. Or if you have one child you could use the bed that's behind the passenger seat says it has the largest panel and leave the rest of that open. That way if you have to go to the bathroom yet drink of water during the night you have the ability to get out of your bed without stepping on a child. It has ample storage space under the platform bed for a whole host of things you can carry with you. I will also have the platform bed lowered just a little bit but the simple reason that I am barely over 5' tall. I also like the overhead storage on both sides but where the bed is concerned I would only have it on one side where my feet would. I also like the idea of having the kitchen and the bathroom on one side as well simply because of the plumbing.
Had a big laugh when you said you didn't want to see each other on the toilet. "That is something that keeps this marriage alive." 😂😂🤣🤣
Does anybody do a “weekender” conversion for those have activities but won’t live full time
There should always be a little mystery in a relationship.
6:25: Actually, I never thought of taking a crap and doing scrambled eggs at the same time... I might try it, tks for the idea! :)
so professional i liked this