Any high top roof bed in the front of the van?

[QuickBrownFox]

Hello.

I'm going to slowly convert my holdsworth vision into a more traditional layout more suitable to my growing family.

One of the modifications is to introduce a roof bed for my young son and soon to be brother of new addition.

My plan was to remove the existing huge over cab storage area and build a bed going front to rear in the van about 5ft in length.

Every van I see, whether homebrew or coach built has the roof bed running rear to front. (Or full length)

I'm obviously missing something obvious as to why its done rear to front. Help.

Also, does the roof need rails to support the boards etc?

Cheers in advance

[maxstu]

I think it mostly rear to front to allow for some standing room next to cooker. My first camper, a pop top had a pull out panel sitting on two wooden rails. But left an access gap and enough room to stand full height by cooker and sink. It was the same with next high top camper. Pull out from rear too with enough room to use cooker.

[QuickBrownFox]

Thanks for the reply Maxstu.

In the vision I have a rear sink and oven that ill have to replace to fit a 3/4 rnr bed. Will a new sink/hob take up most of the side unit or can it be positioned nearer a cupboard on the right or to the left nearer the drivers seat?

I'm wondering if I can still do a front bed but position the hob nearest the rear side tall cupboard.

Cheers

[maxstu]

Well the normal set up is cooker and grill over fridge. Then sink to either left or right of cooker. The fridge area is normal nearest front or one cupboard back from behind front seats. This allows the worktop to narrow slightly to accommodate 3/4 RnR. So putting a front to rear slide out will impact upon standing height.
If the kiddies are very small/young you can buy a hammock style bunk which sits across from seats. One up top across front. And one in the hammock.

[QuickBrownFox]

Great thanks maxstu.

There's a huge difference reading forums and asking questions on them so thanks for the insight. I think I'll sacrifice the full height rear side cupboard I had planned and build the bed from the back. I can always make something more practical for storage above the cab to compensate. Ill just have to leave my party frocks at home (I mean the Mrs will )

BR

Andrew

[maxstu]

Great thanks maxstu.

Ill just have to leave my party frocks at home (I mean the Mrs will )

BR

Andrew

Too late! I have it in writing....

Good luck with the build