Using a panel van as a camper. Interior design ideas

[justbuggin]

My panel van was originally bought with the idea of kitting it out with shelving so I could use it as a working van, storing all my building tools in it. But I also would like to use it as a camper for the show season.
So I'm after a few interior design ideas that would make best use of the fact I can use tall units without worrying about blocking side windows. It doesn't help in that I've never seen the interior of a T25 camper, so I have no real experience of how the space is used.
Basically, all I need it a bed (single would be ok), space for my little portable gas stove (no big gas bottle needed) and maybe a little sink.

I have a Ford engine conversion, so the engine cover has been boxed in & is about 6" higher than normal.

Any ideas/pics would be great. Thanks

[kevtherev]

Well in my opinion having no windows would make the living part of the van very gloomy indeed and a little depressing.
Has it got a bulkhead?
The six inch raised lid (I assume just the lid is raised) will need the floor raising up to it, to allow a fold down bed which are very easy to make from ply
cupboards are available from the usual sources..JK being one but Ikea sell small sink units as do MFI

if you want ideas as to how it all looks, then come to Dubfreeze (or Pickering) find the 80-90 stall and ask there if you can see some interiors, there's around 25 of us there....details in Club trips and shows.

nothing like seeing it in the flesh and there are plenty on here who have done this...jed the spread is one that springs to mind...he converted a caravelle to a day van then a weekend camper now its a full on camper


does your bank manager know you are going to be doing this?

[Ivor Brownun]

like Kev says get to Dub freeze, people will understand you looking through the windows there, we all do it

[chipster1]

full width rocker! removale stove/fridge/sink units job done!

[justbuggin]

I've got a window in the sliding door, two sun roofs and it's a walk through, so it won't be too dark inside. Sod the bank manager, more like "does my wife know how much this is going to cost?" Actually, I'm very handy, so I'll be doing the build myself & I can get most of the materials trade price, so it shouldn't cost too much. Not sure if I can make it to the 'freeze this year, as I've still got the last few bits to finish on the '58, and I know if I go there, I'll only end up buying shiny bits that I don't really need.

Question: Do the R n R beds allow you to sleep sideways across the van, or can you only stretch out lengthways?

[DiscoDave]

Question: Do the R n R beds allow you to sleep sideways across the van, or can you only stretch out lengthways?

are you crazy or only 4ft tall?? most conventional rnr beds make a forward facing seat into a bed usingthe top of the engie bay as the back partof the bed! you could put a long one in instead it has been done in a t4 but not sure how you'd do it in a t25!

http://www.calypsocampers.co.uk have a look at the pictures of their complteted vans to get an idea of what you can do with yours!

[rogbodge]

I put a stout rail at half-height along the inside opposite the sliding door, & my camping units hook over that & rest on the floor & rear engine deck. That's enough to restrain them in normal driving, & they come out easily for using the full load space.

I can't think how to have removeable units that are more collision proof, unless they fasten with clamps that are bolted thro' the floor etc like seat belts - and then the resident clamp parts would likely interfere with the flat load area that I need.

I suppose that in a crash I could be decapped by my cooker & posthumously prosecuted for an insecure load? But simultaneously win the axlenut award.

ps I must point out that the word 'stout' in the 1st line above has no alcoholic content, so stop licking it hopefully, some of you.

[Ivor Brownun]

rogbodge like your humour!