Club 80-90 Forums

I'm at the design stage for my new van's layout and I'm currently mulling the pros and cons of the 3/4 bed vs full width option.
I've noticed (mostly from photos) that some conversions have a run of units all the same width down the side of the van with presumably a 3/4 width bed. Others seem to have a kitchen block that sticks out beyond the rest of the run. Does this mean that the bed is wider than a 3/4 or that the kitchen block is just deeper than normal?

Also, am I correct in my assumption that with a full width bed there is still room for a kitchen block in the usual place?

Cheers
Robin.

The 'kitchen' bit is pretty much standard in all vans - dictated by the depth of the fridge basically. The rest of the furniture is NOT the same width and becomes thinner by about 6"" or so as it runs along where the bed goes. Whether you want to sacrifice storage for bed room is up to you on the 3/4 v full bed arguement and is entirely up to you; depends on how much room you want in the horizontal position really.

Big people may need a full width bed but 3/4 works wel for the average types. more of an issue to us is whether you want to obscure vision in one rear quarter by having a unit going up to the ceiling. We chose not.
Cheers
Wolfie

Well, I'm 6ft3 and not exactly slim but more pressing than that, I just know that with 3 small children at least one of them with end up in bed with us most nights. I wasn't planning on having the wardrobe either as the van is a caravelle and it seems a shame to lose that window. So the question for me is, am I really going to lose that much storage space with a full width bed? I'm not sure. I've seen the full width westy layout where they still have the wardrobe and that got me thinking about doing the same, except maybe changing the wardrobe for a worktop height, top access cupboard storage bin type thing. Its tricky deciding what to do without any real camping experience in a van. I suppose if i get it wrong first time around, it would probably be easier to change a full width bed for a 3/4 and add cupboards rather than do it the other way around.

If you have a high top rather than a pop top the storage space at the front is quite generous. I've not got kids (phew!!) but from what I hear from members who have no matter how much space you have, they'll manage to fill it.

Think I'm definatley going to go full width. Got an idea brewing on adapting the existing caravelle rear bench into a full width, decent length (6ft4 maybe) flip down and around the kitchen block bed.

The wife and I have had to squeeze and I do mean squeeze into a 3/4 with our two year old a couple of times. Neither of us are large so if you are thinking of sharing it has to a full width. We now have a cab bunk or when the canvas on the pop top is leaking!!