I have been looking at camper vans from all over the world and picking up ideas from each of them. Since I have seen several posters who are building camper vans, I thought maybe we could start a thread with ideas and designs from around the world. While many of these are not for living in full time, they do have various concepts that one could be worked into a van dwelling.. A little from here and a little from there!
Here is a couple of videos I found interesting.
While I wouldn't want the whole van to be a bed, the fold up design is interesting.

This is an interesting of the seat/bed sliding forward of backwards. Maybe you could build a fold out bed that slides forward if you use the back for storage..

 

here is one more, a micro camper van. Just think of all the space you would have left over in a full size Ford van.

 

When I used to van camp, I just brought an EZ-UP, some racing banners w/ty-wraps to make walls, a folding table and chairs, foam mattress, a generator with a chain to secure it outside, ice chests, coleman stove, etc. All the stuff was removable. Why tie up your van so you can't haul stuff the rest of the time? It's more comfy and utilitarian. Sure it looks cool, but all the added weight and loss of utility isn't worth it to me. Hell, I'd rather just pull a trailer than have to haul all the crap every time I drive it.

 

This might help me decide on a layout for mine in the coming month or so. I've got ideas, just haven't cemented anything down yet. The way I see it, I have until I get the van fully insulated to decide on what I want for a layout. There is only one thing that has been decided, and that is that the high-top on the van must be removable and have built-in wheels, or easy bolt-on, for when I need the vehicle to fit inside a shipping container for any over water travels.

 

I guess a lot depends on what your needs are. I was t-boned in my truck and needed an actual truck. So, I stripped out all the stinking moldy conversion van crap out of my E150 to make a work van, and I need to be able to haul stuff plus might want to camp once or twice a year. I have decided a cooler, small coleman stove and roll up foam and sleeping bags will suit my needs and ensure my van stays available to haul engines/riding mowers, sheets of plywood, etc.

 

Mine gets a simple camper conversion too. Therefor I'll put in a 12mm plywood floor with airline cargo rails bolted to the van floor flush with the plywood.
The furniture boxes will be made of plywood and aluminum, flightcase-style.
The boxes will be mounted to the cargo rails in the floor, so I can remove them in a couple of minutes and store them in my shop if I need the full cargo space.
The design is with 2 long boxes left and right rear (140cm) which will also act as seat and bed bases with an additional sheet of plywood between them above the wheelwells. The kitchenette goes where the rear side cargo door is, so the stove can be used from inside and outside of the van (I hate cooking in the van). Drivers side will get another box and the National Luna weekender fridge.
This whole concept is a 2-person weekend and 2-week holiday concept.
The space between the boxes is still wide enough to accept a motorcycle or a pallet which can be secured with the cargo rails.
The sides get insulation and plywood. I already added a sliding rear side window out of a Land Rover on the passenger side.
Aux power comes out of a 100Ah AGM battery feeded by the alternator when the engine is running, 2x100W solar panels mounted on the roof and 220V shore power with intelligent charger while parked.

 

I'd like to see that. Sounds like a good compromise.

 

PICS! Unless this is just a plan and you haven't done anything with it yet. Even then, that still sounds awesome.

 

Yes I think it really comes down to what and how you plan to use your van.
I myself have to be able to haul people from time to time and so my idea for now would be to have easily removable seats and then install removable camper cabinets. either that or make one of my vans a camper and leave the other as is.. But i do plan to get down to one van..
One thing I liked about my GMC was the removable seats. You just pulled a lever on the bottom of the seat and pulled it from the base.

An idea for a portable/removable kitchenette might be a lightweight one like this one. It could be taken outside when you want.. I have almost the same porta potty and it measures 12"x14". If you dont want a potty under your sink, I would move the water tanks under the sink and seal the cabinet under the stove, install a vent that went through the floor, and store my propane tank under the stove.
For running water, I saw a cheap battery powered sprayer used in one article.


Another thing I done see allot of is overhead storage ideas.. Im my vans there is a valance that runs over the windows. Shelving with a lip or netting, or cabinets could easily be added as well as openings cut into the very back above the dome light.. Netting or doors could be used over the openings

 

Porta potty?

No
get a Bumper Dumper

 

Are you required to wear a seat belt if the vehicle is moving?

 

I'm collecting parts right now, solar and 220v charger are already on shelf. The fridge is in use for nearly 8 yrs. It's taking a while until everything is finished. I just took the van more or less off daily use which makes it easier now to start the bigger projects without the need to get it back together the same evening.
I'm also back to school fulltime again at age 44 becoming a software specialist / programmer, so that also takes a lot of time off my schedule.
The aux battery and sliding window are already installed, next on the list some rust at the usual spot where the right side rearmost bodymount meets the cargo floor. I hope to get this done x-mas holidays and can start with the plywood floor and cargo rails in a couple weeks.

 

Awesome man. Make sure to take lots of pics so we can see the progress

 

If you are moving while dumping, you have bigger problems.

 

Ain't that what Depends are for---talk about a real porta-potty, self-contained just like the astronauts.