Layout Suggestions For Carrying Bikes And 3 Passengers

[fidav]

Thinking I may be a bit unrealistic in the scope for my future van conversion however thought I’d put it out there in case anyone has some crafty suggestions!

Ideally want van to hold:
3 passengers, 3 bikes (mixture of road/mtb)
Bike kit , Water tank , Fridge /Gas burner (but not in big kitchen unit), Medium sized Dog (vizsla) and have a Heater fitted

Ideally want to be able to sleep 3 of us in the van (1-2 night stays only) without removing the bikes. (2 of us are tiny at <5’3”) and would like for the bikes to be secured during transport

I can’t afford a pop top just yet so need to be creative with adapting seating into beds.

Any suggestions or even better pictures would be great !

 

[Pete C]

Definitely start with a LWB if you can !

Pete

 

[Tellmewhatsnew]

MTB Conversion - CJL Leisure
If you haven’t seen them already look at this site. They do MTB and Triathlon conversions

 

[dubber36]

My initial thoughts would be to have a deck similar to a multiflex board that sat above the rear bike 'garage'. At night, fold the second row of seats forward and and extend the deck forward to form a bed base. It would be quite high up, so wouldn't give much headroom and I'd guess you'd sleep with your head at the cab end. You'd have a full width bed, so might squeeze three in, but without a pop top, I'm not sure how you'd sleep 3 without being too cosy.

 

[Stantman]

I have a long wheel base with a home made deck at present. I can get 3 bikes in side ways stood up on top of the deck with the front wheels off, with the bikes alternated to allow the handlebars to cross over. This maintains the storage below the deck. If I didn't have the kombi seats in I could just about at the heights you describe get away with sleeping on the deck when its pulled forward. If you only need to sit 3 a normal 2 & 1 front arrangement would give you seatbelts for travel. If you get a swivel for the double seat and adapt the deck to pull backward during the day you could have a bench seat for day use and a full width bed for sleeping.
We have a pointer and I am 6'4" and the Mrs is 6'.
Equipment wise we use a compressor coolbox fridge which is good and can be moved around. A table on the B pillar and a trangia is fine for cooking. Washing up is just a plastic bowl, alot of reviews on the whole sink issue suggests don't bother.

It will be cosy but doable, but unless the dog likes sleeping in the space behind the front seats when swivelled, very all inclusive at night.

 

[Dieseldonkey]

Smart Bed on rails in a LWB allows three bikes in the back with 4 or 5 seats in play. But you'd need to lock them outside the van at night in order to put the seat down. Have you considered tailgate or towbar mounted bike rack?

 

[The Bear78]

This is a quandary I've contemplated many times. I love that I can fit multiple fully assembled bikes behind the Kombi seats in my LWB but to then sleep in it presents a problem.
I am reluctant to go for a pop top as it can't be transferred and for the cost there are alternatives for sleeping 3 or more.
Have you considered the Cabbunk system?
Cabbunk
These are either single or double bunk beds that slip over the front seats (when swivelled 180). I did enquire about maximum width which is apparently 164cm so a touch longer than 5'3". Combined with a platform over folded down rear seats that may give you what you need?

 

[fidav]

Some good suggestions here.
Although don’t want to put bikes outside and don’t want a lwb.

Cabbunk certainly an option although would need to figure out where child no:2 goes and means I can only use single seats at the front which the means putting a 3rd seat in the rear.
the bikes outside.

Cheers

 

[fidav]

Just realised that I’ve said 3 passengers but meant 2 passengers + driver