Best Small Van for Camper Conversion?

paperclap

Hi all,

So to preface, the title is a little misleading. I'm not (yet) looking to convert a small van to a camper. But, would like something that has a decent internal length in the back so we can kip in their on weekends away. On days out, the mountain bikes in the back.

Why a small van over a medium sized (like a Transit)? Height barriers!

Does a small van with a "sleepable" length exist? Would need to be 6 foot, minimum.

Thanks in advance.

jimbo6977

How high is too high? A long Ford Courier is probably long enough. It's 1835mm tall apparently. VW Caddy Maxi 1800mm. 

Fiat Scudo and equivalents from Peugeot, Citroen, etc. 

For a car type option Ssangyong Tourismo. 

SiliconChip

I'm not sure that you'll find a suitable small van. I wonder if a large estate might be a better solution, perhaps something like a Skoda Superb - I can't find the exact length from the front seats to the tailgate but the overall length is 4862mm so I'd think that the rear space would be at least 2m. I don't know if the rear seats fold flat, and you won't have as much headroom, but you should have the length you need.

Goudy

Something like a maxi or long wheel base versions of a Fiat Doblo, Vauxhall Combo or Citroen Berlingo (they are all the same vehicle, made in the same factory these days) has something close to 2.2 metres load length.
The standard length versions are shorter at around 1.8 metres.

You would be able to stretch out in the back of a LWB version, if you wanted to.

Trouble is though they aren't really ventilated or insulated for this type of thing as standard. No matter what sort of bed you put in, you won't get comfortable nights sleep until you address those things first or you'll likely be up all night freezing to death covered in condensation thats dripping off every surface.

I understand you might not want to do a full camper conversion, but trust me, I have done it when I competed in some motorcycle events (and slept in one with my bike), you really need to sort out the insulation and ventilation, there's plenty of video's on the likes of Youtube to get you started.

Flight3287462

Would a small tent not be a better idea?  There are some very clever tents these days that would only take a minute to put up.

https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/camping/1413334/best-pop-up-tents

ITL89

I converted a Mercedes Vito and used it as my daily driver also.  I never had any issues getting into car parks with height restrictions or drive-throughs.  What is the maximum height you can have?

daveyjp

There are plenty of options.  Toyota Proace, VW Caddy LWB.

You'll need insulated panels and plywood to line it, then its down to how functional you want it.  You can go basic with a couple of sleeping mats and a box of camping gear for cooking, or go for fit out with onboard water, cooking, lighting and heating systems.

Plenty of videos on youtube.

Soot2006

Go retro and find a Mazda Bongo

Herzlos

Unless you go for a particularly big van you're going to struggle to get a bed and bikes in it. You could build up a plywood frame to put bikes under the bed, but then you're going to drastically reduce headroom which is fine if you're just planning on using it for sleeping.

It'll also be pretty uncomfortable unless you can insulate and ventilate it, and in van form you'll have no light. 

You may actually be better with a people carrier (say the passenger Berlingo rather than the van) because it'll give you more internal space, windows you can run down and a heater at the front. You'll lose most of that to the bulkhead in a van.

But then you're probably better off with a tent or a B&B unless you're using it a lot.

born_again

Roof tent 

https://venturarooftents.com/

Other brands are avaiable 

ididgetwhereiamtoday

A Toyota Prius is long enough to sleep in the back of. With it being hybrid you can run the climate control all night and the engine will kick in when it needs to to keep the battery charged. 
There is lots of YouTube vids of people living in them for this reason.