Camper Van, building, have one, want one?

[gsjay]

So, I'm building a Camper Van that I intend to tow a motorcycle with.................
Less work, more travel is in the future.

I'd like to tow the bike to places I have no interest in "riding to" but would love to have the bike when I get there.
Yellowstone
Montana
Newfoundland
etc.

Just wondered if there are any members here doing something similar?
Always looking for tips and advice.
Jason
76799

 

[omega man]

An appropriately sized enclosed trailer is my recommendation. The bike will be cleaner and there will be extra room for what you intend to bring with you.
I will be interested in how you progress.
OM

 

[PGlaves]

I would recommend you take a look at Ironhorse trailers. They are fiberglass bodied, somewhat streamlined with a raise-up top. They come in one-bike and two-bike models. We have a two-bike model and it has served us well.

 

[gsjay]

An appropriately sized enclosed trailer is my recommendation. The bike will be cleaner and there will be extra room for what you intend to bring with you.
I will be interested in how you progress.

Thanks for the trailer input.......
I was hoping there might be others here that are building a "camper van"!
jason

 

[omega man]

I’m working on converting a cargo trailer into a Toy Hauler, which is similar.
You may want to elaborate on the type of van you are converting. “Shoehorning” all that may be needed in a conversion is pretty tricky….and time consuming. I just finished cutting in an “escape” window into the side of the trailer and between the layout and the cutout, was very time consuming.
OM

 

[r0ckrat]

Another option, depending on the type of van, is a hitch-mounted moto carrier, rather than a trailer.

Advantage: No need to maneuver a trailer or worry about parking with a trailer.
Disadvantages: No extra cargo space. Extra weight off the back of the van. Must make sure the carrier can handle the weight of the intended bike. Loading/unloading/securing less straightforward than a trailer.

Example:

https://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-motorcycle-carrier-57720.html

 

[gsjay]

Ok, I changed the title of this tread.

I'm not looking for advice on trailers.

I'm looking for others that might have a camper van, might be building a camper van or just are interested in Camper Vans.

I am currently building one out of a Ram Promaster Camper Van and am always open for suggestions & ideas.
tks,
jason
76799

 

[kinterridge]

If you're doing your own work and need some ideas go to wearevanlab.com and search for your Promaster, they have some layouts that'll give some ideas if nothing else.
Also, Orion Van Gear shows what they have in solar power sources for the Promaster if you are looking to go that route as well, hope something helps you with ideas.

 

[SnoDrtRider]

I have a 2022 Transit 250 with Eco Boost 3.5, AWD, Long Wheel Base and Extended Body with High Roof. (Long Tall Sally)
I stumbled upon as series of videos when I first got the van by a guy named Matt who owns AVC Rig

https://avcrig.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqkqARQhLKFKyW8ORc1lxhhtAuGE4eeixzdk1-f9nEpajL53tKK
His preferred vehicle is the Transit and he has how to videos which I'm sure you can glean a lot of info and ideas from.

I needed the van for work but I knew we would be converting it to at least a part time Camper Van so I followed all of his prep work steps such as sound deadening, insulation wall panels, etc.

I have since been building and installing cabinets, a bed and a stand alone power system featuring a Goal Zero Pro 4000 system that is designed to replace built in power systems in driven and towed RVs.

I have a two place enclosed trailer for the bikes which has single axle and electric brakes... Single axle with brakes is fairly rare unless you custom order a trailer. Enough about the trailer you are not interested in!

If you are doing a conversion you need a minimum of a 3/4 ton van! If you are going whole hog with shower and a large water supply along with towing a trailer you will want a One Ton van...

I have been very careful with the weight that I am putting into the van and it is 3/4 complete and weighs less than it did when I had all of my tools and metal shelving in there.

If you are going the MOA Rally my wife and I will be there with the van in the "Overland" parking area. I am a member of New Sweden BMW Riders of South Jersey and we will have a club tent in the tent camping members of our club if you want to look me up they will know where I am.

Here are a few photos....

The air mattress seemed like a good idea but they all lose air and when your partner moves you get bounced around... It is gone and replaced with 4 custom made cushions.

 

[toter]

A search on YouTube will show lots of ideas.

 

[lee]

I have a 2022 Transit 250 with Eco Boost 3.5, AWD, Long Wheel Base and Extended Body with High Roof. (Long Tall Sally)

Looks nice.
How do you store the panels that support the center part of the bed?
Do one or both of the front seats pivot to face back?

 

[r0ckrat]

Looks nice.
How do you store the panels that support the center part of the bed?

Looks like they hang on the walls - they aren't there when the bed is made.

 

[SnoDrtRider]

Looks nice.
How do you store the panels that support the center part of the bed?
Do one or both of the front seats pivot to face back?

The panels were hinged to the cabinets at the wall and would swing up against the wall... That system is gone now. I realized that I didn't decide all of a sudden that I needed the bed or didn't. and having the columns in the middle screwed up my storage. During my busy season (fall and winter) when I use the van for work I remove the bed and cushions and store them. If we decide to go camping it's just a matter of 15 minutes to install the parts and cushions for the bed. When we go camping 90% of the time we are eating outdoors.

The bed platform is now 6 1X3 aluminum beams that are notched into the cabinets. They sit on the cabinets and in researching the load that a 4 foot 1X3 beam could support I found that each beam can support 300 pounds at the center of the span.
The beams are easily removed and stored so I have the benches back again.
I will post a photo when I set the bed back up again... I though I had taken a photo but apparently not.
No swivel on the seats... YET.

 

[gsjay]

Here's my set up. I have rafters made out of 3/4 inch plywood that I use to span the opening and then lay the 2 slotted bed platforms down. Use with an air mattress

 

[gsjay]

First test tow today. Worked great, don't even know it's back there!

 

[SnoDrtRider]

The new bed set up...
1X3 Rectangular aluminum tubing (6) notched into the wheel well cabinets with 1X4 Pine slats bridging the beams. The slats are held in place with Velcro and everything will eventually be able to be stored in the left cabinet should I need to use the cargo space while I am out traveling.

 

[SnoDrtRider]

Had the transit out to pre run a route for our clubs Spring Event... The New Sweden BMW Riders annual NS 450 (our 11th year)
We opted to just pick two days and take the van so we didn't need to worry about weather...
About 500 miles round trip over two days checking GPS routes for any construction/detours before we release the GPX files to registered riders...