Love the Van Alex its our dream to have one like this. The sliders for the bed look like a great solution. If it was me i would definitely want to secure the bikes inside the Van if only to use for day trips and popping to a local ride spot. Its far less faf than getting the towbar mount set up and you reduce the risk of damaging the living area. Tow bar mount will be far more useful for the multi day trips. I look forward to the future episodes 👍👍
Leave them outside like I do. Lock them to wheels with bike cover. Definitely have seats on slider. Then bikes in back for travelling. Nicer for rear passenger & closer to front passenger
I deliberated the same thing for ages. Sliding rails are the best bet but you’re looking at £3k plus fitting for an upholstered bed/seat. I decided to go for a 2+1 removable kombi seat so I can have 3 rear seats day to day but then just remove them all for a race weekend. Or keep one seat and have a few bikes on a bikestow stand next to it. Then just sleep in the pop top. There’s still room for furniture in there although I don’t have a full kitchen like you do. For the swing out table check out the one from Ovano, gets really good reviews and stores behind the passenger seat. The leg is supposed to be better than others on the market. Have you looked at the Joolca kit for showering/hot water etc? I’ve got one, with the full kit/box it’s a bit bulky but a great bit of kit. I just run that and my gas hob off a small propane tank so it doesn’t take up too much room in total. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it :)
Appreciate your feedback! I wanted to get rails that could bolt straight onto my rock and roll bed but it’s proving to be a challenge. Looks like you need specific rails for specific beds. On the table, I’ll check that Ovano brand out, had a few people recommend the same thing. Also check out your shower recommendation 🙏
@@wolfpack_adventures Ive been looking into this too and the biggest challenge for rail systems is "is the seat safe to travel on? (well..crash on!). The super expensive Reimo and RIB systems use a full metal subfloor just for the rails. However there are Unwin Rail systems that can be fitted. This UA-cam clip is interesting ua-cam.com/video/wr6gqGRQ2vU/v-deo.html. I will be interested to see how you get on as i have really been struggling with it. 1 other solution is, reverse opening bed which gives more space behind seat but of course less space in the living area. Take a lower section of the wardrobe out and fit bike (without front wheels) in sideways.
Van - Auto lock can be turned off on drivers wheel settings, table - Reimo. water - bobil vans do a water heater attached to diesel heater. or Joolca shower. I'm also interested in what you find for bike storage, I have the same van but cant find a decent bike rack for the barn doors
Move bed forward slightly and remove the wardrobe,you could section it off then and create a garage. Other option is sliding bed on rails which slides forward and bikes behind. You can also get privacy rooms for the Fiamma awnings TO create a room outside
Thanks Andy - I have a privacy awning that came with the van actually, I just haven’t used it yet. The bed on rails is what I was thinking, although some people have told me the work involved wouldn’t be worth it 🤔
Alex checkout Shingleback Off Road for your bike rack requirements especially the swing away. Mega popular in OZ. You would need to source a proper square hitch tow bar for the van though & probably cost alota to ship to UK.
I’m currently researching vans to do the same. Maybe you could remove the rock and rock bed ( you have a bed in the pop top ) and then putting in sliders for the bikes with access from rear. Maybe enough room to section them off ? Maybe a unfixed squab like box seat ( storage ) but can be moved to sit opposite front passenger seat and table. Solar ? Anyway. Have fun.
Can we get a Alex saying “rock and roll bed” counter? 😂😂. Sick van mate looks awesome 👌bike stand on the door would be great too, maybe some foldable tables from the door (like on trains) as a little workbench?
Great video. Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Would a small trailer, converted for bikes, get around possible problems with overloading the hitch and also give you some more 'outdoor' storage space?
Ive been in a similar predicament mate, sold my Burstner Ducato and got a Custom. Im going basic, so slide out bed down the driver side, and my bike secure down the left - massive 280l garden storage box. I’d maybe think about getting a barn door cover (about £50 to essentially have the benefit of a tailgate). Im not gonna have a stove or sink, so would love an awning to cook outside more. Like you say - loads of options with vans - Ill hopefully get a chance to put together a van vid soon - 3/4 done and about 100Gb already :). Crackin looking van you have though man - happy trails!
First thing is get deadlocks fitted all around the van mate. Ford transit can be nicked in seconds just by smashing off the plastic shrouding around the door lock. My mate had his custom nicked within 2 weeks of having it😱😱. There's a builder on here showing how his was stolen.
Anyone who says "use a bike rack" probably considers £300 a lot for a bike... We're looking for the same, with a camper for us & the dogs and then an MTB van/camper for me. A LWB van and a sliding seat seems the answer and using the pop-top bed rather than the rock/roll bed. But for you, I'd look at getting the seat/bed mounted on rails so its easier to move forwards/backwards to get bikes in for daytrips and then remove it altogether when there's just the two of you on a trip. For three folk, tell the 'passenger' to bring a tent.
Hey man, I've had the same van for 2 years now and I'm converting it myself to do pretty much what you want. I already have the rock and roll bed ON RAILS and the same type of poptop installed. I live in Edinburgh and go riding to Innerleithen often, however I became a dad a week ago so I won't be able to go to inners in the very near future. You are welcome to get in touch and come to Edinburgh to see my van and discuss all the options as I've been investigating for a long time and could give you loads of input if you wanted. Cheers, Manu.
VAN Key: get a ‘surf key’ cut and attach it underneath the van somewhere Bike storage: Mate, just forget trying to adjust the rock ’n roll bed, etc.. Not worth it. The bikes will need to go on the back of the van. If you only have 2-3 bikes go with a fiamma style bike rack for the back door, rather than a vertical rack. Also get a high quality, heavy duty tarp to cover the bikes, rather than going with those cheap ‘bike covers’ (they don’t hold up in the wind while driving). If you do go with a vertical rack, be careful with the hitch. Some racks stick out a bit from the hitch and the leverage causes issues. You are going to be putting on enduro bikes and an ebike. I can almost guarantee that you will exceed the weight limit for your hitch.
I was thinking along the lines of what Bernard Kerr uses sometimes just smaller maybe, or as you have somewhere to sleep above the van maybe the bed inside the van could be taken out or changed somehow.
Love the Van Alex its our dream to have one like this. The sliders for the bed look like a great solution. If it was me i would definitely want to secure the bikes inside the Van if only to use for day trips and popping to a local ride spot. Its far less faf than getting the towbar mount set up and you reduce the risk of damaging the living area. Tow bar mount will be far more useful for the multi day trips. I look forward to the future episodes 👍👍
Leave them outside like I do. Lock them to wheels with bike cover. Definitely have seats on slider. Then bikes in back for travelling. Nicer for rear passenger & closer to front passenger
I deliberated the same thing for ages. Sliding rails are the best bet but you’re looking at £3k plus fitting for an upholstered bed/seat. I decided to go for a 2+1 removable kombi seat so I can have 3 rear seats day to day but then just remove them all for a race weekend. Or keep one seat and have a few bikes on a bikestow stand next to it. Then just sleep in the pop top. There’s still room for furniture in there although I don’t have a full kitchen like you do.
For the swing out table check out the one from Ovano, gets really good reviews and stores behind the passenger seat. The leg is supposed to be better than others on the market.
Have you looked at the Joolca kit for showering/hot water etc? I’ve got one, with the full kit/box it’s a bit bulky but a great bit of kit. I just run that and my gas hob off a small propane tank so it doesn’t take up too much room in total.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it :)
Appreciate your feedback! I wanted to get rails that could bolt straight onto my rock and roll bed but it’s proving to be a challenge.
Looks like you need specific rails for specific beds.
On the table, I’ll check that Ovano brand out, had a few people recommend the same thing.
Also check out your shower recommendation 🙏
@@wolfpack_adventures Ive been looking into this too and the biggest challenge for rail systems is "is the seat safe to travel on? (well..crash on!). The super expensive Reimo and RIB systems use a full metal subfloor just for the rails. However there are Unwin Rail systems that can be fitted. This UA-cam clip is interesting ua-cam.com/video/wr6gqGRQ2vU/v-deo.html. I will be interested to see how you get on as i have really been struggling with it.
1 other solution is, reverse opening bed which gives more space behind seat but of course less space in the living area. Take a lower section of the wardrobe out and fit bike (without front wheels) in sideways.
Holy shit, I didn't think you could get a double captains chair, that's sweet.
Van - Auto lock can be turned off on drivers wheel settings, table - Reimo. water - bobil vans do a water heater attached to diesel heater. or Joolca shower. I'm also interested in what you find for bike storage, I have the same van but cant find a decent bike rack for the barn doors
Move bed forward slightly and remove the wardrobe,you could section it off then and create a garage.
Other option is sliding bed on rails which slides forward and bikes behind.
You can also get privacy rooms for the Fiamma awnings TO create a room outside
Thanks Andy - I have a privacy awning that came with the van actually, I just haven’t used it yet.
The bed on rails is what I was thinking, although some people have told me the work involved wouldn’t be worth it 🤔
Alex checkout Shingleback Off Road for your bike rack requirements especially the swing away. Mega popular in OZ. You would need to source a proper square hitch tow bar for the van though & probably cost alota to ship to UK.
I’m currently researching vans to do the same. Maybe you could remove the rock and rock bed ( you have a bed in the pop top ) and then putting in sliders for the bikes with access from rear. Maybe enough room to section them off ? Maybe a unfixed squab like box seat ( storage ) but can be moved to sit opposite front passenger seat and table. Solar ? Anyway. Have fun.
Can we get a Alex saying “rock and roll bed” counter? 😂😂. Sick van mate looks awesome 👌bike stand on the door would be great too, maybe some foldable tables from the door (like on trains) as a little workbench?
😂😂😂did I repeat myself?!
Pretty sure you'd be able to disable the automatic locking through the vans "programming mode" or whatever it's called? Could be worthy of a google.
Great video. Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Would a small trailer, converted for bikes, get around possible problems with overloading the hitch and also give you some more 'outdoor' storage space?
I didn’t even consider a trailer - not really keen on the idea - wanted the bikes to be attached to the van in some way really 🙏
One Up bike rack , the best I have ever used !
I'll check this out! Thanks Richard
Ive been in a similar predicament mate, sold my Burstner Ducato and got a Custom. Im going basic, so slide out bed down the driver side, and my bike secure down the left - massive 280l garden storage box. I’d maybe think about getting a barn door cover (about £50 to essentially have the benefit of a tailgate). Im not gonna have a stove or sink, so would love an awning to cook outside more. Like you say - loads of options with vans - Ill hopefully get a chance to put together a van vid soon - 3/4 done and about 100Gb already :). Crackin looking van you have though man - happy trails!
Put the rear seats on rails you can then push forwards and get the bikes in.
You can switch off the self locking, I googled it to do mine
First thing is get deadlocks fitted all around the van mate. Ford transit can be nicked in seconds just by smashing off the plastic shrouding around the door lock. My mate had his custom nicked within 2 weeks of having it😱😱. There's a builder on here showing how his was stolen.
Oh really? That’s definitely something I’m going to look into!!
Anyone who says "use a bike rack" probably considers £300 a lot for a bike...
We're looking for the same, with a camper for us & the dogs and then an MTB van/camper for me. A LWB van and a sliding seat seems the answer and using the pop-top bed rather than the rock/roll bed.
But for you, I'd look at getting the seat/bed mounted on rails so its easier to move forwards/backwards to get bikes in for daytrips and then remove it altogether when there's just the two of you on a trip. For three folk, tell the 'passenger' to bring a tent.
Hey man, I've had the same van for 2 years now and I'm converting it myself to do pretty much what you want. I already have the rock and roll bed ON RAILS and the same type of poptop installed. I live in Edinburgh and go riding to Innerleithen often, however I became a dad a week ago so I won't be able to go to inners in the very near future. You are welcome to get in touch and come to Edinburgh to see my van and discuss all the options as I've been investigating for a long time and could give you loads of input if you wanted. Cheers, Manu.
awesome campervan.hope one day me have one like this
I've had the idea to mount a maintenance Stand on the bike rack.
VAN Key: get a ‘surf key’ cut and attach it underneath the van somewhere
Bike storage: Mate, just forget trying to adjust the rock ’n roll bed, etc.. Not worth it. The bikes will need to go on the back of the van. If you only have 2-3 bikes go with a fiamma style bike rack for the back door, rather than a vertical rack. Also get a high quality, heavy duty tarp to cover the bikes, rather than going with those cheap ‘bike covers’ (they don’t hold up in the wind while driving).
If you do go with a vertical rack, be careful with the hitch. Some racks stick out a bit from the hitch and the leverage causes issues. You are going to be putting on enduro bikes and an ebike. I can almost guarantee that you will exceed the weight limit for your hitch.
Have you saw the piston pro x?
Thule do a 4 bike carrier that connects to your tow bar
my 07 camry self locks too, and my sons 07 ford focus does too, what a stupid idea
Have you seen Matt Jones van haven project van? That’s the ultimate mtb van
And Blake’s Jeep bike rack build
How about a trailer for your bikes?
I did consider that actually, but I think it could be a bit too much
I was thinking along the lines of what Bernard Kerr uses sometimes just smaller maybe, or as you have somewhere to sleep above the van maybe the bed inside the van could be taken out or changed somehow.
get an extra spare key and duck tape it under the van somewhere hard to find - saved me once or twice when i was locked out
Keep beds folding to the side of van.
Hey Alex! Dropped you a message on your insta, bit of a long read but hope I can help :)
Received! Thanks Matt ❤️