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Van Layouts

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Created by hinch > 9 months ago, 17 May 2009
hinch
NSW, 45 posts
17 May 2009 9:31AM
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Have a T5 VW van bought for the gear. Still want to sleep in it. So after ideas on how to maximise use of the area.
Any pictures of what has been done.

FletcHuz
VIC, 300 posts
17 May 2009 11:03AM
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Hey Hinch,

I've also got a T5 VW LWB for the windsurf gear. I'm really happy with my set up although it only sleeps one person - my wife is not that keen on coming along on windsurf trips so didn't need room for two.

I've posted some pics in this previous thread - there are some other set ups to check out here too:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40532&SearchTerms=van

bobdaboarder
NSW, 185 posts
17 May 2009 1:00PM
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My Toyota Hiace setup




P.C_simpson
WA, 1492 posts
17 May 2009 9:19PM
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Here is my setup, i only use wave gear so the bed is enclosed at other end except far right has a hole to allow masts to slide through and can fit up to a 5.7 under it, the bed is a queen size but about 1 foot shorter, i have room in front of the bed about the length of the sliding door as i wanted room for mountain bikes etc. and i'm not real tall, so the bed is perfect, all my wetsuits, harnesses etc. are under the left side in tubs. boards are stapped to the roof and side wall with quick release straps like on back packs etc. will stop them sliding foward if you hit the brakes too hard..

Usually just slide boards on the bed if i'm going local but can take 3 boards , 4 or 5 sails, 2 booms, masts and camping gear, and still have full bed if i'm traveling, and full floor space in front for esky.

Best bit i can sit up in bed with out hitting boards..

Windxtasy
WA, 4019 posts
17 May 2009 9:26PM
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P.C_simpson said...



Here is my setup, i only use wave gear so the bed is enclosed at other end except far right has a hole to allow masts to slide through and can fit up to a 5.7 under it, the bed is a queen size but about 1 foot shorter, i have room in front of the bed about the length of the sliding door as i wanted room for mountain bikes etc. and i'm not real tall, so the bed is perfect, all my wetsuits, harnesses etc. are under the left side in tubs. boards are stapped to the roof and side wall with quick release straps like on back packs etc. will stop them sliding foward if you hit the brakes too hard..

Usually just slide boards on the bed if i'm going local but can take 3 boards , 4 or 5 sails, 2 booms, masts and camping gear, and still have full bed if i'm traveling, and full floor space in front for esky.

Best bit i can sit up in bed with out hitting boards..


Nicely colour coordinated too...

P.C_simpson
WA, 1492 posts
17 May 2009 9:30PM
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gotta travel in style....

Bondalucci
VIC, 1580 posts
18 May 2009 12:39AM
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Here is how I've set mine up.

The first 3 pics show the interior roof racks (which are 2 secs to remove) along with the 2 different floor options





a)troopy style: great for transporting bbq's, furniture, lawn mower etc. The floor piece can be slid in higher up to make the bench in next pic



b)full bench/bed set up: this is how I normally leave it, but with the gym mats on top. If I'm going to sleep in it I have a db foam matress-(great for camping at the bottom of Mt Buller on snowboarding trips)





Here are the spring loaded roof racks



The panels are lift-off for easy access, but 'cos I leave mats on top, I rarely use this aspect



A few cupboards forward and above the triple bench seat in the back for keeping stuff!



Here we are loading up. This set up allows 2 boards still with 3 passengers in the back seat (and the front seat is bench too, so can take another 3 people up there) easily fits 6 sails, a few booms, tubs, mast bag (with 3 masts) and water tank with hose - and you could still sleep 2 in the back if necessary




this is how it is if travelling with wife and kids!




....on the long trips the kids can watch a dvd on this laptop holder I made. You can pump it out the doof doof speakers, or have it through dual headphones, if you want to listen to something else in the front (like wifey).
That thing in the background is an inverter which is very handy.



The lwb mazda's and econovans are a great length for creating a lot of options, but are a bit gutless, especially on lpg. (still very happy withit though).

Now to paint it purple like PC's


puffin
235 posts
19 May 2009 6:58AM
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hinch said...

Have a T5 VW van bought for the gear. Still want to sleep in it. So after ideas on how to maximise use of the area.
Any pictures of what has been done.


While most everybody who wants to sleep in their van puts in a floor and uses the area beneath for storage, I've had good results with a large rack of boards and sails on one side of the van behind the driver, a little bit of storage (booms and small items) on the other side, with an air mattress and sleeping bag layed down the middle for sleeping. It only accomodates one person, but it's quite comfortable, and leaves the full interior height of the van available. I'm using a Ford van, btw.

Some detail (though sleeping bag/air mattress are not displayed):www.peconicpuffin.com/photos/windsurfing_van/index.html

Richiefish
QLD, 5612 posts
19 May 2009 9:41AM
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simple yet effective chaos layout....

easty
TAS, 2213 posts
19 May 2009 10:23AM
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^^That looks like mine - I've been a believer of chaos, entropy, etc since I was a kid and kept all my clothes and stuff on the floor - the more useful items always end up on top of the pile

WindWarrior
NSW, 1019 posts
19 May 2009 11:07AM
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Ok ok so it's not technically a van... but you sure can get a heap of gear into/onto it.

The 2m x2.6m tray is perfect for rigging/de-rigging so you don't get sand through everything...
Or you simply whack a tie down strap across the fully rigged sail and drive home !

Ian K
WA, 4170 posts
19 May 2009 9:24AM
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easty said...

^^That looks like mine - I've been a believer of chaos, entropy, etc since I was a kid and kept all my clothes and stuff on the floor - the more useful items always end up on top of the pile


The chaos system also minimises your carbon footprint by keeping vehicle weight/fuel consumption to a minimum. Some of the rack systems I've seen weigh more than the windsurfing gear they keep organised and tidy.

But then when it comes to carbon footprints, Canberran windsurfers are the worst of the worst. 450 km for an afternoon's sailing? Do as we say not as we do.

hinch
NSW, 45 posts
19 May 2009 4:45PM
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Yeah chaos system is good but I keep losing every thing and have to chuck all items out of van to find wetty or board shorts.

Bondalucci
VIC, 1580 posts
20 May 2009 12:34AM
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Richiefish said...

simple yet effective chaos layout....




-Richie,
Is there a drivers seat up front, or do you just sit on the floor too??

Richiefish
QLD, 5612 posts
20 May 2009 10:54AM
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no of course not.....I sit on a milk crate.

evlPanda
NSW, 9207 posts
20 May 2009 12:51PM
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Mine's coming along... inside will be a surprise.



Love the laptop holder above BTW

westozwind
WA, 1419 posts
20 May 2009 11:25AM
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Mitsubishi Delica LWB 4x4 van

The loadout


On the beach no probs :)

It's all good.

FormulaNova
WA, 15109 posts
20 May 2009 11:56AM
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evlPanda said...

Mine's coming along... inside will be a surprise.



Love the laptop holder above BTW


Inside a surprise? It looks like inside there should be an egg. Cluck cluck cluck!

Windxtasy
WA, 4019 posts
20 May 2009 12:26PM
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westozwind said...

Mitsubishi Delica LWB 4x4 van

The loadout


On the beach no probs :)

It's all good.


That's a lot of gear!


myusernam
QLD, 6160 posts
20 May 2009 2:30PM
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FletcHuz said...

Hey Hinch,

I've also got a T5 VW LWB for the windsurf gear. I'm really happy with my set up although it only sleeps one person - my wife is not that keen on coming along on windsurf trips so didn't need room for two.

I've posted some pics in this previous thread - there are some other set ups to check out here too:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40532&SearchTerms=van



holy crap how many masts have you got!!!!!

Bondalucci
VIC, 1580 posts
20 May 2009 9:16PM
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evlPanda said...

Mine's coming along... inside will be a surprise.





Hey Panda, I saw you cruising past here the other day.

I'm expecting to see you standing on the roof, dressed in drag (long flowing satin robes), singing opera one day soon.

hooray
QLD, 335 posts
20 May 2009 9:34PM
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Richie, you cleaned up a bit, I see that you got rid of the shopping trolley.

Richiefish
QLD, 5612 posts
20 May 2009 10:40PM
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hooray said...

Richie, you cleaned up a bit, I see that you got rid of the shopping trolley.


It was a golf trolly....yeah I chucked away a lot of sh1t and rearranged to fit in the new board (HMAS Darling Point)..........

Bondalucci
VIC, 1580 posts
20 May 2009 11:45PM
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Richies van????
-are you sure????






















Ah yeah... Now I recognise it!!

Richiefish
QLD, 5612 posts
21 May 2009 8:30AM
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I am currently in negotiations with Billabong re a new range of "wind wear"...

westozwind
WA, 1419 posts
21 May 2009 9:58AM
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Hey Windxtasy,
My wife sails as well, hence the extra kit
It's the best way to expand your board and sail collection.

Windxtasy
WA, 4019 posts
21 May 2009 10:10AM
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westozwind said...

Hey Windxtasy,
My wife sails as well, hence the extra kit
lucky you
It's the best way to expand your board and sail collection.


You've got enough gear for a team!

westozwind
WA, 1419 posts
21 May 2009 10:18AM
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If you don't have a spare everything, you go nothin'
It's my motto and I'm sticking to it

Little Jon
NSW, 2115 posts
21 May 2009 11:02PM
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westozwind said...

Mitsubishi Delica LWB 4x4 van

The loadout


On the beach no probs :)

It's all good.


Crikey, is that 6 boards and 13 sails?

westozwind
WA, 1419 posts
22 May 2009 9:38AM
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Nah, only 12 sails.
The 13th is a mast bag

Bondalucci
VIC, 1580 posts
22 May 2009 11:27PM
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P.C_simpson said...



Here is my setup, i only use wave gear so the bed is enclosed at other end except far right has a hole to allow masts to slide through and can fit up to a 5.7 under it, the bed is a queen size but about 1 foot shorter, i have room in front of the bed about the length of the sliding door as i wanted room for mountain bikes etc. and i'm not real tall, so the bed is perfect, all my wetsuits, harnesses etc. are under the left side in tubs. boards are stapped to the roof and side wall with quick release straps like on back packs etc. will stop them sliding foward if you hit the brakes too hard..

Usually just slide boards on the bed if i'm going local but can take 3 boards , 4 or 5 sails, 2 booms, masts and camping gear, and still have full bed if i'm traveling, and full floor space in front for esky.

Best bit i can sit up in bed with out hitting boards..




PC, I like what you've done with your van since you posted your original pic-




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"Van Layouts" started by hinch