The Campervan Layout is Everything

Today I want to talk about something really important if you're considering buying a campervan, whether it's your first one or you're looking to upgrade:

The layout. It sounds simple but it's so easily overlooked and people make mistakes.

Surely you just buy a van, put a bed in it, a kitchen, electrics and a poptop. Or buy one that people online think is stunning.

Nope.  It's way more complex than that, and getting it wrong can be a very expensive mistake.

How many times have you seen a campervan for sale that looks barely used? Or heard of someone who bought their dream van, only for it to sit on the driveway collecting dust?

“For sale, as it’s not for us”

Often, that happens because the van just doesn't suit how they actually live or travel.

Before you even look at camper vans, you need to ask yourself some questions:

How are you going to use this van? Just weekend trips? Long holidays? As a daily driver too?

What do you need it for? Cooking gourmet meals or just boiling a kettle?

Will you need to have a nice relaxing are to lounge around inside or just a place to sleep?

How often will you use it? Every day, every weekend or just a few times a year?

How many people will be travelling and sleeping in it? Just you? You and a partner? A family with kids? A dog or 2?

Where will you go? Campsites with facilities? Off-grid in the wild with nothing other than what you have on board?

All these things make a massive difference to the layout that will work for you. And for that matter, the size of the van you will need.

The best advice I can give anyone is Hire before you buy.

Seriously. Try out different types of vans, different layouts. Live in one for a weekend or a week. See what you use, what you don't use, what annoys you, what you love.

Utilise it how you would if it was your own. Where will you store all your gear? Can you fit in everything you want to take with you?

Where will you put your bikes, paddleboard? Can you put roof bars on the pop top roof for your kayak, roof box or surfboard?

Just because Bob has his dream van and is living his best life, it doesn’t mean the same van will be perfect for you, no matter how amazing it is.

Testing beforehand can save you a fortune and a lot of heartache in the long run.

Because despite what some say, that all campervans are the same, the variety out there is insane! You've got everything from simple day vans with just a bed, to full-on conversions.

Layouts range massively:

You've got classic rock-and-roll beds where the back seat turns into a bed – great for quick bed setup and keeping living space open. The quality of these does vary, as does the mechanisms to operate them and if they are fixed or on rails. Being on rails can provide the ability to move where the main storage area is.

You've got vans with fixed beds, always ready for sleeping on, but as they are permanently out they take up space.

Kitchens can be along the side like many VW Transporter Campervan conversions, or sometimes they could be in the rear, with an alternative layout, often accompanied by a rear opening poptop.

Storage solutions vary hugely – under seats, overhead lockers, wardrobes. All dependant on how the layout has been setup.

And then there are the pop-tops!

A pop-top is a game-changer for headroom, letting you stand up inside. Choose one with a proper slated bed and you will have a nice comfy sleeping area.

And even within pop-tops, there are options. In the manner in how they open.

Commonly they open from the front, as you will see on the majority of conversions, yet some open from the rear, like we have seen on some Bodans conversions. https://www.bodans.co.uk There are also some conversions that have side opening pop tops, like those manufactured by Bilbo’s. https://www.bilbos.com

Which one suits your campervan requirements the best?

Talking about the furniture, it's not just about the fixed furniture. You have brilliant removable options too. Things like Slidepods, https://slidepods.co.uk a pull-out kitchen/bed units that fit in the back. These are amazing if you need your van to double as a daily driver, or if you want maximum flexibility to take the kitchen out entirely.

You can have a full camper setup and then 10 minutes later, an empty van ready to do a tip run the next! Or as seems popular, a trip to ikea. Don’t forget your meat balls and chips on your way out.

I was actually chatting to a guy on the beach last week, and he told me a story that perfectly illustrates this point. He spent tens of thousands converting a van exactly how he thought it should be. He put in all the fancy gadgets, the perfect finish, units, bed, electrics, heater, pop top ... it was SO good, it even featured in a campervan magazine!

But you know what? He rarely uses it. Because despite being a fantastic build, it just didn't suit his actual travel style and needs. He bought the dream build, but not the right van for him.

It just goes to show, we all have different requirements. My perfect setup might be your nightmare, and that's okay! You just need to figure out yours.

As we see with setups, its not just the inside. Your setup can be extended!  –

I've got my Isabella awning set up.

An awning provides extra living space.

In bad weather, it's a godsend. You can cook in here, relax in here, store your wet gear in here – I've even got my comfy Isabella chair here! You can even use awnings for extra sleeping space if you have guests or kids. It totally changes how you use the van on a campsite.

So its that what also needs to be taken into consideration when thinking how you will use your van.

Its also a good place to house your shower and toilet, if you have a medium size van like a Transporter or a Transit.

(In the YouTube video i walked around a campsite and showed a few vans, here, so go and have a look over on YouTube)

Choosing a campervan layout is probably the most personal part of buying a van. It's easy to get excited by the shiny wheels or the cool paint job, but you have to think about how you live, how you travel, and what your actual needs are.

Will a simple bed and cooker suit your weekend trips? Do you need a full shower and toilet because you plan on being off-grid a lot? How will you power devices, cook your meals?

Is maximizing living space key, or is having a permanently made bed more important?

Don't buy the van that looks best in the photos or the one your mate has. Buy the one that fits your lifestyle and your adventures. Renting is your best friend here. Try before you commit tens of thousands of pounds. There are loads of companies who can hire a variety of vans. Bodans Campers, North Coast Campers, Campervantastic you will no doubt find one near you.

Think about the flexibility offered by things like different pop-top styles or removable units like Slidepods if you need the van for more than just camping. And remember, things like awnings can massively extend your living space when you're pitched up.

This trip here to see the Devon & Cornwall Transporters,  just reinforces for me how much the right setup can enhance your travels. Everyone has different needs.  

So, before you dive in, pause. Ask yourself those questions. Maybe rent a van or two. And find the layout that truly fits you. Don't let your dream van become a driveway ornament.

I hope this has been helpful! If you've got a layout you love, or one that didn't work for you, let me know in the comments below! What's your must-have feature in a campervan layout?

So some exciting news. I mentioned 2 projects recently. A budget van project, to show how you can buy vans that don’t break the bank.

Well in addition to that, I have a major project which is incredibly exciting and can now confirm that has been given the green light. That is a hugely complex project that has never been done before and I will announce that the week after next.

But that’s not all. I had a life changing meeting with someone this week, who following a conversion discussed a potential idea for my channel and I LOVE IT.

Next week you will see what that is all about. Look out for me on Facebook, Instagram and possibly Tiktok. YOU are going to be more involved with this channel than you thought possible.

Let me know what you think.

Take Care.