Hymer AKTIV/Travato 59G knock-off

[jon]

After complaining about the lack of real second row seats in the AKTIV and Travato 59G I finally created a knock-off with real second row seats. I'll let you know that is not cheap going this route and I had to make the wife work harder but it done so we can start enjoying campervan life again.


On this one I had the shop install a marine (Isotemp) water heater so as soon as I hook up the engine water lines I'll have automatic hot water. For now I'm using the electric heating element through the inverter.

[rowiebowie]

Nice build. Always good when you can get what you want.

Who did it for you?
.

[jon]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

Nice build. Always good when you can get what you want.



Who did it for you?

.

Van Specialties

[BillsPaseo]

Very nice!

[GeorgeRa]

Very nice, congratulation.

[AlexJ]

Nice. I didn't realize the Transit driver's seat could rotate. Does the table expand? Can it collapse along the wall? What size is your rear bed?

[jon]

Originally Posted by AlexJ

Nice. I didn't realize the Transit driver's seat could rotate. Does the table expand? Can it collapse along the wall? What size is your rear bed?

In 2019 Transit offered a "push down parking brake." It allows you to push down the brake without releasing it. That was the only thing that prevented the driver seat from rotating.

The small table shown is the daughter's traveling table. The shop is sending us a larger dinning table to use with the seats swiveled. We tried using the small table rotated (it's mounted on one pole in middle of seat) but it was tooooo small.

The rear bed is 46" wide. The trick was to get the sofa narrow enough to fit in the door opening. I think we gained 6". Then we have little padded shelves above the wheel wells. It's just long enough for me to sleep. I'm 5' 9".

Jon

[warpig]

Kick ass, Jon! Looks great....that is almost exactly what I would want. The only change would be an elevated permanent rear bed so I'd have a small garage underneath. What type of toilet does it have?

[jon]

It has a regular foot flush RV toilet with a 10 gallon tank. My water tank is under my sofa/bed so there is no storage. I thought about a bed but this way I have 7 seat belts with 6 shoulder straps. The daughter and the dog like traveling on the sofa while the wife likes to snooze on the two person seat.....For me I splurged and got XM so no more searching for channels.

[warpig]

That is the same I would want with a bathroom. Which length Transit is it? Midroof?

[jon]

It's the 148 EB so it's a little less than 20 ft. for roof height it's the mid roof and again I can barely stand in it, but I like the looks of the 20 ft mid roof.

[warpig]

You nailed it, Jon! Great planning. Thank you for your replies.

[Anachr0n]

Nice setup. I think you pretty much nailed it. I like the toilet/shower without a sink. More space efficient and you're literally one step away from a sink.

What's the floor elevation change between the cab and the coach? Is it flush, a slight rise, or will you have your knees at your chest when you turn the seats?

What's the standing height inside? I think the mid roof is passable for me too at 5'8" unless I lose too much in the floor and ceiling with insulation.

I'd be interested in a permanent bed version too. I only need 4 belts, and those look way more comfortable than the bolt-upright ones in the Aktivs.

Thanks for sharing your pics.

[jon]

Originally Posted by Anachr0n

What's the floor elevation change between the cab and the coach? Is it flush, a slight rise, or will you have your knees at your chest when you turn the seats?

What's the standing height inside? I think the mid roof is passable for me too at 5'8" unless I lose too much in the floor and ceiling with insulation.

I'd be interested in a permanent bed version too. I only need 4 belts, and those look way more comfortable than the bolt-upright ones in the Aktivs.

The floor is the same as the coach so it's good for swiveling the seats (minus 3/4 " plywood flooring).

The standing height inside is right at 5'(8"- 9") I can barely stand upright with shoes on. My license says 5' 9" but I've probably gotten shorter in my 56 years of age.

I only need 3 seat belts too but I find that our daughter and dog seem to prefer riding on the sofa. I figure the more seat belts the better.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by warpig

That is the same I would want with a bathroom. Which length Transit is it? Midroof?

Not enough height for me, but pretty good inside height at 5'9".
.

[VanFan]

Looks great, Jon. How long did it take Van Specialties to complete your build?

[jon]

Originally Posted by VanFan

Looks great, Jon. How long did it take Van Specialties to complete your build?

It only took a couple months once I got through the waiting list. They had a 10 month waiting list when I gave a deposit, but I can't tell what it is now. It could be more or less.

[photochefs88]

How much does it cost for your Van Specialties Camper Van conversation? Do you have lithium battery setup too!

[jon]

Originally Posted by photochefs88

How much does it cost for your Van Specialti Camper Van conversation? Do you have lithium battery setup too!

Oh, I hate to admit the full cost because of the amount of stuff I added including 400 amp/hrs lithium batteries, gasoline cabin heater, marine water heater with heat coil that hooks to engine coolant water, and of coarse a ceramic toilet.
I wanted to spend a little more and not have to add stuff later. I spent a little over 100K including the van.

[2chill]

Great job. Congrats, I really like their work...