Top tier European "B" van...

[mlts22]

Here is a top pick in the UK for a "B" van:

http://youtu.be/N-KFfvXPnVg

[youtube:1y1hk6e8]N-KFfvXPnVg[/youtube:1y1hk6e8]

The three notable things:

First, the sliding door was replaced by a RV style door. The disadvantage is that this utterly kills any stealth aspect whatsoever. However, the advantages are the fact that there is no sliding/slamming noise every time one wants to go in or out. It also provides better insulation.

Second, the slide-out. Since this is a UK van, the slide is on the starboard side of the van.

Finally, the van platform. Just a plain old Ducato.

This would be a great floorplan in the US, but again, European floorplans are hard to translate to the US due to the differences in plumbing and the need for a generator and A/C.

[markopolo]

Gas stove top with one electric burner for when you're plugged into power - that's clever.

[mlts22]

Strangely enough, from what I saw for UK "B" vans, that tends to be the norm, rather than the exception. It is a very cool feature, especially when at FHU, where electricity is paid for.

[jrobe]

Even better floor plan with more stealth. N-Class 630FL. Not sure about the cassette toilet though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYNVhSAmyvs

[youtube:302t5lw8]JYNVhSAmyvs[/youtube:302t5lw8]

[Mike]

This vid might be worth a 1/2 hour of your time, too.
I picked it off of the trailer of the previous youtube vid.
It compares 15 different European van conversions to try to determine the best overall model. Some of the conversion ideas and mods they've come up with over there are interesting. Some are pretty typical of conversions on both sides of the pond. They seem to place their sleeping areas amidships, with the rear of the van being the bathroom or storage, but there are some rear bed models, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-h8ruMKBog

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by Mike

This vid might be worth a 1/2 hour of your time, too.
I picked it off of the trailer of the previous youtube vid.
It compares 15 different European van conversions to try to determine the best overall model. Some of the conversion ideas and mods they've come up with over there are interesting. Some are pretty typical of conversions on both sides of the pond. They seem to place their sleeping areas amidships, with the rear of the van being the bathroom or storage, but there are some rear bed models, too.

We covered that video back in May here. I took the trouble to look up all 15 of the Bs and their websites at the time and post the links.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2577&start=66

[Mike]

Makes sense to have a reference to it in a "Eurpoean "B" van" thread now, don't you think?

Thanks for the link to it. Funny, I don't recall ever seeing this particular vid before, but maybe I skipped class that day, or I just missed it. I see it was buried in page 7 of the 16 page "Winnebago Travato" thread. Not surprisingly, I often miss portions of lengthy threads for one reason or another. After thumbing through that particular thread a bit more, I now remember erip's post responding "aggressively" to your negative comments about the Travato layout. I looked at the 2 European models mentioned at the end of that post.

[accrete]

Dang that original posted van is beautifully executed!

Thanks for sharing the video/link.