modifications for new van

Marilyn maybe if you can give an idea of the design of the van it would help people with mod ideas. I also suggest you go to as many van sale yards and look at what other vans have. What make are you getting?

It is a Trailcraft. We have had a look around but are sure we will miss a few things.

what about an outside slide out gas burner (or even kitchen) for those beautiful days when its too good to be cooking inside...

other benefits:
van is fresher
less cleaning
less fire risk

Hi Marilyn,

I lifted the bed to 500mm off the floor (instead of the usual 300mm) and you will be surprised at how much extra stuff can fit under the bed, also makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

I would also like a tap on the A-Frame to wash hands once I have hooked up and ready to jump in the car.

Hope this helps.
Trevor.

Gooday,
Instead of built in BBQ (the smoke & fat splatter will make one hell of a mess of your walls), have a Gas Bayonet fitted ,we have ours at the rear so if rainy can cook under awning, when dry just move away outside, make sure it is at sensible height so you don't have to get on knees to connect.
Inside make sure any power points are double, costs only a few $ extra, and put plenty,
Place a couple of power points behind dinette for laptop etc to save falling over leads. Also place at least 2 single power points somewhere convenient for phone, camera etc chargers as you can only get one of the bulky things in a Dble point. If it is a Hardtop and you have a shelf along wall under cupboards return that shelf at the end of the cupboards to place your single points to charge phones etc, out of way & convenient.

Go for the Sovereign Deep Bowl sink. Put shelves midway in most top cupboards, as so much wasted space above small items. leave 1-2 without shelf for tall items.
Have deep drawers where possible for storage, much easier than crawling on hands & knees to find things at back of cupboard.
Place a tap on rear bumper for washing hands etc, much better than kneeling down to one usually on drawbar.
If you have a choice go for through (tunnel) Boot, have had both & this is so good compared to front type, can organise everything in plastic boxes and access from either side as well as put objects up to 7 f t + in there. You lose a bit of space under bed but you have to crawl in there to get it as it will work to the far end anyway.
These are a few of the things we have found after Custom building 2 in last 4 years.
Hope this helps, without knowing floor plan hard to suggest any more.
Also suggest you install a Min 500 watt inverter if U intend to Bush camp at all, for charging electronic gadgets, I have one point inside above shelf and also fitted one outside at rear and an extra 240 Volt point outside at rear as well as a 12Volt point beside them, for a light for a BBq or running a power tool in case of need. Found them all very useful. They usually place one 240V point outside under awning but if we are using that for Frypan & Roast or such other is very useful. After all hard to put these things in later on. Happy to answer queries, spacemail address in profile.
Cheers,
boroma604

Would love an outside table and BBQ that were both held inside the van until I wanted to use them...fold out or slide out.

Something you can do yourself when you get your van....I have put 40mm plastic plumbing pipes under my van (with zip ties) ..two each side, and I slide my sullage pipe in one side and my water hose in the other. Saves getting all that dirty water in your caravan boot. And saves rolling them up...very civilised :)

Marilyn,
Your caravan specs also depend on how long you are going to camp out in the bush for, my suggestions are:

Definitely Electric/Gas Hot Water, Lights on both sides of the van eg when topping up with water,or for a sense of security, 3 water tanks 1 one for drinking we have this connected to a hand pump. Have 2 water filler pipes to the outside of van.

A back bumper that can take 2 spare wheels and a centre tow connection for a bike rack or other eg CB Aerial/Phone aerial. If you wish to carry a Sat Dish, a place to mount the Pole eg on the A frame where the jockey wheel is originally positioned you then need another jockey wheel position eg near the Van/Tug coupling. Solar and an adequate Inverter.

Have the wall strengthened if you are going to mount a TV/Computer monitor on the wall.

A washing machine inbuilt as least 2.2Kg

A large 2 door frig 250Lt +

An island double bed or singles ease of make up.

In the bush in some situations the back of you van could be 100mm off the round and the front 600mm an additional pull out step is great even then we sometimes need a step as well.

Watch the weight you will probably need a 100 series cruiser or a Patrol to pull the rig.

Anderson plug and cable to connect the caravan battery to the tow vehicle to charge batteries if necessary.

Deep Cycle batteries 100ah+ x 2

Tyres/wheel pattern same a tow vehicle.

I am wary of independent suspension for off road situations, gives the smoothest ride but I believe not as strong as other alternatives.

At least a 6 inch gal chassis underneath.

Peter

Marilyn
We have just taken delivery of same van!
I had extra solar panels fitted ( 3 in total) , compressor fridge (Waeco HDC 190)
D/R 640 comes with dual batteries as standard!
Washing machine (Dometic), external shower
I wanted the gas bayonet point for our Webber baby Q, but they quoted me a ridiculous price! so will get it done now I've got the van.
Van has heaps of twin p/points as standard! also had it wired up for my inverter and sat tv system, no Winegard as we only use sat tv!
I also wanted a chequer plate box on front to house my Honda generator! but again they were not interested! so quoted me a ridiculous price!
Ask for multi factory visits whist van is being manufactured to confirm any changes etc.
Any further info required just message me.
Brian

I reckon that a comfortable bed is priority #1 and I also reckon in the majority of vans the bed is too short. Don`t just measure the bed, have a lie on it using a pillow the same as you will use when away , you will probably find that your head is half a pillow width ( 8"+ ) from the bed head and your feet are hanging over the end, ( unless you are a jockey ) LOL. I am about 5`9" and this was a problem with my van, and others I looked at, I couldn`t lengthen the bed because of cupboards and the seating. I ended up having a special pillow made, same length but cylindrical or round like a rolled up blanket etc. now my head is only a couple of inches from the top and my feet stay warm also.
Sorry to be long winded about the bed but to me it would be very important.
Good Luck.
Scrubcat.

Second power point on outside of van outside of awning or annex
cheers
Charlie

Hi Marilyn

Definitely a 190 litre compressor fridge (separate door for freezer).

Solar panels and 12 volt throughout. 12 volt sockets to suit your 12 v appliances in the van, and a couple of 240 v points for when accessing mains power.

A small pure sine wave inverter for charging batteries, running small tools and appliances, and which would be suitable for running a laptop.

An exterior shower in addition to internal would be nice.

A bed in a size and layout that suits you.

Motherhen

Just a simple thing!

Have the manufacturer fit Sailtrack the full length of the van on the side opposite the door. At a later time after having road tested your van for a few summer months you can have a piece of shadeclothe or similar made up to mount. This then allows you have shade on the side opposite your awning and will keep your van much cooler in the hot weather. In addition many vans have the fridge mounted opposite the door/awning side, the shade will reduce the gas/electricity consumption.


Ian

got heaps of great ideas and info from Caravan Forum Saved making some costly mistakes. Look for a post Roadstar Update which has heaps of great ideas and things to do. Check out the post for external NextG aerials. Makes caravanning so much more enjoyable with all the proper goodies setup correctly.

Some really great ideas, thank you all so much. Have taken them all on board. How exciting.