Kitchen inside or out the back doors?

[Stangas]

Hey all...

Getting ready to convert my old skool 1976 CF SWB Bedford into a camper for me and the missus to mainly go to concerts and not have to fork out for a hotel.  We are bush people and go camping heaps and enjoy the outdoors and therefore do most cooking outside in webbers etc.

We have been discussing layout, and me being over 6' tall found the bed will take up a large portion of the van.

I have therefore seen some layouts that have the kitchen along the opposite wall to the side door (inside), and a 'rock and roller bed / seat' on the passenger side.  The advantages of this set up is the bed can be a seat, and obviously cooking inside can occur.  This will make the cooking easily accessible while travelling I suppose.

I had previously thought put the bed on the far side and block the rear section off completely with a kitchen accessible from the rear of the van only (with an awning over the doors).  Could even fit a small dunny for the missus too.  Downfall is the van is pretty much a mobile bed with storage under the mattress and all use of the cooking facilities involves outdoor access.

Any opinions on kitchen locations?  my missus and I are on the side of the rear kitchen, because we cant think of too many times we will be sitting in the van cooking..  if its raining we will bail and find a pub! 

We hired one of those Wicked campers and it had a very basic bed setup with an even more basic kitchen in the rear.  We found it more than usable, and cooked most of the time out under the stars and didn't even use the rear kitchen.

Still open for suggestions, but this van is a lot smaller than I thought.  LOL..   the missus would give me massive brownie points if I can get a dunny in there for her.

[Marishka]

Go a  1 piece lift gullwing rear door .
It will act as a roof when open, put a strip of good canvas between top of door and top of van to act as a gutter when open .
Can reverse up to a tent so if its cold n raining the van and tent can be as 1.

[Stangas]

I have seen those, but don't plan on that much spending..  so sticking with what we have currently

[Marky]

I've lived in my bedfords at different stages of my life

Definately.. 1 piece rear door.. Provides Shade..shelter from rain and an area to congregate

Kitchen at back.. I'm 6"2... So can't sleep across my van only length ways


Also bed is only used to sleep on.. So having it fold away or having a double use as day bed etc

[outriding]

The camper layout has been very well studied over the years and the VW layout seems to be the most practical.

[outriding]

But then again, if you are going to be using it mostly in the summer, a exterior kitchen is also an interesting idea.

I have seen this setup on some smaller japanese and euro campers because it saves a lot more space.

The sink, cooker and counter top slide out the back like drawers.


Here is one system, there are many versions you can see on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7RQu2wR3BA

[Hooter]

Hi Stangas, Im in Perth, and have recently bought a CF250 Franklin camper for 5g unlicensed, which I reckon is a bargain, as you will spend more than than that decking yours out not to mention time.
There are 2 on Gumtree , 1 in SA and the other in VIC from memory, 6 and 8g...
I know its all money... but might be worth considering...