Seating and Sleeping setup (MH2) - complete - Regal Upholstery

activecampers

Forum Member
Our design was always not to use the cab seats, which many told us was wrong. But not using them allows us to have an uncompromised L shaped sofa, convertible to U sofa, and convertible to bed. Everyone is different, this works for us, and its probably the most snug comfortable seat we've had in a van! Not for everyone, sure.

The layout is probably unique as is the frame method for making the bed (well I've not seen it done and spend 100s brain hours and sleepless nights working it out!)

All designed by us, but cushions outsourced to Regal to make as this quality is beyond us. 10/10 for them - can't fault

Hope it gives ideas :)

 

Millie Master

Forum Member
I have seen this kind of layout before and I know the person who built it ripped it out after his first few nights away as it so limited access.

From a personal point of view, I honestly don't think it would be too long before the beautifully upholstered cushions started edging sideways during the night resulting in dirty great gaps in the bed.

Sorry, not for me.

Phil
 

activecampers

Forum Member
Edging sideways? What do you mean - towards the back of the van? If so - that's impossible once the wardrobe is complete as the long cushion will be locked in place. And no room towards the door either. Its all "locked" in place? (Without the wardobe complete then yes, long cushion can edge out - but won't once complete)

We've had 1700 nights in campervan, last 200+ in a tiny NV200, so fortunately know what we can get away with. Very fair points though and shows there is not a single one size suits all build spec.
 

mark61

Forum Member
Looks very nice, lovely job.

If cushions do move sideways at night, can’t see it being a huge job to remedy, possibly even by laying cushions a slightly different way, for example placing the full cushion that is now next to the bulkhead, on the outside, and smaller cushions by the bulkhead, for example.

Anyway, all part of the fun of DIY. 👍
 

activecampers

Forum Member
Looks very nice, lovely job.

If cushions do move sideways at night, can’t see it being a huge job to remedy, possibly even by laying cushions a slightly different way, for example placing the full cushion that is now next to the bulkhead, on the outside, and smaller cushions by the bulkhead, for example.

Anyway, all part of the fun of DIY. 👍
Yeah, could move them around easily - just an extra few seconds. But the ones at the two edges are the long ones and neither can move "out". When the wardobe is complete it'll be clearer. Only time will tell.
Our first van (1500 nights in 10yrs) had similar cushion layout (same but different) - 5 different cushions. We always slept well and never fell in a hole. Auctally we did once due to breaking the ply due to, err, "stress testing". But apart from that....

Once we get the gas/loo/lights/waste and some basic roof insulation on we'll make sure we start testing :)
 

Squiffy

Forum Member
As you say not for everyone, well thought out for bed construction but to my mind it seriously hampers entry and exit unless you use the back doors, which if you are towing or have a tow ball bike rack on the back as we often do would not work. On occasions one of us will still be in bed while the other has got up and made a cupper and sat outside on the deck chair, this design would interfer with our particular van life. Also there seems too many separate cushions or cushions that might or might not be left at home? I'm sure you could get used to a layout such as this but certainly not what I would plumb for 🤔. Phil

P.s. We sometimes when travelling from one area to another leave our rear sited bed laid down as we know that we may not reach our destination until bed time or we may have an afternoon kip/lie down if its particularly hot on the continent, with a rear sited bed all the facilities are easily available and entry to the driver and passenger seats are walk through.
 
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activecampers

Forum Member
Yeah, each layout is different. You've not seen our layout before then? Rear doors have no access to van - its a bike/snowboard garage area (with some utilities) So sliding door is primary access . We can get in/out with bed down - the electric step is within reach if needed. But generally with bed down, we're in for the night. We're quite happy to use that and/or jump in from cab. (emergency exit will be via cab doors) All needed cushions are permanent as needed for seating, so no chance leaving at home - well as much chance as leaving the wife.. The ones we don't need are ones we had made anyway just in case.
My side is cab side, so if I want a cuppa I can just knee the other half in the back and push her out :)
Bear in mind its a MWB only - and getting comfortable lounge, reasonable sized loo/shower, decent kitchen, storage, AND garage for bikes/snowboards does invoke compromises which we've balanced for our needs. (most of our usage is wild, or pub stops, or winter, ,and don't want to use cab for visibility/insulation/privacy purposes most of the time. Different usage = different requirements)
The L is easy enough to both have a day nap - 30s to convert to U if we both want a nap. Saying that, wife can sleep almost standing up so doesn't need to be considered :D
(A LWB has other options, but we didn't want LWB, and with 1700+ nights we've never once said "wish we had a fixed bed". So that guided our design. As above, no right answer, and no way is this post/thread suggesting our design is correct for all. Just a wave to Regal and "this is how we've done it)
 

Squiffy

Forum Member
Nice job, shame there’s so much negativity on this site from small minded people

Stephen.
Not negatively at all it's constructive views of other builders, nobody as far as I can see has criticised the actual build quality, infact most have said it was a good job. If you post pictures of your build and say the layout is not for some then you must expect those that agree its not for them to give their reasons, which some of us have done. Nobody has set out to belittle Actives work just airing their views on his choice of layout. 😉 Phil
 

SquirrellCook

Forum Member
Not aimed at Active, but one thing I find uncomfortable is having a horizontal seat base with a vertical back. I know it makes it easy to form a bed, So I’m asking if anyone has come up with a comfortable solution?
 

Squiffy

Forum Member
Quite honestly Squirrel I never sit upright on our couches, we have long day beds on both sides of the rear where we recline rather than sit, I feel that with most conversions there is really not enough width to allow for a sloping rear cushion as the space left behind would be wasted space, not to mention the trapezoidal shape needed for the back cushion which would surely add to the cost from a commercial upholsterers. 🙄. Phil
 

activecampers

Forum Member
Not aimed at Active, but one thing I find uncomfortable is having a horizontal seat base with a vertical back. I know it makes it easy to form a bed, So I’m asking if anyone has come up with a comfortable solution?
You are correct. I had a design to have angled back cushions (which regal could do), and the framework was going to be angles to match and hence make the top layer flat. The U shape area was challenging my brainpower though....
Anyway, the wife is currently suffering leg/foot issues (now a year, and the main reason we brought this project forward, cancelled this years backpacking (Taiwan), (covid enabled refund - phew), etc. Anyway, the seat height/comfort etc was 100% designed around her and is cm accurate to what she needed height wise - hence the "complexities" of the underneath if anyone watches the other videos :)
The back rest was interesting... I agree - I thought angled would work. But, in mock ups, a lower back rest, flat, was more comfortable for her. I got her to sign a waiver and we went with that! As its low, you can tilt back anyway into the window "recess" and cheat and be supported by the back of the cab seats. I have no doubt, the corners (with cushion) will be a relaxing fave

But many attempts mocking up before making the decision shoes on/off, seat depth, lip depth etc .

(Without current ailments, I would have JFDI without much thought)

FWIW - she is fine, just can't walk far/bike/drive and can barely work. Bear in mind a year or so ago, we were backpacking for months, 1000 mile bike rides, walking/running etc - bit of a forced change in direction (she now has 100% elec ebike to get around)
 

activecampers

Forum Member
Quite honestly Squirrel I never sit upright on our couches, we have long day beds on both sides of the rear where we recline rather than sit, I feel that with most conversions there is really not enough width to allow for a sloping rear cushion as the space left behind would be wasted space, not to mention the trapezoidal shape needed for the back cushion which would surely add to the cost from a commercial upholsterers. 🙄. Phil
Don't think so - anything was included in cost (IIRC cost was based on a per foot cost regardless)

Exactly Phil, 100%

Phil

As for other comments, I do not feel belittiled so worry not. I always read/process all comments and advice - its how I learn to do what I do. I listen, absorb, and reject most of others views, but learn gems from time to time. No offence taken in this or any other thread. I have never suggested my way is the one and only right way. Equally, how others use their van and their needs do not match ours. All depends on usage, fitness, desires etc. Having been paid to work on manufacturers stand at NEC many time, we are very used to opinionated experts telling "us" what is right, arguing their view point is right. Then the next expert comes along and says the exact opposite lol. Just nod, laugh, and ocassionaly try and clarify personal facts. eg. ovens are a waste of space. I need an oven to cook a roast. Showers are a waste of space. Showers are mandatory as we only use aires. No one sh*ts in the loo. I need a good loo as we wlld camp everywhere. I need 240v heating. I don't ever use hookup). etc. So we're used to it :)

We've had 1700+ nights in vans - so we're not novices. We want small van, hate LWB or bigger. We dislike white vans. We dislike coachbults. We dislike hippy type conversions. We think ovens and even grills are a waste of space (go ridgemonkey!). Shower/loo mandatory in this van. Using cab is inefficient in our usage patterns. We are happy to stand on each other in bed. We want to be able to sit next to each other on the sofa and not in captains chairs. We hate campsites and love wildcamping, yet we dislike the attitudes of a lot of wildcampers. I am attempting an expensive "pro comparable" build (lol - that's the plan) which isn't for everyone. Even with ailments we're able to jump up and down and climb over things. We love backpacking for months with 9kg rucksack and using homestays with home cooking, and hate hotels and generic food. We are not having a TV - total waste of life - don't even have a license at home (and comply with law - though still get aggressive letters suggesting otherwise). We may install a projector and sound system for movies though :)

Now if anyone likes all of that 100% I'd be surprised. So equally I'd be surprised if people didn't give alternative views and disliked some of what we did. Par for the course for public sharing. To be honest, DILLIGAF - we're out there doing it and sharing.

But telling us how we use a van is wrong and how things won't work is a little funny and can be seen as negative when people don't know the full picture. My responses above were to try and give a bigger picture and explain why things were done a particular way and had been considered. Hopefully useful to someone in the future, even if its in the read and reject pile!


PS - the criticism of build quality will come! I'm doing my best, I avoid showing too many issues on the camera, and every day I hope the next layer is improvement! And if I share it, I will be the most aware of the issues, so no personal offence will ever be taken.

Anyway watch the videos and click the ad links - got to pay for it somehow :D :D
 

wildebus

Forum Member
Interesting Layout - and I only use the word "interesting" because it would not be for ME so would not be a "nice" layout - but it is NOT MY camper, so that is irrelevant and with so many nights in a van, by now you know exactly what works for you so clearly it is spot on for YOU (y) (y)

I am going to ask a question about the layout now though as I think with your experience, you may finally be able to answer a question in my mind when I see a certain 'feature' in a conversion ....
When I see the cab area separated off in the way you have in your layout, I wonder if - and especially so in a shorter van like you have - you are missing out on some useful extra living space?

... one thing I find uncomfortable is having a horizontal seat base with a vertical back. I know it makes it easy to form a bed, So I’m asking if anyone has come up with a comfortable solution?
It seems to be a typical thing with campers and motorhomes, and I assume the ability to convert to a bed must be the overriding factor? I like a "lean" and use cushions but .... following on from the last point about the cab area, I find using the Cab Seats very handy as they are comfortable, recline and have arms :)
PS. I don't know if it is typical or not as my current Motorhome is the only Factory build I have had, but with two benches that convert to a double bed, what AutoTrail have done is fit reversable cushions, where one side is shaped like an ordinary sofa and the reverse is flat like a mattress, so you flip over the cushion when making the bed.
 

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