1500 HT 136" ProMaster- plans

RD, you and I are somewhat on the same page. I call it the difference between "RV" and "campervan," but that's just my terminology. We’re coming from Vanagon to truck tent to Promaster for much the same reasons and with similar goals, but probably less budget.

I am anxious to see your plans. I'm assuming that if it's a 1500, it's a 136' like mine.

Golly, that looks so good it almost makes me change mine. Well-thought-out. Lots of amenities and still open and light. You might consider swapping the sink and stove, though. Not sure I'd want open flame that close to upholstery. Accidents happen. And you might could put storage under that raised floor.

Europeans are so far ahead of us when it comes to camper vans, as opposed to RV's. It is true, though, that European campgrounds tend to have more amenities, such as spacious kitchen rooms with sinks, burners, counters, seating with tables and boiling water spigots. This room often becomes a social hub at night with a fireplace. With those amenities readily available and desireable, it's easier to KISS.

After having slept on it I find myself leaning even more toward your plan. I had assumed that a dinette was too much, but now I'm not so sure. If all goes well, the swivels will be installed this afternoon. Then I can play around with the idea. Coming at this from a truck tent, even KISS is going to be a palace. One thing I won't change, though, is my permanent bed. The head 2' will fold over to allow a passageway to the back, but I shouldn't have to remake it every day. I don't like making beds even at home.

I will post some pics when I get a mockup done.

Fold-out bed like the VW or "fill-in-the-blank-spots"?

Just got done installing the swivels. Will post in that thread.

RD, I'm liking the dinette behind the driver. The seat sits well with a table. What I'm not liking is having to put the sink on the other side. So here's a harebrained a notion I'm throwing out to chew on:

What if the sink were in the middle of the table with a cover? What about a cover for the whole table that opens from the side like an old sewing machine cabinet and rests on the top of the opposite seat, thus yielding a large prep counter?

We do not plan to "plumb" the sink. Water jugs with a waste water jug underneath. No built-in stove.

Idea: You could build into the dinette floor a drawer with lid that pulls out to make a foot stool for the passenger. Slide it back in when not in use. Store only light stuff in it. Make it full-depth--if it doesn't come all the way out, it will be easier to put back in. You could also put slides on it and maybe a flip-down rest for when it's in position.

I like the sink at the door for all the reasons you mention. My reluctance is that with cabinets on both sides, we get an aisle in the middle instead of a more open space. I am capable of changing my mind and deciding that's OK. One possibility is shallower cabinets.

Our pee-can will probably store under the bed and come out at night or when otherwise needed.

I will have 2' -deep storage under the front side of the bed, all drawers. The back 2', accessible from the back doors, is currently open space until I see what needs to go there. However, the cabinetry in what will be the passageway between front and rear will be mobile. I'll be looking at that possibility. Nothing about the furnishings is set in stone at this point.

RD, you are in for a sweet surprise when you do the floor and wheel wells. That's where the major noise difference is.

Most amazing thing to me is how quickly you got it done, but then you had those panels…

Looks great.

Yeah, you saw how much work it was to make panels, so you got smart and bought them with the van. . I still haven't figured how I'm going to trim the windows--that may be the final touch.

Yours is the first I've seen anywhere with the factory panels. If they'd been available, I would have tried to get them, but would have had them painted.

Looks great and I'm sure it feels great. We'd be replacing after every trip.

I'm looking forward to seeing that awning. I'm working on one, too, but stalled by the cold.

Marmoleum is working great. We do have the storage arranged so that most everything needed for cooking outside can be accessed from outside, and we have a mat, but our boots still carry in stones--hightops are time-consuming to put off/on. It scratches, but somehow they seem to disappear, so I decided not to worry. Also, I don't yet have any trim at the door edges and it hasn't chipped as I feared it might. It feels wonderful underfoot, and it is usually the first thing folks comment on when they peek inside (as they fondle it.). So yes, it was a good choice.

I think of myself as somewhere in the middle, too, even though I have spent a lot of time because I had the time. In the end, I just have simple inexpensive painted plywood boxes with drawers and no overhead storage. No solar, no gas, no heat, no plumbing.

As I said a while back, this is grown-up Pinewood Derby.

Except for kitchen and wheel well cabinets, mine is also easily removed. I would end up with a stack of drawers and a stack of plywood pieces. Removal/installation took about 15-20 minutes pre-drawers, so maybe half an hour now. Cross-dowels.

Guys, I'm fully loaded in the middle of an extended excursion and I brought my rattiest underwear. Let's relax and enjoy the day.

Kinda sterile, don't you think? >

My apology to everyone who does not know our private joke. Actually, it looks pretty neat, certainly better than styrofoam.

This site hosts photos now?