F250 CANOPY & VAN LAYOUT

Submitted: Monday, Apr 30, 2007 at 02:03
ThreadID: 123554 Views:22163 Replies:5 FollowUps:12
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We've just put down a deposti on a 21ft van. Can't wait for November to come.
We're currently working on layouts - keen to have a wrap around lounge. Saw a Boroma van that had a separate shower and toilet/vanity in centre of van opposite the kitchen. Also one with toilet/vanity on one side of van - shower on the other. Has anyone got a Bustracker with either of these designs - if so how do you like it ?

Also after a canopy for our F250. Has anyone got a "Snugtop" "Raider" "Rhoades" or "ARB". The first 3 are manufactured overseas - does anyone know who the agents are in Qld. We want to be able to use for sleeping if not taking the van, and we have heaard that some brands have an offensive odour.
Would also prefer lift up doors on sides for ease of access, but wonder if they will stand up to off road vibratin as well as the slide type windows. Can anyone offer their experience.

Quicksilver.
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Reply By: Black Cobra - Monday, Apr 30, 2007 at 11:48

Monday, Apr 30, 2007 at 11:48
Quicksilver,

I have set up our F250 as a separate entity so that if we want to go to a spot for a day or two where you can't take the BT. I have the CarryBoy canopy that has the older style opening windows and I think the new lift up windows would have better access.

I have installed the Outback roller draw system in the back and that gives us a flat area for a queen suze mattress to sleep on.

When the roller draws are installed(as the longer ones all come the same length 1800) it leaves a gap of about 30cm between the end of the tub and the draws.

In this gap to the left I installed a Engel 50 litre water tank which fitted perfectly covered in the same outdoor carpet as the roller draws come in. On the opposite side I installed a third AGM battery to run the fridge and this slotted in nicely in this gap.

When we go travelling for a length of time I will remove the back seat and place the fridge in that spot to where I have installed duplicate plugs as in the tub.

So we can go just with the F250 and have water, power, cold beer, and a good nights sleep.

Cheers
Stewart
AnswerID: 571327

Follow Up By: Quicksilver - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 05:07

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 05:07
Thanks Stewart,
Sounds like your vehicle is set up like we want ours. Roller drawers with mattress on top. We were thinking of putting an extra 230 ltr diesel tank in the gap between drawer & end of tub, with the floor extending over the top to seal off.
We have to put more thought into how we drain this into the existing tank. You may have some thoughts on this. Does the Carryboy have any odour ? Do you have any problem with sealing off dust ?

One email response we received mentioned you have a layout with the bathroom in centre & wrap around lounge - how do you like it ? Is the bathroom "all in one".

We'll be financial members by next week so will look forward to even more info being available. We'll only be doing this once so want to get it right.

Cheers, David & Denice
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Follow Up By: Turist - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 06:41

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 06:41
David if you look at my pics in the pictures tab you will see some of a fuel tank similar to the one you are cosidering.

Pumping the fuel from the auxillary is the better way, controlled fuel flow, no smells.
Fuel pump goes under tub.
Excess fuel returns to top tank if you forget to turn off pump.
Fit a shut off solenoid in the system immediatly after tank.
Solenoid wired to open when power goes to pump.
That way you have extra protection in the event of any leaks from broken hoses, joints etc.

Regards
Bob
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Follow Up By: Black Cobra - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 10:19

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 10:19
David, can't help with the fuel tank as I had a 270ltr replacement tank fitted underneath. The Carryboy does not have any odour but if fitted new I can assume that it might have a fibreglass smell for a while.

Now as for dust can't really comment as most of the time the truck is in storage as I work overseas and the only big trip it did was when we picked up our 21' BT 4 weeks ago. I am going to seal the tailgate at per a previous post even though it is already done, just to renew it and I have a vent fitted into the roof.

Yes we have the bathroom in the middle and like you when we first started looking at a BT I asked about separate toilet shower as i liked the idea of the bathroom across the rear of the van with the shower to one side and the toilet to the other with a basin in the middle.

But due to the design of the BT this is not possible, I think the separate toilet shower is not needed to save space and we had the vacuum flush toilet fitted which worked a treat and look very nice also.

Our design has the full wrap around lounge at the back and what I liked about it is the division of the layout, you have the lounge/kitchen area in one then the fridge on one side and centre ensuite on the other and this provides divide between the bedroom, so gives a separate room affect.

We have the Lemair washing machine installed next to the fridge behind a door.

On our return trip we both commented that the design worked well with Marlene saying the way the kitchen area is it works well for her and she's the cook.

You have the same outlook as I did "I will only be doing it once so do it right the first time"

When you become a financial member get in touch with me on the owner forum and I can send you a layout plan for you to look at.

Cheers
Stewart & Marlene
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Follow Up By: Panna Trackers - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 19:03

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 19:03
David
It would seem that we have a van layout almost the same as Stewart. There are some photos in the pictures section under Pannatrackers if you are interested
Trevor & Lyndal
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Reply By: TripnTaps - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 03:44

Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 03:44
Congrats on your 1st step... its an exciting time and will keep you occupied for months.

I dont have the plan layout you describe (having an 18fter) but I have seen one at BT in 2004. It had dark blue marble coloured benchtops in kitchen.
This layout seemed to be very spacios when we looked through it particularly in the living area and because it was divided from the bedroom by the toilet vanity on the right side and the shower on the left, from memory.

The only negative I felt about the floorplan at the time was not enough depth in the bedroom space. ( I remember saying it needed an extra 6" in the bedroom and being very red faced because of the quick minds of some of our regular characters that visit this forum regularly..... behave Bobby!!!) But that should be fine in a 21fter plenty of room to play with but remember if it is an island bed you gotta get around it to make it - that is if you dont want to make it from the door.... or dive on the bed from the door - now that could be fun!

Cheers,
Helen
AnswerID: 571328

Follow Up By: Quicksilver - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 06:47

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 06:47
Thanks for the laugh Helen,

Yes the space round the bed is a consideration - starting to wonder if space economy of a combined bathroom would be better so we'd gain more bench space - considering % of time spent in the bathroom - perhaps a bit extravagant - maybe space could be used for a washing machine ??? Will keep an open mind on these options.

From the photo looks like a good canopy set up on the F250.

Cheers David & Denice
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Follow Up By: TripnTaps - Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 23:46

Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 23:46
Your welcome David & Denice,

Our back on the F250 was a full custom job from Rambler Bodies at Flemington Victoria - tub taken off and an over chassis build... designed by a Builder (domestic/commercial construction) so has custom shelving; air compressor and security in-out holds for air hoses etc. There are two ladders built into left (kerb) side for access to where a very large roof rack used to sit.... nowadays they are used for tying the boat on the boat loader.... or getting onto the BT roof!

It is great for us as my husband takes his workshop everywhere and although not custom designed for sleeping in you could easy put a mattress in there and be high and dry if we wanted to leave the comforts of the BT for awhile.

My other half disputes the size of the van we saw at BT .. he reckons it was 23fter and I say it was a 21.6fter and they did have a full washing machine inside a long bench on the entry (passenger) side of their layout. We thought it was the sort of layout that would be nice if you were living in it permanently.

Cheers,
Helen
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Reply By: Rob & Shayne - Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 20:23

Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 20:23
Hi David & Denice,

We also have deposit paid for BT and eagerly looking forward to the caravaning life.

We have just returned from Warragul in Victoria where we had a custom built canopy fitted to our F250 from Metal Form Industries.
This company was recomended to us by several BT owners at the last Copton Rally.
We are really happy with the quality and service provided by this company.
Long way to travel but I feel it was worth it.
Whilst we did not set ours up for sleeping they had one in the factory, and the quality was better than I have seen in other camper set ups.
Dallas is the owner of the buisines and really nice guy. Ph.03 5622 3884
I am happy to discuss further with you if you want more information.
Good luck

Rob & Shayne
AnswerID: 571329

Follow Up By: Quicksilver - Friday, May 04, 2007 at 17:35

Friday, May 04, 2007 at 17:35
Thanks Rob & Shayne,

Isn't it a good feeling to finally make the decision, and set the ball rolling.
Ours will be ready in November - so exciting.
Currently pondering over the options list and considering pros & cons of layouts.
Black Cobra, seems to have the design we're after - would be good to see it - but we're in Brisbane - they're in WA.

David has noted the details you posted for the canopy builder, and will contact him for more details - Thankyou. Do you have any photos you could put on the BOG site. Did you have slide or lift up windows installed ?

Cheers, David & Denice
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Reply By: Mark & Yvonne - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 03:33

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 03:33
Hi Quicksilver,

Sorry for the delay in posting but thought you may be interested in our layout which has separate toilet and shower; I think this is quite unusual in BTs. In our design we wanted to have separate toilet and shower and create an overall feeling of spaciousness and are very happy with how it all worked out. We also seem to have achieved very functional bench space in the kitchen area which also works very well.

Of course our floorplan does not incorporate a wraparound lounge as you want. Hope you find our ideas of help.

In desigining a separate shower a very important consideration is to create enough space in the shower so that you can wash and particularly dry without constantly banging elbows into walls and door. We achieved this by having the dimensions of the upper part of the shower cubicle greater than the lower part. This also created shelf area in the shower with cupboard space below, all very satisfactory.

This is all a bit hard to explain in brief words so will (try to) post some pics.

Having probs with pics - seem all to be thumbnail size; hope to fix this.

Regards, Mark & Yvonne
AnswerID: 571330

Follow Up By: Mark & Yvonne - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:47

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:47
Pics better size for viewing now thanks to excellent help from fellow Boggers. Hope these are of use Quicksilver. Good luck with your planning.

Regards,

Mark & Yvonne
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Follow Up By: Mark & Yvonne - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:00

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:00
Hi Quicksilver,

Have also managed to successfully download an image of our floorplan. Apart from some minor changes (eg no diagonal cupboard at foot of bed) this is our plan. In particular it shows how we utilized space at the shower/toilet end.

Regards,

Mark & Yvonne
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Follow Up By: Quicksilver - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 08:54

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 08:54
Thanks Mark & Yvonne for your reply and the effort you went to in posting the photos. We originally wanted separate toilet & Shower but due to the space the wrap around lounge takes up it would have further reduced the bench space, so have opted for a combination shower/toilet.

We have done a preliminary plan and are still fine tuning the design.

Stewart (Black Cobra) has been very helpful indeed - especially as he has a plan almost identical. Pana Trackers were also kind enough to send photos.
It is amazing how many different ideas can be squeezed into such a small space.

When we take delivery in Nov - will post some photos.

Thanks again.

David & Denice
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Reply By: Bushtracker Buck & Babe - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:12

Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:12
Mark & Yvonne,

The pics look great and the shower/toilet is how I wanted ours originally but was talked out of it due to space saving in our 20footer. Do you still have the ducktail at the back of the van?

Angie
AnswerID: 571331

Follow Up By: Mark & Yvonne - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 05:03

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 05:03
Hi Angie,

Yes we still have the ducktail. It certainly means some compromises and diffuculties with floorplans but I think hanging on to it is worthwhile. Yes the separate shower and toilet do waste some potential storage BUT I think BTs have lots of storage space and I'm sure you have found like us that you will fill whatever space is available, sometimes with stuff you have "just in case". I look at it differently now. I see the shower not as a loss of storage space but rather as a considerable weight saving as this space fulled with things "just in case" would weigh a ton!

Regards,

Mark & Yvonne
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Follow Up By: Quicksilver - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 07:27

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 07:27
Hi, Mark, Yvonne & also Angie,

Ducktail ? I assume you mean the steeply angled off rear end.
I didn't know there was an option. Isn't that a standard feature of all BT's ?

I'll probably get shot down in flames - but I have wondered if it is necessary to be quite so steep. (I certainly wouldn't be interested in taking our BT to the extremes shown in the Kedron video !!!)

After reading about a Bogger who recently wrecked the steps - is it possible to have the steps made removable at the time of build ?

Cheers, Denice
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