V
vanfitz
The Beach is very versatile for sure. Probably better for families who want to really sweat the vehicle? Whereas I think Coast / Ocean makes a lot of sense for couples touring or day trips as a family maybe?
With the wider lower bed in beach, a family of 4 can comfortably do one or two nights off grid in the van with pop top and kitchen per above.
Add in a tent/awning and it's a great long term pitch for summer holidays.
All the while you have a 5 (or even 6!) seat daily drive to pick up grandparents from the airport.
The wider bed is also useful for winter overnights for two - parent and child for example - keep roof shut (we do sailing events).
Remove the seats and you also have a very decent cargo vehicle. The permeant kitchen bothered me for this at first inspection, but the removable seats are a huge compensation for that. You can free up the right hand side to full length.
And the Mykitvan guys in France can turn it into a Coast later if you really want!
With the wider lower bed in beach, a family of 4 can comfortably do one or two nights off grid in the van with pop top and kitchen per above.
Add in a tent/awning and it's a great long term pitch for summer holidays.
All the while you have a 5 (or even 6!) seat daily drive to pick up grandparents from the airport.
The wider bed is also useful for winter overnights for two - parent and child for example - keep roof shut (we do sailing events).
Remove the seats and you also have a very decent cargo vehicle. The permeant kitchen bothered me for this at first inspection, but the removable seats are a huge compensation for that. You can free up the right hand side to full length.
And the Mykitvan guys in France can turn it into a Coast later if you really want!
V
vanfitz
More "fitting" solutions for Beach Camper. I found that these huge 120 L storage bins (from Homestore & More in Ireland - you have those elsewhere?) that are perfectly flush with the rear kitchen unit. Now when I remove a rear seat they can slot in place - and seemingly support me lying on the bed (I am not light). They are brittle but when weight distributed via hard backed mattress they seem to do the job - go easy though!.
Also - we had an old portipotti 165 for a different van (taller than the go to for Cali) and this one is just a book thickness shy of perfect also and fits in a single seat gap - Maybe another bed-supporting-instead-of-seat option for the Beach.
For us - gives options 2/3 people where storage needed for wet gear and want to sleep in lower bed.
Also - we had an old portipotti 165 for a different van (taller than the go to for Cali) and this one is just a book thickness shy of perfect also and fits in a single seat gap - Maybe another bed-supporting-instead-of-seat option for the Beach.
For us - gives options 2/3 people where storage needed for wet gear and want to sleep in lower bed.
A
Adam8374
Ikea SAMLA 994.407.74 has also the perfect dimensions and can support the bed. As well as those: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FC5YXPCD?tag=unique09f-21
(i've seen it here
(i've seen it here
O
occasionalranter
Hi, have just done the same thing in our identical Beach, and like you I have put in a couple of anchor points to stop it sliding forwards. I've got ours back to front, so the controls and power sockets are to the rear. Figured that I wouldn't be operating the controls unless the bed was packed away anyway.
I might see if I can make some kind of bracket, that cuts the risk of the fridge riding up over the anchors and also eliminates any side to side movement as there is a bit of space between the sides of the fridge and the seats.
Great solution for using this space though. Fridge top works as a coffee table as well
For anyone else interested, I bought from Avensys via ebay, there's £75 off via voucher ending erm... today, so £304:
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