So I just acquired an iLoad van and have been losing alot of sleep thinking about how I will set it up..

I need some inspiration from you guys!

I will be typically carting around:
- 2-3 kites
- 1 x twintip kiteboard (140cm long)
- 1 x 5'10" kite surfboard
- 1 x 5'10' paddle surfboard
- 1 x 8'5" x 28" SUP
- All other equipment (wetsuits, towels, kite harness etc) - to be stored in a tub.

I am wondering how high the platform should be which the bed will sit on. Based on anthropometric data i need about 760mm to sit upright on the platform, which allows me a maximum platform height of 580mm. Any advice on this and what works???

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CJ2478 said..
So I just acquired an iLoad van and have been losing alot of sleep thinking about how I will set it up..

I need some inspiration from you guys!

I will be typically carting around:
- 2-3 kites
- 1 x twintip kiteboard (140cm long)
- 1 x 5'10" kite surfboard
- 1 x 5'10' paddle surfboard
- 1 x 8'5" x 28" SUP
- All other equipment (wetsuits, towels, kite harness etc) - to be stored in a tub.

I am wondering how high the platform should be which the bed will sit on. Based on anthropometric data i need about 760mm to sit upright on the platform, which allows me a maximum platform height of 580mm. Any advice on this and what works???

Too easy, you'll have to include windsurfing in that list to get the real lateral thinkers to respond.

Put all your stuff in the van and then workout what height you can put your bed . I had to raise my bed height to fit in all my crap .

This is in the back
Gear is on the roofracks.

I lived in my van for a year or so and carried 3 to 4 surfboards under the bed. I reckon the more room you have above your bed the better, feels like you have more space. I built the bed to rest on the wheel arches and take the fins out of the boards (except 1) to make it all fit.

I'm looking at an Iload for my next van. Would be good to see some pics once you've finished

You putting in a window for ventilation?

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Ian K said...

CJ2478 said..
So I just acquired an iLoad van and have been losing alot of sleep thinking about how I will set it up..

I need some inspiration from you guys!

I will be typically carting around:
- 2-3 kites
- 1 x twintip kiteboard (140cm long)
- 1 x 5'10" kite surfboard
- 1 x 5'10' paddle surfboard
- 1 x 8'5" x 28" SUP
- All other equipment (wetsuits, towels, kite harness etc) - to be stored in a tub.

I am wondering how high the platform should be which the bed will sit on. Based on anthropometric data i need about 760mm to sit upright on the platform, which allows me a maximum platform height of 580mm. Any advice on this and what works???

Too easy, you'll have to include windsurfing in that list to get the real lateral thinkers to respond.

Beat me to it. The only kiters I know that have vans, are ones that used to or still do windsurf.
Just fix it up inside like a dressing room.

This is my van

I lived in my Ford Econoline standard van for 2 years.
10 windsurf boards, 14 masts, 15 sails, and 5 booms resided atop a plywood full width platform 6" above the rear wheel wells. Boards up on edge and some horizontal.

I slept under, with half the width of the space for the masts, and still had enough room for the refrigerator, stove, and sink/counter behind the driver's seat, where I slept.

Thanks for the responses guys.

YEah I know that being a kiter a van isnt a necessity copmpared to windsurfing but I alo wanted it to cart around my SUP and not have to use roofracks and go to the shops and know it wont get stolen off my roof...

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Stanos said..
I lived in my van for a year or so and carried 3 to 4 surfboards under the bed. I reckon the more room you have above your bed the better, feels like you have more space. I built the bed to rest on the wheel arches and take the fins out of the boards (except 1) to make it all fit.

I'm looking at an Iload for my next van. Would be good to see some pics once you've finished

You putting in a window for ventilation?

Nice setup. I'd be interested to hear how living in that van is working out for you. What sort of wood did you construct the platform and frame from? I agree with the headspace.

Yeah mate for sure I will post some pics of the construction and the finished product of the van. Busy as with work at the moment trying to replenish my depleted bank account after it's purchase so it could be a project over the next 2 or so months.

Look up drifta campers website. His setups are well priced and are customizable. I have a troopy that i copied his designs for the rear fitout!!

Don't forget to pack the kazoo.

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CJ2478 said..
Thanks for the responses guys.

YEah I know that being a kiter a van isnt a necessity copmpared to windsurfing but I alo wanted it to cart around my SUP and not have to use roofracks and go to the shops and know it wont get stolen off my roof...

Stanos said..
I lived in my van for a year or so and carried 3 to 4 surfboards under the bed. I reckon the more room you have above your bed the better, feels like you have more space. I built the bed to rest on the wheel arches and take the fins out of the boards (except 1) to make it all fit.

I'm looking at an Iload for my next van. Would be good to see some pics once you've finished

You putting in a window for ventilation?

Nice setup. I'd be interested to hear how living in that van is working out for you. What sort of wood did you construct the platform and frame from? I agree with the headspace.

Yeah mate for sure I will post some pics of the construction and the finished product of the van. Busy as with work at the moment trying to replenish my depleted bank account after it's purchase so it could be a project over the next 2 or so months.

Over a 3 year period, I lived in the van for 1.5 years. Took it from Qld to WA and back and up and down the east coast several times. I mixed it up with house sits and setting up a tent for longer stays. I was also going back and forth to Indo.

It takes awhile to get use to and is fine as a weekender for two, but longer term, one person is the limit (for me anyway) in that van.

I used good quality marine ply for the bed deck and pine frame base. It's rock solid.

Love my van man

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Mark _australia said..
This is in the back
Gear is on the roofracks.

I understand why the girl is there, but why are you keeping the guy? Is that for when you go kiting?

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FormulaNova said..

Mark _australia said..
This is in the back
Gear is on the roofracks.

I understand why the girl is there, but why are you keeping the guy? Is that for when you go kiting?

The guy is me

^^ no that is Mark .....with hair

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CJ2478 said..
Thanks for the responses guys.

YEah I know that being a kiter a van isnt a necessity copmpared to windsurfing but I alo wanted it to cart around my SUP and not have to use roofracks and go to the shops and know it wont get stolen off my roof...

You have the entire floor space of the van and 580mm high - for one SUP and a bit of kite gear?
That is more than the under-bed space most windsurfers use for a fair bit of stuff, so don't plan it and stuff .... just do it.
Kite and surf under floor, SUP up in the roof so it sits just above passenger's head.

My trailer is 2400 x 1200 x about 800.
I fit 3 windsurf boards, 7 sails, booms, 3 masts, wetties and misc, and the kids bikes n scooters, plus some misc crap.

You will piss it in.

Crazy price, but a pretty sick van! Not much space for your boards though.

www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/volkswagen-trakkadu-at-campervan-new-car-review-20160824-gqzy4u.html

As Mark said above you wont have any dramas fitting your gear in. I'm in a ute with a tradie body on the back and I have my king single mattress, engle, TV, 3 kites, two surfboards, 1 kiteboard, scuba gear with tanks, spear guns, fishing rods Etc and even my tools for work on land occasionally. If I'm holidaying I put the SUP on the roof and boxed in awning off the side.

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Gazuki said..





Crazy price, but a pretty sick van! Not much space for your boards though.

www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/volkswagen-trakkadu-at-campervan-new-car-review-20160824-gqzy4u.html

As Mark said above you wont have any dramas fitting your gear in. I'm in a ute with a tradie body on the back and I have my king single mattress, engle, TV, 3 kites, two surfboards, 1 kiteboard, scuba gear with tanks, spear guns, fishing rods Etc and even my tools for work on land occasionally. If I'm holidaying I put the SUP on the roof and boxed in awning off the side.

Sweet setup.... Sort of wish I had the 4WD capabilities.

Picked up the van on the weekend and first job is to fit a plywood floor that bolts down through the cargo tie down points. Thinking some 12mm structural ply.

What are you guys using for fridges? I think the size I would need is a waeco 41L, which is about 460mm high. At this stage this is what will dictate the height of my platform.

I know there will be plenty of room for everything, just want to set it up right the first time to hold the amount of gear but also be as comfprtable as possible re head height, sitting area, etc.

What are you guys using for fridges? I think the size I would need is a waeco 41L, which is about 460mm high. At this stage this is what will dictate the height of my platform. I know there will be plenty of room for everything, just want to set it up right the first time to hold the amount of gear but also be as comfprtable as possible re head height, sitting area, etc.

in your dreams mate, once you start you will be forever changing it.

Just build it out of timber so it's easy to change or modify and cheap

This is my van set up

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firiebob said..
This is my van set up

Nice Bob, but I still reckon Mark is the clubhouse leader!

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firiebob said..
This is my van set up

Hope your van comes complete with a big Wind Fan!!

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japie said..

Epic! This is my long term goal. I see youre located in NSW. How far could you sail that? indo? hawaii?

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CJ2478 said..

japie said..

Epic! This is my long term goal. I see youre located in NSW. How far could you sail that? indo? hawaii?

how much would that sort of setup cost and how long to learn to sail it? I have no experience but it has always appealed

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firiebob said..
This is my van set up

Typical 4WD'er blocking the track for everyone else

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Stanos said..

CJ2478 said..

japie said..

Epic! This is my long term goal. I see youre located in NSW. How far could you sail that? indo? hawaii?

how much would that sort of setup cost and how long to learn to sail it? I have no experience but it has always appealed

What do you do at night? Just keep the sail set, keep sailing and hope for the best?