I love the layout, what do I do if I want to update the base vehicle?

[Simon G]

I have an Autocruise Quartet, a PVC on the Boxer L3H2 (6m x 2.52m). The layout is perfect for us: PVC dimensions for driving & parking, 4 belted seats & 2 single bunks for when the GK's are with us, rear bathroom to hose them down at the beach. But even with pre-teens the bunk-bed headroom is becoming an issue. Plus the base vehicle is 2012, so emissions compliance (and general lack of driver aids) may become a problem. My thought is to transfer this into an L4H3 (6.4 x 2.76) base (or Crafter/Sprinter equivalent), potentially gaining space for a drop-down bed as well. What's the deal on regulation-compliant belted travel seats? Can the setup be moved from one vehicle to another, or will it need SVTA? Is the idea just plain dumb? Should I go to a custom-builder to produce what I want? Can any of them even do that? Or does anyone know if this layout already exists out there in our ridiculously fragmented marketplace? (Solaris XL is L4H2, so doesn't address the height issue, plus which the two separate travel seats look seriously uncomfortable... tell me if I'm wrong)

 

[Gromett]

I would suggest that selling what you have and building fresh would make more sense both financially and practically.

 

[jongood]

I have an Autocruise Quartet, a PVC on the Boxer L3H2 (6m x 2.52m). The layout is perfect for us: PVC dimensions for driving & parking, 4 belted seats & 2 single bunks for when the GK's are with us, rear bathroom to hose them down at the beach. But even with pre-teens the bunk-bed headroom is becoming an issue. Plus the base vehicle is 2012, so emissions compliance (and general lack of driver aids) may become a problem. My thought is to transfer this into an L4H3 (6.4 x 2.76) base (or Crafter/Sprinter equivalent), potentially gaining space for a drop-down bed as well. What's the deal on regulation-compliant belted travel seats? Can the setup be moved from one vehicle to another, or will it need SVTA? Is the idea just plain dumb? Should I go to a custom-builder to produce what I want? Can any of them even do that? Or does anyone know if this layout already exists out there in our ridiculously fragmented marketplace? (Solaris XL is L4H2, so doesn't address the height issue, plus which the two separate travel seats look seriously uncomfortable... tell me if I'm wrong)

Unless you live in a LEZ, I wouldnt bother updating. With the " driver aids" and the emissions controls comes a whole load of problems that you wouldnt otherwise have.

 

[scotjimland]

so emissions compliance (and general lack of driver aids) may become a problem.

my thinking,

these additions don't solve problems but cause more problems that I can live without

 

[Guigsy]

You could transfer bits of a vehicle from one to another, but you'd destroy the value of the donor vehicle. And the custom build wouldn't be worth nearly as much. The inside profile of a Sprinter or Crafter would be significantly different, so very little of the furniture would be able to be moved. Economically, I'd expect it to be significantly cheaper to either buy a totally fitted van, or get a custom build from scratch and sell the existing van as is.

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[Guigsy]

Would a Dreamer Family Van work?

Vans DREAMER 2024 - Another idea of freedom

www.dreamer-van.co.uk

 

[Simon G]

Would a Dreamer Family Van work?

Vans DREAMER 2024 - Another idea of freedom

www.dreamer-van.co.uk

Thanks for this. Certainly ticks all but one box. Not a brand I've heard of... Will take a look next summer.

 

[Guigsy]

Thanks for this. Certainly ticks all but one box. Not a brand I've heard of... Will take a look next summer.

Dreamer are Rapido. They've been running it a few years.

 

[Simon G]

Thanks for this. Certainly ticks all but one box. Not a brand I've heard of... Will take a look next summer.

Thanks to Guigsy for the suggestion, we now own a new-to-us 2023 Dreamer Camper 5. Already short-listed for visits to the Dreamer dealers this summer, our decision was made for us when the Quartet was stolen last month. Got lucky that the very lightly used Camper 5 was available on a private sale. First time to kit one out from scratch but lessons learned coming in useful.