Date:         Mon, 31 May 1999 11:23:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn Ratjen <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Björn Ratjen <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      children in camper (top bunk safety) - long
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

This is my experience how I adapted our VW vans to the needs of a growing
traveling family. 

The VW Van that got us through the young children stages was a 78 VW Van
which went through three major camping conversions. I still have that one
and I will actually be driving it in the next couple of days. It came
empty. That's my preference. The first thing was to install a full width
rear bench. I also made two rear side compartments underneath the windows
using the curve of the van. Then I installed a stove and sink cabinet at
the passenger side so it could be use while standing outside. I also
installed a small pop top which allowed you to stand in the van. Before
coming to Canada I installed a large pop top with bed and added some
interior modifications, double insulated windows in the rear and a propane
heater (Truma). While traveling our 2 year old son had his own room behind
the rear bench. We installed thick curtains in the rear - also between rear
seat and the rear compartment (velcro on the hanging cabinet) - so he could
go to sleep at night when there was still light outside. We, the parents,
slept upstairs.

Adding more children meant more adaptations. I installed a hammock in the
front on top of driver and passenger seats by using two long towel hanger
type bars, canvas and suitable hocks on either side. This was an ideal
infant compartment. It also received a separating curtain from side to
side. The pop top is crucial for comfort, space and ventilation (especially
when changing diapers).

By the way, to accommodate the extra need for storage space I made a box
which I attached on two longitudinal rails on top of the pop top. In
addition Gabriele made pockets from canvas: one covering the whole front of
the rear bench, another on the left side underneath the table which could
be hocked into the sidewall, two in the rear on the inside surface of the
air intakes.

This setup served up to five people: 2 children in the back, one on top of
the front seats and the parents upstairs. Temporarily the upstairs could be
used as a children's playroom in bad weather while preparing meals. The
front portion can slide back (not hinged) to allow for a shorter bed space
and some pillows can serve for propping up a minor barrier towards the front.

When it became time for Vanagon (87 Syncro) camping we were six. My Syncro
has a full width rear bench with hinges that allow for another storage
compartment over the engine compartment. The stove/sink combination and
heater were taken out of the 78  Van and are now in service in the vanagon
on the left side behind the driver. There is a full width overhead cabinet
in the rear but no side cabinets to allow for full bed width. There is a 3
way cooling box which is mounted behind the passenger seat. I built it into
a seat using the passenger headrest from both sides. This makes our camper
a six seater. I installed a pop top with a small cutout in the middle
section. This leaves more interior room and gave me the opportunity to make
the bed a bit longer. There are two front segment of the bed which can
slide back to make room for standing space while children can read
'upstairs'. There are little halogen (12V) spotlights installed for
individualized lighting.

This setup serves six people and a dog for camping purposes. My then 17
year old son and his two older sisters then 11 and 13 slept on the rear
bed. Our youngest, then 9 years old, slept across on the floor underneath
the front of the raised bed (remember it is higher than the regular ones).
Parents' bedroom remained 'upstairs'. The dog? Well he slept outside
underneath the front of the van where we built a temporary tent with a tarp
attached to our folding out bush bar. At times we also took a tent along
where my son and myself spent the night while all the 'girls' slept in the
car. 

Our Vanagon can carry 6 bicycles (2 in front and 4 in the back on an
extended Paulchen rack) 5 -6 people including gear. Often there is also a
canoe on top. 

This shows you do not need much space and also that you can always adapt,
either yourself or your environment. In addition our travels have bonded us
together as a family. It is amazing what level of comfort we can accomplish
with small things. I will never forget the view of satisfaction on my
children's faces when we returned from a somewhat strenuous Europe trip and
the sat in their seats in our VW van which a friend had brought to the
Vancouver airport. It was like coming home. 

We still have both cars and our family. My son is now using our reorganized
78 Van for his trips and I am using the Syncro as my daily as well as our
traveling vehicle. Both vehicles have about 280000 kms on them with their
original engines, thoughtful maintenance and strenuous travel in about 15
countries. Not bad, eh? (Canadian for umh)

Take care,

Björn

Björn Ratjen, Ph.D.
Mill Bay, B.C.
phone/fax (250) 743-7575