Moto Van Necessities?

Best piece of advice Ive gotten is if you're DIYing it don't try to build it all at once or else you will never end up using it. 

A good build plan is necessary and how long you intend to use it for. A comfortable weekend with a secure place to hold my stuff if hotel a needed. Or do you want a rolling apartment.

For me first step in making a motovan actually do the van portional and be mechanically sound. Fix ongoing issues in the van so it doesn't strand me.

Then how to strap in bikes and how many I plan to haul at once. My base line was 2 bikes with other potential options using L track. So I use Bike Binders and their single piece L track. I want to drill into the van the least amount possible. 

Then came sleeping arrangements, comfortable for me and occasionally wife and dog if we dont get a hotel. For the time being a comfortable cot works until a folding bed/sofa can be installed. 

Insulation choice ironically is easier using legacy uplift kits.

Finally power. My idea for power is to use a portable electrical generator around 3k watt like a Jackery so I can have comfortable power for a weekend food, electronics and A/C or heat if needed. The van itself can be back up power. I can charge it using solar panels you can buy from them. And in a pinch I can pull it out and run my house.

Storage for me will be an ongoing and forever changing aspect as the build goes on. Im currently in a 2012 Nissan NV2500 and got a long way to go.

I'm working on a short Ford van. I have a OEM bench seat, OEM wall and ceiling panels. I want the seat to go in the OEM location and have a wall behind it.

I have the bike inside for measurements, I'm going to have to build the wall on the same angle as the seats and have it touching the seats.

Good advice. I've have redone the inside of my enclosed trailer 3 times. I hurried so I could use it, and I've added so much it's nothing like what I started with, but that's the fun of it.

Well its 2025... So it def going to need a hidden private cry room in the front. Full central air throughout, Massage table for Doc G, Media room for watching videos, Tire changing station on the 2nd floor, Full time driver, 7 power washers with 500 gallons of Evian water and a 40x20 autograph signing tent. 

That should get you started... When you actually start finishing mains we can move up to the big leagues. 

Same here. I have had my van for about 7 years. Had big plans to build it out. I built a wall right away then never ended up installing it as it would limit space and make sleeping for two people and a dog a lot more uncomfortable. I use a queen size air mattress to sleep on with an electric heater for those cold northern nights. Not having a wall allows me to use it for many other things non moto. I’m looking to upgrade to a small toy hauler because we also enjoy camping and it would be nice to have a climate controlled rig for leaving the dog at times or for when he runs out of steam at the track. 

1 Baby wipes, scented. 

2 Hammock for in motion travel.

I had a Chevy express 2500 van. Some of the things I did were put a wall behind the front seat, cruise control, and a Moto stand rack.  It was a cargo van, so it was kind of noisy. I wish I would’ve put more insulation in before I sold it.  Other things I would’ve done:  

I would’ve put the separation wall farther out so I could’ve put a bench seat behind front seats.  Insulation on floor, walls, and ceiling.  Installed alarm just for peace of mind.  Definitely some kind of vents whether ceiling or side pop out vents.  Some kind of clothes hangar to let gear dry out.  Full size spare with decent jack.  
  a bunch of different other things, but probably just based on your preference. But good luck on your build.  
 

When you say short Ford van are you talking about a low roof Transit?

I'm talking OG Econoline van.

- 12v Water pump and 5 gallons of fresh water. Great for washing sand off your neck, and bird baths.
- Small inverter generator for making coffee and running my window unit AC I have installed in the diving wall.
- Organize for the stuff you don't use when riding as well. Shoes, street clothes, etc. that you need but normally lay them around in the way. 
- Window shades or sun deflectors
- A cheap backup camera. Once you add a wall or fill it up with bikes and gear, one really comes in handy. I added one that comes with a screen, front and rear camera. It will also adapt to any car radio to add apple car play and android audio. About 140 bucks.

Things I found you really don't need inside the van is cooking options other than a microwave maybe. Really think of your van like a fancy tent.

#1 for me is my AC unit. Last summer I rode every weekend. Heat index in the south 110 degrees. Come off the track straight into the van, cool down super fast and back out feeling refreshed. My pup likes it too

That's badass, I use a window unit in my trailer, it's the only way to keep riding all summer in the heat. I've seen pictures of your van before and you have definitely been working on it. 

Hell yeah Box car, I'm diggin it.

I just upgraded myself.

AC has been awesome for us. 

Congrats! T1N’s for the win

A 1000Wh 120V inverter battery pack like a Jackery or equivalent is nice to run a fan, lights, charge your phone, air fryer, etc without having to run a generator. 

If you sleep in it get a squeegee to clear the condensation on the inside of the windshield, and elastic or magnetic nets for over the windows.