Tall person in the market for an NV High Roof

[David Vincent OfFrance]

My business building custom bicycles for tall people (check there if you have very tall friends : www.dirtysixer.com) brought me to the idea of getting an NV. I used to have a VW Eurovan and it of course died as they all do, and been driving a Rav4ev (electric) for a year now.

I'm 6'6" and know clearly I cannot stand up straight in the high roof of the NV as I tried in person. I researched online the interior measurements and found that the Ford Transit and the Sprinter with the highest roof would allow me to stand up but I haven't test it yet in person, nor test rode these. I know legroom is going to be working in the NV, and frankly I do not want to gamble on reliability (after the VW nightmare) so that's why I'm looking at the NV only now and will wear a helmet when walking in the cargo area.

My question is: does anyone made a solution to be able to sleep in the van while not building bulky bedframe? I will travel to deliver my bikes or ride so I need the cargo area free of stuff but will need to be able to sleep in (knowing that I'm 6'6"!). I even thought of a hammock!

Thanks!

Edited July 21, 2016 by David Vincent OfFrance

[radin2son]

When I quit racing 4 years ago, there were several bike shop teams using Sprinters. One pro/cat. 1 had his own hightop Sprinter that he kept all his bikes in. When he travelled for fun with his and his GF's bikes they also threw in a kayak. No sure where they slept, but I have seen photos of hammocks being used inside vans.

 

You may want to PM Jon Nelson as he added a poptop to his hightop NV for the same reason as you.

 

We bought our 2012 lowtop NV 2500 that was converted into a campervan by Sportsmobile West. It has the penthouse (poptop) and floor plan similar to VWs. I was able to fit one of my worn out race bikes under the bed platform, but not 2. We bought 2 Ritchey CX breakaway bikes to solve carrying 2 bikes inside.

 

For the past almost 4 years reliability has not been a concern at all. It has been all about routine service. Our 36k warranty expired long ago but now it is 100k.

 

Looked at your web site. Where are you located? SF I would guess... Great video. I ride a 54cm Pegoretti and a 56 cm Richey, but tried a Bike Friday. Twitchy until you got used to it. Started on steel and ending on steel after 3 aluminum and 1 carbon frames. Never tried titanium.

Edited July 21, 2016 by radin2son

[David Vincent OfFrance]

Thanks for your answer!

Yes I saw Jon's posts and I think he's taller than me at 6f7...

I started researching the hammock solution!

Yes based in San Francisco now!

[radin2son]

The cost of a poptop ($7k) vs the cost of a "higher" top Transit or Sprinter may push you toward the latter. For the same reason, the home build campervans on this forum are high top NVs.

 

If you are delivering 1 or 2 bikes and have no plans for using your van as a mobile bike shop, you may want to consider a used lowtop campervan with poptop. I believe floor to roof is 6'10". You could remove whatever cabinetry etc you don't need. This would be more like returning to your EuroVan.

 

Check out the used SMBs, mostly Ford 4x4, at www.sportsmobile.com but there are a few 2x2 Fords and Dodges. There was 1 used NV ($34k).

 

Jon is taller and is probably your best source for info. His ph was installed by someone else.

[David Vincent OfFrance]

I think I'd have to get more than 2 bikes for the deliveries and plan to tour dealers too, offer demo rides etc. Plus my bikes are really big if I keep them assembled and rideable. :-)

[wollip]

Look at rbcomponents.com - they have a section called folding furniture.

Longest bunk is 76" but maybe, if nothing else, it will give you ideas on making one yourself.

There are others out there making this type of fold up bunk but this is the only one I had bookmarked.

[KMG]

I have the folding dinette/bed from RB Components and it has fit my needs well.

 

Edited July 24, 2016 by KMG

[radin2son]

David, Most bike demo vans are Sprinters and have 20+ bikes racked vertically. I think you will need more than 6' 4" for you and your bikes. I would be inclined to go with a Sprinter.

 

If you go with the used NV you found and use fork mounts bolted to the floor, you should be able to carry 6+ bikes, with front wheels racked wherever you can find space.

 

You will need some sort of ventilation, roof top fan and/or vented windows similar to the ones KMG has, if you plan to sleep in your van.