We have basically the same layout in our van. Are you comfortable with your kids traveling in the back folding seat/bed (ours folds, I assume yours does too)? We just had a daughter in December, but up until now we always removed the second captain’s chairs for “camping mode.” I purchased a bench that is designed for shoe storage next to the front door of your house and bolted that to the driver’s side rear seat base. Makes a huge difference in the amount of space inside, doubles as a seat or surface to prep food on depending on the need, and provides a little extra easily accessible storage via cloth boxes. Oh, also one more step to help climb up into the penthouse. One could do the same on the passenger side, but I haven’t gotten around to it (and now may never). Seats easily go back in for the winter for “skiing mode.”
The other thing that made the interior way more flexible for us was replacing the countertop to remove the built in cooktop. There is no countertop surface to work on otherwise. Now we use a portable double burner induction cooktop that stores out of the way, but you could easily use a Coleman stove or something else that is portable. Doesn’t help with storage when in motion but helps with the claustrophobia if it’s raining or cold.
If you have time, take a look at the way SMB set up your fuse panel and intellipower. There was tons of wasted space under the rear seat/bed. I removed all of it and put an inverter, dc/dc charger, and 280ah of lithium batteries in the same space, but some simple rearrangement and screwing the existing parts down closer together could net you another decent space to stash a stuff sack or ammo can. Take the back trim panel off for access and leave it off forever.
I have been experimenting with hanging IKEA-style shoe organizer cubbies in the closet. We each get two cubbies to stuff clothes into while inside the house. Carry the whole thing to the van when loaded and hang from the closet rod. It works great except that everything falls out off-road. Still working on a solution.
Good luck and keep us updated on what you eventually implement.
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2001 E-250 SMB 5.4L MG Coil Kit, Modified EB57
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