PhoTow: A Transformer PhotoRig

[Otter]

I’ve been working on my plans for the van interior for a long time. The big challenge in building out a versatile transformer is finding a way to have everything you want and make it all fit in a variety of configurations. I wanted a van that could work as a camper, a camper with 1 or 2 passengers, 2 passengers only, or an empty cargo van for hauling stuff. What would have been a lot easier but something I didn’t want - was a “permanently” built-out camper.

All the basics are done and the expensive/difficult components are purchased and built. These include:

- Midsize CCV Poptop
-2 swiveling front seats, driver and passenger
-2 Sienna recliners on ExpoVans custom bases, with Unwin sliders
-2 double rows of L-Track embedded flush with the Loncoin floor
-1 Dometic 65 CFX dual fridge/freezer moved around as needed
-1 Dog kennel (a VERY important component in this household!)
-1 Thetford Porta-potty
-1 Sam Mulder aluminum basement storage box with locking cover
- Electrical supplies to include 2 Lithium 100Ah batts; 2000W inverter, DC-DC
Charger, various controllers, monitors, etc., 2 100W Renogy solar panels
-1 Lagun table system with two locations. Will be used to extend sink counter and
also make a desk/kitchen table for front seats
-60in wide aluminum cargo rack on a Hitchswing. Cargo boxes are being added
and one section will be used for cooking under the awning when swung around.

Next up to build:

-Electrical cabinet, passenger side
-Storage cabinet, driver side
-40-in wide folding, removable bed platform
-sink cabinet
-barn door kitchen box
-Webasto or Espar heater

And then we’ll be “done.” Below are the six configurations possible with my design:

Full Camper:




Full camper with 1 Sienna:




Full camper with 2 Siennas, no dog:




2 Siennas in-line with sink and dog:




2 Siennas, Passenger mode only:




Cargo Mode, storage modules only. The driver side large storage cabinet will be removable too.



I’m really looking forward to getting to these last components because that means we’ll be able to camp without making do. As it is, we’re pretty darn happy, but it’ll be nice to finish up (if that’s actually a thing).

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[Otter]

I’ve been wanting to find a way to hold the 4 CCV bed platform pieces up against the back, on edge, to provide more standing room. So I made these straps to hang off the rear poptop crosspiece and put two corresponding screw-in snaps on each platform section. That helps to hold them up in sequence as you stack. Only one snap on each strap is needed at a time. The others are there to account for a variety of thicknesses. And the strap itself is tension adjustable.

We like to stack the cushions in the front storage space and then stand the platform pieces on edge, giving us about 16 extra inches of standing room in the van.


The straps:



The straps in action:



When stacked with straps, the platform pieces stick out less than two inches from the back of the van:

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[Twoxentrix]

^^^^^^ well done ! ^^^^^^

[Glen]

Did you sew the straps or are they held together with the snaps & buckle? I want to make something similar, but don't have the ability to sew. It's to keep my ladder or other items from sliding forward off the bed in an emergency breaking situation.

I love the idea of being able to move items around as needed, or to add/remove items as needed. The hardest part for me right now is "finalizing" a layout for the interior that will accommodate the various activities that we do and yet still be a comfortable/workable layout for each individual activity.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

^^^^^^ well done ! ^^^^^^

Thanks, TWX!

Originally Posted by Glen

Did you sew the straps or are they held together with the snaps & buckle? I want to make something similar, but don't have the ability to sew. It's to keep my ladder or other items from sliding forward off the bed in an emergency breaking situation.

I love the idea of being able to move items around as needed, or to add/remove items as needed. The hardest part for me right now is "finalizing" a layout for the interior that will accommodate the various activities that we do and yet still be a comfortable/workable layout for each individual activity.

LOL, don’t feel bad. It’s taken me three years to finalize my plan. It’s a lot harder when you have so many variables you’re trying to cover. But the nice part about everything being movable is that, if you don’t like something you did, or make a mistake, or change your mind, you can take it out easily and do something different.

As to the straps, yes, I sewed them in certain parts. I like loops on the end for pulling. But the only necessary part to sew is the one that attaches to the buckle. Theoretically, you could make that attachment using snaps (I would use two for strength if you go that route) but sewing is stronger. Here’s a video showing how the buckles are sewn and used:

https://youtu.be/1V4U2WaCfM4

For the scenario you’re describing, I’d probably just buy a couple of cam straps. They’re stronger and cheap. I’d rather have one of those to hold back a ladder:

https://www.rei.com/product/853175/r...twin-pack-6-ft
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[Glen]

Great... Thanks

[lazybummm]

Nice build! Quick question, I have a CCV mid-top on a EB body, obviously when I went to get it done a couple of years ago, I didn't think ahead at all and forgot to get the roof rails.

I reached out to CCV to get some info and of course they are non responsive as usual. Any idea how it's mounted? Is it reinforced on the inside and the rooftop unistrut rail runs right next to the lift channel I assume that's inside?

Thanks.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by lazybummm

Nice build! Quick question, I have a CCV mid-top on a EB body, obviously when I went to get it done a couple of years ago, I didn't think ahead at all and forgot to get the roof rails.

I reached out to CCV to get some info and of course they are non responsive as usual. Any idea how it's mounted? Is it reinforced on the inside and the rooftop unistrut rail runs right next to the lift channel I assume that's inside?

Thanks.

Thanks. The Unistrut is attached using the three bolts that affix the top to the lift mechanism. In the first picture below (look close) you can see the three bolts. They’re running through tabs welded to the lift attachment/support bar. You can see the tab more clearly in the second photo.






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[lazybummm]

thanks for the quick reply.

I see those bolts on mine too. There appears to be the corresponding caps on the roof top. However, those bolts look like they hold up the rails for the lift mechanism to the ceiling of the interior.

The rooftop roof rack rails seems to be running next to those instead of going over them though, or am i not seeing it right?

[Otter]

The tabs offset the bolts from what you’re calling the rails for the lift mechanism. The Unistrut is directly above those bolts and therefore also offset, or inboard, of the lift mechanism rail.

Others have attached the Unistrut using separate bolts. But I see no reason to make extra holes in the top when these are stout and apparently adequate to the task. It seems CCV thinks so, too.


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