An exclusive interview with Transporter HQ!

We catch up with THQ to chat about the key considerations anyone should think of if you have a van or are about to buy one!

Driving seat, what are the main areas you would change here?
They are not massively comfortable but lots of seat trimming companies can swap the backs of the seats out for a more supportive G-T style support.

Pop-Top roof: If you want a clean, minimal almost invisible style, Horizon roofs are the way to go in a Transporter. For a bigger vehicle like a crafter, ATEK seems to dominate the market and is what we have on ours.

Electrics:
Every vehicle needs additional charging points to charge all modern equipment: phones, cameras, tablets, etc. The scanstrut TILE is our favorite with USB A and C connections, a sleek, minimal design, and no annoying LED keeping you awake at night!

Interior layout:
Many camper layouts depend on each individual's usage. U-shaped cupboards have become popular if you don’t need additional rear seat belts. The most popular layout would be a kitchen and units down the driver's side, allowing for a rock-and-roll bed with seat belts to be installed in the rear!

Tech to have onboard this summer?
Scanstrut ATMOS is a great tool for inflatable awnings and SUP. We’ve mounted ours in the rear doors of our Crafter, which works well because they’re narrow. We’ve also seen them mounted in bed panels, which is a great idea.

What should you consider when putting a bed into a van?
Safety, the level of crash test certificate, comfort for the passengers, and width are key considerations.

Having a bathroom in a van, what are the key considerations?
If choosing to put a bathroom in your van, a toilet is a must, showers are a great option if you have the space, but not always essential, as campsites have shower facilities.

Best wheels for on-the-road and off-road?
Make sure your wheels are load-rated enough for a heavy vehicle. If choosing an off-road style wheel with an A-T tyre, be mindful, as these can be noisy and reduce fuel economy, which isn’t ideal if you do a lot of your usage on motorways. We’re big fans of Navis Wheels as they are rated up to heavy campers and have a great choice of 17” and 20” inch wheels!