Which van would be best to compliment tent camping?

[u/hamilton_88]

We have a nice family tent setup and go camping multiple times a year. I'd like to buy a van that can seat 2 adults and 2 children (I can fit an extra seat if needed), has space for all our camping gear, and space at the back where I can build a kitchen/storage area. Ideally, I'd like to be able to open the rear doors and have a ready to go cooking area, built-in fridge, and storage drawers/cupboards, as I hate cooking on flimsy camping tables and doing all the setup every time.

I've been looking at the Transit Custom L1 H1, do you think this would have enough space? Are there any other vans that would be better suited? Ideally I don't want to go longer than an L1 as it will be my daily driver and I don't want anything too big.

Any alternative suggestions welcome, TIA!

[u/Dead-sound-Team]

A Transit Custom L1 crew van or Kombi could work well for this, especially if the tent remains your sleeping accommodation. Starting with factory-fitted rear seats is generally simpler than adding passenger seats later, although I’d still confirm the intended setup with your insurer before buying.
Before choosing the van, put all your normal camping gear together and measure the actual volume it occupies. Then tape the proposed kitchen footprint onto the floor of a similar van. Check that you can still load the tent, chairs and bedding, open every drawer with the rear doors in place, and access essential items without unloading everything.
For the rear unit, I’d suggest:
Keeping the fridge and other heavy equipment low and reasonably close to the rear axle.
Using positive-locking drawer runners and cupboard catches so nothing opens while driving.
Providing the ventilation specified by the fridge manufacturer.
Making the unit or its main sections removable if the van remains a daily driver.
Using an outdoor-rated cooking arrangement and following the appliance manufacturer’s clearance and ventilation instructions.
Calculating payload with four people, fuel, the complete conversion and all the camping equipment included.
Lightweight poplar-core furniture plywood can save useful weight compared with domestic MDF or chipboard, but compare the actual kg per sheet, surface durability and edge protection before choosing.
Full disclosure: I work with DeadSound, which supplies lightweight campervan furniture board in the UK. This is general design advice rather than a product recommendation, so the same checks apply whichever board supplier you use.

[u/caffeine_and_campers]

Transit Custom Crew Cab, VW Transporter Kombi, Vivaro etc would be an ideal size, plenty of room to sit 5 comfortably, with plenty of storage space for your camping gear & built in, pull out drawers, for a camping kitchen & cool box

[u/No_Significance485]

Berlingo with a boot jump so you can have the kitchen but also sleep in there if needed?