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Tour the Gear Hauler: The Quintessential Camper Van Layout

Hey everybody, Matt here for AVC, and welcome back to AVC Chronicles!

If you asked us to pick the "core" van of our lineup, the one that defines what we do best, it’s the Gear Hauler. The concept is simple but powerful: a massive garage for your toys, a full-featured kitchen for your meals, and a proper queen-sized bed that doesn't require you to play Tetris every night.

Today, we’re taking a deep dive into our latest Gear Hauler build. Let’s get into it!

The Platform: Why the 148" Long Transit?

Before we talk about the build, we have to talk about the "bones." This is a Ford Transit High Roof 148" Long (not the extended version).

  • Why this size? It’s the "Goldilocks" of vans. You get a massive interior, but because it lacks the extra rear overhang of the "Extended" model, your departure angle is much better. It’s easier to park and easier to drive off-pavement.

  • The Specs: It’s an EcoBoost All-Wheel Drive with the factory 360-degree camera and blackout HID headlights. If you want to know how to order your van just like this, check out our ordering guide here.

Exterior: Form Meets Function

We kept the exterior clean and unified.

  • Blackout Rail: We swapped the factory silver sliding door rail for a blackout version. It’s a small detail that unifies the black-and-white aesthetic.

  • Running Boards: We used Rover Vans running boards. They are sturdy, look great, and provide a necessary step for the high-roof entrance.

  • Windows: We have a CR Lawrence 293L awning window on the driver-side front and Flare Space bunk windows in the rear. These provide excellent cross-ventilation for those sleeping in the back.

  • The Roof: Up top, we’re running an AVC roof rack with a Vellet 2000R rooftop AC unit and a classic MaxxAir fan.

Interior Aesthetics: "Olive & Bamboo"

We wanted this van to feel elegant but rugged.

  • Ceiling: Bamboo with a satin water-based finish.

  • Walls: An Olive Felt wall kit. It keeps the weight down and significantly reduces road noise.

  • Flooring: Our insulated subfloor system topped with 2Tec2 Dune. It features a chevron pattern that looks incredible once the van is fully built out.

  • The Wraps: We used Byrne Eucalyptus wraps on the pillars to bridge the gap between the gray factory headliner and the olive walls.

The Living Space & Kitchenette

The driver-side front quarter features our 48-inch Gear Hauler Kitchenette.

  • The Sink/Shower Combo: We used a deep sink from Tech Van Life. It features a pull-out faucet that doubles as an indoor shower head when paired with a portable basin.

  • Cooking: A True Induction cooktop is built right into the quartz (Everform) countertop.

  • Storage: We’ve got French doors below the sink to minimize door swing, a 130L Isotherm fridge, and a built-in Greystone microwave in the overhead cabinets.

  • Seating: We have factory swivel seats and our non-passenger bench. This bench houses a Wrap-on Sunny toilet and is mounted to a JMG plate, meaning the owners can swap the bench for two additional passenger seats whenever they need to haul the whole family.

The Heart of the Build: The Garage & Bed

This is why people buy this layout.

  • North-South Queen Bed: This is a proper 80" x 60" bed featuring a 5-inch Rome Rest premium mattress.

  • Electric Bed Lift: With the push of a button, the entire bed lifts to the ceiling.

    • The Benefit: You never have to take your bedding apart.

    • The Garage: Once the bed is up, you have a massive open space for bikes, boards, or gear.

  • Cubby Frames: On both sides of the bed, we installed our window cubby frames. They provide a spot for your phone and Kindle, and they house charging ports so you're ready for the next day.

Power, Water, and Climate

A gear hauler is only as good as its life-support systems.

  • Power: An EcoFlow 5k Power Kit (Gen 1). It’s expandable up to 10kWh if the owners ever decide they need more juice.

  • Water: 20 gallons of fresh water, an IsoTemp 4.2 Slim water heater (the king of van water heaters), and a TetraVan rear shower mixing valve for hot rinses off the back of the van.

  • Heat: An Espar AS3B2L gasoline heater tucked under the passenger seat.

  • Tech: A Wolfbox digital rearview mirror is hardwired to act as a dashcam and a 24/7 security monitor.

Build Your Own

The best part? We are making this entire configuration available online. Every cabinet, the bed lift, and the wall kits can be ordered so you can build a professional-level Gear Hauler in your own driveway.

  • Shop the Gear Hauler Collection: HERE

Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time!

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