Big Bear Vans
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Signature Layout
Amsterdam 2.0
The Ultimate Off-Grid Build for Big Families and Groups
Wheelbase
148 ext
Sits / Sleeps
6 / 6
Drivetrain
4WD
Base Vehicle
Ford Transit
The Design Philosophy
Build Overview
"Most vans force a trade-off: either everyone fits, or everyone sleeps comfortably. Rarely both. Chalie was built to close that gap. Based on the Ford Transit 148" Extended, it seats 7 people with full seatbelts, and at night that same space becomes sleeping room for 6. Floor-track recliners, a belt-driven electric elevator bed, a modular dinette-to-bunk system, and a 1200Ah power bank all work toward one goal: making the van feel like home, even hours from the nearest outlet"
Key Features & Highlights
| Category | Key Spec & Highlight | Why It Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 7 seatbelts — 2 cab + 3 luxury recliners + 2 dinette benches | The whole family rides together, and every seat reclines with its own leg rest. |
| Sleeping Capacity | 6 sleeping spots — elevator bed (2-3) + dinette bed (2-3) + convertible bench | A full passenger van by day, a two-level bunk suite by night — no wasted space. |
| Modular Seating | Floor-track recliners, child seat latch, 360° swivel | Slide seats forward or back, spread out for privacy, or fold them flat for a bed. |
| Power System | 1200Ah LiFePO4 battery bank + 3000W pure sine inverter | Runs the rooftop A/C, microwave, and every outlet off-grid — no generator needed. |
| Bathroom & Wet Bath | Rear wet bath, 25-gallon grey tank, cassette toilet, anti-fog mirror | A real standing shower, plus a 5-gallon cassette tank you can empty in minutes. |
| Kitchen Setup | Cutout base cabinet, portable induction, ice maker & microwave | Full legroom for passengers, with a stove, oven, and ice maker all on board. |
| Exterior & Safety | Avatar rear door box, steel bumper guard, floodlights | Roof-mounted spare tire, serious storage, and a well-lit campsite after dark. |
Why Choose the Chalie 148" EXT Layout?
Unmatched Family Capacity — 7 Seats, 6 Sleeping Spaces. This layout was built specifically for big families. It seats 7 with seatbelts, and converts in minutes into a dual-level bunk system that sleeps 6.
Ultra-Flexible Modular Seating & Floor Tracks. Nova Lux / Vankea recliners ride on L-tracks. Each seat reclines on its own, swivels a full 360°, slides forward and back, shifts sideways for privacy, or folds flat into a bed.
Smart Space Optimization — Cutout Kitchen Cabinet. The bottom of the kitchen cabinet is cut away so the passenger in the single seat isn't cramped on the road. The fridge sits close by too, so grabbing ice cream or a cold drink mid-drive takes seconds.
Heavy-Duty Off-Grid Power & Expedition Gear. 1200Ah of lithium power, a 12V rooftop A/C, diesel glycol heating, a full-length electric awning, and a steel front bumper with floodlights keep off-grid camping both comfortable and safe.
Key Benefits of This Layout
Easy Day-to-Night Conversion. The electric elevator bed and flip-over dinette benches turn a passenger van into a two-level bunk suite in just a few minutes.
Easy Kitchen & Fridge Access on the Road. The 3.3 cu ft fridge has a baby safety lock and sits right next to the middle-row seats, so snacks and drinks are always within reach.
A Full-Featured Rear Wet Bath. A removable 5-gallon cassette tank (good for 1-2 weeks between empties), hot and cold water, and a heated anti-fog mirror that clears itself of steam.
Smart Exterior Storage & Spare Tire Mount. The Avatar rear storage box has an adjustable shelf, and the spare tire mounts on top of it — freeing up room underneath for the 25-gallon grey water tank.
Night Lighting & Reading Lamps. Dual-sided, 3-stage touch reading lamps, dimmable ceiling lights, and ultra-bright floodlights for security outside.
Standard Features
Seating & Passenger Comfort
- • Seating for 7: 2 front cab seats + 3 luxury recliners (a double bench and a single seat) + 2 rear dinette bench seats, all with seatbelts.
- • Nova Lux / Vankea Luxury Recliners: Floor-track mounted, compatible with child car seat latches, with individual backrest recline, extendable leg rests, and a side-sliding mechanism.
- • 360° Swivel & Pass-Through Space: Seats face forward while driving, then swivel once parked to open up walking space inside.
- • Convertible Bed Mode: Passenger seats slide forward and fold completely flat to create an extra sleeping surface.
Sleeping Arrangement — 6 Sleeping Spaces
- • Electric Belt-Driven Elevator Bed: A height-adjustable top bunk that sleeps 2-3 adults or kids, and can be set to any height.
- • Convertible Lower Dinette Bunk Bed: A quick flip-over bench mechanism paired with custom cushions forms a king-size lower bunk that sleeps 2-3.
Insulation & Wall Paneling
- • 4-Season Insulation & Grooved Ultralight Plywood Walls: A white gel stain on maple finish keeps the van warm in winter and cool in summer, while giving it a modern grooved-wood look.
- • Grooved Ultralight Plywood Ceiling: A natural new-pine stain on maple keeps the ceiling bright and finished.
- • Heavy-Duty Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Flooring: Waterproof flooring with integrated L-tracks for seat adjustment.
Kitchen & Dining Setup
- • Cutout Base Cabinet: A specialized cutout at the bottom of the cabinet gives the single-seat passenger maximum legroom
- • 3.3 cu ft Refrigerator with Baby Safety Lock: A drive-safe latch keeps the fridge shut on rough roads.
- • Portable Induction Cooktop & Bamboo Countertop Cover: A hidden, lightweight induction stove plugs straight into an outlet and can also be used outside
- • 13" x 15" Stainless Steel Sink: A dual-faucet setup — a standard pull-out faucet plus a dedicated filtered drinking water tap.
- • 1.1 cu ft Convection Microwave & Oven Combo: A built-in wall-cabinet appliance with air fry, grill, convection, and microwave mod
- • Ice Maker Cabinet: An upper wall cabinet designed to hold a portable ice maker or coffee machine.
Bathroom & Wet Bath System
- • Full Standing Rear Wet Bath: A shower pan with a teak wood slatted floor.
- • Electric-Flush Cassette Toilet: A blue-button water flush with a 5-gallon removable cassette tank that releases from a cabinet latch.
- • 3-Mode LED Anti-Fog Mirror: A multi-light vanity mirror with a heating element that clears steam automatically.
- • 25-Gallon Under-Mount Grey Water Tank: A dedicated shower grey water tank that fits under the chassis, in the spot where the factory spare tire would normally sit.
Electrical, Power & Exterior Lighting
- • 1200Ah LiFePO4 Battery Bank (15.6 kWh) & 3000W Inverter: A heavy-duty lithium power bank built into the bench seats.
- • Exterior Security & Flood Lighting: Ultra-bright spotlights on the front and sides, including orange accent lighting.
- • 3-Stage Touch Reading Lights: Dual-sided touch lamps mounted on both the upper and lower bunks.
Climate Control & Ventilation
- • 12V Rooftop A/C Unit: Off-grid air conditioning that runs entirely on the lithium batteries.
- • Multi-Fan Ventilation System: Dual roof fans for the living area, plus a dedicated exhaust fan for the bathroom.
- • Diesel Glycol Air & Water Heater: Heats the cabin quickly and delivers instant hot water.
Exterior Features & Storage
- • Heavy-Duty Steel Front Bumper Guard: Protects against off-road and trail impacts.
- • Avatar Exterior Rear Door Storage Box: A heavy-duty box with an adjustable internal shelf and a spare tire mounted on top.
- • Full-Length Electric Awning: A motorized shade that covers the entire length of the van.
- • Roof Deck Area & Solar Array: Solar panels paired with a rooftop platform built for stargazing.
Built With Our Own Products
Key Upgrades in This Build
Here are 59 of the main products included in Amsterdam 2.0, the same tried-and-tested upgrades we install across our other Big Bear Vans builds. Tap any product to see how it works. For the complete build details, book a free consultation call with our team.
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