When a family came to us looking for a van that could keep up with kids, road trips, and spontaneous weekend escapes, we knew the 144-inch Sprinter chassis was the right place to start. Compact, nimble, and capable — but still big enough to fit everything (and everyone) that matters.
The challenge? They needed sleeping for six, extra seating beyond the front cab, room for bikes and gear, and a kitchen that could actually handle family meals. Oh, and car seat hookups for the little ones.
Most builders would say pick three out of five. We said let’s build all of it.
This custom Geotrek Convoy proves what’s possible when you design around how families actually use their vans — not just how they look in photos. Here’s how we made it work.
Three Beds Without Sacrificing Living Space
The challenge with family camper vans is simple: beds take up space. A lot of space. And when you’re trying to fit multiple sleeping areas into 144 inches of wheelbase, something usually has to give.
Not in this build.
Bed #1: The East-West Convoy Bed
The main sleeping area uses our Convoy layout’s signature east-west bed orientation. This customer added flares on both sides to maximize sleeping width, giving two adults plenty of room to sleep comfortably.
What makes this work? The bed sits high enough to create a garage underneath — which is where bed #2 comes in.
Bed #2: The Lowered Bunk
Tucked beneath the main bed is a lowered bunk that sleeps one adult comfortably or two kids easily. It’s cozy, yes, but it’s also warm, dry, and beats sleeping in a tent outside by a mile.
The best part? It’s completely removable. Heading out on a couples trip and don’t need the extra bed? Pull out the two platform pieces and the mattress, and suddenly you have massive gear storage for bikes, skis, or whatever adventure you’re chasing.
Bed #3: The Rooftop Tent with Interior Access
Here’s where this build gets special. We added a rooftop tent — and not just any rooftop tent. This one has an interior pass-through, meaning you can access it from inside the van without going outside.
Unlatch the safety, push the hatch up until the gas struts take over, deploy the ladder stored with a simple Velcro strap, and you’re in. Two adults sleep comfortably up top, with bug screens on the sides and blackout curtains that zip up for colder trips.
The rooftop tent also includes a MaxAir fan. When the tent is open, it circulates air for the tent sleepers. When closed, it lines up with the pass-through and functions as a standard MaxAir fan for the cabin.
Total sleeping capacity: Six people. And everyone gets their own mattress.
Four-Person Dining Without the Cramped Feel
Sleeping six is impressive. But what about when everyone’s awake and wants to hang out inside during bad weather?
That’s where the two-person folding jump seat changes everything.
The Game-Changer: Folding Jump Seats
Behind the driver’s seat, we installed a two-person folding jump seat with car seat hookups. That means this van can safely transport young kids with proper car seats, which immediately makes it functional for families with toddlers or young children.
When you’re parked and want to eat or play board games, swivel the driver and passenger seats around, deploy the jump seat (it takes about 5 seconds), and you’ve got comfortable seating for four people.
When you don’t need it? The jump seat folds up on hydraulic hinges and gets completely out of the way. No awkward maneuvering. No wasted space. Just smart design.
And here’s the flexibility: this two-person folding jump seat isn’t exclusive to the Convoy layout. We can add it to our Albatross layout or any 170 layout. If you need extra seat belts or car seat hookups, this is one of the best solutions available in a camper van.
The Split Galley: More Counter Space for Family Meals
Feeding a family in a van requires actual kitchen functionality. The Convoy layout’s split galley wraps the kitchen into the space instead of running everything along one wall, giving you a sink on one side and extra counter space on the other.
This build adds family-focused upgrades:
- Two-burner inset cooktop mounted directly into the countertop for serious meal prep
- Microwave built into the upper cabinets for quick reheating
The split galley also creates extra storage. You get additional drawers, pass-throughs in the upper cabinets with spring tension hinges, and a drawer above the fridge for utensils or cookware.
The fridge is accessible from outside the van, which means you can grab drinks or snacks without going inside — a small detail that makes a huge difference when kids are playing outside and constantly asking for water.
Smart Storage Solutions for Family Gear
Here’s the reality of family van life: you need a lot of stuff. Clothes for everyone. Toys. Bikes. Camping gear. Cooking supplies. And somehow it all has to fit.
This build handles it with layered storage:
Upper Cabinets: Pass-through storage runs the length of the van, accessible from both sides. Spring tension hinges keep doors closed while driving.
Cubby Storage: The cubbies that double as ladder steps to reach the top bed aren’t just functional — they’re also storage compartments.
Under-Bed Garage: When the lowered bunk is removed, the space beneath the main bed becomes massive gear storage. Bikes, skis, strollers — it all fits.
Outdoor Living: Extending Your Space Beyond the Van
Family adventure means getting outside. This build makes that easier with features designed for life beyond the cabin.
Outdoor Shower with Privacy
This family added an outdoor shower with curtains that hang on the back doors, creating a fully private shower wherever you park. Perfect for rinsing off sandy kids after beach days, muddy dogs after trail runs, or just freshening up at a trailhead before heading into town.
Rear Bug Screens
Rear bug screens let you keep the back doors open for airflow without letting insects in — essential for those warm summer nights when you want cross-ventilation through the van.
Rooftop Tent with Views
The rooftop tent is a popular add-on that kids especially love. The elevated position gives them their own space with views of the stars, surrounding landscape, or campground. Bug screens on the sides keep the fresh air flowing while blackout curtains provide privacy and warmth when needed.
Who This Build Is For
This ultimate family camper van works best for:
- Families with young kids who need car seat hookups and flexible sleeping arrangements
- Parents who want to camp with friends and need extra sleeping capacity
- Adventure-focused families who prioritize gear storage and outdoor access
- Anyone upgrading from tent camping who wants the comfort of a van with the flexibility of expandable sleeping
This build proves that family van life doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, storage, or functionality. With the right layout and smart upgrades, a Sprinter 144 can genuinely sleep six people and still feel spacious.
The Geotrek Difference: Modularity and Flexibility
What makes this build work isn’t just the features — it’s the flexibility. The lowered bunk removes completely. The jump seat folds away. The rooftop tent can be added to almost any Geotrek layout.
That’s how we build. Not locked-in configurations that force you to choose, but modular systems that adapt as your family and adventures evolve.
If you’re researching family camper vans and wondering whether a Sprinter 144 can actually work for your crew, the answer is yes — if it’s built right.
Ready to design your family’s adventure van? Reach out to our team to discuss layout options, sleeping configurations, and how we can build the perfect van for your family’s needs.
