{"id":7067371,"date":"2026-09-26T11:10:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T11:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/can-you-sleep-a-family-of-four-in-a-defender\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T11:10:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T11:10:55","slug":"can-you-sleep-a-family-of-four-in-a-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7067371","title":{"rendered":"Can you sleep a family of four in a Defender?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

The short answer is yes, but read on if you want to know how!<\/p>\n

\"4-berth<\/a><\/div>\n

It has taken a lot of planning, but we’ve come up with a solution that allows us to retain the middle (second) row of seats for the boys while travelling and then convert the rear area into two beds for sleeping.\u00a0 While the boys sleep downstairs, Sarah and I get the big bed up in the roof, in our Alu-Cab Icarus<\/a> roof conversion.<\/p>\n

Planning a 4-Berth Defender Interior Layout<\/h3>\n

There is lots of information online about camper layouts if you’ve got the standard Transporter, Sprinter, Crafter or Transit Van, but not much about Defenders.\u00a0 If you want a family friendly, 4-berth Defender layout that retains four travelling seats, there’s even less!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The standard Defender Camper layout usually involves fixed cabinetry along one side, and some form of pull out bed on the other.\u00a0 While the boys are still pretty small this might have worked, but we couldn’t see them wanting to share a narrow bed for long!\u00a0 The standard layout usually also involves removing the second row of seats, but this wasn’t an option for us.<\/p>\n

We did get some layout inspiration from our friends at whereistheworld<\/a>, and from YouTube videos by Off-Track Family.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

After many hours sitting in the back of the Landy, measuring, sketching, and even a bit of 3D modelling in SketchUp, we eventually came up with our own solution, and I must say we’re really pleased with it!<\/p>\n

\"Defender<\/a><\/div>\n

Our Goals for the Interior<\/h3>\n

1. Retain at least four travelling seats (with seatbelts)<\/p>\n

2. Maximise storage space<\/p>\n

3. Full width sleeping area for the boys<\/p>\n

4. Space for a cooler<\/p>\n

5. Re-use as much of our existing camping gear as possible<\/p>\n

6. Quick setup and stow<\/p>\n

The Interior Build and Storage Solution<\/h3>\n

Our layout consists of a fixed platform in the back, which we built to fit under the lip at the top of the tub.\u00a0 This is supported on two wooden beams which use the existing holes in the tub capping.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Fitting<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Fitting<\/a><\/div>\n

The platform is cut from 15mm lightweight eucalyptus plywood with a black phenol hexagon coating.\u00a0 The platform is also supported by a vertical section of ply, which is slightly offset from centre for our sliding storage solution.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\"Land<\/a><\/div>\n

We were really keen to make use of our existing RUX system, so used heavy duty drawer sliders from Aolisheng<\/a>, and built a frame to support two 70 litre RUXs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n

\"RUX<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\"RUX<\/a><\/div>\n
If you haven’t come across RUX before, the 70l is a rugged, compressible, weatherproof, soft sided gear storage container with a wide rigid opening for easy access, a secure stowable lid and modular straps for easy carry.\u00a0 Designed in Canada, and now also available in Europe, we use them all of the time!<\/p>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

We decided to remove the middle seat from the second row, and used the existing frame to build a platform for our Yeti cooler.\u00a0 The Yeti Tundra 45 fits perfectly, and the Harvest Red is almost a match to Budgie’s paintwork!<\/p>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\"Land<\/a><\/div>\n
\"Yeti<\/a><\/div>\n

In order to retain the boys seats, but still give them a full length bed; we used another two pairs of heavy duty drawer runners and built two sliding extensions, which pull out over the top of the folded middle row seats.\u00a0 It only takes a couple of seconds to fold the seats forward and slide out the extensions.<\/p><\/div>\n