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Optimize Storage Space in Your Hymer Sprinter Van
Exploiting every inch of a well-designed van that, when paired with key Dutchvanparts accessories, becomes the perfect vehicle for full-time travel and outdoor adventures.
Shop for your Hymer Grand Canyon S (Crossover)
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt after a year of traveling and living in our Hymer Grand Canyon S Crossover Sprinter, it’s that you really need far fewer things than you’d expect to live comfortably and fully enjoy your adventures on the road.
We embraced this minimal approach as we carefully selected what we might need for the first leg of our adventure, starting in Portugal for some cycling and surfing, before heading to the Moroccan Sahara and High Atlas Mountains for off-road exploration. However, on that evening in October, as we were packing everything up, we had to use a good dose of creativity to ensure we could fit all our clothes, gear and equipment into our van.
Despite being a pre-built van – we had no influence on the layout of the internal storage spaces – we must admit that the storage solutions in our Hymer Grand Canyon S Crossover are mostly well thought out, offering plenty of options for organizing belongings. The Dutchvanparts equipment we carefully selected has also made a significant difference, not only by expanding available storage, but also by providing a more efficient and purposeful way to store essential gear.
But let’s look at the interior first…
Strengths and limitations of the Hymer van storage
In the main living space, every inch counts, so we tried to be particularly disciplined when packing our kitchen essentials. The two drawers underneath the stove, the compact compartment below the fridge, and the overhead cupboards efficiently house our cooking utensils and food supplies. Though small, these spaces can hold more than you’d expect when packed thoughtfully. Additionally, as we love to cook outside over a fire with our grill and tajine pot (stored away at the back of the van), we were able to keep our main cooking utensils down to a minimum.
When setting out on our year-long journey, we kept our kitchen essentials – bowls, cups, etc. – to an absolute bare minimum, but as we settled into van life, we discovered what extras we had room for. In the places we visited we collected local ceramics and unique kitchenware – functional keepsakes that now carry the memories of our travels in every meal we prepare.
We use the remaining storage compartments in the living area above the table for items such as camera gear, headlamps, books and maps, and other items we use almost daily – within reach and easy to grab.
The six cupboards above the bed are divided into him and hers (after a dispute over who would get the bigger compartments!) and are spacious enough to store our casual and sports clothing, with smaller items tidied away into packing cubes or bags.
One of our top tips for maximizing space and improving comfort in the living area is to make full use of the bathroom. When we upgraded from a Volkswagen California to a Mercedes Sprinter, we were grateful to finally have a toilet and an indoor shower – especially during the winter months. However, aside from those urgent moments when nature calls, the bathroom can sometimes feel like a wasted space. To make the most of it, we use it for extra storage, hiding away backpacks, extra shoes and a guitar while using the hooks to hang towels and jackets.
Speaking of smart storage solutions, one game-changer for organizing our van has been the Dutchvanparts Overhead Shelf. Even though Hymer equips the Grand Canyon Crossover with several hooks in the living area, we love the fact that we are now able to stow away jackets, beanies and other bulky essentials right above the front seats, keeping them within quick reach. The result? A van that feels more spacious, tidier, and better organized.
At the rear of the van is where the bulk of the storage space can be found. The raised position of the bed provides ample space, where we keep around 50% of our things, including bigger items like a table, fire pit and chairs. With the aim of keeping things neatly organized in such a vast space, we decided to opt for a storage solution based on plastic boxes and four stackable drawers, which are lightweight and enable us to keep our everyday clothes and gear separated and easy to access.
The large compartment to the side, hiding behind our two camping chairs is divided into two levels with the lower one hosting the two lithium batteries, further electronics and fuses. The top shelf, which was originally meant to carry a spare WC-cassette, has proven to be very handy to store things we do not use on a regular basis, like our slackline, an outdoor cooking stove, our wedges, a couple of warm down jackets and our dirty laundry on the way to the next laundromat.
The rest of the compartments below the bed, some of which are rather more complicated to access, provide storage for those items we only use occasionally, such as books, warm clothing or things we perhaps didn’t really need to take with us in the first place.
Overall, we can’t really complain about the amount of storage space that our Hymer Grand Canyon Crossover has to offer. It’s well-equipped to carry all the essentials we need for full-time travel, adapting to different regions and climates. However, for two adventure and sports enthusiasts like us, there was one big challenge – where do we put all the extra gear that makes our dream lifestyle complete? Road bikes, a surfboard, a spare tire for the unexpected, and Maxtrax recovery boards for off-road mishaps – fitting it all into our van felt like solving a game of Tetris. We needed a smarter setup to bring our adventures to life without sacrificing comfort.
As we evaluated different options, we came across Dutchvanparts. Their products, which are all designed, engineered and manufactured in The Netherlands, were not only functional and perfect for our needs, but they also gave the exterior of the van a whole new look – tougher, more rugged, and ready to tackle off-road terrain.
Intrigued, we decided to give them a shot – and let’s just say, it turned out to be one of our best decisions yet.
How Dutchvanparts equipment elevated our storage options
Rear Upgrades
After extensive research, we decided to go all in with the Dutchvanparts Rear Exterior Package, which consists of a Cargo Ladder, a Cargo Box for additional storage and, most importantly, a spare Tire Carrier. With the addition of the Cargo Frame, we could also mount a Thule bike or ski carrier, making it easier than ever to bring along our favourite sports gear in a smart, practical way.
While some upgrades are just nice-to-haves, one thing was absolutely non-negotiable: carrying a spare tire. The Hymer Grand Canyon S CrossOver doesn’t come equipped with one, as the usual space under the chassis is taken up by the 80L grey water tank. And let’s be honest – tackling 200km of remote desert pistes in Morocco without a backup tire is not a smart idea. So, we mounted the Sequoia Tire Carrier to the rear door of our Sprinter, ensuring we always have a spare on hand. Thankfully, we haven’t had to use it yet (knock on wood!), but it gives us peace of mind when venturing into extreme off-road terrain. Plus, as a bonus, it looks badass and doubles as a surprisingly comfy seat – perfect for kicking back after a long day of adventuring.
On the right-hand door, we installed the Sequoia Cargo Ladder, a versatile and rugged rack that gives us the freedom to mount our gear exactly how we want. Thanks to its modular design, we can easily swap in or out a Cargo Box (available in three sizes) or attach the Sequoia Cargo Frame when we need to transport our bikes.
One thing we really love about the Sequoia Cargo Box, aside from its sleek design, is how it helps keep the inside of the van clean and tidy. Mounted onto the Cargo Ladder, it’s the perfect spot for stashing muddy shoes, wetsuits, and any other gear that we don’t want to clutter up our living space. Plus, since it’s external, it’s super easy to access whenever we need it. That’s why we keep most of our recovery gear in there – everything from the ARB inflation kit to a bottle jack and diesel canister.
Finally, we also fitted the subtle extra step to the side of the ladder, which enables us to easily climb on the roof even when the Cargo Box or our bikes are mounted to the ladder.
Roof Upgrades
To complete our Dutchvanparts setup we went for the Sequoia Basecamp Roof Rack. Not only does it enhance the look of our van, but it’s also packed with practical features. The modular system lets you customize the roof rack and to tailor it to your needs – whether that’s mounting solar panels, adding an awning, or going all out with the Camp 2 version that features a sleek integrated LED bar. We opted for a fully covered decking ensuring plenty of room to carry various bits of gear and giving us the perfect setup for a sunset aperò or stargazing from the roof.
Curious about what we normally carry on our roof? Well, it’s not just Gianluca’s surfboard, which he can’t seem to leave behind whenever we head towards the coast. There was that one unforgettable moment in Morocco, when we delivered over 200kg of clothes and several food supplies to victims of the earthquake in the Atlas Mountains. Without our roof rack, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off. After packing as much as we could inside the van, we strapped several huge bags of clothes onto the roof and rear rack of our van – helping us contribute to a cause that meant so much.
A special touch to the roof rack are the Recovery Board Brackets. A small accessory but once again perfectly thought and well designed, that enables us to mount our orange Maxtrax recovery boards to the side of the Sequoia roof rack system. Another great solution to store essential bulky equipment out of the way.
The potential of the roof rack does not end here and we’re already looking for new ways to optimize our storage options. Our next addition? A couple of aluminium boxes to stash gear or clothes out of the way.
With the right setup, less feels like more on the road
The Hymer Grand Canyon S Crossover has proven to be the ideal van for long-term travel and diving into the unknown. It’s a van that we have now owned for over 1.5 years, and with the addition of the Dutchvanparts upgrades, it has enabled us to explore some of the gnarliest roads and the most remote places, while always ensuring we could be safe and carry all the essential equipment we needed.
Living and traveling in a van has taught us an important lesson: happiness doesn’t come from owning a lot of things. We’ve learnt to shop less, be more mindful of our impact on the environment and cherish experiences over material possessions. As we’ve explored new places and cultures over the last years, we’ve found that, thanks to a bit of discipline, small hacks and reliable gear from Dutchvanparts, we’ve never felt like we’re missing anything.
What are your best storage solutions in your Hymer Grand Canyon? What equipment do you rely on to adventure around the world? Share your ideas and hacks with us!
