1988 Dodge Caravan

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

Hello everyone,

After quite sometime lurking in the shadows unable to discover any of the specific information I'd like I have finally registered as a user on the forums here. Thanks in advance for all the warm welcomes, it is greatly appreciated. Getting down to business I'd like to start off by letting everyone know what I need here. I have recently acquired a very good conditioned 1988 dodge caravan that I can not stop thinking about remodeling into a dwelling.

The size of said van is well, modest. I am a big guy. 6'3" 185lbs. However I have slept in smaller quarters than the van provides me so I don't think sleeping will be an issue. In fact, my lady and I have already camped in it for a (half of a) night. I am here to ask my new like minded friends how to go about laying the floor plan for the van. I'd like anyone that replies to this post to keep in mind that I will not be living in the van but if need be, it could be done.

I have plenty of camping supplies to utilize in the van as well. Including but not limited to, a propane camping stove that folds up for very convenient storage, mess kit, sleeping bag, etc. I do drive the van daily and would like to continue doing so.

Think of this more as a SHTF Van. Some things I have a hard time getting around are blacking out the windows. I live in massachusetts and window tint can only be at 35%. And screens to keep out the bugs.

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Here's what the rear looks like. Minus the seat.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Hi, and welcome

I had a minivan last year that I did a quick build inside. I am 6 foot tall myself so having a bed that fit me was important. The build cost about $30
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/mini-camper-van-rebuild/

then I sold it... (some better pictures in this one)
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/mini-camper-van-no-more/

 

[LeeRevell]

I have the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan - the longer wheelbase gives me an eight foot cargo area vs. the sis foot area of the Caravan. Being 6'3" myself this is excellent. I have camped in it several times. Being I am on the north side of 350 lbs, I need space. So internal mods would need to be very sparse and simple. There is just so much room. My van has the Stow&Go seats that disappear into the floor, so I can convert from ersatz camper to people hauler pretty quickly.
One thing I have found, camping in colder weather, is there are vents in the lower rear area, and cold air does come in. Sometimes I had access to AC shore power, and simply used a small 110VAC electric heater and once used an electric blanket. I was cozy. I use a rubber truckbed mat on the floor too, when camping. I have considered removing the Stow&Go seats completely and using the underfloor bins for stowage. Good place for a gel cell house battery, and a water tank in another.
On the earlier generations of this van, the transmissions were sometimes problematical - have it checked by a good mechanic. The later generations like mine were noted more for electrical system problems. But still good vehicles.

 

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really gotta work with what I have. I was thinking of maybe a flip down bed. Murphy style from the side sundown in the rear.

 

[MrNoodly]

Sleeping well is VERY important to me, so if I were doing a minivan I think I'd make the entire back a bed platform with storage drawers underneath that slide out at the side and back doors. I could even have a slide-out kitchen. Or, with a flexible enough mattress, the back part of the bed platform could hinge upward for storage access, or for a kitchen like in the tiny teardrop trailers.

 

[LeeRevell]

The 'entire back' will be the full cargo area. Only six feet long on that minivan. Not much space.

 

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

I think I can do that by making some sort of fold out bed. Cut sections of 3/4 ply on piano hinges laid across the back wheel well area. Folds out to about 6'3" full width with under storage. Legs that fold down and lock up when folded. Maybe a custom futon type mattress. Any ideas on privacy???

 

[MrNoodly]

The 'entire back' will be the full cargo area. Only six feet long on that minivan. Not much space.

That's why maximum width is desirable, to allow diagonal sleeping.

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I think I can do that by making some sort of fold out bed. Cut sections of 3/4 ply on piano hinges laid across the back wheel well area. Folds out to about 6'3" full width with under storage. Legs that fold down and lock up when folded. Maybe a custom futon type mattress. Any ideas on privacy???

Or ditch the passenger seat to get extra sleeping length. And strap any passengers to the roof.

 

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

I'm not as concerned. I've slept in much more confined spaces. I did a "tiny house" cabin last year thy had a really tiny loft area. Worked fine. I think I have the bed concept down. I'm trying to do this without making it drastically apparent.

 

[Bdog1]

In my state, the window tint regulations are only for the front windows. Rear glass can be blacked out.

 

[Fearnoevil]

Hey Buddha, just thought you might find this video interesting, this guys got so many cool ideas, but there's a part starting at around the 13 minute mark where he deals with tiny living spaces and he has come up with some great ways to fit a lot into very little space, so maybe you can get some ideas from him.
;?D

 

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

I will check that out today. Thank you for the link. I should have the bed in today. I will post pics when it I do e.

 

[Suanne]

For privacy while sleeping, I strung a bungie cord rope around for a "curtain rod" then clipped black polyester fleece for curtains (no sewing). The curtains are pulled back during the day. My windows are also tinted. Looking forward to seeing pics of your new bed. Suanne

 

[karenishere]

I have a Matrix. When I car camp, I lie the back seats of my car down flat. I slide the driver's seat all the way forward and put the seatback forward, and attach my pillow to the back of the seat. Then I put my cooler behind the seat and put a pad on it, so I'm basically sitting on my cooler and leaning against the back of the driver's seat, with my legs up on the flattened back seats. I then put a thermarest pad over the cooler and flattened back seats, making a flat surface about 6' long. This way I have a "lounge chair", and when I am ready for bed I just take the pillow off the seatback and put it on top of the cooler. In a Caravan with the back seats out you would have to build some sort of long storage box to take the place of my flattened back seats, but this should be a bonus, not a drawback, and should give you about 7' of length, I think.

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Edit to above: The "trick" of what I'm saying is basically that you make a two part bed so that you can utilize every potential inch of the area behind the front seat when you are camped, and still slide the seat all the way back when you're driving. You could accomplish this more permanently by doing it on the passenger side, I guess. In my car the back of the passenger seat is a table, so having a lounge chair works better on the driver's side.

 

[akrvbob]

Karenishere, that sounds like a great system. I'd love to see some pictures to help me visualize it!

You might want to start your own thread to cover living in the Matrix. I'd really like to see and hear more.

If you need help with any of that, feel free to ask.
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

There are two 'Caravans'..... short wheelbase giving a 6' cargo area, and the Grand Caravan giving an 8'cargo area. Though and early model like an '88, maybe had only one wheelbase length?

Edit: Gotta love Wiki!
"The Dodge Caravan is a family minivan manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC and sold under its Dodge brand. The Caravan was introduced for the 1984 model year along with its nameplate variant, the Plymouth Voyager (1984-2001). In 1987, the Dodge Grand Caravan long-wheelbase (LWB) model was introduced and sold alongside the short-wheelbase (SWB) Caravan. The SWB model was discontinued after the 2007 model year; and, since the 2008 model year, the vehicle is marketed under the Grand Caravan nameplate."

 

[BuddhaShotMyCat]

Beds in. It's awesome. I will have pics soon and I think I'm going with reflectix for the windows with Velcro as I can not think of a better solution.