buy or convert trade-offs

[maryann1976]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Hello,[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I have a newbie type of question and would appreciate your perspectives. I'm looking to get a Sprinter "type" of van and convert it. My initial searches show several options of already "decked out" camper vans. They are costly but I'd be willing to pay for something that fit my needs exactly.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Here's a list of the things that the converted camper vans have that I want:[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--Installed solar, fans[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--Insulated[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]-- Electrical installed (heat/cooling)[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--batteries/inverter[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--awesome cabinetry/storage/flooring[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Here are the things I do NOT like and would like to change about these already converted vans:[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]-- Traditional shower/toilet set up (gray/black tanking). I want to go with a homemade bucket type system for the toilet and eliminate the shower. I don't plan to be that "off grid". I do like the separate room for the toilet.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--I don't need the stovetop set up. It takes up space.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--I want to use a water pump system for the sink situation vice the gray tanking. [/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]My question to you all is this. What makes more sense?[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]A) Buy the already converted van for $$$ and then convert just those features I mention above?[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]B) Buy a non-converted van and do the whole thing?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Thanks for your time and perspective[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]M[/font]

 

[highdesertranger]

it would be a lot cheaper to buy a bare van and just add what you want. having to reconfigure an already converted van is a pain in the a**. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

If you have the time and the skill set to do your own conversion then you end up with exactly what you want and nothing more! Buying a ready made camper means that you have what the manufacturer thinks the buying public will want and pay for!

BUT, and a big BUT here, people who haven't actually lived in a van on the road for a certain period of time really, really don't know what they want or need and so end up re-doing their own work several times over. or buying and selling rigs several times over.

Yes, I designed and built my own interior and I wouldn't change a thing but I've been around vans since the 70's, built several interiors before AND lived on the road for 14 years. And I had enough skills to get by and the ability to learn new things... . I also knew when to yell for help...many thanks to all those who've helped in the past year...you know who you are! :heart:

For someone new to this life, I recommend that one start with a) a stripped out van equipped with stackable drawer totes (anchored of course), a simple bed platform and a toilet of some sort or b) a conversion camper ready to roll. Live in one for 6 months before deciding which way to go.

At the end of six months, you'll either hate the conversion van or love it OR at the end of six months of living in a stripped out van, you'll have re-designed the interior you want at least 2 dozen times.

The only other recommendation is that you spend a bunch of time on line watching videos of other peoples builds and more time reading some of the build threads here.

Oh, and those Sprinter conversion vans  only seem to have a lot of storage, once you try to actdually put things in them, most find the storage totally inadequate!

 

[maryann1976]

BUT, and a big BUT here, people who haven't actually lived in a van on the road for a certain period of time really, really don't know what they want or need and so end up re-doing their own work several times over. or buying and selling rigs several times over.

Yes, I designed and built my own interior and I wouldn't change a thing but I've been around vans since the 70's, built several interiors before AND lived on the road for 14 years. And I had enough skills to get by and the ability to learn new things... . I also knew when to yell for help...many thanks to all those who've helped in the past year...you know who you are! :heart:  

For someone new to this life, I recommend that one start with a) a stripped out van equipped with stackable drawer totes (anchored of course), a simple bed platform and a toilet of some sort or b) a conversion camper ready to roll. Live in one for 6 months before deciding which way to go.

At the end of six months, you'll either hate the conversion van or love it OR at the end of six months of living in a stripped out van, you'll have re-designed the interior you want at least 2 dozen times.

The only other recommendation is that you spend a bunch of time on line watching videos of other peoples builds and more time reading some of the build threads here.

Oh, and those Sprinter conversion vans  only seem to have a lot of storage, once you try to actdually put things in them, most find the storage totally inadequate!

All great points! 

I hear you on not knowing exactly what I would want until I live in it. I've been watching a lot of videos but I appreciate that I won't really know until I get in it.

I think you make a good point of buying a bear bones one and trying it out for awhile before proceeding.

More for me to think about!

As for the capacity of the sprinter vans. I really like the garage type set up these people had. There's a lot of room under the bed frame:


Thanks so much!

 

[Alcatraz]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Hello,[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I have a newbie type of question and would appreciate your perspectives. I'm looking to get a Sprinter "type" of van and convert it. My initial searches show several options of already "decked out" camper vans. They are costly but I'd be willing to pay for something that fit my needs exactly.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Here's a list of the things that the converted camper vans have that I want:[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--Installed solar, fans[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--Insulated[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]-- Electrical installed (heat/cooling)[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--batteries/inverter[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--awesome cabinetry/storage/flooring[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Here are the things I do NOT like and would like to change about these already converted vans:[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]-- Traditional shower/toilet set up (gray/black tanking). I want to go with a homemade bucket type system for the toilet and eliminate the shower. I don't plan to be that "off grid". I do like the separate room for the toilet.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--I don't need the stovetop set up. It takes up space.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]--I want to use a water pump system for the sink situation vice the gray tanking. [/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]My question to you all is this. What makes more sense?[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]A) Buy the already converted van for $$$ and then convert just those features I mention above?[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]B) Buy a non-converted van and do the whole thing?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Thanks for your time and perspective[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]M[/font]

Buy the non converted, and do your own thing. Why pay a higher price for things you wont need. A lot of times used equipment/appliances has issues.
I use a small coleman stove, the camping porta -potty. I have solar,  but I never understood peoples desire to convert everything to 110-120 when you can buy 12 volt appliances.  I am the of the " KISS" variety (keep it simple stupid) If I have to walk away from a broken down vehicle, I don't want to owe anything on it, or have thousands invested.