Hello all
I'm new around here. I am looking to buy a van to convert into a camper. I'm still researching everything to present to my SO, who doesn't think she wants a van, yet. I've been reading through many forums and blogs and am impressed with everyone's projects. I have several questions that I haven't found exact answers to, so I figured it was time to register and post.
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I'd like a van to use as a weekend and multi week camper, a cargo van to haul materials and motorcycles, and sometimes a daily driver. We have one car. I will commute on my motorcycle 10 months a year, but when it's over 110, I'll need another vehicle. I just can't justify buying a car and a separate RV. I'm looking into low roof Ram Promasters, and low and medium roof Ford Transits.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]After renting a cargo van(Ford Transit), I think I could easily commute the 10 miles to work in it for the month or two I need it. Errands and everything else at night we would use our car. [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I was looking at buying a pickup truck to haul materials and motorcycles when needed. A cargo van would obviously accomplish that. To use as a camper and a cargo van, I'd need to be able to remove the interior when needed. So I'm looking into building cabinets/storage/bed that can fairly easily be pulled out when needed. Some things would be permanently installed (top cabinets, solar panels, batteries, controllers, etc). Cabinets/storage/bed that rest on the floor would be removed when needed.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]We love being outdoors while camping. I plan to continue putting up an outdoor kitchen. So making a removable kitchen box with sink, our camp stove, and a small table would work well under a roof mounted awning. Obviously we're not talking about stealth camping with this.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Am I crazy for trying to have a vehicle perform too many roles?[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Does anyone have any examples of something like this?[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I'm particularly interested in how to mount the removable furniture safely for driving.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Thanks for any thoughts.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Tim[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
I'm new around here. I am looking to buy a van to convert into a camper. I'm still researching everything to present to my SO, who doesn't think she wants a van, yet. I've been reading through many forums and blogs and am impressed with everyone's projects. I have several questions that I haven't found exact answers to, so I figured it was time to register and post.
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I'd like a van to use as a weekend and multi week camper, a cargo van to haul materials and motorcycles, and sometimes a daily driver. We have one car. I will commute on my motorcycle 10 months a year, but when it's over 110, I'll need another vehicle. I just can't justify buying a car and a separate RV. I'm looking into low roof Ram Promasters, and low and medium roof Ford Transits.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]After renting a cargo van(Ford Transit), I think I could easily commute the 10 miles to work in it for the month or two I need it. Errands and everything else at night we would use our car. [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I was looking at buying a pickup truck to haul materials and motorcycles when needed. A cargo van would obviously accomplish that. To use as a camper and a cargo van, I'd need to be able to remove the interior when needed. So I'm looking into building cabinets/storage/bed that can fairly easily be pulled out when needed. Some things would be permanently installed (top cabinets, solar panels, batteries, controllers, etc). Cabinets/storage/bed that rest on the floor would be removed when needed.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]We love being outdoors while camping. I plan to continue putting up an outdoor kitchen. So making a removable kitchen box with sink, our camp stove, and a small table would work well under a roof mounted awning. Obviously we're not talking about stealth camping with this.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Am I crazy for trying to have a vehicle perform too many roles?[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Does anyone have any examples of something like this?[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]I'm particularly interested in how to mount the removable furniture safely for driving.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Thanks for any thoughts.[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif]Tim[/font][/font]
[font='Times New Roman', serif][font=Calibri, sans-serif] [/font][/font]