Downsizing to Van

[DMS]

I've been a Full Time RV'er since '05 and have decided to park my
fifth wheel in a desert RV park where I found a lease lot for less then what it would cost me to store my rig. This park will let you have 2 motorized vehicles on you lot so I could keep my van on the lot and not have to put it out in storage for the pack rats to chew up.
In a really bad economy this leaves me in that first stage of finding the right van to convert into a four season, full time or long time on the road, class B.
The real challenge is.....No loans.
All suggestions welcomed.

 

[PastTense]

You need to tell us more. How many miles do you expect to put on the vehicle each year? What geographic location? What are your mechanical skills? What kind of financial situation do you have? Is it just you or a couple? Besides general living stuff what else do you need to take with you (such as flea market stuff you sell all over)? The more specific you are about your situation the more helpful people will be.

Otherwise you get responses like a new Roadtrek is nice--but not helpful to you because you only have $5,000 you can spend.

 

[twokniveskatie]

Good luck! Others have done it before you. Might be a good time to test out the new sites search function. I know others will chime in!

 

[wagoneer]

Depends on yer need I would go with Ford (thats what I use) being loaded down and future towing needs I got the diesel as they like a load.

 

[DMS]

Thanks for tossing a model suggestion into the mix.
Yes, I would like a van large enough to tow a TT in case I am able to sell my big rig.
I am in SE NM where I am presently work camping weekends.
Miles: This depends on the economy, work I find and such.
This may answer the rest.
I am a 57 y/o military widow and former nurse of 30 years turned freelance writer and photographer, about 5 ft. tall so extending a roof isn't needed if tall enough.
My mechanics skills are what I can learn to do myself or service I find from an honest mechanic such as I find for my truck or an RV tech moonlighting on the weekends. This tech is also a good source of parts.
My budget is shoestring or minimal in this economy.
No need to explain why.
I am still paying on the 5'er and hope to get a paid for van and TT then sell the other rig.
Since the van would be my 2nd motorized vehicle I could keep it on my lot, doing the renovations
as I can find the parts.
I did this with my 5'er when installing a solar system for well under $1,000.00 here in the park.
I would like to set the van up with first: good insulation and storage tanks that are well insulated.
Long term boondock ready.
A lot but not all arks are soaking RV'ers. How sad.
Wet bath: I watched this mode done here in the park.
Kitchen
Office/living space
Storage space.
I believe a used utility cargo van would work.
With my truck is over 200,000 miles. My mechanic says start looking.

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group DMS!

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak

 

[wagoneer]

If you can find a 1998 to 2003 E250/E350 ex with a diesel even with 200k on the clock they will go to 500k with routine oil change and such.

 

[WanderingRain]

Welcome!

 

[Bear Catcher]

I like having a motor home and towing a vehicle. This works really well for me. I'm sure you could tow a regular van with a motor home. But, if that isn't what you want, then you should pursue your plan.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We have considered downsizing also....our 28' motorhome is larger than what we need.
Just haven't figured out how small we wanna go. A tall top cargo van might do the trick as long as we have holding tanks. Maybe a small class C.
We're going to look around while we're back in Az and see there's something we like.
Our motivation is to be able to get into more secluded places and maybe pick up a couple more miles per gallon.