Floridian purchasing first van

[Vansition]

Hey everyone.  I am on the cusp of purchasing my first van for camper conversion. I am open to all suggestions, but specifically targeting Floridians or others in hot/humid regions.  Anything specific to look for besides the basics when purchasing a vehicle? I am going for a cargo van with bare bones, will be traveled in by me and my partner and my 2 little dogs at times. I'm looking into a Chevy Astro or express at this point. We will travel nationwide, but we live In FL so most trips will be closer to here.

Secondly: 
Installing a separate AC unit and getting power to it is going to be a must... I Have looked into RV AC units for the roof and that's likely the route I'm going to go.  Low profile for a roof rack for toys and aerodynamics. Also not too large so I can eventually install solar panels.  I'm not an expert but I can be decently handy, also I have a few friends who will help with my build.  

Thanks in advance!

 

[SternWake]

Getting power to the Air Conditioner is Generator territory or parking spot with Electrical hookup territory. An Air conditioner's electrical demands cannot be easily met with solar and batteries, certainly not in Florida anywhere near summer. One can get a 99$ window shaker AC and plug into grid or generator, and insulate well, but batteries powering an AC is currently not a valid option for more than a few hours with very few exceptions. Low profile rooftop AC, and toys on the roof and eventual solar panels are kind of mutually exclusive.

If you need to run the AC a lot, you need a generator, and the generator minimizes the amount of battery you require, while providing a charging source for what you do.

Get a quiet generator and consider mounting it securely on a trailer hitch with some additional vibration and noise suppression, and do not expect to make friends with those you park near to, unless they are doing the same.

Florida seems like the conversion van capital of the US, Beware of roof gutter rust, especially on those with fiberglass high tops. Bring a small step ladder and inspect possible purchases closely for bubbled paint in the gutters, or outright rust. if you can see rust, it is likely only 10% of what exists below the paint and can be a nightmare to deal with.

An Astro will be too small for 2 humans and 2 small dogs, imo. I'd have a hard time in a full size van with that much company for more than a day or 2, no matter how much I like the dogs or other person.

 

[BobBski]

Welcome, I've been thoroughly enjoying your great state for the last month. Look forward to following your quest.

 

[LeeRevell]

Welcome from a fellow Floridian. As winter approaches, you will have some time yet before AC really becomes a necessity again. Parking in shade will keep the sun heat off.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Vansition!
What Stern Wake said^x2.

 

[steamjam1]

Two people and two little dogs in an Astro.. hmm yeah thats a bit cramped.

 

[Vansition]

Thanks for all replies! I am planning on using the exact Honda quiet generator mentioned by Stern and also only plan on using AC when the heat here is unbearable. not going to need kitchen or bathroom space at all. my idea of the van is to be able to haul everything at once for further and longer distances with ease than packing up my car. I also want to be outdoors more than not, so primarily the van will be for a bed a d sleeping. Whenever we hit camp we will be out cooking on a portable grill on our camping chairs, kayaking, hiking, etc... nothing is in stone yet and all the help is definitely needed and appreciated. My budget will be around $3-4k for the van. I've also deeply considered the Chevy express and that's my other option. 

Anyone else from or in FL stand up! I'm in Jacksonville in the north Eastern part.

 

[LeeRevell]

Tally/Leon County here. Lifelong Native Floridian.

 

[abnorm]

Orlando resident before the Mouse...............doug

 

[VanGrrl57]

I was born in Melbourne, FL. Dad was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base at the time. I was living in Daytona Beach when my husband died, though. After his death, my youngest child and I moved to Sioux Falls, SD to make a new start. I have family in Orlando that I go visit when I can. 

VanGrrl57 

 

[Madpeep]

I guess I'm technically from Florida now? I was there for two weeks this summer to get an address, license, buy a van, and register/insure it. I'm going to go with, "my plates say Florida, so I must be Floridian"!!

 

[Goshawk]

Thanks for all replies! I am planning on using the exact Honda quiet generator mentioned by Stern and also only plan on using AC when the heat here is unbearable. not going to need kitchen or bathroom space at all. my idea of the van is to be able to haul everything at once for further and longer distances with ease than packing up my car. I also want to be outdoors more than not, so primarily the van will be for a bed a d sleeping. Whenever we hit camp we will be out cooking on a portable grill on our camping chairs, kayaking, hiking, etc... nothing is in stone yet and all the help is definitely needed and appreciated. My budget will be around $3-4k for the van. I've also deeply considered the Chevy express and that's my other option. 

Anyone else from or in FL stand up! I'm in Jacksonville in the north Eastern part.

Lets get some realist expectations

1)  Yes you can live in a minivan with two people.  it will be really tough.  has been done.  Look on youtube for people who have done it.  Lots of videos mostly of one person doing this.  They took advantage of lots of shade and high elevations out west.  Most Floridians end up bouncing between work-gym-sleeping to keep out of the van as much as possible.  
2)  You will need constant AC during May to October for animals who stay at van, else you and the animals will be dead (animals will need this AC likely).  Its a metal box, with limited ventilation, and lots of mosquito in the area.  You will need a generator.  Can you run it 24/7 on a generator?  Sure, but that will wear out the generator, and noise even when quiet times require no noise in a camp ground (thus why they plug in).

Good luck with the planning.  repeat it can be done, it will be tough.  The ones who are successful found ways to limit generator AC costs.

 

[LeeRevell]

I guess I'm technically from Florida now? I was there for two weeks this summer to get an address, license, buy a van, and register/insure it. I'm going to go with, "my plates say Florida, so I must be Floridian"!!

Naw, that makes you a "transplant". ;-)

 

[Vansition]

Lets get some realist expectations

1)  Yes you can live in a minivan with two people.  it will be really tough.  has been done.  Look on youtube for people who have done it.  Lots of videos mostly of one person doing this.  They took advantage of lots of shade and high elevations out west.  Most Floridians end up bouncing between work-gym-sleeping to keep out of the van as much as possible.  
2)  You will need constant AC during May to October for animals who stay at van, else you and the animals will be dead (animals will need this AC likely).  Its a metal box, with limited ventilation, and lots of mosquito in the area.  You will need a generator.  Can you run it 24/7 on a generator?  Sure, but that will wear out the generator, and noise even when quiet times require no noise in a camp ground (thus why they plug in).

Good luck with the planning.  repeat it can be done, it will be tough.  The ones who are successful found ways to limit generator AC costs.

Hey thanks for the input. again, I will not be living in the van. no one will be living in it. when we even travel in FL it will be shorter trips and obviously not going to do it in the dead of summer... I live in FL and have for over 10 years so I am familiar with the need for AC. when we so take the van  we will not be sitting In it for long. we will be outside of it.   I've tent camped across the country in heat and cold and love the most primitive of camping. Also after backpacking through southeast Asia and never having AC I also know it's not always needed if you do things right (fan, air circulation, shade etc.) so this is going to be a huge luxury for me. just having the bed will be great! 

I think I'm being totally realistic with my basic mobile bed with plenty of storage and and the ability to haul some extra junk with me dogs will only come when it's tolerable for them. not trying to get them on an ASPCA commercial

 

[Vansition]

Also hello to all the FL peeps! hope to be mobile by March. Cross your fingers for me.

 

[lterry]

I'm from North Florida too. Panama City Beach sound familiar? My last place of residence was Fort Walton Beach.