Get Chev Express Van and put generator and window AC on it?

[Billyidol]

Hey Van Dwelling Folks,

I just bought a Roadtrek 200 2000. It is great! But I was also thinking that buying a Chevrolet Express van and just putting a generator and window mount AC in back window would be so totally awesome! The reason I like the Chevy idea is that it would be very manuverable, nimble, easy to park and stealthy. I know that I will lose a lot of stealth if I put a generator and window AC unit on it.

I have basically figured out that I have 5 real needs in a van or RV (2 are the most important). I live in Southern California. It is sort of hot here, and I need to stealth park in the suburbs of Los Angeles. I need to keep my job for now.

1-A bed to sleep in
2-A cool place to stay/sleep, I need an air conditioner.
3-I need a refrigerator to keep food cold.
4-I need a place to take a shower
5-I need a bathroom.

Well, after owning the Roadtrek for a month, I figured out that I didn't need to shower that much. Plus, I could shower at the gym. The fridge is nice but not necessary. Also, the bathroom could be handle by a PortPotty and pee bottle. So, my only real necessary needs are 1-A bed and 2-Air conditioning.

I know this sounds sort of simple, but couldn't I just mount a Honda or Yamaha generator on the bumper? Then also install a window air conditioner in the back window. I know Safari Condo make a replaceable window air conditioner for the Chevrolet Express. I guess my thinking is, "If it was that easy kid, everybody would be doing it!" Is it really that easy? Will it work? Have you done it? What parts did you use?

I saw that Bob had a picture of a van with a generator and AC unit on the back, but now I can't find it.

John

 

[gymrat]

The safari condo unit is not avail in the states. several people in different forums have made arrangements and gone to Canada and picked the unit up. it is also expensive. That was really the only clean window install I have seen. I cut a hole thru the door below the window and installed a 5000btu a/c in my chevy ( no picture avail)

 

[LeeRevell]

One of our members has a very neat AC install, in the left rear door at the bottom, partially hidden by the swing-away spare tire mount. Discreet! If you go with a genny, a hitch-haul style platform would hold it well, but be sure to secure it against theft!

 

[akrvbob]

I do have that picture somewhere but it would take me awhile to find it. It's actually a pretty simple project easily accomplished. I've never done it so I can't really help, but several members here have and I'm sure they would love to help you out.

Same thing with carrying a generator. I have a cargo van with a hitch haul and a big plastic job box on it that would be perfect to carry a gen. In fact I think it increases the stealth of my cargo van. The hitch haul is locked into the receiver and the box is bolted to the hitch haul which is locked with padlocks. Pretty safe. You could put some ventilation and fans into the box and run the gen inside it.

Stealth is going to be a problem though. The Honda is quiet but still obvious that it's running. One way around that is to park in the industrial part of town. Loud things kicking on and off like refers on trailers is normal there. A white cargo van would have perfect stealth and a gen running on it would be okay. Maybe get a magnetic sign saying John's Fish Broker.

Here is a picture of the hitch haul with job box on my girlfriends van in Alaska. If you left off the box on the right side that door would still open. The hitch haul was $110 and the box was $70 at Home Depot.

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't think you are going to be stealth with an ac and generator running. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

Yeah, it might be stealthy if he parked by an open manhole, with cones, warning signs and floodlights. Or maybe in some very noisy location where the hum of a generator might go unnoticed.

I lived in SoCal for 15 years and none of the places I rented had AC. But fans helped a lot. A fan can be very effective in a small space like a van.

 

[Zil]

Except in areas of high humidity, thinking east and gulf coast, shade and moving air are pretty good enough.

 

[Skyquest]

Here is a link to the first ever 100% DC 12,000 btu solar powered A/C. It requires no inverter and is 100% DC powered. It also does not have the huge start-up spike that most A/C's have, which requires tons of power to handle. It is a split system so no need to cut a hole in your roof either. Because its a split system it is great for stealth as the A/C is not visible.

http://www.hotspotenergy.com/DC-air-conditioner/

 

[LeeRevell]

Four grand is a might steep. The AC would cost more than the van! But the technology is interesting.

 

[Skyquest]

The actual A/C is $1200. If one could source cheaper panels and batteries some money could be saved.

 

[johnny b]

How many of you guys are running 48v systems?
That's a lot of solar square footage and batteries.
Might work in a large RV....no way in a van.

 

[highdesertranger]

did you read it's 48v dc. not very common for mobile use. it's made for telecommunication sites and you need a boat load of batteries. highdesertranger

---

sorry johnny b you posted while I was typing. we kinda said the same thing. highdesertranger