Hello from NM! New Van - RTR?

[JLynne]

I've had the fever for +/- 3 years. Did research. Found options locally so my mechanic could help. Very few had most of what I needed which was mechanically sound, of course, and ready to go. It's ready for travel but not for dry camping.
     My major issue right now is how to use my laptop and a fan on camping trips lasting a few days or a bit more and the fact I know nothing about camping.
      All I know about my electrical system is I have a marine type battery, an assortment of fuses. I bought a volt meter.
Have a two burner Coleman stove with propane. Untested. A lower quality 12V cooler. Untested.  Some tools, fluids,  a power strip and long 120V power cord.
   Here are some pictures. Some grease on the carpet is from it's brief stint with a chair lift.
She's in really great shape at 108K miles. (So I believe and have been told.

View attachment 8049

 

[wagoneer]

WOW now thats a bed on wheels. nice rig

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums JLynne! Congratulations on finding your van! Next step is to try everything and see how it all works, at your house if that is possible or a state park where you can plug in if needed. You'll want to get some solar if you're planning on a lot of dry camping. Let us know how it goes!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[arctic cat]

If you want to try some free camping right in your backyard, go to EL Morro National Monument the campground is very small, but cozy and clean, Most site are shaded and they have water on site.  Can stay there up to 7 days.  East from that area there is another free campground on Highway 53 it's called the Joe Keen Campground belong to BLM.  No water on site, but you can get water about a mile up north on BLM Ranger HQ.7 days limit.  The site are not as shaded, but they do have nice shelter. Be careful there is a big dip at the entrance.   During the week the park is usually not busy at all and you may have the park all to yourself.   There is a mountain lion in the area that sometime roam the park, but I haven't had an issued with it.

 

[eDJ_]

Hello,  and welcome to the CRVL forums    

I can offer you some tips already.

To get those grease stains up a friend who worked at an Automotive Detailing shop showed me
to use cut up bath towels (like you would buy at a Flea Market or Yard Sale)  and a 1 quart can
of "Lacquer" thinner. (like at Lowe's or WalMart)   You soak one of the towel pieces with the thinner
and scrub the carpet or upholstery to pick up the grease and rub that with a new dry towel to
finish absorbing the grease residue.  When he demonstrated that to me I couldn't believe my eyes.
He went on to say leave the windows  down for a few hours so the vapors will dissipate. 
This should be done early in the morning so the vapors are gone before bed time that night.

Campmor has an interesting little catalog that they will send you free or you can shop online

https://www.campmor.com/?gclid=CPbgke_pis0CFQIKaQodbncLlQ&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=ppc

As for Camping,  I'll mention an old standard book I grew up with when I was into boy scouting.

"The Campers Bible"

http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG



http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG
I'll leave it to the others here with vast electrical knowledge to explain how to keep your batteries topped off
and your lap top happy.

I have a couple of sites below which you may want to look at.   One addresses a beginners set up for a Van to travel and camp out of,  and the second is what I call a "Swiss Army Knife" of useful information to use once you begin to plan for your travels and once on the road.  

All the best !

 

[flying kurbmaster]

nice rig JL looks like you are ready to go, a few sheets and a comforter some food some water a few pots a frying pan a cup, a bowl and a plate utensils, a stop at your local for supplies and a few kitchen tools and you are camping. a cheap inverter for your laptop see you later Charlie. Welcome go to the RTR if you are in the area and they will teach how to work your van. have fun

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome to the CRVL tribe JLynne !
You've got a good start on the van build , hope the fever is subsiding.....
Your electrical needs are low. A small solar set up should keep you going , also , if you drive regularly the alternator might be enough to keep that battery charged too !

 

[JLynne]

WOW now thats a bed on wheels. nice rig

Haha! No kidding. It looks bigger in the pictures. Wanted more efficient use of space but it was as close as I could get. I'll make do for now.

Thanks!

 

[JLynne]

Welcome to the CRVL forums JLynne!  Congratulations on finding your van! Next step is to try everything and see how it all works, at your house if that is possible or a state park where you can plug in if needed.  You'll want to get some solar if you're planning on a lot of dry camping. Let us know how it goes!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started.   We look forward to hearing more from you.

Thanks for the welcome! I've been practice camping in my back yard and loving it. Solar, I'm studying real hard. I think I need panels to put outside rather on the roof due to the high-top. And where the heck do I put the second battery?

 

[JLynne]

Hello,  and welcome to the CRVL forums    

I can offer you some tips already.

To get those grease stains up a friend who worked at an Automotive Detailing shop showed me
to use cut up bath towels (like you would buy at a Flea Market or Yard Sale)  and a 1 quart can
of "Lacquer" thinner. (like at Lowe's or WalMart)   You soak one of the towel pieces with the thinner
and scrub the carpet or upholstery to pick up the grease and rub that with a new dry towel to
finish absorbing the grease residue.  When he demonstrated that to me I couldn't believe my eyes.
He went on to say leave the windows  down for a few hours so the vapors will dissipate. 
This should be done early in the morning so the vapors are gone before bed time that night.

Campmor has an interesting little catalog that they will send you free or you can shop online

https://www.campmor.com/?gclid=CPbgke_pis0CFQIKaQodbncLlQ&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=ppc

As for Camping,  I'll mention an old standard book I grew up with when I was into boy scouting.

"The Campers Bible"

http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG
http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG
I'll leave it to the others here with vast electrical knowledge to explain how to keep your batteries topped off
and your lap top happy.

I have a couple of sites below which you may want to look at.   One addresses a beginners set up for a Van to travel and camp out of,  and the second is what I call a "Swiss Army Knife" of useful information to use once you begin to plan for your travels and once on the road.  

All the best !

eDJ, Thanks for all the links and info. I'll check out every single one. Bob's book is in my Amazon check out as we speak. I really need quick and easy cooling, a battery operated fan at least since I'm inspired to come to Flagstaff for a few days. I'll not forgive myself if I don't.

 

[JLynne]

Hello,  and welcome to the CRVL forums    

I can offer you some tips already.

To get those grease stains up a friend who worked at an Automotive Detailing shop showed me
to use cut up bath towels (like you would buy at a Flea Market or Yard Sale)  and a 1 quart can
of "Lacquer" thinner. (like at Lowe's or WalMart)   You soak one of the towel pieces with the thinner
and scrub the carpet or upholstery to pick up the grease and rub that with a new dry towel to
finish absorbing the grease residue.  When he demonstrated that to me I couldn't believe my eyes.
He went on to say leave the windows  down for a few hours so the vapors will dissipate. 
This should be done early in the morning so the vapors are gone before bed time that night.

Campmor has an interesting little catalog that they will send you free or you can shop online

https://www.campmor.com/?gclid=CPbgke_pis0CFQIKaQodbncLlQ&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=ppc

As for Camping,  I'll mention an old standard book I grew up with when I was into boy scouting.

"The Campers Bible"

http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG
http://www.amazon.com/campers-bible-Bill-Riviere/dp/B0007DY2IG
I'll leave it to the others here with vast electrical knowledge to explain how to keep your batteries topped off
and your lap top happy.

I have a couple of sites below which you may want to look at.   One addresses a beginners set up for a Van to travel and camp out of,  and the second is what I call a "Swiss Army Knife" of useful information to use once you begin to plan for your travels and once on the road.  

All the best !

eDJ, Thanks for all the links and info. I'll check out every single one. Bob's book is in my Amazon check out as we speak. I really need quick and easy cooling, a battery operated fan at least since I'm inspired to come to Flagstaff for a few days. I'll not forgive myself if I don't.

 

[JLynne]

If you want to try some free camping right in your backyard, go to EL Morro National Monument the campground is very small, but cozy and clean, Most site are shaded and they have water on site.  Can stay there up to 7 days.  East from that area there is another free campground on Highway 53 it's called the Joe Keen Campground belong to BLM.  No water on site, but you can get water about a mile up north on BLM Ranger HQ.7 days limit.  The site are not as shaded, but they do have nice shelter. Be careful there is a big dip at the entrance.   During the week the park is usually not busy at all and you may have the park all to yourself.   There is a mountain lion in the area that sometime roam the park, but I haven't had an issued with it.

arctic cat! Great information! I will check them out. I do have a super mellow cat. We share kitty litter!
She doesn't mind the harness and leash but I want to keep her safe from bigger critters.  Looking at play pens to stake down outside and other options.
Thank you!

 

[JLynne]

nice rig JL looks like you are ready to go, a few sheets and a comforter some food some water a few pots a frying pan a cup, a bowl and a plate utensils, a stop at your local for supplies and a few kitchen tools and you are camping. a cheap inverter for your laptop see you later Charlie. Welcome go to the RTR if you are in the area and they will teach how to work your van. have fun

FKM (Charlie). I've seen your posts and love your handle. Got all you mentioned except for the inverter. Looking at that now. Hoped to buy smart to easily upgrade later. Not much time to work out the best since RTR is coming up so soon.

 

[JLynne]

Welcome to the CRVL tribe JLynne !
You've got a good start on the van build , hope the fever is subsiding.....
Your electrical needs are low. A small solar set up should keep you going , also , if you drive regularly the alternator might be enough to keep that battery charged too !

rvpopeye, Thanks for the welcome. I'm currently researching my alternator. Was hoping mine might be the extra powerful type having had the wheelchair mod. Have no clue about my electrical layout or upgrades. Seems it takes lots of driving to recharge the marine battery, looking at solar that I don't have to attach to the high top, something portable perhaps. 
   The van was modified by the previous owners to run a 12 volt oxygen thingy for their parents from Australia. They were in their 70's and toured all over the US. Perhaps my mechanic can provide some answers next week when I take it in for the r12 to r134 change over.
   Electrical shop manual is on the way from ebay.  The conversion seems typical. But is there such a thing as a typical conversion? The company is out of business. E-Vans from guess where? Ft. Wayne, IN.

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!! Nice rig

 

[JLynne]

Thanks!

 

[Photogal39Travels]

Nice Home... :=}

 

[Paisley777]

Hello!

I spend a lot of time time in NM in the Albuquerque area.  What area are you located in?

I have an 1979 E150 that I finally took out for a trip from NM to CA. I return in Nov. 

Best,
Paisley

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!