Help me find my next one! (WA or OR)

[SoulRaven]

Alrighty everyone. So my current rig is a 1986 Chevy G20, full size conversion van. I'm looking to downsize for easier parking, although if I find something that ticks all the other boxes then I'd consider something the same size. Cars are out as I need more headroom and the ability to sleep 2 comfortably.

• Budget is roughly 5-10K
• Strong preference for nothing older than 1997
• Residential "stealth" is essential. Minivan or SUV blends in well, cargo I could probably get away with though not in my favorite spot *sniff*
• Already fitted out, preferably by a DIYer. I only absolutely require the framework for a bed and basic organization, everything else is gravy. I've got my own house battery and marine fridge/freezer to move into it and I'm accustomed to living without heat, air conditioning, toilet, shower, or cooking.
• Bed large enough for two
• Strong preference for at least 2 accessible passenger seats
• Strong preference for 4 cylinder engine due to fuel economy

I'm in Seattle and could potentially travel as far as Portland, Oregon for a really good possibility.

Thanks!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Hi Bitty I think this would be ideal for you, if you could find one, these were made by a company now out of California GTRV. Originally they used the Grand Caravan SE model with swivel front seats, for the last few years they also use Toyota Siennas as well as full size vans. They came with, house batteries, inverters, thermostatically controlled propane heaters, hot water (optional), water tanks for fresh water, a collapsible grey water tank, fridge, stove and running water.They are quality built, 83 inch headroom, 5 seat belts, sleeps two up and two down with good appliances. I rolled, give or take a couple at just short of 25 mpg on a trip to Alaska with it last summer, it is a 6 cylinder. Drives like a car, easy to park with all the windows, came with all the bells like cruise control, a/c, great stereo, 20lb propane tank built in. This model is a bit too old for your criteria 1993 but I am sure they have made them most years since. good luck
here is a few pics for you.  

 

[Patrick46]

that's totally cool!!!

where'd you find it??

 

[anewbiewannabe]

That's the kind of pop up top I was talking about in another thread!!!

Bitty, I can't be any help from where I'm at other than through good wishes and prayers that the perfect for you vehicle at the perfect for you price shows up right when you want. I am rooting for you though!

 

[SoulRaven]

kurbmaster that's incredible! I wonder if that company would know of anyone who's looking to sell theirs...

It really makes me wish I could buy a minivan and then have it converted. Such a perfect thing.

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Bitty, it might be worth a call to find out. Maybe they can keep an eye out or refer you. The new conversions are pricey.

Anyhow, here's the website: http://www.gtrv.com/ and the phone number is in the upper right.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

The new ones are very pricey in fact this one was very pricey when it was new, I just about stole it as the person selling it had inherited it from her uncle in Vancouver, was advertising it the wrong place with a poor description of it . On her first trip, the transmission blew so she had it rebuilt, lost confidence in it, then it sat around for four years in her yard thought there were other issues with it, as she stuck some stop leak in it, which she didn't mention when she sold it to me but I could tell she was not telling the whole story which worried me a little at first but it was in such nice shape that I took a chance. The water pump started leaking in Alaska so I stuck some stop leak in it, and a light went off in my head as to why the filler container was so gunky when I first cleaned her up, and likely what she was holding back. Anyways I bought a water pump somewhere in Saskatchewan, kept adding a bit of stop leak every once in a while, drove her for another 5,000 then replaced the water pump, belts and hoses. A new transmission is pretty normal at 120,000 miles so that didn't worry me. Otherwise it has been good as gold for the last 20,000ks that I have put on her.

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Kurbmaster, that one in your photos is yours, for some reason I thought it was a rental or borrow or something?!?!?! Wow! Awesome!

 

[SoulRaven]

Okay so this is an interesting development. The person I'm working with to get my new rig has said 1993 is now the earliest year we should consider. The date was particular to when the new Freon was being put in vehicles' air conditioners instead of the old kind that's really expensive to replace. They had thought the year was '97 but turns out it was '93.

I'm doing research and plan to call GTRV at some point, I'd be getting a quote for a more basic package just out of curiosity if nothing else. I doubt it could actually work out even if it was within budget but I like to keep track of all possibilities, however remote.

 

[GotSmart]

Okay so this is an interesting development. The person I'm working with to get my new rig has said 1993 is now the earliest year we should consider. The date was particular to when the new Freon was being put in vehicles' air conditioners instead of the old kind that's really expensive to replace. They had thought the year was '97 but turns out it was '93.

I'm doing research and plan to call GTRV at some point, I'd be getting a quote for a more basic package just out of curiosity if nothing else. I doubt it could actually work out even if it was within budget but I like to keep track of all possibilities, however remote.

Freon changeover is not hard or expensive.  I would look more into electronic components that are badly designed.  Reliability issues.  What you really want and need. 

 

[SoulRaven]

Freon changeover is not hard or expensive.  I would look more into electronic components that are badly designed.  Reliability issues.  What you really want and need. 

Older cars require R12 which is incredibly expensive due to EPA requirements and I believe requires a permit to purchase, or additional parts need to be purchased and installed to change over to the newer type of freon. I'm no expert in it but my initial research backs up what the person I'm working with on this is saying.

What I really want and need is a decent vehicle. Not all of the parameters are my idea but they are all ones I'm happy to work within in order to actually have the 5-10K budget (otherwise it'd be under 2K). There's a concept of compromise when you're working alongside someone who's passionate about one particular aspect, if it's little trouble to include it (who doesn't want a newer model?) then I don't see the problem. What you seem to think are mixed up priorities is simply me prioritizing relationship-mending with this person as they generously fund the entire thing. I'll put my foot down on aspects that are important to me and include whatever aspects are important to the other person that don't interfere with what I'm looking for. It's the beauty of compromise and teamwork.

 

[akrvbob]

93 or newer isn't unreasonable. Although I had a 93 F150 and it was the old stuff so maybe it's different for trucks and vans? It is a pain to deal with it.

Personally I recommend 96 or newer to get OBD II which is the computer system used on all vehicles since then.
Bob

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm excited about this one. Not a full-featured 'Westy' by GTRV but certainly sufficient to be liveable in comfort! Main concern with this one would be hassles involved with "importing" it from Canada, which I'm not sure my partner in crime (I jest! Honest!) is up to. Otherwise, gosh it looks just about perfect, right down to being shorter than full-size and not having a pop-top, which for my uses would just be extra weight to lug around. And 2001! 2001! That would be really nice if it worked out...

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm excited about this one. Not a full-featured 'Westy' by GTRV but certainly sufficient to be liveable in comfort! Main concern with this one would be hassles involved with "importing" it from Canada, which I'm not sure my partner in crime (I jest! Honest!) is up to. Otherwise, gosh it looks just about perfect, right down to being shorter than full-size and not having a pop-top, which for my uses would just be extra weight to lug around. And 2001! 2001! That would be really nice if it worked out...

I'm thinking that:

Van Specialties
19400 SW 125th Ct, Tualatin, OR 97062

(503) 218-2065

https://www.vanspecialties.com/

Could convert one for you much cheaper than that, and everything would be brand new.

Just a thought...

 

[Almost There]

I'm thinking that:

Van Specialties
19400 SW 125th Ct, Tualatin, OR 97062

(503) 218-2065

https://www.vanspecialties.com/

Could convert one for you much cheaper than that, and everything would be brand new.

Just a thought...

+1 on this!

It may be difficult or impossible to title a Canadian conversion in the US. I ran into it going the opposite way a few years ago - the Astro I owned in the states was built in Oshawa ON and 2 weeks before I was moving back to Canada I found out that I could never ever get it registered in Canada due to some stupid Transport Canada regulations. It's very possible that you would run into the same problems going the other way.

Also the price of the one built by GTVR is high because we pay sometimes 2 times the price for all the components that a company in the US would pay for them. The roof vent for example that is $115. in the US sells for $250 in an RV store near here.

Check with GTVR and ask them if they have the paperwork done to import their finished vehicles into the US before you do anything else.

 

[BC Guy]

I'm excited about this one. Not a full-featured 'Westy' by GTRV but certainly sufficient to be liveable in comfort! Main concern with this one would be hassles involved with "importing" it from Canada, which I'm not sure my partner in crime (I jest! Honest!) is up to. Otherwise, gosh it looks just about perfect, right down to being shorter than full-size and not having a pop-top, which for my uses would just be extra weight to lug around. And 2001! 2001! That would be really nice if it worked out...

I see that it says 4WD in one place and all wheel drive in another.

 

[akrvbob]

Tremendously overpriced!
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

Shorter is not better in a van.

 

[Almost There]

Tremendously overpriced!
Bob

It's overpriced because it's in Canada!

The cost of doing one of those conversions is astronomical up here because most all of the parts have to be imported into Canada from the US which involves high shipping costs, customs brokerage fees and sometimes duty.


The only saving grace right now is that you can get about 23cents on the dollar currency exchange.

 

[akrvbob]

So that's a good deal in Canada? You poor people.
Bob