Just starting out

[sirhk100]

As a side note, I'm wondering if you might do me a favor and measure the height of the front hitch from the ground and the back hitch from the ground. I'm wondering if they are at all close in height? I've been trying to figure it out for a while, not having a van myself!

Grabbed a tape walking out the door this morning. I guess they aren't as far off in height as I thought. The rear is measuring 16" and the front 18". That's just to the bottom of the slide in receiver that I have in both ends right now so measured to the same point on both. The reason they seemed more off is I didn't pay attention, I just grabbed two receivers and slid one in each end... Well the front has no drop to it and the rear has a 2" drop so that's why it was noticable at the tongue of my trailer.

Anyways, if you need any other info don't hesitate to ask.

Khris

 

[AimlessWanderLust]

Ah, thanks. Still, it's nice to know the numbers, and once the van is loaded up with gear in the rear, the difference will likely grow. Good food for thought for my plans.

 

[Simran]

That is a nice van! I wouldn't worry to much about the fiberglass insulation as long as it has a vapor barrier over it on the inside.

 

[sirhk100]

Yeah, I'm just going to pull down one panel eventually before I start doing anything permanent and verify how it's all held up and secured and check to see if there's any vapor barrier in place. I don't really foresee me skipping out of the southwest states much other then maybe a random 1-2 week vacation road trip and even then, if there was some moisture, as soon as I get back home and park it, it'll dry pretty fast here in Vegas with our lack of water/humidity.

I've been giving it some more thought and I may work on building out the bed late March. I've got some other priorities leading up to an event on March 15th, then will have some cleanup to do after that. But I'm thinking before diving back into my current garage project I may at the very least dive into checking out the insulation, finalizing some layout plans and then building a fold down type bed in the back along with maybe some cabinets/storage space. Although at that point, I'm not very far from doing the rest of what I want so maybe I should just suck it up and finish it. I'm planning to keep it fairly simple. I mean for a weekend/vacation rig it's not like you need a whole lot.

Bed, some storage space, food storage and that's about it.

I need to do some research on the pro/cons on an actual fridge vs. a cooler/icebox. For simplicity reasons I'm really leaning heavy towards a built in icebox/cooler with a drain thru the floor.

 

[Simran]

If you are just using it as a recreational vehicle a cooler may be fine. With a refer you need to start deciding on propane or 12V electric and it starts to get to be a little more of a commitment/work/money. It just depends on how much you use your rig. you'll know when you're tired of buying ice! :s

 

[Patrick46]

yeah, I'm with Simran

unless you're gonna do a fully operational refrigerator, I wouldn't build it in.

Sure, set-up a spot where it stays if you like, but by not having it built in, then your can take it outside and put it on your picnick table or wheatever, and it'd also make it alot nicer for cleaning it out by doing it outside. That's what I do.

 

[sirhk100]

I guess I shouldn't say built in but basically I want to buy or build a large cooler and have a dedicated storage spot for it where it's secured and can't move around.

I've eyeballed a 3way fridge and I think that's just more then I really need or want to put into it. Just going simple but dedicated at the same time I suppose if that makes any sense?

 

[Bdog1]

Cool van. Fingers crossed for your mileage. I get 16-17 highway but it's 4x4. I actually lost mileage when I got away from 33x12.50 tires! (But it's much better on highway)

Dig around at EXPO forum.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/119022-Adventures-of-Tumbleweed/page3

 

[sirhk100]

Bdog, the original bed you had setup. It folded up correct? Any pictures of it in the upright position? What was the reason for the rebuild? Also, you mention that 18" walkway. Any pictures of the new setup in the upright position since I'm assuming that happens to create the walkway...

 

[Bdog1]

Originally.... I really wanted a fold up system. Then after camping I realized it never got used in the couch position. Partly because of my two dogs and more so because there was tons of stuff stored under there while camping. The bed was cross ways in the van also, little short too. (Can't find a pic, it was a good while ago. Platform was made of interlocking slats, like a futon)

So the grand reworking was changing the bed to longways, raising the platform up an inch or two and instead of folding I just made a section lift out to maybe carry a sheet of plywood or whatever. It has a clear 18" isle all the way floor to roof.

Measuring up the "lift out" panel.

Little further along, the mat kinda hides the joint. Not the greatest illustration.

 

[sirhk100]

Thanks for the reply!!! It's appreciated! I originally was thinking to design something that would fold up against the wall for floor space when not being used as a camping rig that could fold out to a couch and convert to a bed. But then the more I've thought about it, skip the couch for sure... I still do want the bed to fold against the wall as I want to have the van retain some of it's utility purpose for my hobbies.

I actually spent this weekend house camping... What's that??? LOL, it's when you own a house in another state that is currently on the market for sale and is 100% completely empty. It has appliances and heat and running water but that's it. We brought all our bedding and everything and lived out of one room with a space heater and it was almost like a practice for what I'd like in the van vs. need in the van vs. extra fluff.

Every time I drive the van I get more and more ideas of what I want vs. need vs. don't want anymore and I have a running list on a piece of paper in the doghouse that I scratch my ideas down on.

I may actually try and build the bed out and maybe some cabinets while my parents are visiting in March with the help of my Dad. He's crafty and knows tricks way beyond me, especially since he spends the summer months helping my uncle who does high end kitchen and wood work. Also while he's here I want to discuss electrical options and solar ideas with him too. Stuff to just power a small tv and dvd player really is all I'm thinking after my weekend house camping. LOL I'm picturing two coach batteries with solar for charging. I also want to see what it would take to secure a 5-10 gallon propane tank hidden underneath to supply for a Mr. Buddy Heater.\

Basically, my current wish list is...

Folding bed
cabinet for storage
overhead built in head banger cabinet for TV and DVD
power for TV and DVD
Mr. Buddy Heater with more propane capacity then just a little hand held tank.

And really... That's about it at this point. Pretty simple I "think"... LOL

 

[Simran]

You may want to go with a small 15-20lb. bottle until you can find a used DOT approved 15-20 gallon tank. They will give you sticker shock when you see the price of a new one. They're like $400.00. I've got one under my van but it was there when I bought it.

I also want to see what it would take to secure a 5-10 gallon propane tank hidden underneath to supply for a Mr. Buddy Heater.\

Basically, my current wish list is...

Folding bed
cabinet for storage
overhead built in head banger cabinet for TV and DVD
power for TV and DVD
Mr. Buddy Heater with more propane capacity then just a little hand held tank.

And really... That's about it at this point. Pretty simple I "think"... LOL

 

[Bdog1]

I don't really have any cabinets. Just a shelf I made from the original "cab cage".

Of course after a couple of weeks things get a ill' more "lived in".

We use the van a couple of weeks at a time, would love to make it more extended deal..... But

---

Uh oh! How that happen? Added the pic's here..... Sorry

https://www.facebook.com/Tumbleweedadventures

 

[sirhk100]

You may want to go with a small 15-20lb. bottle until you can find a used DOT approved 15-20 gallon tank. They will give you sticker shock when you see the price of a new one. They're like $400.00. I've got one under my van but it was there when I bought it.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[Lucky mike]

also just for personal knowledge.....permanent undermounts do not expire or require pol valves.......so unlike a portable bottle it is not dated for inspection and you can find them in alot of wrecking yards......just keep in mind when your removing them ,even if there is no gas in them they are exsplosive so let someone else cut the bolts off!!

 

[sirhk100]

Interesting them on them not being dated... Never knew that at all!!! I'm hoping not this weekend but next I can spend the Sat doing the local junkyard tour to see what kind of goodies may be out there for me to snatch up for this build. It may even be a while till I start anything but if the price/deal is right I'm not opposed to collecting parts for future use that's for sure!

Captains chairs, pass swivel, propane tank and any possible interior setups that may make for a good retrofit are on my radar. I also need to see if I can scrounge up a couple minor Ford van related parts to get the blower working. The a/c & heater work but the fan doesn't so basically I kick it to "vent" and drive faster for more air flow. LOL