Elaine K
Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2017
- Messages
- 10
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After years of caregiving, I am now free to be able to do something for just me! It was privilege to look after both my husband and my father but it burnt me out emotionally and physically.
I bought myself a used 2010 GMC cargo van to camperize after watching You Tube videos of so many who have done that. It has proved to be a very slow process for me but it is slowly taking shape. In retrospect, it would have been so much easier to simply have bought an older class B camper van or a class C RV but I would have had an old vehicle with probable mechanical issues. ( I had this cargo van inspected before I bought it by a very trusted mechanic. There was some body damage but it was all cosmetic and something I could live with. The price was extremely reasonable so I bought it.)
Work done so far: The floor has been insulated under the subflooring. I glued down vinyl planks as floor covering. Most of the insulation is now done - including under the headliner in the cab area. 1/4" luan paneling has been installed on the walls and ceiling.
My son helped by installing the Maxxair fan. He also modified the Weatherguard roof racks ready to install my 310 watt solar panel on the van roof.
Next steps are to build, vent and secure a battery box to house my 2 Trojan 6v deep cycle batteries, build my bed/sofa, and finish my design and build of my cupboards, etc. I also have to wire everything properly. The rear doors and the side sliding door still need to be insulated and finished in some way.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have been willing to share their experiences with building out their various vehicles. I have learned so much!
My husband & I had renovated 2 houses many years ago. That was easier than this! However, the skills I learned then are definitely serving me well now.
I bought myself a used 2010 GMC cargo van to camperize after watching You Tube videos of so many who have done that. It has proved to be a very slow process for me but it is slowly taking shape. In retrospect, it would have been so much easier to simply have bought an older class B camper van or a class C RV but I would have had an old vehicle with probable mechanical issues. ( I had this cargo van inspected before I bought it by a very trusted mechanic. There was some body damage but it was all cosmetic and something I could live with. The price was extremely reasonable so I bought it.)
Work done so far: The floor has been insulated under the subflooring. I glued down vinyl planks as floor covering. Most of the insulation is now done - including under the headliner in the cab area. 1/4" luan paneling has been installed on the walls and ceiling.
My son helped by installing the Maxxair fan. He also modified the Weatherguard roof racks ready to install my 310 watt solar panel on the van roof.
Next steps are to build, vent and secure a battery box to house my 2 Trojan 6v deep cycle batteries, build my bed/sofa, and finish my design and build of my cupboards, etc. I also have to wire everything properly. The rear doors and the side sliding door still need to be insulated and finished in some way.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have been willing to share their experiences with building out their various vehicles. I have learned so much!
My husband & I had renovated 2 houses many years ago. That was easier than this! However, the skills I learned then are definitely serving me well now.
