Mini-Van-Camper-Conversion

[Happy Camper]

My daughter used something similar to this for the cross country trip with a 7 gallon water container. They did refills at filtered water sources as needed and available. Not as versatile as your system will be once finished. But it was simple and worked well for them.

Water Bottle Pump 5 Gallon Water Bottle Dispenser USB Charging Automatic Drinking Water Pump Portable Electric Water Dispenser Water Bottle Switch (White) https://a.co/d/75a4RMj

 

[datac]

Water issues... the what how and why's.... This is a great thread actually, and I am happy the OP does not get all bent out of shape when people bring up things the OP has decided against (thank you). I was out camping for a few days this last week with friends. I have to tell you, that my friends filled their water tank at the site we stayed at. They sure were sorry they did ! It was stanky to say the least. I certainly would not drink it, and they had to run for walmart blue tanks for drinking water. When they got home, they would have to spend a good deal of time flushing their onboard tank out to get rid of what went in.

I am not against onboard tanks. I have one that I will only fill after smelling and quick testing with cheap amazon strip, but it is not used for drinking. What does bug me the most about it is that tank takes a fair amount of effort and flushing water to keep clean between trips.

For drinking water, I will only bring along water from a local artesian well we have nearby, or we purchase those Walmart style returnable tanks. With that, I will use one of the USB top pumps. And even when you have the returnable tanks and that pump system, if the water is not agitated or aerated, after a while the tube you suck the water to the pump with gets really slimey. It's just a reminder to not take drinking water safety too lightly.

 

[datac]

I was catching up on the thread having been way for a bit. I see you hoped to sleep 3. I know what I would explore. ...

I'd explore building a back hatch pull out platform similar to what they use in pickup truck beds (those roll-out systems). Stays in when you dont need it, pulls out when you do. Probably could work well with those tri-fold couch/mattresses.

With that I would create a simple tent system for over the hatch area to close it all in (easy for me to say because I spent 10 years in the upholstery industry and still have a machine). Might even make it so it can be a "room" to stand in behind the pull out.

Because you will already be dealing with lack of height, you probably wouldnt make a foll-out like they use, but maybe it is just a hollow core sheet product that simply slides out and you need legs to support it. Then of course I would tie in a 270 bat wing (or Bus depot EZY) awning to the side.

Your making me eye up my T&C for a "conversion" every time I drive it now ! LOL !!

 

[Ruff]

Here are some nice Small Van Interior Ideas.

Pinterest has tons of boards with camper van ideas, so it might be helpful. Just search for "camper vans", or anything like that. Tip: don't search "vans", or you'll get shoes, LOL.

 

[Happy Camper]

Here are some nice Small Van Interior Ideas.

Pinterest has tons of boards with camper van ideas, so it might be helpful. Just search for "camper vans", or anything like that. Tip: don't search "vans", or you'll get shoes, LOL.

Unless you're this person looking for an upgrade.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children, she didn't know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread;
Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

 

[twomountainlions]

Water issues... the what how and why's.... This is a great thread actually, and I am happy the OP does not get all bent out of shape when people bring up things the OP has decided against (thank you). I was out camping for a few days this last week with friends. I have to tell you, that my friends filled their water tank at the site we stayed at. They sure were sorry they did ! It was stanky to say the least. I certainly would not drink it, and they had to run for walmart blue tanks for drinking water. When they got home, they would have to spend a good deal of time flushing their onboard tank out to get rid of what went in.

I am not against onboard tanks. I have one that I will only fill after smelling and quick testing with cheap amazon strip, but it is not used for drinking. What does bug me the most about it is that tank takes a fair amount of effort and flushing water to keep clean between trips.

For drinking water, I will only bring along water from a local artesian well we have nearby, or we purchase those Walmart style returnable tanks. With that, I will use one of the USB top pumps. And even when you have the returnable tanks and that pump system, if the water is not agitated or aerated, after a while the tube you suck the water to the pump with gets really slimey. It's just a reminder to not take drinking water safety too lightly.

Yep. I would not want to drink from installed tank. Mine is good sized about 60 gals. They start smelling ...I use iodine tincture for ongoing maintenance. But I drink only bottled spring water from clear no bpa gallon bottles. Another thing with those tanks is plastic used might be releasing who knows what into water, they have plasic smell inside.

There might be large amphibians or other forms of aquaric life inhabiting those tanks! Supposed to use chlorine flush once in a while but chlorine smell lingers so I use iodine for tank and bottles

The best are 6 gal folding collapsible bottles with taps on them, Water Cubes. I use them for everything even though I got full plumbing and permanent tank, they are easy to take outside to use as a water tap but also can be used over indoor sink, that's the beauty of them (some plastic smell inside so I dont drink that water). If I need to I can refill them from my perm tank. They have lasting spigots that gave great contol over how much water is used, unlike push button electric pump spigots. I tried the latter bt went back to Water Cubes.

 

[rruff]

^You are making a real good case for starting with an empty box on wheels...

 

[twomountainlions]

^You are making a real good case for starting with an empty box on wheels...

I like to have my options and no desire to ever deal with empty box again.
I like the option to stay in a campground with hookups if I have a medical situation, need to visit a city, etc, which requires plumbing, but I mostly like to be able to camp just like in my tent camping days. To have an option to use stays where gray water discharge on the ground is not allowed. I like to be able to use water indoors if the weather is bad and use it outdoors otherwise. Hauling canisters around offers some excercise too.
I've been in plenty of situations where I needed plumbing
RV works for me. No build, just throwing in a cot, plastic drawers, water canisters is fine too but got drawbacks. Whole shebang van builds....no thanks.

I watch those youtubes doing the whole build for the lolz sometimes and think that they lost it, but at least they generate income from those vids. One had been building since January. If they got RV truck camper instead they'd have already comfortably camped in 48 states by now.