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.

 

[bullfrog !]

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.

Full timing is a lot of work no matter how you do it. A well built RV (which there are few of) can be modified to last several years with very little work compared to a full build out. Starting with a blank sheet type builds are difficult and often if not done properly result in worse results than manufactured RVs. Main problem with the majority of manufactured RVs is most are built only to go a few miles a year and be lived in a few weeks a year as cheaply as possible.

 

[twomountainlions]

Full timing is a lot of work no matter how you do it. A well built RV (which there are few of) can be modified to last several years with very little work compared to a full build out. Starting with a blank sheet type builds are difficult and often if not done properly result in worse results than manufactured RVs. Main problem with the majority of manufactured RVs is most are built only to go a few miles a year and be lived in a few weeks a year as cheaply as possible.

Not true about RVs built to go only few miles a year. May be some but buyers due diligence is always a thing. By the way RV truck campers are also RVs. No point dicussing it here and I had already formed my informed opinion and thats why I own an RV now. I travel around the whole country but not 50 states in 50 days style and doing 50mph on dirt roads is of no interest to me, people who abuse their vehicle get predictable results. I'm horrified at how some people drive their RV, its not a race car.
Check out Bob Wells channel, he is getting rid of that problem ambulance he put so much work and money into building it out and got himself a small RV trailer.

 

[bullfrog !]

Not true about RVs built to go only few miles a year. May be some but buyers due diligence is always a thing. By the way RV truck campers are also RVs. No point dicussing it here and I had already formed my informed opinion and thats why I own an RV now. I travel around the whole country but not 50 states in 50 days style and doing 50mph on dirt roads is of no interest to me, people who abuse their vehicle get predictable results. I'm horrified at how some people drive their RV, its not a race car.
Check out Bob Wells channel, he is getting rid of that problem ambulance he put so much work and money into building it out and got himself a small RV trailer.

I live in a horribly built newer camper trailer now but for most of the last 20 years lived in a well built (in my opinion) 28’ motorhome. It is possible to do so if as you say “you buy wisely and don’t abuse them” much more economically than a house in my opinion. Even the best ones still require a lot of maintenance in my opinion to keep them reliable and livable. My horrible one my wife bought now I can still make work! Lol!!! Hint replace a Dometic 300 toilet immediately with a Dometic 310 if you can make it fit! Yes I have a separating toilet in my DIY camper but my wife wants “her” camper with full hookups! Lol!!!

 

[twomountainlions]

I live in a horribly built newer camper trailer now but for most of the last 20 years lived in a well built (in my opinion) 28’ motorhome. It is possible to do so if as you say “you buy wisely and don’t abuse them” much more economically than a house in my opinion. Even the best ones still require a lot of maintenance in my opinion to keep them reliable and livable. My horrible one my wife bought now I can still make work! Lol!!!

Mine is a bit older not new one, yeah they used to build them better. Not much maintenance, really. I use it gently. Worked for me perfectly, sort of best of both worlds, I can camp my old style like in my tent camping years and can live like in a house too. No wasting time on building, I didnt have a place to do builds anyway you know. I was looking for low mileage only, no rust, little wear on living suraces.

 

[Gr8ful]

Older RVs & MHs were built the VERY WORST as that was before people were living in them, PURE CRAP!
You posted Bobs YT about he got a bad ambo. I can post 10 where people love ambos & 50 YTs where RVs & MHs are PURE CRAP! Diesels wll almost always last longer & get better milage than gas.

 

[bullfrog !]

Older RVs & MHs were built the VERY WORST as that was before people were living in them, PURE CRAP!
You posted Bobs YT about he got a bad ambo. I can post 10 where people love ambos & 50 YTs where RVs & MHs are PURE CRAP! Diesels wll almost always last longer & get better milage than gas.

I beg to disagree there were a few manufacturers that made RVs that were very well thought out and well built. Yes diesels have been designed and most of the high compression lubrication and cooling problems solved by the emissions problem is still problematic and the use of electronics to solve that problem is not working well it seems as we simply cannot keep doing things as we have in the past.

 

[rruff]

Diesels wll almost always last longer & get better milage than gas.

I wouldn't buy one built after 2006 unless the emissions were deleted.

Your ambo is cool because it has a big diesel that is completely mechanical. Fixing or replacing any part of that would be simple and cheap job for any mechanic.

 

[maki2]

I know the Born Free motorhomes have a reputation for quality build as far as the house interior and house shell part of them. But like most motorhomes fridges, sinks, toilets, furnace, lights, etc come from outside suppliers.

 

[bullfrog !]

I wouldn't buy one built after 2006 unless the emissions were deleted.

Your ambo is cool because it has a big diesel that is completely mechanical. Fixing or replacing any part of that would be simple and cheap job for any mechanic.

A injection pump runs between $700 to $1,600 dollars, not cheap in my book especially if you add injectors and lines. Larger cooling and lubrication systems due to high compression combustion means more maintenance costs as well especially on older well worn engines. Increased weight on suspension and drive line components come into play as well. Just lifting heavy components takes a toll on my old bones so an Aluminum head I can lift with one hand is a blessing. Special tools and test stands aren’t cheap either if you really want to do things yourself. Just saying. Bob Wells said he spent over $5,000 on sensors imagine what it would have cost if he ever did have a major problem! Granted it would be a rare occasion but still something to consider when buying a long term vehicle.