MoparJohn checking in

MoparJohn · Feb 24, 2011

Hi all.. I"m John. I live in Northcentral Pa and have been lurking on Vandwelling and similiar sites for a bit now. Finally getting ready to start my project in the spring, hopefully. I've been interesting in "getting away" for awhile now, but have lacked the $$$, vehicle and the courage. Well, time to dip the toes into the water.  I have a late 90's 1 ton Dodge MaxiWagon. That's basically the van with the extension at the rear and seating for 12-15 passengers. My plan is to outfit it as a 1 man (and his dog) camping unit and take off weekends and see what it's like to live in it. WallyWorlds, truckstops and an occasional campground. State parks, boondocking, you name it. If I enjoy it as much as I think I will, I'll work towards a class "C" and fulltiming. I'll be selling my park model camper as soon as the weather breaks, and a portion of the $$$ from that will be applied to the van. I just need to lay out an interior on paper, and start gathering materials. I'm a driver by day (transit bus and non-emergency medical transports) and a Jack of All Trades by nights and weekends.  The actual buildout of the interior doesn't scare me, just doing a good lay-out. I hate to do things twice, know what I mean?? I'm also toying with the idea of selling the van, and using the money to just go ahead and get a class "c". I'm fairly certain that a van is not the longterm answer for me. Being over 6 foot tall, the van is not ideal. But it's already mine and paid for, so.....decisions, decisions. Well, enough rambling on for now. Looking forward to getting to know y'all. Already see some familiar names from other sites. Later John

akrvbob · Feb 25, 2011

Hi John, welcome! Sounds like you have a good plan! My one thought would be to suggest you start a little simpler. Since your first trips are going to be  short ans simple, why not do the minimum to the van. All you need is to take some of the seats out and build a simple bed out of plywood and 2x4s. Add a few plastic totes for organization and camping gear, and hit the road. A couple trips like that will give you a good feel for living in a van. If it looks like you can't live with a van then all you have lost is the time to take out the seats and put them back in. You can probably reuse the plywood a 2x4s later. The same with the plastic totes. Then start looking for a class C. And if you can live with the small size of a van, then keep making trips until you know for sure what you want for a design layout. Then do the build later. Have you considered a class B? It would seem like the perfect compromise between a van and a class C. A class B should get about double the mpg of a class C (15 mpg versus 7) and with the price of gas going up, that is very important! Another possibility is a hightop extended van. I have a friend with a hightop extended van and it is amazing the amount of room inside. Very comfortable. Oh well, lots of choices. I'm sure you will make the best one. Bob

MoparJohn · Feb 25, 2011

Hi Bob. Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I hadn't thought of doing it that way, interesting idea worth mulling over. I'm pretty sure I'll like the lifestyle, just have to decide on the approach and minimums when it comes to comfort and size.

akrvbob · Feb 25, 2011

For some reason we all think if we are going to live in a van we have to build an elaborate conversion in it. And that may be true, but it doesn't have to be. My general advice is to do the minimum until you really know what you want, then go for it. My first night of living in a van I threw down a sleeping pad and some  blankets and that was it. There was nothing else. That weekend I built a bed and some cabinets, put some clothes, toiletires and camping gear in plastic totes, and that was it. Every weekend I would work on it some more untill it started to take shape. Six months later I really knew what I wanted and I took it all out and rebuilt the whole thing. This time I got it right. I like that way the best. Bob

Les H · Feb 26, 2011

Hi John, I have family in Altoona and jersey shore, Pa. I'm in upstate Ny, Catskill mtn. area. I try to get down there at least once a year or so. My van (bus) pulls double duty- heavy duty work truck, and get away van. I do like the extra height of the bus, but mpg suffers. Also, a 1 ton is geared quite low, anything above 60-65 mph sucks the money right out of your wallet! I do have to say, I like Bob's approach as well. I have camped often with nothing more than I can Cary on my back, and have a small old travel trailer for using as an out of town office/ sleeping spot. We have taken it all over the northeast when my wife comes with me. If it turns out you like the lifestyle, ( and you probably will, or you wouldn't be here), think about getting an older trailer or popup camper to gut for parts. You can recycle the aluminum and sell the frame to recover some cost. Usually you get a fridge, heater, inverter, propane hookup, potty, water tanks and pump and so on. It can be a much cheaper way to go , and the parts are already engineered for what you want to do...cuts down on the learning curve!
Take care, and Welcome!
Les

High Plains Drifter · Feb 26, 2011

Welcome John, you sure live in a pretty State. I very much like the Appalachians, the history and the old quaint towns out there.

KatieinKansas · Feb 27, 2011

Hi John,<div>...Just wanted to say, WELCOME!  I keep hearing great comments about the East.  I'll have to find out for myself one of these days.  ...Glad you joined us.</div><div>Katie</div>