New Van Owner from Boston

[ddbowdoin]

Hey all, just picked up a new 2016 Ford Transit Connect XL LWB Van.  Very excited to start the planning and execution of a simple, minimal conversion.  I could really use as much expertise and advice from the experienced members here.

I'm a photographer, my work can be found at www.daniel-duarte.com

I'm in the middle of completing my MFA in Photography and I teach as well.  My wife is also an educator and so we have substantial time off throughout the summer.

The thirst for adventure and the time off helped make this happen.  We are experienced car campers and already have basically everything needed for camping so on that front we are all set, luckily.

The van has rear and passenger side glass, with privacy glass installed.  Otherwise, it's a basic van without any real upgrades.

 

[Yogidog]

Yay for u two!

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Hello and welcome to CRVL!

 

[cyndi]

Daniel! Welcome to the CRVL forums! Vandwelling and photography are a great pair. You and your wife will have a blast.

I'm also from MA, but the Wistah area. Currently grounded in the southwest (6 more weeks and counting) I spend the summers with my family in MA and all over NE

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Ackidge]

Hi,

I am new to this site too. I live on the Cape & just bought a 2013 Transit Connect. very excited about this conversion project. I am downsizing from a Class B. I never used the water in it as I am usually at campgrounds. Love to travel all over New England.

 

[ascii_man]

Welcome!

To the New England crew, feel free to reply to this thread I just posted:
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=16850

 

[Theadyn]

Congrats!! and Welcome!

 

[nobodyG17]

Congrats on the new vehicle.   Welcome!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Hi,

I am new to this site too. I live on the Cape & just bought a 2013 Transit Connect. very excited about this conversion project. I am downsizing from a Class B. I never used the water in it as I am usually at campgrounds. Love to travel all over New England.

Glad to see another MA member on here going through the same conversion. Have you made any progress? I just picked up my van on Friday and am starting small and slow, black out curtains.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Hi Neighbor!,

I'm just south of Boston, in Weymouth. Congrats on the new van! I'm currently in the process of shopping for a cargo trailer to convert and hope to start living full time out of it by Thanksgiving. I inherited a family summer home in Plymouth, Ma, well me and a bunch of other family members, but we are putting it up for sale this spring and i'm going to use that money to jump start my travels. I worked as a cabinet maker for about 12 years so if you have any questions about the build out, I may be able to offer some advice and/or give you a hand.

 

[Ackidge]

Glad to see another MA member on here going through the same conversion.  Have you made any progress? I just picked up my van on Friday and am starting small and slow, black out curtains.

Well, I got mine on Friday after work & it was back at the dealership within 24 hours!  I got stuck at IKEA when the interlock system seized up & I couldn't get it out of park.  2 AAA guys later, they were able to unjam it so I could at least drive it back to the Cape.  But at dealership to get fixed.  Not really how I wanted to start my project, but oh well.  I have an apt with a local RV place here to consult/maybe hire them to do the electrical work.  That apt is on April 14, so not much I can do before then anyway.  But yes, curtains are my first project too.  I am thinking removable, using magnets. & then curtain rod for curtains right behind drivers seat.

We need to have a get together of all us local folks at some point!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Hi Neighbor!,

I'm just south of Boston, in Weymouth. Congrats on the new van! I'm currently in the process of shopping for a cargo trailer to convert and hope to start living full time out of it by Thanksgiving. I inherited a family summer home in Plymouth, Ma, well me and a bunch of other family members, but we are putting it up for sale this spring and i'm going to use that money to jump start my travels. I worked as a cabinet maker for about 12 years so if you have any questions about the build out, I may be able to offer some advice and/or give you a hand.

Hey there! Glad to see so many local people here. I grew up in West Roxbury and went to a CM, a lot of kids from Weymouth and Braintree made the trip up here for school. Good hockey school.

Congrats on the sale and this next adventure. If I was single I would be doing that in a heartbeat. I could never convince the wife.

Appreciate the advice / help. I'm going to need it. I have a lot to learn.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Well, I got mine on Friday after work & it was back at the dealership within 24 hours!  I got stuck at IKEA when the interlock system seized up & I couldn't get it out of park.  2 AAA guys later, they were able to unjam it so I could at least drive it back to the Cape.  But at dealership to get fixed.  Not really how I wanted to start my project, but oh well.  I have an apt with a local RV place here to consult/maybe hire them to do the electrical work.  That apt is on April 14, so not much I can do before then anyway.  But yes, curtains are my first project too.  I am thinking removable, using magnets. & then curtain rod for curtains right behind drivers seat.

We need to have a get together of all us local folks at some point!

Agh crap! Is the van new or used?

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard to both of the posting newcomers.
You'll find lots of info and advice here.

 

[Ackidge]

Agh crap! Is the van new or used?

Used. 2013 with 77K miles. I am sure they will get it all fixed. Just frustrating to happen in the first 24 hours. Good thing I was able to drive it back to Cape....otherwise that would have been an expensive tow for the dealership to pay for.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Used. 2013 with 77K miles. I am sure they will get it all fixed. Just frustrating to happen in the first 24 hours. Good thing I was able to drive it back to Cape....otherwise that would have been an expensive tow for the dealership to pay for.

You have to get AAA Gold... It's cheap and you get 100 miles free tow, unlimited times a year.

 

[Ackidge]

You have to get AAA Gold... It's cheap and you get 100 miles free tow, unlimited times a year.

Well if they had to tow the dealership was going to pay for that one, but yes I should upgrade.....I only have AAA basic.

 

[ddbowdoin]

def upgrade, worth every dime. It's less than a 100 bucks a year.