Newbie from AZ

[RollinWOT]

Hi everyone.

I've been ghosting the forum for quite a while and always been interested. I figured now's the time to introduce myself. I go by RollinWOT, I'm a family man with two children ages two and 8 months, and a beautiful wife. She has the daily driver (a 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S), I've got the camping/exploring rig/my daily driver (a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT Super Cab). I don't want to say we're "vandwellers" or such, but we love camping and exploring the backcountry. So, our camping rig is my '98 Ranger with the 3.0L V6 and 5-speed manual trans, which I purchased from a former co-worker for $800. At the time, it had no bed, was missing one of the road wheels, and had the spare in place. Long story sort, it was involved in a shooting incident and that's why it was so cheap(bullet holes riddling the bed, hence the "missing bed"). So I bought it from him, installed the bullet ridden bed, and began customizing it. Right now it has an MBRP Off-Road Shorty Pro cat-back exhaust, 31" Nexen Roadian M/T tires, upgraded to 2000 Ranger 15" steel wheels, a Kurtz Kustoms MAF sensor: K&N filter adapter, a Poweraid throttle body spacer, and a Pioneer hi-top camper shell. The performance modifications are done because the stock 3.0L V6 engine is notoriously gutless, and those few performance mods really help it get up the steep Arizona mountains much easier. We enjoy getting away from the city often and when our kids grow up a bit, we're going to take it on camping trips around the state. I'll try to post pictures as soon as possible.

 

[VanDwellerMod]

Welcome to the CRVL forums RollinWOT! 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.

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome! Have you done anything to set up the bed for camping? I'd love to see that!
Bob

 

[RollinWOT]

Well back in the day I had a pseudo bed setup. It was a set of plywood that I had a 3" memory foam mattress topper to lay down on top. But I still regularly use the bed to haul bikes and stuff so nothing is permanently set in place. For now, I just have everything movable so I can access gear and stuff. Plus since my truck is a super cab, when its time to sleep, I can move stuff to the cab while leaving room to access the drivers seat, should I need to head out in a pinch. Its not an ideal set up, but its what works for me at the moment.

 

[Canine]

Ok so other than garnering useful camping info, are you on this forum because you have some interest in van dwelling or is it just the FANTASTIC iNFORMATION , WITTY REPONSES and experience that made you decided to join? Your family description and vehicle lend themselves to rving and maybe pulling a pop up... With 2 young children a pop up trailer can get you out in the Az wild, and that can be fun. Even a trip to Cottonwood or the Mogillon Rim country to camp would be enjoyable and your Ranger can tow one.

Either way, or if you are wondering how to perhaps trade "up" to a converted passenger or conversion camper van, you are in the right place. Those other "stuffy" rv forums aren't near as friendly... I always felt if I didn't have a six figure class A or a combination of truck and 5ver then I was a lowlife on them.

 

[Theadyn]

It's not a 'van only' place round here. Hi and Welcome!!

 

[akrvbob]

Dusty98, by all the time putting down the other forums, aren't you doing the same thing only in reverse?

"Live and Let Live" is our motto around here and I think it's better to let the other forums live any way they want to. If we don't like it, we just won't go there. Vote with your feet, not insulting words.

RollinWOT, it does seem like a pop-up trailer would be nearly ideal for you, have you considered that?
Bob

 

[RollinWOT]

Thank you guts for the info. Dusty- As a mechanic, I've learned the ins and outs of vans, and im not a huge fan of vans due to everything being crammed into the doghouse and what not. I like having an engine bay to easily work in. However, mydad had a '84 Econoline conversion van back when we were younger. While it was fun, it was essentially restricted to highway/roadside driving. I like my ranger because it has higher ground clearance, and because its only 2wd, I'm not temped to take it way out and get stranded in 4wd only territory. It can handle the back country well, but I know its limits. Akrvbob- money gas been fairly tight for us for a long time, and the ranger is sort of my "what-if" vehicle. I'm always paranoid about losing money and my home so this is an "escape plan" if that makes any sense. I would love a pop-up trailer but as I said before, money is tight. Right now I have my hi-top camper as the semipermanent "home" solution and we have a couple 4-person tents as temporary shelters. I guess you could say my interest in van dwelling is the product of monetary instability and preparation for the worst.

 

[akrvbob]

RollinWOT, I think the majority of us here have the exact same thoughts as you do. As long as you have the Ranger ready to live out of, you will never be homeless!! That's exactly how I think of my van!

With the great deal you got on the Ranger, it's going to work really well for you!
Bob

 

[rvpopeye]

WOT
I really can relate to your comment about van doghouse's crammed to the max.
Mine is one of those , It took me 8 hours to just change the plugs !
Skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh
Your rig reminds me of my first home on wheels.
Welcome to the forums and don't be shy with any questions you might have.