Nissan NV200

[ChileGirl]

Hi folks.

I'm trying to decide what type of van to get for road trips (a solo female). I don't plan to do any conversions yet, so that's not an issue. I really like the privacy and headspace the NV200 offers, and there are several used models available in my area at fairly good prices and with low mileage. I've been reading for days and days and was fairly convinced this was the right rig for me. Then I read a long thread by someone who said he would never go back to a cargo van after switching to a passenger van. He said his cargo van was constantly vandalized and that his passenger van never has been. He implied that people will know you're sleeping in a cargo van and cause problems for you, whereas they won't bother a passenger van. I was pretty surprised to read this. I've seen so many videos where people are traveling and living in cargo vans, and I've never heard of this type of problem. Have any of you? If you've had both a cargo van and a passenger van, do you have any preference and why? Thank you so much for your help. I've probably spent too much time reading and watching videos. Now I'm just confused. LOL

 

[StarliteRambler]

Sounds like it might be a good choice for you, just throw a bed and simple storage in it and go. I'm looking at the NV2500 for myself. I really doubt there is ANYONE out there thinking "I only vandalize CARGO vans".

 

[highdesertranger]

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

 

[Kaylee]

Then I read a long thread by someone who said he would never go back to a cargo van after switching to a passenger van.

Please PM me a link to that thread (since you don't yet have enough posts to post it publicly), and I'll give you a sanity check (and repost it, if appropriate).

Based on what you've said, it sounds like BS.
I bought a converted cargo van late last year, and have had zero vandalism problems (disclaimer: I've been mostly in small towns (northern WI) & interstates (Oregon to Wisconsin)). I would think that something that looks like it's being lived in, would be less likely to be vandalized.
Others may have had different experiences, in different regions.

Have you seen the CRVL-guest YT video of the female medical professional in Denver, who lives in an NV van? It was excellent - she did an awesome conversion. It will boost your morale & confidence in that vehicle choice.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Left out on NYC streets, anything will fall prey to a crackhead.
Same with any major city.
I would not worry too much about it.
Another thing to think about doing is have a "Flowers by Gloria" business card with logo and a bogus number in the dash, along with a couple of plant racks on the front seat.
Crooks know a van that has plants in it is not worth breaking in.
Maybe even window stickers in the back, phone number and all.

 

[RVTravel]

Sounds like bs to me too.

 

[ChileGirl]

Please PM me a link to that thread (since you don't yet have enough posts to post it publicly), and I'll give you a sanity check (and repost it, if appropriate).

Based on what you've said, it sounds like BS.
I bought a converted cargo van late last year, and have had zero vandalism problems (disclaimer: I've been mostly in small towns (northern WI) & interstates (Oregon to Wisconsin)). I would think that something that looks like it's being lived in, would be less likely to be vandalized.
Others may have had different experiences, in different regions.

Have you seen the CRVL-guest YT video of the female medical professional in Denver, who lives in an NV van? It was excellent - she did an awesome conversion. It will boost your morale & confidence in that vehicle choice.

 

[ChileGirl]

Left out on NYC streets, anything will fall prey to a crackhead.
Same with any major city.
I would not worry too much about it.
Another thing to think about doing is have a "Flowers by Gloria" business card with logo and a bogus number in the dash, along with a couple of plant racks on the front seat.
Crooks know a van that has plants in it is not worth breaking in.
Maybe even window stickers in the back, phone number and all.

 
I was thinking about that. I don't plan to park in any neighborhoods and will stay where there are people around, anyway. Trying to make it look like a business van is a good idea!

 

[Kaylee]

NV200:
Chile, here's that NV200 "Professional Woman Living in a Van" video:


Its duration is 19:36, starts with about a 4 minute overview & discussion of urban stealth camping, then does about a 7 minute inside tour (fascinating!), then they sit inside & chat for the rest (rambling but still useful).
The tour part is the most relevant.

I saw that shortly after it came out, and was very impressed with that model. As she says, it's "bigger on the inside".


The Vandalism/etc Issue:
Chile sent me the vandalism thread:

The key post is by "jackspaniels" and starts with (search for it):
"Having switched from a cargo van to a window van"

Frankly, he comes across as having solid experience with some good points, but being... let's say "somewhat tunnel visioned".

Clearly, he was parking in iffy locations.
So far, I've only parked in legal places, with implicit (rest areas) or explicit permission. I am looking for contract work, so do expect to urban stealth camp eventually, but I'm semi-screening for safer locations. If I found a gig in a less safe area, I would aim to find a safer area to "camp"/live and take public transportation.

As a woman, I wanted a vehicle whose inside would be completely impenetrable to passersby. Windows weren't a big deal, for me.
Over several months, I considered several cargo vans (most were white) and regret not buying one particularly promising one (single owner work van).

For me, an opportunity came up to buy a lovingly-converted camper van (a 1987 Dodge B250). It's had some major engine problems, but otherwise suits my actual needs extremely well.
After reading the Reddit thread, I realize now that my vehicle probably was the type "jackspaniels" approves of, as it does have side windows. All of the side windows have a double layer of curtains/etc, so met my invisible-inside requirement.
It is "obviously" a camper van (i.e. someone lives inside), since it has a big vent raincover and solar panels.

I strongly suspect that "jackspaniels"'s vandalism was caused by people who did not think someone was living inside. The vandals thought it was a work van.

Bottom line:
He has some decent points, but I don't think his situation is relevant to the cargo van you're considering.


General Advice:

• Take your time, it's normal to be in Information Overload.
  Choosing your rig is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make.
  It's also "normal" to be stressed over it. I was!
• Try camping in your current vehicle (you will learn a lot about your needs vs wants). It doesn't have to be a grand adventure. Try a local county or state park, or even overnight at the nearest Walmart/etc.
  My first sleeping-in-car experiences were completely non-glamorous/adventurous, while moving between work gigs (I do IT contract work, and in my prime used to move 2-4 times each year).
• Suanne's blog has an excellent set of beginner "How-To" articles:
  http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/
• Ask lots of questions.
  Also, please do post more info about your background, and what your goals & needs & mere wants are. Nothing "private", just info that will help people give you better advice.

Good luck!

 

[Kaylee]

Here's esteemed member "frater secessus"'s charts, which compare some popular newer cargo vans (lots of tech details):
http://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=rv:cargo_van:comparo&s[]=nv200

His wiki is full of brain-overload-inducing info, so take your time with it.

His blog is noteworthy, and story oriented so less brain-twisting:
https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/blog/

Here's his overview of selecting a vehicle:
https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/plan/what-kind-of-camper/
He has some very detailed accounts of how he checked out various types in person. It's definitely worth time wandering there.

There are lots of good blogs, but many have poor navigation/tags/etc.

 

[ChileGirl]

Here's esteemed member "frater secessus"'s charts, which compare some popular newer cargo vans (lots of tech details):
http://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=rv:cargo_van:comparo&s[]=nv200

His wiki is full of brain-overload-inducing info, so take your time with it.

His blog is noteworthy, and story oriented so less brain-twisting:
https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/blog/

Here's his overview of selecting a vehicle:
https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/plan/what-kind-of-camper/
He has some very detailed accounts of how he checked out various types in person. It's definitely worth time wandering there.

There are lots of good blogs, but many have poor navigation/tags/etc.

Thank you SO much!

 

[highdesertranger]

thank y'all for following the link posting rules. highdesertranger

 

[JD GUMBEE]

thank y'all for following the link posting rules. highdesertranger

grrrr grumblr grumbl f&^%ng rule Nazi grrr grmbl grmbl Creature doesn't like HDR, no he doesn't like him one bit...

^^^^^Rage Troll humor. I DO actually like HDR. (No you DONT.) Yes I do.

Some of us took way too much LSD in the 70's.

PS if you are buying that van new, great.
If you seek a used one, make SURE it is a private sale from a private owner who is this anal retentive OCD freak about their home in general...with every slip for every oil change. The premium you pay for this kind of van is pennies compared to popping an engine early.
Any of them that came through the auctions with low miles are not often treated well. Leases that get tossed by the original user. As in, run 28000 miles on the break in oil. (Often is the case.) Why spend more than one HAS to on a car, right? You have been warned.
People who run non synthetic through those motors for extended periods can also doom them to early death.
(They are decent little vans...but cannot take lack of maintenance like a big V8 can now and then.)

 

[Kaylee]

thank y'all for following the link posting rules.

That's one of the rules that is worth swinging Thor's Hammer, IMEO.

Chile posted a well focused question, which is always a delight to read.
Since I'm a malware analyst (among my areas of anti-abuse expertise), I've got the tools to verify that a link is (mostly/somewhat) safe, hence the offer.
Plus, I'm still waiting on my laptop car charger, so... fiddling thumbs and I like to be useful.

Drive by malware is real, and forums with lots of computer novices are a major target of the evil vermin who spread that crud.

end soapbox not-a-rant

JD: have you seen the YT vid that I described as "rage troll"?
I'm not sorry that you are not "worthy" of that title.
I preferred your previous Custom Title, which you are worthy of.

 

[juts-liek]

I saw a good video by one "ForestyForest" about his minivan conversion. Looks surprisingly cozy.

I spent five months last year living in a Nissan Versa Note and though it was an excellent car, it was too small and exposed even for tiny me. If I try it again, it'll be a minivan or an SUV (mainly for travel to backpacking destinations).

Hearsay: I did come across a post somewhere, months ago, saying that the Nissan NV200 (and probably similar vans from Nissan) used a non-standard tire which was available only through dealers, and cost around $200 each. Probably worth checking on.

 

[ChileGirl]

If you seek a used one, make SURE it is a private sale from a private owner who is this anal retentive OCD freak about their home in general...with every slip for every oil change. The premium you pay for this kind of van is pennies compared to popping an engine early.
Any of them that came through the auctions with low miles are not often treated well. Leases that get tossed by the original user. As in, run 28000 miles on the break in oil. (Often is the case.) Why spend more than one HAS to on a car, right? You have been warned.
People who run  non synthetic through those motors for extended periods can also doom them to early death.
(They are decent little vans...but cannot take lack of maintenance like a big V8 can now and then.)

This is really good to know, and I appreciate your insight. I know next to nothing about them. I went to see a used one today (couldn't get in, just looked through the windows), and it's smaller than I imagined. I like the head height, but I don't want to get something that's going to give me problems, considering I'll be a female traveling alone. 

A friend of mine sent me some links to a friend of his who converts Toyota Siennas in my area, and I really like what he does. They're cheaper and easier to come by. I could look at his videos and copy what he did. My only concern is buying a used one with well over 100K miles (which is what I can afford). I'm trying to research the longevity of a Toyota or Honda minivan in the 2003-2008 range. It's so hard to know what to do!

 

[JD GUMBEE]

ChileGirl, what is your vehicle budget?
Cash or financing?