Temporary use of a cargo van?

[daminc]

Ive been of and on this forum getting great ideas for converting my well maintained 60,000 mile 2003 E-250, but what if you only use it a handful of weeks a year as a rv/ camper van, and the rest of the time it's your work van?<br><br>My van is registered as commercial, with NY commercial plates on it. I use it for my cabinet making business. I also want to possibly put a high top on it for the extra work storage. My thought is to make a travel van complete with a 2X3' toilet area for emergencies, storage cabinets, and convertible bed just in case... The wife and I dont plan to live in it daily, we would be stopping at motels for the night, and cruise in comfort. Everything in the van for travel would be totally un-boltable and removable to still use the van as my everyday work van. My main reason for posting is..... what do I need to be concerned about doing this? its registered commercial, and not as a class b or RV, and listed as Van on my title. &nbsp;The van is also lettered on both sides for my business. and I believe its registered for maximum payload weight for its class. So the really big question is... should I change the class of the vehicle? and if I do, could I still use it for my main work van as a B class van? Or do I need to find another truck or van for what I want to do legally?<br><br>my van now<br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/b290d9e1-622b-40a4-aa4d-12a672af6f3d_zpsce7d124d.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[wagoneer]

I have the same needs but a little different as my working days are ending and my days on the fly increasing, I will take a more flex-able build the only hard wired item will be the battery box and controller all 12 volt system No blocked windows or blocked doors the only other furniture may be a bunk bed still allowing a 6 x 6 ft fleamarket&nbsp;<br>stuff tables etc area. The silver jewelry making /living area will be very flexible &nbsp;and WELCOME by the way. Some areas commercial plates are not as welcome as res plates I will be going with res plates but my needs differ from most people In SF commercial plates in a residential area are suspect.<div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[sparky1]

I have a 86 chevy "work G20&nbsp;Van",Rack on top,&nbsp;I also have a built in potty ,on the driver side a fold up Plywood bed Frame-(cushions at home when Working),(second battery)under van right side for accessories,.I retired, but I can still use the van either way.115 Receptacle hookup on driver side if power available,to small battery charger,I have a 5 watt solar panel i keep on the dash too.when van just sits.<BR>sparky1in s.Va.

 

[daminc]

do you think I would draw less attention with passenger plates and no name on the van?

 

[rokguy]

&nbsp;<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Yep, you could easily build a fold up bed and removable galley in your work van.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I personally would leave the signwriting / plates as they are. Sometimes the opposite to stealth works out better&nbsp;as&nbsp;people think you're simply working away on the road, besides its good advertising for your business. In fact I would make the sign graphics stand out more, that way its a kind of reverse&nbsp;stealth.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[daminc]

Reverse stealth.... interesting idea. &nbsp;I suppose no one would really expect it to be a living space on wheels that way... I actually told my wife that I could pack my tools in it, and do projects for family and friends across the country. She thought it was a great idea. They would easily stow under the sofas or bed. a small trailer could work for larger jobs where more tools are required.<br><br>I met a guy that installed walk in showers across the US for a company He basically traveled in his truck pulling his tools from state to state every week. He had an 8' trailer that he could put sheets of plywood in&nbsp;<br><br>now the wheels are spinning in my head

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi daminc,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">&nbsp;Reverse stealth is good, works for me. I work the eastcoast of Australia in my trucks. pictured.&nbsp;My&nbsp;web&nbsp;link might give you some ideas <A href="http://stonemasoncarver.com/ecofriendly.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://stonemasoncarver.com/ecofriendly.html</A></SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><BR>If your vehicle remains commercial I think you can claim back a fuel rebate in the U.S (we have a Diesel fuel subsidy here for working interstate vehicles.) worth checking.&nbsp;</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><BR>Geoff<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlepod2_at_belmont3-420x296.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/new_LEDs_4-465x345.jpg" rel="lightbox"></SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[wagoneer]

great rig are you on the road now I am a "wanabee on the road now"

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Did you mean me wagoneer ?</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[wagoneer]

Yes you.

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi wagoneer,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Yes I've been OTR for the last 20 years but have recently bought a base acre of land to store my toys.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Did you click on the posted web link, that might explain what I do better.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Seraphim]

What's the penalty if you get caught using a truck with non-commercial tags as a commercial work truck?

 

[wagoneer]

I will do that thanx.

 

[daminc]

Penalty would only be a fine for being overweight if your cargo exceeds registration weight limit. My van is registered at a higher weight class then a passenger registration. My ford ranger is also registered that way

 

[daminc]

Weight on my registration is listed as 8600 lbs