The 1% of me that is still waffling

[mothercoder]

I found this while allowing my analysis paralysis to roam free. Thoughts? https://www.icarsphilly.com/mobile/mdetails.aspx?VID=13225482

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Nice! Going to check it out?

 

[Almost There]

Looks to be in good shape and the mileage is low enough.

Price isn't bad for what it is.

Good engine, I really like my 5.7 for it's guts and it's mileage.

It's been shined up real pretty...

My problems with buying a conversion van like that are these:

-you still don't have true standing room in it unless you're really, really short- it's a TV top not a high top.
- you're paying for all that fancy woodwork, tv/audio equipment and 2 extra captains chairs and the rear seat that you're more than likely to be ripping out.
- it's a 1500 (1/2 ton) so despite the hitch and 7 way hook up on the back, your towing capacity and load capacity is rather compromised.

OTOH, finding something that you like can be exhausting even when you know what you're looking for.

 

[velojym]

Nice van!

 

[mothercoder]

I'm okay with not having true standing room. A true high top would most likely require me to insulate & finish and I can't do that with my physical limitations. So if I don't go with a cargo trailer, it would either be a conversion van or convert my Suburban, which would have less head room.

It's in Pittsburgh so I wouldn't be able to go until next weekend.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

There so much a person can do with that type of van. Fairly well insulated. I love the interior wood, gives a warm feeling.

That year and mileage, the price can go for well over 10k here.

 

[user 37446]

I like it, of course that platform is probably my personal favorite.  If the miles check out, no or little rust, and all systems work, then it's just price.  He's a bit high but then he's a dealer...  Ask for the Carfax/Autocheck that they pay for, get a lot more pics, and take a friend. Overall I would like that vehicle, color, mid top, drivetrain.  

I thought you had ordered the little cargo trailer thing, still wondering?  It seemed like a lot of $ to buy that trailer, but that's just me.

I hope that you find the van soon, and that you don't waste a trip to Philly. Call before you go to verify, but don't seem to anxious. They know you are interested just cause of the distance, so they have a better negotiating position.

Fingers crossed for ya'!

 

[mothercoder]

I like it, of course that platform is probably my personal favorite.  If the miles check out, no or little rust, and all systems work, then it's just price.  He's a bit high but then he's a dealer...  Ask for the Carfax/Autocheck that they pay for, get a lot more pics, and take a friend. Overall I would like that vehicle, color, mid top, drivetrain.  

I thought you had ordered the little cargo trailer thing, still wondering?  It seemed like a lot of $ to buy that trailer, but that's just me.

I hope that you find the van soon, and that you don't waste a trip to Philly. Call before you go to verify, but don't seem to anxious. They know you are interested just cause of the distance, so they have a better negotiating position.

Fingers crossed for ya'!

I had not ordered the trailer yet so I'm not locked into anything. The trailer would be customized: insulated, finished walls/ceiling/floor, electrical plugs, 4 windows, RV door, wired for solar and a roof bent installed. But I'm not sure that's the way I'll go. 

Unfortunately, no friends who are available to go along but I think I'll wait a bit until I have more cash saved.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

My problems with buying a conversion van like that are these:...

...- you're paying for all that fancy woodwork, tv/audio equipment and 2 extra captains chairs and the rear seat that you're more than likely to be ripping out.

What he said, but not just for cost but for weight consideration in general.
There is a lot of decoration and fluff in conversion vans that adds not inconsiderable weight.
They build them to look nice and feel nice in a showroom and they certainly don't consider weight savings. 

A friend with an older E-150 conversion with an actual, scale-verified curb weight of 5380lbs with a full tank of gas.
The max GVWR is 6050.

That means he could only carry a total of 670lbs of people, cargo and luggage in his conversion van.
He weighed just under 200, his wife was a little less so before he set out on a trip, he was already limited to 300lbs of cargo capacity!
Bring along a good sized-dog and a kid and you are at max capacity!
That's without groceries, luggage, etc.

The stock curb weight was 4650lbs, so the conversion added 730lbs to his van!
And a fair amount of that is above the COG!
We estimated the wood reinforced fiberglass high top, oak front entertainment center, old-school tube TV's (two), AM/FM cassette radio and 6 speakers, all mounted at the roof line added around 400+lbs!

These are numbers you want to consider with your purchase and you intended use.  
Weight kills your fuel economy, hurts handling and limits cargo and towing capacities.
Consider this in your van build.

 

[mothercoder]

What he said, but not just for cost but for weight consideration in general.
There is a lot of decoration and fluff in conversion vans that adds not inconsiderable weight.
They build them to look nice and feel nice in a showroom and they certainly don't consider weight savings. 

A friend with an older E-150 conversion with an actual, scale-verified curb weight of 5380lbs with a full tank of gas.
The max GVWR is 6050.

That means he could only carry a total of 670lbs of people, cargo and luggage in his conversion van.
He weighed just under 200, his wife was a little less so before he set out on a trip, he was already limited to 300lbs of cargo capacity!
Bring along a good sized-dog and a kid and you are at max capacity!
That's without groceries, luggage, etc.

The stock curb weight was 4650lbs, so the conversion added 730lbs to his van!
And a fair amount of that is above the COG!
We estimated the wood reinforced fiberglass high top, oak front entertainment center, old-school tube TV's (two), AM/FM cassette radio and 6 speakers, all mounted at the roof line added around 400+lbs!

These are numbers you want to consider with your purchase and you intended use.  
Weight kills your fuel economy, hurts handling and limits cargo and towing capacities.
Consider this in your van build.

Understood but when you're physically limited on what you can build yourself and don't have the means to pay someone else to do it, you are limited in what you can put yourself into.

 

[jonsun]

hmmm IDK I'd have to see a few more pics of the outside

 

[drysailor]

Understood but when you're physically limited on what you can build yourself and don't have the means to pay someone else to do it, you are limited in what you can put yourself into.

Hi Mothercoder - while I haven't followed all your posts, from what I do remember, you likely are physically limited on what you can build yourself, and likely are not able to pay someone else to custom build for you. Since you do have a good vehicle (Suburban?) is it worth reconsidering a used smallish travel trailer? I often see 18-20' TTs that are weekended for a while when new, then parked for some time, for $5k or so and not beat into the ground.  Being solo gives you a lot more freedom than a couple.
If you can buy smart, and it's not a complete money hole, could you try it for a year or so, then just sell it if it's not for you?

 

[mothercoder]

Hi Mothercoder - while I haven't followed all your posts, from what I do remember, you likely are physically limited on what you can build yourself, and likely are not able to pay someone else to custom build for you. Since you do have a good vehicle (Suburban?) is it worth reconsidering a used smallish travel trailer? I often see 18-20' TTs that are weekended for a while when new, then parked for some time, for $5k or so and not beat into the ground.  Being solo gives you a lot more freedom than a couple.
If you can buy smart, and it's not a complete money hole, could you try it for a year or so, then just sell it if it's not for you?

I have thought about that and it's a consideration.  However, it's very unlikely I would find one in the DC area.  This is not an RV-friendly area and whatever is available is usually over-priced or there's a lot of competition for it.  I thought about just heading out with the Suburban and my stuff in it and keep an eye on postings along the way west and maybe come upon a good deal.  I definitely don't want anything that has water damage or will fall apart on me.  I have a friend who bought a used Class C and it was fine so long as she wasn't traveling.  But as soon as she did her first long trip, it started coming apart at the seams.  A small trailer that has been cared for would be fine and I'm sure no one else is looking for one of those, right?  LOL  But honestly I do see a lot of them in the western half of the US that look like potential good choices.  I'd have to hope I'm traveling through an area where one happens to come available.  A lot of star aligning.  My sister did say I could stay with them for a month or two while I look for what I want.  That would be in Carson Valley, NV and there's much more available within decent drivings distance from there.

 

[tx2sturgis]

hmmm IDK I'd have to see a few more pics of the outside

lol....yeah we need another 100 pics of that one.

I nearly wore out the mouse scroll wheel!

 

[user 37446]

just south of you a bit in North Carolina you'd likely find plenty of trailers. South Carolina and Ten. aren't too far away. You dont have to come out west. Yes trailer roofs do leak and the SE has lots of rain but not all are bad and it's not that difficult to spot. There's some who paint and try to hide the stains, just avoid anything with a painted ceiling.  My first TT had a painted ceiling and I was too "green" to imagine why...

 

[mothercoder]

just south of you a bit in North Carolina you'd likely find plenty of trailers. South Carolina and Ten. aren't too far away. You dont have to come out west. Yes trailer roofs do leak and the SE has lots of rain but not all are bad and it's not that difficult to spot. There's some who paint and try to hide the stains, just avoid anything with a painted ceiling.  My first TT had a painted ceiling and I was too "green" to imagine why...

Okay, I'll check it out.  I only said I'd check out west because that's where I'm headed anyway.

 

[trailsailor]

Get in the suburban and go! The answers you seek are in the doing. You might find that you love it, or the opposite. You never know til you go. And geez o Pete who WOULDN'T want to get out of Wash D.C.?!

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[user 37446]

On the Phoenix by owner rv CL there’s this older one, pics show a bunk model”

“Hi I am selling my 1984 Fleetwood resort fully self contained. Awning in good condition sleeps 6-8 comfortable. has cold A/C and heater also works everything in working order tires like new 2 propane tanks and battery lots of storage space please call for more info.”
show contact info
$2900 OBO 

• [font=Arial, sans-serif]do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers[/font]

[font=Arial, sans-serif][font=Arial, sans-serif]post id: [size=x-small]6370960952tel:6370960952[/font][/font][/size]

And here is your solar system, just need the battery. If I could use 4 panels I’d get it myself:

I AM LISTING FOR A FRIEND, 4- KYOCERA 140/WATTS EACH PANEL/WITH JUNCTION BOXES. A 5000 WATT DC TO AC INVERTER, AND A C40-C SERIES MUULTIFUNCTION DC CONTROLLER, MIDNIGHT SOLAR BREAKER BOX RATED FOR 150 VDC- 120 AMPS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ADD YOUR OWN STORAGE BATTERY. THIS SYSTEM IS A 25 YEAR WARRANTEED SYSTEM, WITH 20 YEARS LEFT ON THE SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM WOULD COST MORE THAN $2,500.00 TO REPLACE. HAVE THE RECIEPTS ALSO. $900.00 FIRM, CASH ONLY AND LOCAL PICK UP ONLY. TEXT ONLY PLEASE
show contact info
do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
post id: 6364745494

 

[user 37446]

Probably a scam but if not this is what you should buy: also on Phoenix CL

[size=large]2004 Scamp 16' Standard Travel Trailer - $2500 (59/mcdowell)  [/size]

[size=large]New uphoulstery,
-New Hand made curtains
-Replaced all bulbs as required
-New Spare Tire Cover (Original one included)
textme at _ show contact info _ 
[/size]

• [font=Arial, sans-serif]do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers[/font]

[size=large][font=Arial, sans-serif][font=Arial, sans-serif]post id: [size=x-small]6329913101tel:6329913101[/font][/font][/size][/size]

 

[mothercoder]

Probably a scam but if not this is what you should buy: also on Phoenix CL

[size=large]2004 Scamp 16' Standard Travel Trailer - $2500 (59/mcdowell)  [/size]

[size=large]New uphoulstery,
-New Hand made curtains
-Replaced all bulbs as required
-New Spare Tire Cover (Original one included)
textme at _ show contact info _ 
[/size]

• [font=Arial, sans-serif]do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers[/font]

[size=large][font=Arial, sans-serif][font=Arial, sans-serif]post id: [size=x-small]6329913101tel:6329913101[/font][/font][/size][/size]

A 2004 16' Scamp for $2500?  Definitely a scam.