Weekend newbie help

[Punch18]

Hi everyone 
My wife and I want to start going away weekly and camping. We are in our 60s we were looking at teardrops but then came across this van stuff. So a few questions is a mini van okay for two of course most of our time will be outdoors. (We sell on eBay so we plan on doing a lot of thrift stores and flea markets) it’s got to have more room than a teardrop right? Any tips our post season to point us towards wouldn’t be greatly appreciated 
Thanks guys

 

[Cammalu]

My opinion is no way Jose. Two in a minivan just ain’t right. Bringing along flea market items is going to add to your distress.

 

[MrNoodly]

Go look at a mini van, fold down all the rear seats, then the two of you lie down on the floor. Is there enough room? Now one of you get up and pretend you need to poop in a bucket. Still enough room? Now imagine doing that with all your living supplies and merchandise in there with you.

I know couples who started out with full size vans. They either got something larger or they're no longer couples.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Punch 18! I have to agree with Cammalu and MrNoodly - way too small for two people. A minivan is small for just one person although many people manage just fine. You have to really organized and a true minimalist. Van dwellers like to say that most of their time is spent outdoors but that often isn't true. Evenings, rainy days, windy days, cold days, days in the city, sick days - all are spent indoors. There are a lot of different options for van dwelling. Watch some of the youtube videos - Bob's and other people's. Read through the forums. Come back and ask more questions.

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.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[ckelly78z]

Possibly a minivan pulling a small cargo trailer for your "merch".

 

[Trebor English]

I too was considering a small trailer.  I was looking under the back end of my mini-van to figure out how to attach a hitch when it struck me.  I stood up and the open back door struck the back of my head.  The back door of my mini-van is just like the back door of a teardrop. 

I have had two in my mini-van but not for long.  After being alone it was quite a squish to get a second person in there.  Weekend camping is different from longer term so it might work if you start with two.

There are web sites just about mini-van camping. 
https://minivancamper.tumblr.com/tableofcontents

 

[Punch18]

Thanks everyone for your responses
Punch

 

[eDJ_]

Hello, and welcome to the CRVL Forums  

You may want to look at my first link below which deals with converting a standard size utility Van for what you are talking about doing.   My first Van came to me via way of my Dad and he had built it out in a very basic fashion.  It was a shorter wheel base model and was room enough for me and still enough when I had girl friends with me. Photos of it in my profile. 

One thing you'll realize early on is that an awning down one side will vastly improve the sense of room and space.  If you pull up next to a picnic table and haul the awning out over it could make all the room you would need.   I always set up the Coleman stove on one end of the picnic table where I could stand and cook, prep and store cooked foods at mid table, and serve at the other end.  I often set the 36 qt ice chest on the end of the seat near the cooking stove and used the flat top of it as a prep surface.  If you are still mainly in the sticks & bricks,  you can pre prep some foods that will only need to be heated up to eat.  You don't want to spend all of your time cooking in camp.  This will address a method of thinking for meal planning for a short to long weekend or even a week's vacation. (in which case you may need a 48 qt or larger ice chest)  

My Van wasn't insulated so I carried a Coleman Catalytic Heater and didn't stay in it if it was much below  45 degrees F. 
I listened closely to the weather forecast anytime I was out in order to be aware of hazardous conditions.  Although I didn't camp in it during the winter months I did travel in it.   It is nice to have some place you can go to to change clothes, rest a bit, fix a bite to eat while traveling....but be in a motel when it gets way below freezing during the night.   This was my system.

 

[VanFan]

I know couples who started out with full size vans. They either got something larger or they're no longer couples.

There are, of course, exceptions.  We have travelled in a full-size low top for 12 years, and can't imagine anything working better (except, maybe, a high top?).  Our excursions are not longer than 30 days at a time, and we strenuously avoid nasty weather.  Most nights are in established camping areas--sometimes with showers and electric service.  As of this afternoon, we still love each other, too!  Now the Prius...  That could end it.

 

[maki2]

My recommendation. before you make up your mind to buy something. Rent a minivan for a weekend and go camping in it. Make sure the minivan you rent has seats in the rear that fold down into a level floor. Then rent a full size cargo van and go camping in it. When you have an investment that requires thousands of dollars don't guess, take it for a weekend excursion test spin.

 

[Punch18]

Thanks everyone. Not looking to full time just quick getaways. A lot to learn. Great site
Punch

 

[Punch18]

Hi
Love the site staying busy reading it. Do you guys think a mini van rig is okay for camping for two or to small
Punch

 

[GypsyJan]

A minivan can work for two for weekend camping, especially if it is just for sleeping. If you have a screened dining tent, too, you will only need to be in the minivan for naps or at night. The dining tent needs to be large enough to fit over picnic tables at camp grounds, so you can cook, eat , etc. in shade or out of the rain.

If you don't plan to camp at campgrounds or forests where you can set up a dining tent, then the minivan may be too small for two. However, there are many videos showing a set up for two in a minivan, using a platform with the bed on top and storage below.

I travel solo, so I use a cot in my RAV4 with a set up for a rear galley (like tear drops have), So I don't have to set up a tent if I am not at a campground. If I am at a campground for a night or two, I have a small dome tent but not for sleeping. I still sleep in the car on the cot and put table, chair, beach umbrella, bins of gear, etc. in the tent to give me more room in the car.

If I am at a campground for a week or so, I use my SUV tent. It is like a small cabin and I can either put the cot there to sleep on, or leave it in the car and use the tent for stand up room and dining room, plus it gives ventilation to the cargo area of the car with the hatch door open into the SUV tent. I have a Bass Pro Shop deluxe kitchen and a LifeTime folding table and make a wall of cubbies in the tent by turning milk crates (used to lug my camping gear) on their sides. A mini van is what you make of it, either by minimalizing or by accessories. It is doable for two. So if it is what you already have, then use it for now and upgrade later...or not, if it works fine for you

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Having done this for 5 years with guest for two week stints a couple times a year, here's how it is doable,
Without killing each other. But you really have to like each other and get along which is true whatever size rig you have.
A minivan is basically a bedroom with storage, sufficient for living out of. A twin mattress will fit in there and it's cozy. As you mentioned, it would be to live OUT of, not in for extended periods.
If the bulk of your time is traveling, sleeping and visiting, minivan can work since most of your time is spent out and about.

For smaller stature bodies it works sufficiently.
Active sleepers probably not so much.
Poor weather, not so much.
As mentioned above, get a screen tent, tent, tarp awning to increase living space outdoors. Raised and pull out bed platform for storage, and Max space utility with roof top storage.
For on the road sleeping and travel, it is Max space with Max mpg for min cost. Minivans are out of Vogue and can pick them up at bargain prices cause everyone wants an SUV or pickup.
Toyota Sienna is the reliable vehicle of choice fyi.

Next step up would be a pickup with slide in.
As mentioned, rent one and try it to see if it works for you.