eDJ_
Well-known member
How many times have I heard this question asked of me ? Plenty believe me.
So many friends and guys I've met on the road have asked me how I went about
making my Van into a Camper for overnight trips, week end getaways, or even taking
an extended vacation in. Some say that they aren't that handy or don't own power tools
or basically want what I have but don't know how go go about making it happen.
So I finally broke down and set up a website that I'm using here at "Cheap RV Living" as my
home page and signature line.
But websites have their limits with just photos, sketches, and text.
Here is the website by the way:
http://vanconversion.homestead.com/
My approach is in taking a bare bones Van and first making paper templates of the floor starting just behind the front seats to the rear doors. This will be used to cut ply wood flooring or thick masonite to attach to the
floor with stainless steel screws. Carpeting will be cut using that same template even if it is several pieces
attached at the back side with wide Duct Tape.
The floor plan I use places the bed across the back end supported by the wheel wells. In my Van I used 2X4's
attached to the ribs of the sides and supported a full size Hollywood metal Bed Frame on that. A Plywood
panel was cut to lay into this and covered with carpet so I could install a Vynil Air Bed On top of it. A 2X4 box
was built to support it in the middle such that the box could have masonite fixed to the sides for a storage
box. On either side plastic bins were placed for storage of clothing, bedding, and towels etc.
The next item is a combination of items to satisfy the requirements of a Motor Home or Van Conversion here in Ohio. I call it a Cabinet. The top holds a two basin sink, small and shallow, and a two burner propane gas
cook stove. Water is delivered by a small inexpensive plastic pump that runs off 12 V supplied by a spare car battery and the water is contained in a plastic 5 gallon Jerry tank. A toggle switch powers up the faucet so that there is running water. The sinks are plumbed to empty to the ground outside or if there is disposal facilities, then into it. The Cabinet doors allow access to the two shelves inside. On the left door is mounted a fold out table where folding camp chairs would provide seating. My refrigeration is provided by a 36 qt ice chest.
I own a Thetford chemical toilet that I can talke along too. (if necessary)
I've also designed a roll out awning (see website) using a set of ladder racks and a long piece of electricians conduit. On this is an 8X10 blue plastic tarp. In the end of the conduit I mounted a socket with 3/8 inch drive
and placed an eye bold through it to secure it to the conduit. By using a crank handle, extension, and flexible
drive I can connect to the conduit and roll in the awning quite easily.
At a glance, it looks like a work vehicle. So it is quite stealthy. I have a 4 inch piece of plastic pipe that I painted silver and I slide this over the awning when rolled up so it looks like some kind of tube for carrying
whatever anyone could imagine. It doesn't look like the typical awning you would see on an RV.
Believe me this project was a lot easier to create than creating the website and creating this thread. LOL
Each State sort of has it's own requirements for Licensing/Titling a Van as a RV or Motor Home etc. Often the
cost of license and insurance is lower than it would be on a commercial vehicle. In Ohio a 1 ton Van must be licensed as a Commercial Vehicle.
If one reads my Profile they can see how I evolved this design so I would have an RV and could
empty the Van to use on the Job. Yes I know it says "Permanitely Installed" but I've never been pulled
over for an on the spot inspection.
This is all about building a low end starter RV Van for young people or those who have to bail out and find themselves immediate housing and mobility perhaps due to a divorce or other misfortune.
So if anyone wants to discuss or ask questions or make suggestions this is the thread created for it.
I'd welcome any thoughts or contributions. It all goes to helping others get stated.
So many friends and guys I've met on the road have asked me how I went about
making my Van into a Camper for overnight trips, week end getaways, or even taking
an extended vacation in. Some say that they aren't that handy or don't own power tools
or basically want what I have but don't know how go go about making it happen.
So I finally broke down and set up a website that I'm using here at "Cheap RV Living" as my
home page and signature line.
But websites have their limits with just photos, sketches, and text.
Here is the website by the way:
http://vanconversion.homestead.com/
My approach is in taking a bare bones Van and first making paper templates of the floor starting just behind the front seats to the rear doors. This will be used to cut ply wood flooring or thick masonite to attach to the
floor with stainless steel screws. Carpeting will be cut using that same template even if it is several pieces
attached at the back side with wide Duct Tape.
The floor plan I use places the bed across the back end supported by the wheel wells. In my Van I used 2X4's
attached to the ribs of the sides and supported a full size Hollywood metal Bed Frame on that. A Plywood
panel was cut to lay into this and covered with carpet so I could install a Vynil Air Bed On top of it. A 2X4 box
was built to support it in the middle such that the box could have masonite fixed to the sides for a storage
box. On either side plastic bins were placed for storage of clothing, bedding, and towels etc.
The next item is a combination of items to satisfy the requirements of a Motor Home or Van Conversion here in Ohio. I call it a Cabinet. The top holds a two basin sink, small and shallow, and a two burner propane gas
cook stove. Water is delivered by a small inexpensive plastic pump that runs off 12 V supplied by a spare car battery and the water is contained in a plastic 5 gallon Jerry tank. A toggle switch powers up the faucet so that there is running water. The sinks are plumbed to empty to the ground outside or if there is disposal facilities, then into it. The Cabinet doors allow access to the two shelves inside. On the left door is mounted a fold out table where folding camp chairs would provide seating. My refrigeration is provided by a 36 qt ice chest.
I own a Thetford chemical toilet that I can talke along too. (if necessary)
I've also designed a roll out awning (see website) using a set of ladder racks and a long piece of electricians conduit. On this is an 8X10 blue plastic tarp. In the end of the conduit I mounted a socket with 3/8 inch drive
and placed an eye bold through it to secure it to the conduit. By using a crank handle, extension, and flexible
drive I can connect to the conduit and roll in the awning quite easily.
At a glance, it looks like a work vehicle. So it is quite stealthy. I have a 4 inch piece of plastic pipe that I painted silver and I slide this over the awning when rolled up so it looks like some kind of tube for carrying
whatever anyone could imagine. It doesn't look like the typical awning you would see on an RV.
Believe me this project was a lot easier to create than creating the website and creating this thread. LOL
Each State sort of has it's own requirements for Licensing/Titling a Van as a RV or Motor Home etc. Often the
cost of license and insurance is lower than it would be on a commercial vehicle. In Ohio a 1 ton Van must be licensed as a Commercial Vehicle.
Motor Home Ohio
Ohio title requirements.
Currently in Ohio, you no longer have to take the vehicle to the State Patrol
barracks for an inspection prior to a title change to a motor home. Now there is a
form you have to get from the county courthouse title bureau called a "affidavit
conversion to motor home" and fill it out and have it notarized and returned to the
courthouse. The form they gave me is "BMV 3804 5/86". I would be glad to post a copy
if somebody can tell me how to get a pic to upload into the thread. At that point
they will issue you a new title as a motorhome. There is a $15 fee for printing the
new title and you are in business. Go to the deputy registrar with your new title
and you can purchase motor home license plates.
Our Ohio form asks for 4 specific things to qualify as a motor home:
1. Facilities for cold storage of food: (specify)
ice box or refrigerator
2. Facilities for cooking of food: (specify)
range top or oven
3. Facilities for consumption of food:
table with seating
4. Facilities for sleeping
bed
They are very clear "that the equipment necessary to qualify such motor vehicle to
be titled and registered as a motor home has been permanently installed and attached
to the motor vehicle". That means a cooler, bbq grill, and sleeping bag do not
qualify. It is an old form (1986) and has not been updated, so I am not sure if you
can skate with a microwave "oven" or if you need a real built in deal. I am planning
on a gas range top just to be sure.
If one reads my Profile they can see how I evolved this design so I would have an RV and could
empty the Van to use on the Job. Yes I know it says "Permanitely Installed" but I've never been pulled
over for an on the spot inspection.
This is all about building a low end starter RV Van for young people or those who have to bail out and find themselves immediate housing and mobility perhaps due to a divorce or other misfortune.
So if anyone wants to discuss or ask questions or make suggestions this is the thread created for it.
I'd welcome any thoughts or contributions. It all goes to helping others get stated.