Whos has the best van setup?

[East]

Yeah living in a van isn't for everyone. Thankfully though the market has a ton of options for everyone.

 

[rvpopeye]

Ideally everybody has the perfect van , for them.
OK , it might not be a van but you get the idea..

Only you can find the perfect rig , for you.

Now getting that on the first try , priceless !
Keep reading for ideas.

Try this. Go on a long backpacking trip (oh , say a thousand miles...and when you get back ,,,,pretty much anything will seem like the Taj Mahal !

 

[Cammalu]

I still haven't bought a van it do have campers I spend hours on line looking at different class B vans trying to figure out which one would be right for me and have enough storage. I don't want to get stuck like so many stacking stuff on the roof, towing a trailer or have boxes hanging off the bumper. To me that would defeat my whole purpose of having a van. May as well get something a little bigger that could hold everything I want to have with me and everything have its own space including me. I have hobbies I don't intend to give up either and that will require a bit more space. I pretty much have in my head what I'd like for an interior but I've yet to find my exact fit without a major custom build

 

[Cammalu]

So far I'm really leaning towards a Travato Class B

It's has a compressor refrigerator, expandable solar system, trumba air/water heater which takes the place of a hot water heater and heating system, and tons of USB charging .

The layout is open and airy

And I like the rear bath

I still don't see enough storage...

 

[VJG1977]

That is easy, Terry White from 123 Maple Street, Westborough, New Hampshire, without a doubt.

OK, how many people googled this address?

 

[wagoneer]

That baby gonna set you back a few. Looks very comfortable like a nice pair of Italian shoes.

 

[Canine]

Personally,I don't think that's a van.

 

[karenishere]

I've come to a conclusion ,  Living in even a hightop Is like wearing shoes that are too small for you .
From my calculations you need to be 5ft 3 inch tall or shorter and preferably thin build and have things super super organized to live comfortably long term .
And the 5 ft 3 inch means only reflectix for insulation at top and foot of bed.

Funny, I'm just a little over 5' and probably starting to shrink :s and I have come to similar conclusion.  The biggest struggle in choosing a set-up is that my husband is about 6', but he's not really into the whole mobile life thing (yet!) so ... get a vehicle that fits me, or get a vehicle that fits both of us.  I finally settled on a middle way, about the smallest commercial class B I could find; he can just stand as long as he keeps his hair short, will fit on the bed if I put an extending box at the end. Road trips for me, weekend camping for both of us.  Not sure even as a nearly-little-person if this would be big enough for full time living though, the storage is pathetic.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

That actually dscribes the setup I'm using now . , I have to move my kitchen to get to my shower . I have to move a storage to get to my inside my propane locker.

Shower?? well you would  likely gain 20% more living space if you got rid of that luxury, bicycles chain saws, hobbies, if you are planning on becoming an astronaut you are not likely going to be able to bring your flash stainless steel bbq to Mars. Not everyone can be an Astronaut. Living in  van is a small step up from backpacking.

 

[Mobilesport]

Flying kurbmaster
Can you show us a picture of your setup?

 

[flying kurbmaster]

sure why not here is the main station  

this is one of the landing modules

 

[Cammalu]

That baby gonna set you back a few. Looks very comfortable like a nice pair of Italian shoes.

Looking at Class B vans this one is about the cheapest actually that I've found. It's not a high end model like what the road treks are but does offer some tech advantages. It seems very roomy with the rear bath not clogging up the interior.

I like the twin beds as I will probably have family members and friends aboard from time to time.

I really don't want to tow anything as its a pita with parking and all that. I'd go back to my campers if I wanted to do all that again.

Anyone else see any obvious problems or advantages with the Travato?

I've been spending long hours on this forum and also looking around at the different Class Bs so I can make an informed decision and I would love to have input. I need to do this right the first time.

Here is a lengthy video about the Travato if anyone has the inclination and time to peruse or help

 

[Rugster]

That Travato looks nice but except for the toilet and shower, the interior is pretty much the same as my old '89 van Well, it is a lot nicer looking, but the same set up.

Wow, just googled them, 78k for a used model. I'll keep my $1,000 van

 

[Cammalu]

Rugster you can get a new one under 70 with a bit of haggling. If you compare that to the price of a Roadtrek or any number of other B vans you'll see that 70 is about half or even less than what the others are costing now. I've really been looking. I guess when you start the Chassis of the Sprinter or Dodge at about 50 then it's not a long stretch to get to 70 when you add all the living arrangement stuff.

That's just what the dang things cost now. I'm not happy with the what I've been reading about the Sprinter platforms and even the Promasters are quirky but there aren't a lot of other choices. They aren't building much on the Transit yet but I'm still looking.

 

[highdesertranger]

if I were to spend 70k on a class b, I would just bump it up to a Tiger 4x4. highdesertranger

 

[Cammalu]

OH WOW!! I looked that up and yes that's nice. I'd love 4wd too. But....$164,000 for a 2012 used one is quite a bump up from 70 new...

My ideal would be a 4wd class B with solar and tech that does require any set up like pop up roofs (Sportsmobile). Two beds. It's a difficult thing to find.

 

[BigT]

sure why not here is the main station  

this is one of the landing modules

Wow, that interior looks great!  I must have missed the part about what kind of vehicle that's built on.  What does the outside look like?

 

[highdesertranger]

you must have looked at the big ones my buddy bought one brand new a couple of years ago for the low 90k price range. he and his wife will come to RTR the first weekend, also Mock Turtle a member here has one. highdesertranger

 

[rvpopeye]

I've got a buddy that bought a 2015 Tiger Bengal 4x4 on a dodge 1 ton chassis w/ cummins power ,composting toilet, satellite dish .He spends his time traveling all around the country hunting and fishing ,,,total rig envy, but when I found out how much $$ my envy turned to NEVER MIND ! Still a sweet ride, (I did ask him to leave it to me in his will , no joy, his boy will be a happy camper though!)

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Looking at Class B vans this one is about the cheapest actually that I've found.   It's not a high end model like what the road treks are but does offer some tech advantages.  It seems very roomy with the rear bath not clogging up the interior.

I like the twin beds as I will probably have family members and friends aboard from time to time.

I really don't want to tow anything as its a pita with parking and all that.  I'd go back to my campers if I wanted to do all that again.

Anyone else see any obvious problems or advantages with the Travato?  

I've been spending long hours on this forum and also looking around at the different Class Bs so I can make an informed decision and I would love to have input.   I need to do this right the first time.

Here is a lengthy video about the Travato if anyone has the inclination and time to peruse or help

it is a very nice looking rig inside and out, a good size to drive and park, looks very comfortable, has a lot of bells and whistles, although for me it a little sanitary inside, I am sure you could add a few souvenirs along the way to make it a bit more homey. If you can afford it and plan on using it, I am sure this rig will give you many years of adventure.