WooHoo...Got Our Van

[WheelEstate USA]

We got the 92 Dodge 15 passenger Van and it drives and runs almost like new. Tom Zinn of Zinn's engine and machining @ Sierra Vista, Az did a great job of getting the van ready for us.
Doesn't look so new with the Arizona sun faded/pealing, but we'll fix that pretty soon. We're very pleased to have it.

We worked our butts off yesterday and today clearing out the motorhome. That was pretty damn eyeopening. All this time we were so proud of ourselves for our minimalistic ways...HA, that was a joke on us. We don't have lots of clothes, so that was no hassle there. When it came to everything else, we found we had more than we need, so we still have some thinning out to do...The van is packed, with just enough room for us to sleep.
We just wanted to get loaded and haul butt over here to Bisbee. I've got a few old friends here. We'll sort some more stuff and make a donation to the local charity thrift. Well be back in Tucson in about a week and will finish giving/selling down to bare minimum before starting the build.

We got to Bisbee about an hour ago, so its time to catch up on something to eat and get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day.

Thanks to all of you for you well wishes and moral support. Now that Margie has actually seen how much room we have to work with her trepidation has eased.

We'll pop in when we have the chance. Next few days will be sightseeing, as Margie hasn't seen Old Bisbee other than the drive thru we took earlier.
Take care, be safe out there.

 

[akrvbob]

Jay, that's wonderful news!! Good things come around to good people!! Looking forward to your build!

That's the same old story for all of us,
WHERE DID ALL THIS STUFF COME FROM!
Bob

 

[Suanne]

Good news! It's been fun being on this journey to find a van with you guys ... looking forward to watching your progress in the months to come. Share lots of pics! Suanne

 

[GotSmart]

Great! Now to play with your new toy~~~

 

[GrinningPanther]

Jay, congratulations to you and Margie!

May you have lots of fun remaking the van into your new home...and finding great roads to explore with it.

GP

 

[PastTense]

Time for someone to change their signature:
Jay & Margie, Bindi (the min-pin), Fulltimers since 8/1/12, 27' Class A 1986 Gulf Stream Classic, Az Snowbirds.

 

[decodancer]

Major congrats! I knew it would work out for you. I can appreciate all the "stuff". It's amazing how much we accumulate even in a small space.

 

[SoulRaven]

I would think since you have a 12’ maxi van you would want to make a queen size bed platform that is as high as possible for storage underneath.

You could build a slide out kitchen out the rear doors.

Reclining front seats on swivel pedestals will be a must for the living room.

 

[Lucky mike]

Good Job Jay!!!!...........Hope it all comes together fast for you and Marge!!!

 

[rvwandering]

Congratulations Jay and Margie! Have fun setting the van up and enjoy your freedom to travel!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

It looks like we'll be getting a small storage unit temporarily so we can re-sort and condense stuff. Right off the bat we left the microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and a couple other 120V things with the RV. Simply didn't have room, so sometimes ya just gotta turn it loose and move on like a happy duck. We'll concentrate on more 12V things, as we plan to rarely hook up to shore power, which will be installed with charger, plus our solar & inverter (which we did keep).
I kept my air horns too

Margie spent a good bit of the night talking about her ideas for the build. Just as I had hoped, she is "clicking" now that she can see how much space we have to work with. Its comforting to me to feel her excitement and ideas beginning to flow.

Mr.Loo...Queen bed won't work with our plan. We're fine with a standard full size bed, as Margie is a small-ish gal, and I'm a skinny guy. Besides, we kept out good Posture-Pedic mattress.

Past Tense...Thanks for the siggie reminder.

Its time for the fun to begin in this new chapter of our fulltime life. I can't tell y'all how much it means to have all you wonderful folks along for the ride.

 

[Patrick46]

Pics man...


WE NEED OUR PICTURES!!!!!!


Congrats on all this working out so well!!

 

[Bela's Mom]

I am so very happy for you both!! I have been anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of your trip to see the van and was glad to read that the van was right for you.

Like everyone else, I will be looking for posts and pictures as you shine that diamond in the rough.

 

[LughTheBard]

Yay! I'm so happy for you guys! Especially happy that Margie's getting excited. I figured she would, but I could tell you were concerned. It'll be so cool for you two to collaborate on the van. And won't it be cool for you to be able to rubberneck when she drives?!! I've got to echo Patrick here. PICTURES!!!! Enjoy Bisbee and I hope to see y'all when you pass through Tucson. Congrats!

Lugh

 

[janncoo]

Jay, Margie, Bindi, Just saw your post. Hooray for all of you. Positive outcome for positive people(and Bindi too)! Can't wait to start seeing your new build.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Real excited for you. Hope it works out well. I'm very interested in watching your build, as I will be starting one in about a month. Post lots of pictures. - Spiff

 

[stude53]

Jay and Margie,
Wonderful news!!
Looking forward to your build!
Jay, take lots of pictures so you can make up some more "How we did it!" videos later
.
Plan it so you can add a hightop later, without having to tear up your build-out too much.
Some of the old TransVans just had standup room over the cooking and shower/potty area, and it made some things so much more pleasant and comfortable. Sleeping and sitting don't have to have high roofs.
It may look a little weird unless you plan for the hightop to start at the back and reach forward as far as you wish.
But not having to fit exactly the extended length may let you find a donor top more easily.

Just some thoughts.

Congratulations,
Bob

 

[PeacefulSoul]

Congratulations to you both!!!! Just think of how much more you can travel after the build! Very excited to see what you do with the space.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Hey there everyone

Well, we had talked of getting a little $25 storage to sort, but we'd only use it for a couple days...so, we decided on a little campground a friend recommended. It made sense to us to have restroom/shower/laundry, and space enough to re-do our packing, which was a mess. Two days for $20 @ tent space with water & 20A elect.
So, everything is now lined up on the ground in the order of re-loading.
Today we're culling & condensing & placing totes and boxes neatly...all labeled.
Our bed will be clear and we can finish our little vaca before getting busy on the build.

Sorry, no pics today. This park is way cool in lots of ways, but the wifi sux this time of month...throttling till the 8th of the month. I've been shooting vids and pics, so I'll get those posted when we go back to town tomorrow.

Stude...we're posting videos on youtube, so I'll post links from town.
For now I'm gonna get off here and get back to work.

Thanks for all your comments.
Y'all take care and be safe out there

 

[katelyn]

Congrats on your new home