Your opinions on this van please?

[WanderingCanuck]

I'm considering this for purchase and would greatly appreciate some input.

Note the price is CANADIAN dollars, and from my observation over the past few months is in line or lower than the average for age/condition locally.

I really like the cabinets, but I'd have to pull everything out to insulate. I'm not convinced they'd fit back in as nicely. Also they might not be as nice in reality.

The electric heat/cool is... interesting but I'm skeptical. Any thoughts on what's inside and how much value I give it?  Same question for the inverter/charger.

Note also I don't plan on heating with electric. It's more the cooling option that's intriguing.

The damage looks fixable and I think I would to prevent rust and not be as noticeable.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...aster-2500-high-roof-with-warranty/1373887195

 

[WanderingCanuck]

I should also say that I plan to use a hammock, so the "bed" can be disregarded.

 

[VanForNow]

I should also say that I plan to use a hammock, so the "bed" can be disregarded.

As a hiker with hammock experience, this sleeping system has some pros and cons. When the night temp drops below about 70 degrees, an insulating layer beneath you is needed to avoid what hammockers call CBS ("Cold Butt Syndrome"). As the temp continues to drop, more elaborate and expensive insulation is required to stay warm. In summary, a conventional van bunk may be more comfortable & less expensive than a hammock, except in the heat of the summer.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

As a hiker with hammock experience, this sleeping system has some pros and cons. 

Fair warning, thanks. I've already been experimenting with this part and it has been working out well. I may include a conventional "guest" bed, or maybe a camp cot. Primarily this is a single person setup though.

I mentioned it more to head off comments about how uncomfortable the bed/bench looks.

 

[Almost There]

What engine is in it?

I also believe it's a 1500 (1/2 ton version) so your weight is going to have to be kept way, way down.

The bench is seating only, not meant for sleeping (way too narrow). You'll be ripping it out in no time. And you're right, once those cabinets come out to insulate behind they may not fit back in the way they do now. All of which  means you're paying for something you're not going to be using.

Be forewarned that sleeping in a hammock in a van means that you  have to have almost no cabinetry in place at all. To get a hammock hung correctly you'll have to go corner to corner after reinforcing those corners. CBS is easily solved with the use of underquilts..nothing to worry about right now. If you've never hung before, head over to hammockforums.net and start reading there. There's as much info on hanging there as there is info on RV living here....

 

[WanderingCanuck]

I'm actually hanging as I write this on my laptop. I've had a hammock set up in my house for a few months now and it *is* my bed. Most of those nights have been blisteringly hot and humid but lately there has been a reprieve with nighttime temperatures going down to maybe 15°C [59°F]. I sleep with windows open wide, so I experience the same temperature as outside. I've rigged up a sleeping bag held by the corners to serve as an underquilt. I can easily remove it when I actually _want_ the cooling effect of CBS to counteract WTFHBS (way too freakin' hot body syndrome). I have no problem getting a real underquilt if my interior climate control is insufficient, or even as backup in case of failure. I actually plan to get another hammock with full netting for outdoor pursuits since I've found it so comfortable, and the underquilt would then be dual purpose.

Originally I figured I'd need to hang corner to corner as well, but I'm comfortably set up with 130" between attachment points, with a 5" webbing loop that could be omitted for a minimum of 125". Actually, I could get a few more inches by omitting the carabiners but I don't think that's going to be necessary. Is there not this much length in a PM or Transit? Surely there's enough with the PM 159" WB. My thinking was to attach to the rear, possibly on a door, and to a partition wall. I have the skills and equipment to reinforce whatever and wherever as required. I was also thinking to have the foresight of additional attachment points above and below what I've determined as comfortable for adjustment when I'm parked on an incline.

You don't think the inverter/charger contributes any value? Is the electric heat/cool useless?

I only know the info that's in the ad so far. Though I'll likely go see it in person at some point.

 

[Rayd888]

I'm going to purchase a new van hopefully soon and I will set it up with a hammock this time, since I also sleep in a hammock at my house instead of a bed.

I think that if I can hang a hammock in my Grand Caravan minivan right now, I should be able to set it up in the new, bigger van.

I plan to decide where I want the hammock first and then build the cabinets around that - that's how important my hammock is for me...

Check out how I hang my hammock in my caravan in the video below. It may give you some ideas.



Peace.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk