The topic comes up from time to time, and this may give some ideas
That you could build one yourself?
I would have designed the custom roof rack better. Move the cells forward, done a wind deflector and put a carrying basket at the back. Or added another cell to help power inside.
In reply to MyMiatas :
The cargo is more desirable for the conversion and the one already done is $45k USD with 59k miles. You will have the same amount in the one you posted and have a less desirable setup. The original one is the easy button.
I keep checking this thread to see if there will be an 8 paragraph manifesto that then gets self-deleted for seemingly no reason.
No 8 paragraphs from me, but as someone that owns a E450 based mini bus and has lived in it (parked at a house, basically just a separate bedroom) for four years I can see both sides to the build it yourself versus buy it. Well after that run on of a sentence I'll just say one of the recurring themes in van/bus life is you'll want to change it at some point. What you thought was perfect when you designed it or saw it in another bus, isn't what you want now.
Now I'm in the house for this winter, my bus is a spare car parts storage basically and I'm deciding on what to change on the re-do. Once I can sell some damn parts and empty it out fully.
For 60k you can buy a van for 20,build it for 10, and travel for two years at least.
Racebrick said:For 60k you can buy a van for 20,build it for 10, and travel for two years at least.
That's $60k CAD so let's convert it to USD.
For $45k you can buy a van for $15k, build it for $7500 and travel for 2 years on the rest. I don't think you can buy that van for $15k and get close to that build for $7500, but it's not my world. The cheapest under 60k mile 2015 or newer TC Cargo I see on cargurus is $17k, so we are already above budget.
How about just buying a clean late model low mileage RV ??? You know, one with a decent bed and a bathroom! I mean for 60K I'm sure I could find something and still have enough cash left to buy a nice tow behind vehicle.
In reply to skippyman :
How about for $45k? The one posted is in Canada, it's not $60k USD.
skippyman said:How about just buying a clean late model low mileage RV ??? You know, one with a decent bed and a bathroom! I mean for 60K I'm sure I could find something and still have enough cash left to buy a nice tow behind vehicle.
Because RVs are big and ungainly and obvious. A converted cargo van can go just about anywhere a normal vehicle can and you can even sleep on the street in places where overnight camping is not allowed (hello Telluride). A big RV with a towd is a very different proposition to a van and they appeal to different uses.
clownkiller said:I would have designed the custom roof rack better. Move the cells forward, done a wind deflector and put a carrying basket at the back. Or added another cell to help power inside.
I've only got one panel on my van and it's enough to run lights, music and a fridge. Two would likely be fine for a minimalist setup even if there are laptops and movies. No microwave :)
Err, this was WAY less than 60 USD and has 30k miles on a 6.0/4l80e. It might be a bit ungainly but it's pretty awesome so far - I can take it most places, but yeah, hard to be stealth - though I do have a furnace, hot water heater, generator, and a/c!
I follow a couple of stealth camping you tubers and I think it sounds cool but I'm still not sure how practical it is. It seems like there are free places to stay overnight (casinos, some Walmarts, restaurants, rest stops etc) if you are out west there is blm land all over. Outside of some cities what makes the stealth deal worth the squeeze (both cost and loss of amenities)? Not judging, seriously asking. I'm ~15 years from hopefully part timing the rv life in retirement, I currently have a camper and it is great for weekend camping and races. Has all the stuff, furnace, hot water, appliances, full bath, tv etc and it was waaaayyyyy less than stealth options.
In reply to accordionfolder :
I guess 3 times isn't enough. For the 4th berkeleying time, the one posted is 60k CANADIAN DOLLARS.
The whole point of the stealth camping is to camp where it ISN'T allowed. Like in the city proper.
I know this may sound strange to some folks but there are big cities that don't have Walmarts.
In San Francisco or Portland or Seattle a transit outfitted like that allows person clandestine lodging anywhere a tradey van isn't going to look out of place.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
I saw, that was kinda the joke - and it's still overpriced no matter which currency we're talking. But maybe consider toning it t down a level or two in the defense of a van that's not even yours?
In reply to Trent :
I've lived in literally all three of these places and there are plenty of people living in RVs where they "aren't allowed" no ones going to stop you unless you park in a literal neighborhood and any moron who can afford an overpriced transit van definitely afford to park in a park or drive literally right out of town to park.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
Does it make you feel better that I paid way less than 60k Canadian as well?
In reply to NY Nick :
I camp in a Vanagon Westfalia. I can park it on a city street in a normal parking spot. I can take it down dirt roads and camp on the shore of Lake Powell. It doesn't have a full bath, but that's what lakes are for. It doesn't have a TV but I don't go camping to watch TV. It doesn't have a generator because it doesn't have hungry electrical applicances. It is silent at rest unless I'm running the furnace, then you can hear a small roar once in a while.
I suppose I like it because it's like the sort of camping I grew up in, but luxurious. I don't have to carry everything on my back or a bike or portage it through the woods, I can drive there. I don't get wet when it rains. But I can still get away from other people and enjoy the simplicity with low overhead. Most of our time is spent outside, because that's where the space is. It's closer to a tent with wheels than a house with wheels, and I like that.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
My truck tent was 200, my backpacking gear was probably 3-400 all in, you can get a REALLY nice topper/bed camper for 6k to(that's US before anyone jumps down my throat) locally. I'm still not seeing the draw of a really expensive van that you still get to E36 M3 in a bucket in.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
Still not a problem. RV's lose so much value so fast you can always find a decent late model for cheap. Just look at FB marketplace.
In reply to accordionfolder :
My statements have nothing to do with price. For the same price, I'd rather have my Vanagon than an RV because RVing holds no real appeal to me. And given the value of Vanagons these days, that's not a theoretical comparison!
Thanks for sharing; I've been fantasizing about something like this, or a little camper at least for a little while now. It is always interesting to see other people's builds and think about what I like, or what I might do differently.
I feel like these are a bit like a racecar, in that it is tempting to assume that a GRMer can likely build it cheaper than buying one someone else built, but in many cases the best value is probably buying a used one someone else built in the style you're looking for because all the little things add up so quickly.
Since my day job involves frequent contact with camper vans, I can report that there is a huge variety. I've seen vans that have been built for cheap, and vans that are built to a very high standard, both from DIYers and professionals. The difference can account for a huge range in amount of money invested, and the stuff that adds up usually isn't immediately visible, hint: it's not the mattress and cabinets. The "house" batteries/controller/wiring/solar (if so equipped) can really add up. Heating systems vary a lot, and can get spendy. Water systems are another, and insulation can also be a biggie. More amenities is more expensive in most cases. If you're living in it for extended periods, radiant floor heating, and potable water, grey water, and black water systems might be a good investment, but if you're camping in it two weekends a year, you can probably skip it.
The beauty of the variety of approaches is that if you don't place a lot of value on certain features, you aren't obligated to spend a bunch on them. The challenge for the DIYer trying to build one on a tight budget often seems to come down to weight, space, and range for how long you can keep camping. For example, proprietary low-profile lithium batteries versus standard lead acid batteries. Cheap insulation isn't as effective, and might be heavy. A used plastic food service jug/barrel can hold water, and is most certainly cheaper than a custom vehicle-specific fitted tank, but you aren't able to tuck it into otherwise unused space, so it going to gobble up some living or storage space. If you add a bunch of weight, the suspension/brakes/tires all need to reconsidered/upgraded (adding cost) and performance and ease of driving suffer. It is hard to do cheaply without making some compromises.
Regarding size, most RVs aren't an option for me because as a city-dweller with two sportscars plus 5-6 motorcycles, I don't have either the length or height required with the parking space available at home, and I don't really want to pay to park it (most likely outside) remotely. Something like a Transit Connect, or more my style, a Toyota Land Cruiser built as a two-seater overland camper can be parked in the garage where I live, is easier to drive, easier to park, and can get into/out of more places that a traditional RV.
accordionfolder said:In reply to Steve_Jones :
Does it make you feel better that I paid way less than 60k Canadian as well?
You should have for a 30 year old RV, way less. It's a completely different thing.
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