From a van to an RV?

[mangyhyena]

My wife is interested in trading our (paid off) SUV for a van so we can haul our two kids and get groceries easier. Personally, I think the SUV does just fine. Yea, it's a bit tight at times but overall I like it, especially the 4WD.

But I've been interested in one of those vans that are actually an RV for a while as one would be an excellent bug-out vehicle. RV vans are extremely expensive, though. Now I'm wondering if I can create the best of both worlds in a cost effective way.

What I really want in a van besides the extra room is a way to cook, a bathroom, and some form of entertainment like a DVD player and TV. And it would be nice if the back seat would convert to a bed.

So, I'm not truly looking for a full RV conversion. Just those things for vacations or long trips so we can avoid staying in hotels every night we're on the road. I figured I could get a small microwave for heating water or canned meals, stash a coleman stove in case we want to actually cook food on a stove top, install a small bathroom with sink and shower, install a DVD player and TV with antenna, and put in a small DC fridge. Maybe a cabinet or storage area for canned goods.

I saw at Wally World that they have a propane heater for making the water for a shower or sink hot. In combination with a shower and sink in the van it might be a cheap way to go.

I believe I could install most of these items myself, saving quite a bit of money. If I could find a 4WD van that has a diesel engine I'd be off to a good start. And I'd have to have someone put a raised top on the van for more headroom.

So, does this idea sound doable? Has anyone done this? Any big challenges I haven't thought of?

[American_Infidel]

Yeah I have thought of this idea myself. Plainsmans Cabin had a discussion a few years back about converting an old '70's Chevy van into a type of RV. The biggest problem with your idea is finding a diesel 4WD van; you don't see too many, in fact I don't think I have ever seen one. I would like to though.

[Tightwad]

mangyhyena, 4wd VANS were never factory items.
All the 4wd vans ever made were aftermarket items
with none ever being diesel unless owner modified.
There just never was a market for this type of vehicle.

It would help if you'd tell us just what SUV that you
have now. If I knew that maybe I could help you better.

[Thomas]

I used to see 1ton 4wd ford vans with raised tops being used by siesmeograph crews in the mid 80s. I assume they were custom conversions. During that period of time I also know they manufactured a van called a Transvan, dont know by who, that was kind of an almost but not quite RV. My grandfather had one.

[mangyhyena]

*
It would help if you'd tell us just what SUV that you
have now. If I knew that maybe I could help you better.


(Trying out the quote feature, so forgive me if I'm not doing it right.)

I currently drive a 2001 GMC Jimmy 4wd. I could hook an RV pull trailer to it. I was just wondering if I couldn't expand our living capability by replacing the Jimmy with a van equiped with limited RV features. I figure to be driving an hour each way to get groceries once we move and with 2 kids, 3 if you count me, I thought a bathroom would be a nice feature.

[nightshift]

Mangyhyena,
I'm with you on this but my wife hates vans. Yes a 4x4 would be ideal but depending on where you are located they are hard to come by and expensive. In many parts of the country you may be able to get by with a 2wd van.

My neighbor had a full size chevy, mid 90's, long wb but not the stretch 15 passenger job. It had 4 captains chairs and a bench. You could replace the rear chairs with a bench for an extra passenger. He had room to build a raised platform bed 6'x4'x@ 20" high. He could store alot of gear under it too. You could modify this to 2 small benches over the wheelwells and a drop down table/bed, still leaving proper seating for traveling. He hunts alot so he added an @ 2" lift all the way around and had some nice all terrain tires on it. Not huge but he got another 1 1/2" clearance.

You could build a "getting unstuck kit" to store in one of the benches....A shovel, come-a-long, straps, some type of traction mats and "kitty litter" for ice, a couple of good high lift jacks, wood, you get the idea. You could even put a winch on it. Using a roof or hitch rack for extra gear, kerosene, ect. It would be tough to put a shower in a regular van. Maybe a porto potty and one of those outside tent showers. This is SHTF were talking, the daily shower may be just washing up in a sink. You would have room for storing extra gear too.

I have a mini van and we travel cross country quite well. That is on high ways of course but a full size 3/4 ton van is much more rugged. Living here in South Mississippi I have seen some 2wd vehicles get through some impressive holes. I won't say what a police package Crown Vic will go through ;). Unless you are dealing with a lot of snow and mud don't immediately pass on a good deal on a 2wd van.

My buddy sold his but offered it to me for $2500. Only had 110K on it with new a/c, water pump, tires, ect....clean rig but the wife said "no". She was intimidated by the size.......She likes suburbans though ??? Go figure.

If you found one cheap yo might be able to keep the SUV.

Hope this helps.

[Tightwad]

But I've been interested in one of those vans that are actually an RV for a while as one would be an excellent bug-out vehicle. *RV vans are extremely expensive, though. *Now I'm wondering if I can create the best of both worlds in a cost effective way.

What I really want in a van besides the extra room is a way to cook, a bathroom, and some form of entertainment like a DVD player and TV. *And it would be nice if the back seat would convert to a bed.

So, I'm not truly looking for a full RV conversion. *Just those things for vacations or long trips so we can avoid staying in hotels every night we're on the road. *I figured I could get a small microwave for heating water or canned meals, stash a coleman stove in case we want to actually cook food on a stove top, install a small bathroom with sink and shower, install a DVD player and TV with antenna, and put in a small DC fridge. *Maybe a cabinet or storage area for canned goods.


OK, let's take this need in a more workable ,but different, direction.

Is this doable? Yes it is, just not the way you are approaching the
need. Having raised 4 son's I can tell you that versatility is paramount
to the job of raising your family. That also means that no one
vehicle will ever be a roaring success alone. If anything it will vastly
complicate the matter.

A better approach is to use a folddown ,or better, yet a "Teardrop"
trailer (that you can build) to solve all those times when you travel
with the family loaded up. Of the 2 types I much prefer the Teardrop
because I built it to suit my needs changing it as needed to fit the
ever changing family needs.

I will*never recommend anyone buy this or that vehicle simply
because "it don't fit anymore" as this ,to me, means that A. the
owner is tired of the vehicle or B. the owner isn't using the vehilce
they have to the full.

The kids sleep in the car ,or tent, you & mom sleep in the Teardrop.
Not all the family must go on every shopping trip all the time so
plan your shopping trips to maximize the vehilces carrying capaicity
or shop the net or have your goods delivered.

One owners Teardrop. There are many more on the net........

http://www.tomswenson.com/teardrop/index.shtml

A paid for vehicle is worth it's weight in gold, mate. More money
for your family it is........

[mangyhyena]

Thanks. I really like that trailer. I'll have to give teardrop trailers a closer look.

[Tightwad]

One point I need to make......
IF, just IF, you decide to build a Teardrop you must re-pack
the wheel bearings with a good hi-temp grease or else.

The folk's who make these tiny trailers put plain lo-temp grease
in the wheel brearings 'cause these trailers seldom go on "trips".
It's drop dead easy to re-pack as soon as you get your trailer so when
you get done you can cruise down the road in peace.

Best of luck,mate.

[Winston_Smith]

Just want to throw my two cents in on this topic. One option might be a VW Vanagon Westfalia. Ours sleeps 4, has fridge, cooktop, and sink. No bathroom though (does a 5 gallon bucket count?). They can be expensive to buy and maintain but its a labor of love for us. They are known for being underpowered so towing is out of the question, but you get 20-23 mpg. VW did offer a 4wd version called the Syncro, pretty cool rigs but they are sought after by Veedub nuts and the cost can reflect that. Check thesamba.com or GoWesty.com. Not for everybody but we have a lot of fun with ours.

[fishinhunter]

i have a small truck(s-10)not good for hauling much at a time.what do you think of motor homes for driving down road.i see them for $1500.up to $500,000.can i pull a trailer with lets say 8 to 10 thousand dollar one.or would i be better off using a u haul type box truck,26 ft and a pull behind camper.any responce would be appreciated.