building a camper

[bee_pipes]

I was surprised to find all the stuff they pack into class B campers. The prices are out of our range, and we are on a fixed income so a new loan is something we want to avoid. Reading the posts on a number of other sites on the web were inspiring though.

I asked my mechanic what sort of van would make a good platform for a camper and he recommended a Ford Econoline with a 7.3 liter powerstroke engine. He said he's currently maintaining two of them that are on their second 500,000 miles. He doesn't particularly care for Fords, but he said he can't argue with the way these things keep rolling.

We started hunting for a used van and found a retired ambulance.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/patandkaren/ambulance_front.jpg
So now the project begins.

Regards,
Pat

[neparose]

I was always facinated with idea of building a tear drop camper. Something my little car could pull and you can modify it to your hearts content! Keep us posted on the progress of your camper and good luck!

[DavidOH]

For a long time I've been thinking about a similar project.

Good luck with this one. Keep us posted. We might be of some help here.

With a retired ambulance, it should have excellent maintenance records on it.

[West_TX_Desert_Rat]

If you are looking for a few ideas, check this out:

http://cheaprvliving.com/Roberts_Van.html

[bee_pipes]

Yeah, that's an excellent site. I came across it while looking into this idea. When we first started talking about it, I began searching the web for ideas. They call these vans "Class B" campers. Class A's are the big greyhound bus sort of critters, the Class C's are the box vans. All three are terribly expensive, even used. A bargain price would tell me that there is more work than I am capable of.

Two big manufacturers of Class B's are out there right now - Sprotsmobile (http://www.sportsmobile.com/) and RoadTrek (http://www.roadtrek.com/). Their sites are interesting places to get ideas for floor plans. What I find most amazing are the complete head facilities. There's also a blog by a couple living on the road that call themselves Badger Trek (http://www.badgertrek.com/sportsmobile/vehicle.shtml) All a little rich for my blood. We are on a fixed income, so much of this is going to have to be done ourselves. I just recently worked on a home solar project that used an RV water pump. That sort of got me acquainted with the resources available from the RV industry - they have been selling solar and off-grid electrical appliances for some time, produced and packaged in practical sizes.

There again, kind of daunting. There was some debate about using an old school bus, but we decided even a small one would be too big. We wanted something that could be driven easily and parked easily - something that could be on the road without attracting undue attention. I have no doubt that my wife can drive and park anything, it's a matter of getting used to it, but a cargo van is intimidating enough for her.

With the home made/DIY camper vans, it looked like the way to go. Self-reliant (as much as one can be on the road) and self-contained. Lot's of stuff on the web in this vein -
van dweller (http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/103539/van_dweller.html?cat=2)
Camper Van Life (http://www.campervanlife.com/building/layouts)
and a lot of other DIY projects.
There are also three forums I am going through for ideas-
Class B RV's and Camper Van Conversions (http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=caf9abada81b44697918108e84589b4e)
RV.net Class B - Camping Van Conversions (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/21/sub/35.cfm)
and for the vehicle itself, The Diesel Stop E-series Vans (http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f14/)

Van was delivered to the mechanic Tuesday for a once over. We're fortunate to have a mechanic we can trust, though he's a busy fellow. Had some overheating issues on the way back from Mississippi. Seems to be a leaky overflow reservoir and maybe a shot radiator cap.

Looks like the real chore is going to be chasing down the electrical system and figuring out what's been installed. Saw a suggestion to check the ambulance company that built the vehicle for specs, but the company has changed hands a few times since '91 and they don't have any specs on their web site. The existing floor, walls and such are coming out - formica and vinyl, very institutional. Should help with tracing wires. Some water and rust damage - minor.

While the van is with the mechanic we are studying up on body work, upholstery and electrical systems. Waiting on Amazon to send the books. So far we have:
Matt Joseph "Automotive Body & Rust Repair"
Tracy Martin "How to Diagnose & Repair Automotive Electrical Systems"
Don Taylor "Automotive Upholstery Handbook"

Through the diesel stop I was able to track down wiring diagrams and various manuals:
Helm Inc. (http://www.helminc.com/helm/result.asp?session=1481DC232068452091641A02B08919F B&Style=helm)
I'm an old dinosaur, and prefer printed docs to pdfs or other electronic media. Lose patience sitting at a computer too long and prefer a manual I can hilite, dog-ear, mark with post-its and write in the margins.

When we get the van back from the mechanic and begin work, I'll start posting more pics and writing up status on work done. Hope to be on the road by next spring.

Regards,
Pat

[jhnpldng]

That would be a nice one to do a 4x4 conversion on.

[Rickhead]

Great project.
Kinda funny, i bought a "short bus" to bring to farmers markets.
All my neighbors want to see me make it a camper. It would make a great camper, theres one problem for me, though.
I live at camp already. I cant leave my critters alone so we do short daytrips instead.
Good luck, looks to be in great shape for the year.

[ShieldWolf]

Old ambulances can make great campers. A buddy of mine picked up a 1957 Dodge M43 army ambulance from auction at letterkenny and turned it into a nice camper, definetly not fast but reliable and all the parts of the 1951-68 M37/43's are available as NOS or remanufactured. I have two M37's and they are great. he is planning to do the Alban 4cyl Diesel conversion to his.

Good luck in you'r search.

[Steve_L]

I was always facinated with idea of building a tear drop camper. Something my little car could pull and you can modify it to your hearts content! Keep us posted on the progress of your camper and good luck!

kinda like this?
http://dwaynesthisandthat.org/teardrop.htm
http://www.kuffelcreek.com/8'_cubby.htm

I thought about building one too. I already have the trailer frame. I was thinking of making it "detachable" so I could also haul stuff with the trailer without the camper. But maybe I'm too cheap and a bit crazy.

I know I'm senile, I can't remember the name of these trailers.

[Poonie]

Those boxy delivery vans can be found for sale from time to time. Most like the UPS type trucks are duallies and can probably carry a good deal of weight, and have powerful engines. Best of all they have ample room in back to construct a decent living space.

[neparose]

Steve L - thats the one! If you do some searching, theres a whole following of people devoted to these little guys. I've seen some very creative ideas about using limited space on those forums!:wink:

[BWHLover]

I do not know what this costs, but check out the garbage truck which was converted to an RV.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/681525/he-lives-in-a-garbage-truck-

[backlash]

I have an Uncle in Alaska that built a motor home from a bus.
Not a school bus but more like a charter bus.
First thing he did was cut the top off and raise it a foot.
Then put radiant heat under the floor that's heated by the motor when he's driving and by a boiler when he is parked.
He said he can go camping when it's -40 and stay warm.
I would just stay home