Camper Vans
- Thread starter Randy
- Start date
Sweeney
Administrator
Way too expensive. Not to mention RV techs won't touch 'em, and once the manufacturer modifies the van, many auto-techs don't want to work on them either, there's too much question about that the heck they did.
We did look at a van when we started the journey, there's just no way to justify that price tag.
We did look at a van when we started the journey, there's just no way to justify that price tag.
fdkoh99
Junior Ranger
More reasons...
I have no desire to cook inside a small cramped space while camping... when you can have the gourmet kitchen of the CI and be outside - you know "camping'. I have joked with Cary in the past about doing a CI with a simple inside toilet - and maybe a bit of sitting space - he called it a "Standie" but its not on his todo list. All those big teardrop shaped campers bring everything inside just like a van.
Beside that - I agree with Sweeney, after 100 nights in a van - you are still paying over $500 per night ....
I have no desire to cook inside a small cramped space while camping... when you can have the gourmet kitchen of the CI and be outside - you know "camping'. I have joked with Cary in the past about doing a CI with a simple inside toilet - and maybe a bit of sitting space - he called it a "Standie" but its not on his todo list. All those big teardrop shaped campers bring everything inside just like a van.
Beside that - I agree with Sweeney, after 100 nights in a van - you are still paying over $500 per night ....
I appreciate all the notes of caution. The cost is astronomical but they are sure cool. There is one builder in particular, Otzi, that has a contractual agreement with Mercedes. Their built out vans become an officially recognized Mercedes model number that Mercedes fully supports. Very impressed with their build quality. Apparently this also saves lots of money on insurance.
Hey, I could start a Van Life You Tube channel to fund my purchase, ha ha!
Still love my CampInn but I have to admit that in my old age no towing, standing room and minimal to no setup is attractive.
A couple of years ago I ran into some folks I know up in the Tetons. They had purchased a Ford Van and had it converted. I got the grand tour and it was pretty cool. I didn't ask but I'm thinking I wouldn't have liked the price. I think even the "cheap" ones can be pretty pricey.
I've since run into them other times, also in the Tetons. Small world.
I've since run into them other times, also in the Tetons. Small world.
Two words: "Depreciating Asset" 
I don't know if you've seen one yet, but the Noovoo was top o' the list for me (7' interior height!) but the price was beyond eye-watering. Not about to pay more for a van than I did my house. That said if I were going to full-time with just me and the pooch, and I had all sorts of disposable income, I'd surely get one with no regrets.
I don't know if you've seen one yet, but the Noovoo was top o' the list for me (7' interior height!) but the price was beyond eye-watering. Not about to pay more for a van than I did my house. That said if I were going to full-time with just me and the pooch, and I had all sorts of disposable income, I'd surely get one with no regrets.
Kilometer 31
Junior Ranger
The beautiful thing about a teardrop that's hard to explain to any small RVer: It's never cramped inside because you lay down to sleep or sit. Sure, a small RV (or camper van) has a dinette and kitchen an mini closet or whatever. But now you're talking about two adults needing to navigate around each other in that stand-up space. Talk about cramped!
Sweeney
Administrator
I appreciate all the notes of caution. The cost is astronomical but they are sure cool. There is one builder in particular, Otzi, that has a contractual agreement with Mercedes. Their built out vans become an officially recognized Mercedes model number that Mercedes fully supports. Very impressed with their build quality. Apparently this also saves lots of money on insurance.
Hey, I could start a Van Life You Tube channel to fund my purchase, ha ha!
Still love my CampInn but I have to admit that in my old age no towing, standing room and minimal to no setup is attractive.
Many have paid for their RV life through content - though I'm not sure that is feasible any more, I have seen content providers saying the payouts are lowered becuase of ad revenue being down...bla bla bla...
We looked at Airstream vans 10-15 years ago -- they were expensive then, I can't imagine what the asking price is now. Beyond that, I think the limited space would drive me a little crazy. Too big to be small, too small to be big. I do like the ability to just drive, stop, and go into the back for 'rest'.
I'm more interested in DIY "stealth" vans. I saw a really cool box truck -- the bulkhead between the truck section and the back was a sliding door. Very well lit with no windows -- just skylights for natural lighting. Using the refrigerator as the AC, with quite a bit of living space. The best part about it, was the "appliance store" stickers he had on the side that made it look like it belonged....no phone numbers, no web site - blended right in with the background.
Midwest Duo
Novice
Exactly.
We saw you on a Playing With Sticks episode, “Jerry’s Happy Downsizing…” where you said something that sold me on this camper of ours; that our Camp-Inn’s force us to “get outside”.
Before we committed to the teardrop world we rented a couple of trailers with kitchens and dinettes. I realized that we’d just sit inside instead of getting out into nature. It’s the whole point for us. So thank you.
Same with us. Before even investigating teardrops, I'd told my wife that I was tired of spending all that money to go to a campsite and watch TV. Sweeney nailed it almost verbatim in his interview video. When I showed the video to my wife I was pointing at the TV saying, "See? See?! I'm not the only one that thinks this way!" LOL
Sweeney
Administrator
You're quite welcome -- that still holds true today. Even if I'm just lounging in my camp-chair, its fresh air that you just don't get when you live in an air conditioned world.
When we had our class A -- literally I'd plug in shore power, extend the jacks, go inside and turn on the TV....at 8mpg, and $50 a night...why?! Now, if I were living full time like many construction workers do...different discussion. But for recreation, getting into nature even if it is just to hold up score cards as the others back into their camp sites...
This thread did get me watching 'steal camping' videos last night....the though of converting an isuzu looks like fun.
TheSongDogHouse
Ranger
@Sweeney agree Box truck is most bang for buck, by volume and the most disceet stealth camping platform, as you say.
My dental hygienst's BF buys a used cargo van and builds it out over summer, camps full time at Mammoth Lakes to ski all winter, then sells it, at a profit, does it again.
He's been doing this for years, always improving. Rear WD is plenty, for him.
I'm amazed at how much money people spend on toys, but hey whatever floats your boat. I love looking at "adventure wagons" but cant imagine being owned by one. Just the acquisition of skills to DIY when stuck solo is a disincentive to me.
But I get the day dreaming part:
earthroamer.com
Go big or go home!
@Randy
And
@JohnC these folks are close:
fieldvan.com
Since I dont have a shop with all the tools, the experience in multiple trades, I need someone thats been in the biz a long time and gonna be, to take my rig to for big problems. Or talk me thru the simple things.
Thus CampInn, on a teardrop.
I'm at my sweet spot: glamping off the ground KISS in something many wagons and CUVs can tow no problem.
And With the right AWD/4wd tow vehicle, I can get pretty far out or even just a few miles past where most others stop...
And like Tour, on the way, any truckstop works:
Just pull over and snooze somewhere, make coffee and bacon and eggs for breakfast and boom, I'm on my way.
Cooking bacon n eggs in a popup got everything steamy and bacon fat perfumed. Pooping in a bucket inside even worse. I'd rather be watching the deer ghost thru the rain thru forest while drinking a glass of wine in my screen tent,
than listen generators whine...or the latest iteration of RVs with disco lights and outdoor media centers going at full blast...
Gotta spend a lot of money then gas, insurance, maintenance to get something on wheels to be like a house, and then the only place to camp big enough is nut to butt to another in the tin canyon RV parks. (Shudder).
My dental hygienst's BF buys a used cargo van and builds it out over summer, camps full time at Mammoth Lakes to ski all winter, then sells it, at a profit, does it again.
He's been doing this for years, always improving. Rear WD is plenty, for him.
I'm amazed at how much money people spend on toys, but hey whatever floats your boat. I love looking at "adventure wagons" but cant imagine being owned by one. Just the acquisition of skills to DIY when stuck solo is a disincentive to me.
But I get the day dreaming part:
EarthRoamer – Luxury Expedition Vehicles for Overlanders | Custom RVs
Explore the ultimate luxury overlanding vehicles with EarthRoamer. Discover custom RVs, expedition vehicles, and adventure-ready motorhomes for your next adventure
earthroamer.com
@Randy
And
@JohnC these folks are close:
Ford Classic 4x4 | Field Van
Our Vans / Conversions / Ford Classic 4×4: The Ultimate Off-Road Camper Van The Field Van Classic isn’t just a camper van—it’s the most capable off-road adventure vehicle on the market. Built on the reliable Ford Econoline E-350 cutaway chassis and equipped with our proprietary 4×4 system, the...
fieldvan.com
Thus CampInn, on a teardrop.
I'm at my sweet spot: glamping off the ground KISS in something many wagons and CUVs can tow no problem.
And With the right AWD/4wd tow vehicle, I can get pretty far out or even just a few miles past where most others stop...
And like Tour, on the way, any truckstop works:
Just pull over and snooze somewhere, make coffee and bacon and eggs for breakfast and boom, I'm on my way.
Cooking bacon n eggs in a popup got everything steamy and bacon fat perfumed. Pooping in a bucket inside even worse. I'd rather be watching the deer ghost thru the rain thru forest while drinking a glass of wine in my screen tent,
than listen generators whine...or the latest iteration of RVs with disco lights and outdoor media centers going at full blast...
Gotta spend a lot of money then gas, insurance, maintenance to get something on wheels to be like a house, and then the only place to camp big enough is nut to butt to another in the tin canyon RV parks. (Shudder).
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Jenn
Ranger
But you got a dog!I am definitely not good looking enough to have a successful YouTube channel!
TheSongDogHouse
Ranger
Randy, me neither!
But you could always try TikTok!
Amber could earn her kibble!
"Awwww whose a good girl!"
View attachment IMG_0010.jpeg
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Jenn
Ranger
Ohhhhj! Puppy
Sweeney
Administrator
We saw a Unimog converted last time we were in Florida….family was doing a full lower 48 tour….@Sweeney agree Box truck is most bang for buck, by volume and the most disceet stealth camping platform, as you say.
My dental hygienst's BF buys a used cargo van and builds it out over summer, camps full time at Mammoth Lakes to ski all winter, then sells it, at a profit, does it again.
He's been doing this for years, always improving. Rear WD is plenty, for him.
I'm amazed at how much money people spend on toys, but hey whatever floats your boat. I love looking at "adventure wagons" but cant imagine being owned by one. Just the acquisition of skills to DIY when stuck solo is a disincentive to me.
But I get the day dreaming part:
Go big or go home!EarthRoamer – Luxury Expedition Vehicles for Overlanders | Custom RVs
Explore the ultimate luxury overlanding vehicles with EarthRoamer. Discover custom RVs, expedition vehicles, and adventure-ready motorhomes for your next adventure
@Randy
And
@JohnC these folks are close:
Since I dont have a shop with all the tools, the experience in multiple trades, I need someone thats been in the biz a long time and gonna be, to take my rig to for big problems. Or talk me thru the simple things.Ford Classic 4x4 | Field Van
Our Vans / Conversions / Ford Classic 4×4: The Ultimate Off-Road Camper Van The Field Van Classic isn’t just a camper van—it’s the most capable off-road adventure vehicle on the market. Built on the reliable Ford Econoline E-350 cutaway chassis and equipped with our proprietary 4×4 system, the...
Thus CampInn, on a teardrop.
I'm at my sweet spot: glamping off the ground KISS in something many wagons and CUVs can tow no problem.
And With the right AWD/4wd tow vehicle, I can get pretty far out or even just a few miles past where most others stop...
And like Tour, on the way, any truckstop works:
Just pull over and snooze somewhere, make coffee and bacon and eggs for breakfast and boom, I'm on my way.
Cooking bacon n eggs in a popup got everything steamy and bacon fat perfumed. Pooping in a bucket inside even worse. I'd rather be watching the deer ghost thru the rain thru forest while drinking a glass of wine in my screen tent,
than listen generators whine...or the latest iteration of RVs with disco lights and outdoor media centers going at full blast...
Gotta spend a lot of money then gas, insurance, maintenance to get something on wheels to be like a house, and then the only place to camp big enough is nut to butt to another in the tin canyon RV parks. (Shudder).
That’s is go big or go home….a truck that can climb phone poles is serious…
For me, what I am fascinated by is hiding in plain site. With batteries and mini splits, a good night sleep is possible….
TheSongDogHouse
Ranger
I had a Pinzgauer once I was converting to a camper, or just to go car camping...climbed like a goat, including fording creeks and grinding along sandy tank tracks on Pendleton in open ranges scouting deer before hunting season.
Fun but uktimately too noisy slow and a little hard to maintain. Kids loved it, wife hated it.
Once the kids started being embarrased to be seen in it, was time to go. Made some money flipping it so all good.
Sweeney
Administrator
If I ever did something like that, I'd want something commercial and common. The last thing I need is to be stuck on the side of the road not being able to find a simple part. Are they cool and unique -- absolutley. But I've had the misfortunate of not being able to help people who had cool toys, that I can't 'fix' them --- becuase they just don't make that part any more