Camper Vans

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.
 
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 ....
 
Sweeney said:
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.
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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! :p
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.
 
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.
 
Randy said:
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! :p
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.
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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.
 
Sweeney said:
I think the limited space would drive me a little crazy. Too big to be small, too small to be big…
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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.
 
Midwest Duo said:
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.
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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
 
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