CSG
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Very clever, DD G. Thanks for posting those.
HTR Jack, that Hardigg box is a thousand dollars!!
2001 GMC EC 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0 V8
2007 Nash 27-5B
2002 Pleasure-Way Traverse
1990 Lance Squire 4000
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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CSG wrote:Very clever, DD G. Thanks for posting those.
HTR Jack, that Hardigg box is a thousand dollars!!
Thanks for digg'n deeper...
I'll continue make'n mine outta wood...
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StartingCamping
Chicago
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Joined: 07/21/2006
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Great subject! Great posts!
Ok..at 30 years old....I'm narrowing what I "want" so far and what is appealing to me.
ROADTREK 170 or 180 model
PLEASUREWAY Traverse or Lexor
GREAT WEST Classic
Ok...I have nowhere need the funds to purchase such beauties. So I'm probably purchase a van and "DIY" it, make it stealthy - or have one done by Sportsmobile.
Since I LOVE tent camping also, I can forgo a 'bathroom' and get a Porr-A-Potti or a PETT toilet which I just found out from this forum! Now that is simple!!
Stove - even though I hope to 'live' in one eventually...I don't think I need to cook 'inside' my van too much. So I'll purchase a:
Brunton Wind River Range or a
Century Matchless Deluxe SS 2-burner stove..
maybe a Camp Chef All Terrain stove. (more researh to do)
Shower...I'll do navy showers. Water on. Water Off. Lather. Water on. Rinse. Water Off.
Sleeping? 6 feet tall. I'll work on that. I've read some posts its hard to sit in the back when the seats are facing each other. For 'tall' people, better to have them face the front. But I will purchase a 'tent' (maybe a backpacking tent) just in case I want to be deep in the backcountry instead of coming back to the car to sleep. I do always camp with friends (since I'm not married).
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CSG
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SC, when I was 30 I was still camping out of my Dodge D-50 pickup with a shell and carpet kit. I traveled for as long as six weeks in it using nothing but my backpacking equipment.
I doubt I'd get an installed stove either if I were doing up a van conversion. I'd use either my backpacking stove or a single butane burner (which are cheaper but with a larger cooking surface and very stable). I'd want on board water if possible but unless you're taking long trips, even that's not really necessary. One can get a solar shower and carry those 2.5 gallon jugs of water you get at the market. One doesn't need an installed fridge either as you can get plug in compressor refrigerators for less. Toilets, like you've learned, can be porta pottis or a PETT toilet. Dishes and utensils can all be disposable (our choice for years now).
Sleeping, storage, heating and cooling, and on board 12v power are the main things to address IMO. It's hard sided tent with power and climate control (I just bought the Endless Breeze 12v fan for cooling needs but have an onboard furnace in my Traverse as well as a 5k BTU a/c).
When you use disposable stuff there are those who will hate you for it but it's a LOT more convenient and saves water for more important things than washing dishes.
There's a well known old book written by William Least Heat Moon called "Blue Highways" that talks about his travels in a simple van conversion. You might enjoy reading it.
* This post was
edited 08/19/08 12:42pm by CSG *
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ridley
calgary
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DDG, What did you have to do to get the drivers seat to turn? I have a 2002 Traverse. What year is yours?
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DD G
Montreal, Qc / Montgomery, Vt
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Ridley
I ordered from here stock # 113630
It's very easy to install
DD G
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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DD G wrote:Ridley
I ordered from here stock # 113630
It's very easy to install
Yep!
That's where I bought the passenger swivel seat adapter for the 2008 Sprinter I converted...
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CSG
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DD G, what's that between the solar panels - a vent? Any issues in mounting those panels on the poptop? Same with the vent if that's what it is?
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DD G
Montreal, Qc / Montgomery, Vt
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Yes, it's a vent.It just required a bit of courage on my part to make the hole. It's not that great and generates noise....not enough real estate for a Fantastic fan. I used #14 SS screws to secure the panels; the fiberglass is thick enough . The only issue is the added weight of the panels. In over 3 years of rough roads, the canvas has perforated in a few locations due to gasket compression causing the canvas to be pressed against the small screws securing the canvas to the top. I added "bumpers" to prevent this and it seems to work. Also, it's a bit harder to start raising the roof but once it gets going, it raises by itself and stays in position.
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CSG
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Thanks for the further info DD G. I think I'll stick with my Endless Breeze fan (which is the same size as their permanent vent fans but requires no installation). The solar is intriguing though. I would guess for my use a single 100+ watt panel would be OK and minimize the weight. I currently have two Group 27 115 AH batteries hooked up in parallel in the battery compartment so am not sure what my real needs are. I tend to be pretty conservative with power and have a couple battery operated LED lights I default too quite often. Main use of the coach batteries is running the furnace when needed. But I also have a Honda EU 2000 that I can carry and it's paid for. 
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