HIGH TOP CONVERSION VAN

Regular Conversion vans are designed as people/family movers, not camper vans

There will not be any extra battery, 110 vac receptacles unless the previous owners has added some.

There will be some extra wiring for lighting and the TV's.

Older gel coats on weathered fiberglass might not be the best place to test VHB tape. There are usually some wood runners sandwiched into the fiberglass top which can take a screw OK. Mechanical fastening a solar panel will likely require removing the ceiling interior panels.

The 5.9 dodge might eeek out 16mpg highway at 65mph.

I already looked. Too far away to buy. 500+ miles. Also has more than I want or need.
Needs to be something in my general area.

linky



for wincrashers post

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/rvs/4543498359.html

This has everything for a bit more money. Probably could behad for less.

You might find a true class B in that price range, but but I'd expect it be pretty well used up.

Yes, hightops are almost always f'glass. You should have no trouble gluing solar to it with the proper glue and prep. # of batteries depends on the quality of the conversion and previous owner's needs. 11OV connections will depend on the installation of outlets inside. I got as high as 15 mpg out of my '01/'02 Chevy Roadtrek 190 with the 5.7, usually more like 13-14. I'd expect a lighter van on a 250/2500 to do 1-2 better. Fords have tight cabs, and some have handling/tracking issues. Some Chevy van owners complain about easily-overheated brakes; dunno if this is the driving style or an actual weakness.

A quirk of later Dodges (limited to '98 and on, I think), at least the one I owned ('99/'00 RT 190 on a 3500) and many others that I've read about... scary squirrely handling, particularly around semis. I tried to cure it, couldn't, and sold it and got the Chevy solely for that reason. But I'd _have_ to take any van for a test drive in person, especially a high-top Dodge or Ford.

Jim, "I've reached the age were 'Happy Hour' is a nap."

I never saw anything in a camper van from the 90s in the $5000 range a couple years ago. Mid 80s were in that range.

If at all possible, get a van with fuel injection! The older ones with a carb are hard to find parts for these days. For that much money, you should be able to buy an actual late '90's camper van!

TOMMY47 wrote:
The Dodge is Conversion, not camper. Conversion by Premiere Motor Coach.. The owner claims zero rust and it looks perfect in pictures. I'm not afraid to crawl. I plan to gat an AGM battery hooked up to solar. It worked excellently with my former class C. I recently talked to a guy that had a lot of solar panels glued to his roof. He's confident they will never come off.
Forgot to ask, What is the normal headroom in a high top? I'm 6'2".
Thanks for answering all questions.

high top vans a lot shorter than camper vans. 5 foot 6inches if lucky. you should ask the owner first

The Dodge is Conversion, not camper. Conversion by Premiere Motor Coach.. The owner claims zero rust and it looks perfect in pictures. I'm not afraid to crawl. I plan to gat an AGM battery hooked up to solar. It worked excellently with my former class C. I recently talked to a guy that had a lot of solar panels glued to his roof. He's confident they will never come off.
Forgot to ask, What is the normal headroom in a high top? I'm 6'2".
Thanks for answering all questions.

TOMMY47 wrote:
Considering an older, mid 90s, high top conversion van. Won't add a whole lot--fridge, micro, bed, marine toilet. Plan to remove all rear seats except one. This is for a lone person and I don't need much. My questions--
1. Are all tops fiberglass?
2. Can a solar panel be attached anywhere?
3. How many batteries do they usually have?
4. Do they have inside plugs for 110 and outside plugs to connect?
5. What type of mpg can I expect(rough estimate),conservative driving?
6. What brand(GM-Ford-Dodge)has the best reputation?

I'll probably think of other things as I look more.
I can do all or most of the stuff myself.
There is a current listing for a 1995 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.9 liter, 360 V8 EFI Magnum with 99,000 miles, rebuilt trans under warranty. Looks in great condition based on pics. $4800.
Does this sound reasonable/good.

1. Yep
2. You can. Think you'd want to stick to putting them on the roof. A good option is useing the 3M VHB tape. It's stronger than the red stuff you get at Home Depot. Easier than drilling holes.
3. Usually 1 house battery and 1 automotive battery. Some with have 2 house batteries. Of that vintage though, you can never be sure what previous owners have done. I'd go with 2 house batteries if you can find the space and convert your lights to LED.
4.They should have an outside plug (shore power 30amp plug) and inside 110v household outlets. You may or not have an inverter.
5.Probably 10-12 mpg depending on a long list of variables. If you find a van with fuel injection, you might do a bit better.
6. The all have their quirks. Most likely you'll find that Fords are more common, followed by Dodge. Nothing wrong with the Chevy, but I don't think they sold as many. I think you can be happy with any one of them if you keep it maintained.

That Dodge seems high if it's just a gussied up passenger van. If it's already a camper conversion, then a fair price if it's not too beaten up or rusted. Crawl underneath and check for rust.