LTV Free Spirit 2014 - electrical upgrades?

Thanks to everyone for the replies! I am particularly happy about the recommendations to look at Advanced RV. After looking at their website extensively and talking with one of their representatives on the phone, I am definitely leaning towards one of their units with our desired options and customizations!

If you are really worried about electrics, Advanced RV is the one to go to. They can build what you want pretty much to your specs. Plus you get to order the van fresh from MB equipped the way you want it.

The B converters are easily installing 4 or more batteries under the floor in battery boxes and keeping the generator and thus not sacrificing space. I can speak definitely that Advanced RV can.

We looked long and hard at B vans recently with the same idea you have about solar and batteries.
A local solar installation place said working on B vans after the fact is really tough. Running wires, finding roof space, etc. They suggested going with the factory installed systems rather than after market. It can be done of course. Contact AM Solar near Eugene, OR. They are as good as it gets in the solar field.
Extra room for anything is tough in a B van. After you load up your "stuff", leveling blocks, lawn chairs, a bar-b-que grill, extra water hose, etc., there is simply no room left.
Of course, going with AGM batteries helps because they can be inside as long as you can locate them near the existing batteries.

The E-trek people are talking about, gets the extra battery storage space by eliminating the conventional generator.

We finally decided on a 24' Class C. Lots of storage, lots of room for solar, batteries, etc.

We both really liked the B van idea but for two boondockers, it just didn't seem to suit our needs.

Others, of course, dearly love them.

Either way, enjoy your travels.

TerriRa,

A similar floor plan with kitchen counter on the passenger side can also be had from Great West Vans and Advanced RV. Both companies can give you a multiple battery setups and variable solar packages as they have more flexibility to satisfy your desires. The one other company with a similar floor plan is Pleasure-way with its Plateau TS but they have been unbending it seems to provide multiple battery setups.

There is more than just adding solar or extra batteries such as in an after market situation. You also have to be cognizant of everything else such as inverters, controllers, wiring, management systems, etc. Only three companies seem to be actively thinking those things out for you at the design level (Roadtrek, Great West Vans, and Advanced RV).

the e-trek has special heavy duty wiring to enable it to fast charge it's batteries. it's engine generator(which is actually a high output 2nd alternator) needs this heavy wiring.

having said that adding extra batteries-solar panel to ltv would help your power situation but would not be close to an e-trek.

Have you considered having Roadtrek add e-trek components to one of their other models?