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mumkin's avatar
mumkin
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013

Nissan nv200 mini-van conversion platform?

I know that we have a few people on here who are interested in the idea of a conversion on a mini-van. I happened onto a link to this new small cargo van from Nissan. While it is actually shorter and narrower than my Sienna that I converted in 2008, it has a nice square cargo area... lack of windows... and quite a bit more headroom. It says 24 mpg "city and combined." I'm not quite sure what that means. But it would beat my Sienna by a bit...

Nissan nv200

Now all that is needed is for someone to develop a pop-top for it. :B

I haven't seen one... has anyone?

17 Replies

  • The NV is a truck like the Titan. Click on the second link I posted for info.
  • The nv200 is based on the Sentra platform. I saw it at an RV show. It doesn't have a lot of weight capacity. It starts out empty and if I remember correctly there were lots of interior mounting points to attach your stuff.
  • Go to sportsmobile.com. they make a poptop the kicks the snot out of that Roadtrek for the same bread. No restroom but there is a portapotti. They also have a very extensive Youtube video. The Sportsmobile is sold at Nissan dealers. There is a member on the Sportsmobile forum that bought one last year and took it to Alaska. He likes his but never saw anything near 24 mpg. I should add that I saw both rigs at the Pomona show last year. The roadtrek seats more people but is not as roomy or substantial in terms of an actual rv.
  • Size and capacity, this one fits between short and long wheelbase versions of the new Transit Connect, and about 20% less space and payload than the minivan based Ram C/V. If it can handle a pop top, it has conversion potential for a VW-style camper van, a RV class still common in Europe but not so popular here. Capacity is not enough for the weight of everything going into most B motorhomes, which is also why the larger Nissan van, and even E-150, get used only to make campers like RT's Active and PW's Traverse.

    There are smaller companies doing these conversions on customer order, but building for dealer stock this is a tricky market. I think there are buyers for these, if the layout fits particular traveling and camping needs, but prices scare bargain seeking buyers away more so than the much higher prices of luxury B's discouraging that market.

    This camper type of conversion often works better as a DIY project. People will build just what they think they want, and tend to under evaluate their labor in the project.

    There are high tops for most current vans and minivan, if the manufacturer allows the top to be cut. Primary market for the tops is builders of wheelchair vans, although the move toward ramps rather than lifts has reduced the need for the tops. Pop-up tent tops are harder to find. Sportmobile has them for some platforms.

    Nissan dealers in my area are showing NV200 in their inventory, MSRP at $20K - 21K, about ten grand less than the NV2500. I think GVWRs are about 4400, positioning this to compete with Connect as replacement for minivans in lightweight delivery.

    Turns out GVWR is about 4800 U.S. versions. It was under 2 metric tons in Europe. Our version is also somewhat heavier empty.