step van breadtruck conversion
I would like to know if anyone has converted a stepvan into an RV. if so what are the limitation and what are the advantages. can they be had at a reasonable price? Thanks so much for any replies
Forum Discussion
Yes. Somebody has, more than one person. I encounter them on the road. Along with school bus conversions. I haven't done it myself, but have met people who have.
The step van is usually an easier conversion, you have lower floors, more floor to ceiling height, and no windows to deal with (weight and sealing). On the other hand, step vans are often lighter GVWR than RVs of similar box size (depends on whether you are buying from Frito-Lay, UPS or MAC Tools) so you really need to understand how the van you buy fits the RV you want it to be.
I think the vans are really better built than many small RVs, with lightly framed aluminum or steel walls, rather than laminated sandwich wall panels, but you have to put some work into insulation and interior paneling, fitting windows and vents, and working out where to run utilities. A lot of tankage and plumbing that fits under a factory-built RV often ends up inside an step van or bus, but then if you are doing your own conversion, you may not be building towards such a complete housing unit. These conversions can make really nice campers, as opposed to houses on wheels.
The step van is usually an easier conversion, you have lower floors, more floor to ceiling height, and no windows to deal with (weight and sealing). On the other hand, step vans are often lighter GVWR than RVs of similar box size (depends on whether you are buying from Frito-Lay, UPS or MAC Tools) so you really need to understand how the van you buy fits the RV you want it to be.
I think the vans are really better built than many small RVs, with lightly framed aluminum or steel walls, rather than laminated sandwich wall panels, but you have to put some work into insulation and interior paneling, fitting windows and vents, and working out where to run utilities. A lot of tankage and plumbing that fits under a factory-built RV often ends up inside an step van or bus, but then if you are doing your own conversion, you may not be building towards such a complete housing unit. These conversions can make really nice campers, as opposed to houses on wheels.
