Just bought this coachmen

[cbigham]

And have some questions ...
Couldn't pass it up, should do what I need done for a dirt biker. I like the fact the water tank is up in the coach so it won't freeze provided the heat is on, the gm chassis drives better for me than others I'd seen, and the mileage was low, 1998 with 30k on the clock. Good functional layout but no inside shower. Generator is good to have, low hours but ac seems small. Previous owner could not tell me the capacities, any help appreciated, the coachmen book that came with it was rather generic.

Thanks,

Chuck

[cbigham]

Stan,
It can, but if you're 6 ft or more you probably will sleep diagonal. I'm 5'10" and sometimes find myself that way..

I have slept on the floor with an air mattress, wife on bed, 5 yr old upper bunk also and been comfy. I also carry a Hennessy hammock. .usually tho in the van it's just me.

[stan909]

It looks like yours has the rear dinette, couch, overhead bed. Can the dinette bed be slept in by adults?

[cbigham]

Just checking back in..
Already put 6k miles on the clock! Class b van works so well for freedom and ease of use.

I use it primarily when traveling alone or to meet friends who ride with no family.I've spent 39 nights in it so far, about 7 with the family...wife, 5 year old. Works ok for a night or two with them, and lots of day trips to the beach, desert, etc.

I've put $600 into it, added solar, changed Trans, other fluids, and a water tank leak. Other than that, been a reliable runner. 36k on the clock now. Truthfully I enjoy camping in it more than my diesel motorhome. Gets out more isolated spots, and fits in places a motorhome can't. Feels more like camping, and in some cases the views are definitely better. Recently went van tramping in the Sierras. Was able to fit into Tioga Pass campground and others in scenery I couldn't get to before. Threw the sea eagle in the lakes in the morning, rode the bike or hiked in the afternoons.

For those thinking of downsizing I recommend it. I like it so much, wish I could get a more powerful non diesel model to tow a toyhauler for those longer trips..it has all I need for a family for two days, me, 3-5 days. Heat, shower, bathroom, stove, all secure and out of the elements. Works well.

[cbigham]

Dave,
the new setup works well for its intened purpose, one bike, one person. Family can sleep (four yr old and wife) for a night or so, but that's about it. We have the funmover for longer trips.

The Chevy van handles real well, not diggin' the outside shower, have some bids out to install an inside, but might prove cost ineffective.Might be liking that outside shower tho' if the inside springs a leak, which they sometimes do! FWIW I had to take an outside shower at 42 deg.

Van is a great way to put a rider in the field for a night or two or over some tough roads. The photo was taken North West of Barstow down a long dirt road.

[David_R]

When I bought my Heritage there were carb and fuelies both available but I specifically got the carb model. I really enjoy it but riding a 700 pound bike with street tires on gravel is like roller skating on marbles. Maybe I'll sell something else and hang onto it. I am anxious to hear how your new setup works out for your hauling and camping!

[cbigham]

Dave,
Yes we do! I suggest you keep the Harley, esp. that carb'd version. I'm hoping the van proves convenient for long distance rides and isolated campgrounds. Have had great success with the xr platform, once I put on xr400 forks!

[David_R]

Chuck, Nice setup with the new van and Bessie. I've been following advrider for the past year and getting the itch to swap my CR and Harley for a KLR650, DR650, or something similar. We always have something on our list, don't we?

Dave

[cbigham]

This one seems to be ok, the toilet is center mounted, not rear, like some. My shower options are to cut a hole in the floor in front of the toilet closet and mount a recessed shower pan about 4-5 inches deep, so hang down 3 inches or so. Or I could build up the wood decking in that area and mount a pan without cutting the van. (Harder) or.. I could tear out a sidewall of the toilet, turn the toilet 90 deg to the right, and put in a 32 or 36 by 24 all in one toilet and shower combo and redo the cabinet.

Thinking...

[stan909]

I looked at a Coachman with a rear toilet that was retrofitted with a pan in the floor with drain to where the spare would be. I layed down to look and found a 2 gln gas can strapped under the drain with no way to empty it without laying down and getting drenched. Had I bought the rig,I would have gotten a real grey water tank to put in it 's place. The problem with your rig is the drive shaft and differential are in that area below but I would think a hose could be rigged to run the water to a tank at the rear. Have you layed down to determine if that 's possible ? Since you boondock you could run a garden hose out into the desert from under the van or into a bucket.

[RnRs-RT]

I had a Truck camper, had no shower but had almost a two foot square area in front of the toilet. I made a galvanized pan about 6" deep as big as would fit with a drain on the side close to the bottom then made the track on the ceiling bigger for arm room. I added lead fishing weights to the bottom of the curtain to keep it inside the pan. Worked out well. I guess you could put it in the center of the floor, like the RoadTrek, and extend a flex hose to drain out the side door into a container when finished. You would have to find room for the pan when not in use but you could use it for storage bin when not in use.

[Horizon170]

Here is a small one.
Marvin
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=E_Jqu_-RAxyExM&tbnid=AwCDtPeKdbEDjM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.truckcampermagazine.com%2Fnews%2Ftcm-exclusive-2014-adventurer-80rb&ei=6aBkUu3SMpK89QTKwIAo&psig=AFQjCNFr8YQgCSGHQpKb7Wv_g-QItf1F6A&ust=1382412905886950

[cbigham]

Horizon170,
I do not. The outside shower is just a small hatch panel, drivers side if you expand the photo you will see.

Took it out last night, rode with some friends near Barstow. Got to 41 deg. Outside showers suck, I want to install something center isle. Have some ideas, sort of roadtrek esq, don't know if floor is raised enough yet tho..

Something like this


And


Roof curtain track
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SMd-WX0fhBI/UmSYCpbhNsI/AAAAAAAAB7s/TwSBGNG-02c/s640/image.jpg

Seal it up like this

[Horizon170]

cbigham, do you have a picture of the outside shower? I have both. 🙂

[cbigham]

Here's a shot. Much more enjoyable taking this van to the dez. Outside shower sucks, will need to fix, but seems a good fit for boon docking a day or three.



Here's a shot of the bike..

My friends call it "Bessie". ... She ain't the fastest but real thorough and reliable 😄