Scored a NICE cargo van - let the fun begin!
Ed just has a "nose for cars" - I'm not sure how he found it, but we now own a Transit T-250 LWB, medium roof cargo van. It's a 2015 - but brand new; warranty starts when we take delivery. LOADED - ...
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So here's what the neighbors see: a travel van with a dinette for tailgating. The folding chairs and table are tied vertically next to the cabinet. I cut up some old 5" foam mattress toppers I got eons ago from JC Penney; covered them with cheap fabric GLUED together (my sewing skillz aren't near what my carpentry skillz are....LOL!) - and they are insanely comfy. Like so many RV, the backrest cushions fill in the center section to become a bed.
This is what it looked like just before we headed to FL - the heavy stuff is stashed below the seats. Duffels and soft things are stored on top of the seats, but tied to some heavy rings installed on the D-pillars, in case of a crash.
I recently added curtains just behind the front seats; and across the rear windows. Just offers some quick privacy, since putting the magnetically-attached Reflectix window insulation/shades takes a few minutes. I didn't drop the ceiling below the roof ribs - Ed is 6'3" tall, so I needed to keep as much interior height as possible. He has to duck a little bit - I think the inside height is 6'. Ours is the "medium" roof - Ed would have been able to stand upright in the high-roof model, but then we couldn't have parked it in our garage.
So it's not fancy, and I DO risk not being allowed in certain parks due to the "hippie van" association (or lack of RVIA sticker). But it's not bad for the conversion efforts of a mid-60's old lady....LOL! We think of it as a "steel tent" that's really comfy, warm and dry. Won't need to be winterized. Can haul a TON of "stuff". Can fit into rustic and "tent" sites when allowed. And rides/drives like a truly delightful SUV. Fits into our garage with a 10' door.
I still have a few "tweaky" things to do to it; but it's 95% finished, and we love it. I'm sure a lot of RV folks will scoff at living so crudely; but after 2 years of about the same amenities with our old pup-up truck camper, we know we are comfortable doing this.
This is what it looked like just before we headed to FL - the heavy stuff is stashed below the seats. Duffels and soft things are stored on top of the seats, but tied to some heavy rings installed on the D-pillars, in case of a crash.
I recently added curtains just behind the front seats; and across the rear windows. Just offers some quick privacy, since putting the magnetically-attached Reflectix window insulation/shades takes a few minutes. I didn't drop the ceiling below the roof ribs - Ed is 6'3" tall, so I needed to keep as much interior height as possible. He has to duck a little bit - I think the inside height is 6'. Ours is the "medium" roof - Ed would have been able to stand upright in the high-roof model, but then we couldn't have parked it in our garage.
So it's not fancy, and I DO risk not being allowed in certain parks due to the "hippie van" association (or lack of RVIA sticker). But it's not bad for the conversion efforts of a mid-60's old lady....LOL! We think of it as a "steel tent" that's really comfy, warm and dry. Won't need to be winterized. Can haul a TON of "stuff". Can fit into rustic and "tent" sites when allowed. And rides/drives like a truly delightful SUV. Fits into our garage with a 10' door.
I still have a few "tweaky" things to do to it; but it's 95% finished, and we love it. I'm sure a lot of RV folks will scoff at living so crudely; but after 2 years of about the same amenities with our old pup-up truck camper, we know we are comfortable doing this.
