Van with Toilet and Frig

[BuzzBNC]

Hi. I am brand new to the forum and a future RV'er.

What I would like to do is get something different than most.

I have some serious health issues that make travel difficult but I'm not going to let it stop me.

I'm looking for a van that has a toilet and refrigerator. I don't need a full kitchen, shower or hot water. An additional battery to plug in a portable refrigerator would be fine but an enclosed, private toilet is necessary. It can either be marine type of attached to a holding tank.

Anyone have any ideas where I can find something like this?

TIA

[BuzzBNC]

I'm still in a searching phase. I need to find the right vehicle first then I can outfit it. I'll probably deal with this later in the summer.

[jjrai]

Hey, how about an update? What are you seeing out there?

[ol__grouch]

BuzzBNC wrote:
No, I'm not handicapped. I have digestive disorder than when it flares up I have a need to use a toilet--pronto.

A decent porta=potty would probably work. I would just have to find someone to fit some privacy curtains.

As for the frig. It's to transport food. I could get a small dc type like truckers use and that can go from van to hotel room and back (using portable power converter.)

I don't plan to sleep in the van. I need the setup for when I'm miles from a rest room.

Thanks for everyone's help on this. If anyone has more ideas, I'm listening.

There are a lot of class B camper vans out there that would fit the bill. Otherwise you might want a conversion van like another poster said. I've got a Coachmen Horizon myself and I have a similar problem. Mine is more water based. I like the privacy a van affords. If you're on a long trip and want a nap, you can pull over into a rest stop and snooze a bit. Mine is based on a GMC Vandura but I've seen Ford based Coachmen too.

[stan909]

Roadtreks etc... are also more expensive,heavier and get lower mpg than a stock van. Portapotti and fringe should suit the OP just fine. If he can find a hightop that would be a plus.

[jjrai]

I know you do not need a kitchen, but consider a used RV. Road Treck, leisure Travel, Pleasure Way, Winebago and many others are out there for a full range of designs and prices. The pros are that the bath is generally enclosed. They usually have a three way refrigerator and the LP option is extremely efficient. You can easily plug it in when convenient. If you choose to go to an RV park, you can plug it in and you have AC. I should also mention Sport Mobile if you want a custom Unit.

[Bumpyroad]

wincrasher65 wrote:
If you get the Engel fridge, they have a quick-release baseplate that you can get for it - screws down in the floor.
.

when I wanted tie downs in my Halfback van I cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit the back, put in Tnuts in the areas I wanted to fasten things down, and covered it with IO carpet.
bumpy

[stan909]

A portapotti and plug in fridge. I think we've all done our part. Congrats all around.

[wincrasher65]

If you get the Engel fridge, they have a quick-release baseplate that you can get for it - screws down in the floor.

I'd recommend 2 group 31 AGM batteries - that should give you 200 ah which is plenty for a fridge and some lights for 3 or 4 days.

[Handbasket]

Be sure to make provisions for fastening the cooler and potty down so they don't become missiles during hard stops or wrecks. Good luck to ya!

Jim, "The trouble with bucket seats is that not everyone has the same size bucket."

[BuzzBNC]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I figured out what to do. Porta potty and some type of plug in cooler. (The cooler will be going into a hotel room with me every night so no need to run it in the van full time.

Now, I have to find a van.

[mlts22]

Would a Trik-L-Start or Amp-L-Start do the job as well? It isn't cheap, but it is a 12 volt charger powered from 12 volts, so if one battery bank is topped off somehow, it helps maintain the other bank's charge, while keeping the two banks isolated.

[DougE]

For the memory-challenged the $80 for the isolator (plus whatever to wire it in) would probably be worth it. However, most late model cars & trucks will isolate the battery if the voltage drops below a certain point to prevent excessive discharge. It will take a few days of cycling the 5 amp fridge compressor to get you in trouble with the two batteries I'm thinking. I carry #2 jumper cables to assist others and as a backup for myself. Yes, I could do it myself if the urge were to strike.

[stan909]

"I just unplug it at night". Carry jumper cables in case you forget. It really is quite simple and cheap to do it right. I am no rocket scientist and I did it myself.

[Shearwater]

I second the suggestion to check with Sportsmobile (www.sportsmobile.com)

They are very reputable outfit that does custom conversions with just about any kind of van. They will build you exactly what you need and no more. Their prices are quite reasonable.