radin2son

There are some that can and others who can’t... Wish I could. Thanks for the tutorial.

No. Fires, however, aren’t the reason as major roads have reopened in AZ and NM. We still have a trip in the works for southwestern Colorado.

When you started this project, it was buy the best used NV for the least amount of money. Then there was the almost completed engine swap... While sitting in the initial trip ready build, take the time to read Mahu’s build. You need this type of project to keep you busy... Or keep this forum going. Speaking of Mahu, all we know about his van use is that he parked in Mammoth, CA and went skiing.

More like no sound at all.

This is better covered in Accessories and Mods, plus you can PM posts there. If you are using a laptop, rather than the mobile version, there are gallery photos. That said. How much are you willing to pay to meet your needs? EuroCampers.com has a 10% off sale though 6/29. NVs used to be among their listed vans. The issue will be how their racks attach to NV roof mounts. Tim Dahle Nissan near Salt Lake may still make custom racks. If Colorado Camper still converts NVs, they may have a source for racks. Aluminess? A new one, courtesy of Adventure Journal, is Front Runner Outfitters. Then there is Yakima... Good luck.

More than likely, the Big O shop owner had little to no experience with NVs. It wasn’t the rim size so much as the need for a lift to prevent tire rub. Owner also said the Big O brand has switched to Nitto made from BFG.

Decided to go with the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate ($280). Other choice was Cooper Discoverer HT3 ($254). A recommended tire to consider in place of the BFG KO2 is the Nitto Ridge or Terra Grappler but NV stock rims won't work. Dura Grappler, highway, will fit. Michelin's roadside service plan excludes LT245/70R as this is a "commercial" tire. Had to call them to clarify this.

Most diy camper conversions are NV2500/3500 high tops, but look up NV1500 posts by Bamps and Axuluv.

Are you committed to buying a NV200 for size and mpg? 2 people makes a crowd even with a pop top. If you are flexible, you may want to check out a NV1500. V6 will get 17+mpg. There also are V6 NV2500s in standard or hightop.

Like the “flares” or “bump outs.” Came across this 2018 article yesterday. “Top AT tires for truck campers.” truckcamperadventures.com Most likely will not go with KO2. Too much tire for future trips. Some good alternatives in the article that others have put on their NVs per older posts. I probably will play it safe and go with Michelin Agilis Crossclimate. Perhaps, I’ll get convinced otherwise when I buy new tires this week or next.

Welcome. If you are in the US, best bet is to scroll down to NV Model Specific and NV200. Not that many posts but you can PM the most recent post(er)s. Then check out UK sites as this is one of their popular camper van conversions. A chronic issue on this site is that people ask questions then disappear. Another is very few posts. Good of luck with your plans. Just came across this in an email from Adventure Journal. Front Runner Outfitters makes a “slim line II” roof rack (kit) for NV200s. Expensive at $1200? Depends on how long you plan to use your NV. AJ is a good read in print or on line. adventure-journal.com As an aside, Aluminess has been sold per Sportsmobile forum. Doubt they made much if anything for a NV200.

Thanks. Stock wheels? I’ve considered these. Good to know they are smooth riding and quiet.

We have kept our NV 2500 Sportsmobile mostly stock. Replaced the OEM Firestone tires 6 years ago with stock Michelin Defenders. Great tire for us with lots of tread left, but the desert takes it toll. Don’t want to risk driving across the desert with current tires. (In mid-90s in a Westy, 2 tires blew between Gila Bend and Yuma on I-8.) Michelin apparently discontinued Defenders, so I need some help with what is out there. No plans to lift or go to larger tires. The next owner can do that. Still plan to drive forest service roads and pavement to get there. Joke in Tucson is that you have to drive 500 miles to start your trip. So the question is, what tire would “all 3 of you” go with?

Thanks. Keeping track of fires on InciWeb is critical. Then, there is carrying enough water. 30+ gallons in our case.

It’s been awhile since I posted anything here. Partly Covid and fires in the west. We had to put off a planned trip to western NM due to fires. Same for Northern AZ. Rock Crossing CG, southeast of Flagstaff, AZ finally opened and we spend 4 days there hiking parts of the AZ Trail. (For those with kayaks, there is Blue Ridge Reservoir 2 miles away. Apparently 20’ down from high water mark.) Weather was 10 degrees warmer than expected, plus really dry. Sites around the outside perimeter of the cg are best and many can be reserved ($8 fee). Most are fcfs. Decided to take our chances and drive down route 180 in NM. New fires to the east so we modified our route. Driving near the Gila Wilderness to Silver City is worth the drive. Camped overnight in Big Horn CG. 5 other cgs to chose from, but most are best avoided. Cosmic CG is better, but exposed to high winds and all day sun. Set up for star gazers. All are free and have vault toilets. Have to carry out all of your garbage. 90* in the shade at Big Horn. Other choice on our route was City of Rocks SP southeast of Silver City. High winds made that a poor choice. Interested in mpg? 2012 NVs show mpg and in this case it was 15.8. Actual mpg was less, 15.2. Surprised it wasn’t lower, as we ended up on long shortcut of washboard dirt roads where the rear wants to lead on turns. Gas ranged from $4.49 to $4.89 per gallon.

Not that anyone, well maybe you, wants to deal with this, but appreciate the info if we ever have to.

sportsmobile.com (Austin, TX) has a 2012 NV2500 high top for sale at $45k. Pretty much stock build with “gaucho” floor plan, couch/bed along driver’s side. Roof top ac and solar panels. 51k miles. Most were here built in Fresno, CA but a few (?) were built in the Austin facility.

Also on conversion trader is a 4x4 2017 NV3500 recently converted in Canada and for sale at $89k or $98.9k (Canadian?) OBO.

If ASD Dad doesn’t see this, you can PM him. Not sure if he still has his NVP or just parked it and the RV he pulled.

Saw a ‘21 Nissan NV200 Recon ENVY at the Chiricahua National Monument campground. A couple from Oregon was traveling around the southwest. No dog. Small size and lack of power (Sentra engine) wasn’t an issue for them. A lot of great engineering went into the interior and VW style pop top. They had a box on top and racks on the back. This is their daily driver in part due to getting 30 mpg. Their’s possibly was the last (12/2021) NV200 Recon conversion ($36k plus price of van) build. Recon is looking at other small vans to convert. But, if you already own an NV200 and in the process of a diy build, it may be worth a call to see what’s left over in the parts bin. Or, just look at the options list to get some ideas. www.reconcampers.com

Probably an SV, not that trim level matters much in a cargo van. Wouldn’t want to hear that engine knock in the middle of nowhere. How many miles? The back windows were an option we like. Decent driving view and let light in to keep it from seeming like a cave. Good of luck with your project.

Finally saw a NV200 with ladder rack on it. The factory drilled holes with cross bars are quite the stretch. For cars, I’ve always gone with Thule roof racks for bikes, but like Yakima as well. The reason is you can plug in your car/van to see what fits, then set up a chat or call them to make sure their system will work. If you are near REI, pay them a visit to check out the product. Let us know how you worked this out.

Another NV hightop on conversion trader if you aren’t checking... I’m looking for a pop top like ours to show up to see how they are being priced. Sportsmobile owner said they built 30 NV 2500s in 2012 to be sold at NV commercial dealerships, but I haven’t a clue how many were pop tops.

Depending on where you are in your build, there is a 2014 NV high top for sale on conversion trader. It has a Murphy bed and a slightly different modification of the shelf space above the cab. Also a a detailed description of the build.

Nicely done: description, research and photos. This should be very helpful for those just discovering the merits of NVs.