radin2son

Do you really need a 3500? We have a 2500 standard top (5996 lbs with 3104 payload capacity per info from 2012). Sportsmobile conversion added almost 1000 lbs. Gear, water, food, dog(s) and 2 humans added another 1000 lbs. for trips over several weeks. You probably won’t need this, but out west, we have to carry 30+ gallons. We have a 20 gallon tank for potable water but don’t drink it unless we have to. Filling tank is easy enough but who knows about quality and taste. Drinking water in gallon containers stashed wherever they will fit. When empty, we buy more.

You have to stop breathing to prevent moisture.

weretherussos.com is worth checking out for van and overland comparisons, particularly for someone just getting into this. Make your own judgement on their style etc.

NVinNE If you are thinking rear AC for summer use, you’ll need shore power which means sites with hookups. So ceramic would work if you plan to use shore power on a regular basis. Otherwise, no as noted. We had the same misgivings about Mr Buddy.

NVinNE Have you considered a portable “ceramic” heater? Only have to take it when needed. A bigger issue is summer heat. You will need a roof vent and vented side windows.

Talking to myself again... This video may not have been seen by new owners with diy projects in progress or planned. As an aside. A lot of diy conversions have cooktop on the counter behind the driver’s seat. (Our ‘83 VW was set up the same way.) Sportsmobile did this as well on all conversions except NVs. Reason: fuel vent was too close. Real reason: compliance with RV certification.

Took a quick look at sportsmobile forum. Good luck on finding info. Sportsmobile.com addresses heating but not in depth in their sales info. Propane or diesel, not gas. When we travel during winter, our heating consists of winter sleeping bags, 1 dog, 2 humans, and cups of coffee. Getting up to make coffee is an issue, however.

2 issues with NVs that cannot be changed. No extended version offered and rear “living” area is smaller by the difference in Ford vs NV hoods. V8 also doesn’t know if van is loaded or not. MPG is good or bad based on your expectations. Good good luck with your search and build. conversiontrader.com has a 2012 3500 V8 high top for sale ($42k) if you are tempted to skip the build process. Search Nissan to find it. Otherwise you will be looking at endless ProMasters and Sprinters. Also good for ideas.

Sportsmobile forum has many posts on this albeit for other vans. Good for ideas however. I believe Colorado Camper still converts NVs. They may have info on heater options and placement. Would be a great trip. What is good for a diy may be a liability for an upfitter.

Welcome. We all agree that this site is “not too lively.” You will have to dig deep to get links? eurocampers just had or has a sale on NV racks. Still $$$$. They have sale bin as well. Vanlifers just sent me an email on how to winterize camper vans. Not so much of an issue in AZ. Good of luck on your project.

Tires rotated and balanced for free at Discount Tire since van already there getting new valve stems. When checking the tires, they found a nail in one tire. DIY at $100+ is definitely cheaper than the $250 I paid even factoring in the potential cost of rotation and balance. Didn’t know there was a nail in one tire as there was no psi loss.

$45-50 bead breaker $55. valve stems/batteries $30+ wheel balance $? nail/flat repair $100+. Total labor Priceless

Thanks. We’ve had it 9 years and have had lots of practice packing, removing and putting it all back again.

Welcome. Like your packing...

Yes, you can get them cheaper but not all of us can remove and remount a tire. You can chalk where the weights are, but is that the correct balance? This included “free” balancing and they found a nail in driver side front tire. Fixed and prevented a future problem. Good for people to know options. Long ago, dealer( not Discount Tire) rotated tires but failed to change TPMS or psi. TPSM didn’t pick up on 30 psi rear and 80 psi front. Drove fine and didn’t notice it until we were parked in a dispersed camping area. Letting air out was easy. Pumping air with a bicycle floor pump not so much. (Carry a small air compressor now.) Lots of numbers on this Nissan battery valve stem Tan back #40700 1PAOA Side #56842730068623 Black back # SEL 15078861

Finally took out NV camping after 20 months only to have “TPMS ERROR” pop up. RR was the problem. No real issue but annoying. Back in 2016, when tires were replaced, I was told the stems couldn’t be reused. Only $7 per stem so no big deal. This info was wrong. Stem seals were replaced but not the stem and battery. Batteries typically last 7-10 years. Replacing just the battery isn’t an option. Replacement of the new, complete stem runs $60 or roughly $250 for four. If you have an older NV or plan to buy one built 7-10 years ago, expect this added expense. Or ignore it. Terrible system regardless.

I thought the ‘22 Frontier would tempt you. Good choice. Since you traded it, did it hold it’s value? Periodically, the dealer here sends a “We want to buy your cargo van” email. Computer has no idea it is a camper van.

We know the feeling. Not using our NV for the past year makes us wonder if we are motivated enough to keep it. We have a year remaining in our 10 year commitment. Then we think, we live in the west and what better place to have a camper van. I have always preferred the more streamlined roofline of the Roadtrek compared to our Sportsmobile.

Great mpg on a flatbed...

Aside from a navigation upgrade in 2014-15 (?) and new engine, transmission in 2017, not much changed. When the last 2021 drives off the lot, this site will be a resource for used NVs.

Great warranty, but that doesn’t help with downtime. Still, there are few reported problems.

This topic may be too late to matter relative to why buy a NV. A recent fatal head on crash between a Sprinter (4x4?) and Ford 350 pickup made me wonder if any/many of us consider vehicle safety when buying. How would we know? Are trucks and large vans crash tested etc. The Sprinter damage was from the front to the B pillar. Everything was pushed in and up, possibly the engine as well. The Ford had front end damage, but the no visible damage to the A pillar. I would think our NVs would fare better than the Sprinter given the beefy ladder frame and more crushable space. Don’t want to find out, but it gives reason to think about buying a unibody van. Nissan does make a European version, N300, that is a rebadged Renault. Then again, it also may be a casualty of Nissan’s financial problems. Some may may not have seen the photos of the NVP that clipped the left lane guard rail on an interstate highway. It rolled over on its back and slide until it stopped. Extensive damage where it hit the guard rail but the rest was relatively minor. No serious injuries that I recall.

Anyone who has owned a Westy, has loved, hated and adapted to a great camper van. Our NV interior layout is exactly the same as our ‘83 Vanagan. This time with rear storage rather than an engine. Overall more room, but organization is still required.

Search mpg on this site. It gets confusing when 2500 V6 and V8 are included in the same thread. 14.3 mpg overall for the 2017-21 3500? Lower for your 4x4. Try PM for new 4x4 owners.

Eurocampers.com has or had a limited selection of NV aftermarket parts including CR Lawrence windows, passenger and driver side. Laharview has posts on diy install.