radin2son

Welcome. There seem to be more families seriously considering NVPs. Pulling a travel trailer, cargo space and expanding family are great reasons to buy. Let us know your impressions.

i've always thought the SV is a better value and may avoid some of the "luxury" issues of the SL. KMG mentioned in another post that the 2017 models may have a 7 speed transmission. Why mate this to the old 5.6 V8? So there may be a good chance the 2017 will have the new 5.6. This may be a reason to wait. I'm surprised Nissan commercial dealers would tolerate non-commercial doing oil changes. The rumor was that non-commercial didn't have lifts to service NVs. The real reason most likely is the premium paid to Nissan to become a commercial dealership. Our commercial dealership is 5 miles away; otherwise it would be 100 miles to Phoenix. I prefer using commercial dealerships just in case something surfaces when getting regular service. One recall was dealt with... Familiarity with NVs is my main reason.

Three years ago, there were some minor recalls that are documented in this forum. None since. The Canton facility is doing a great job. If I were buying a 2012 or 2013 NV, I would make sure the recalls were done. If reliability was an issue you would be reading about it here. Mc2guy may be the only one who gave up on his NVP after it stranded him twice. The major repairs were covered by the warranty. Annoying issues are few but well documented here, such as AC, front sensors, windshield leaks etc. Unsatisfactory buying and service issues also are here. Better yet, we have identified good dealers to use. And we have an old goat to keep trolls away...

We have very little grass, no water under bridges and javalena, so I recuse myself. But, you must be the old goat.

This thread is over a year old. Anyone have more recent contact and have they improved the process? For those not familiar with this, NV owners must contact commercial customer service if any issues arise.

According to Klaus, does this make "him (you) and his (your) buddies" the "Billy Goats Gruff?"

You can take your Nissan anywhere for service just not to a Nissan dealership that is not a commercial dealership. You will find these are not that well known trucks, but the engine is well known. Inspections will vary state to state, so someone from PA will have to let you know. It should be no different than any other van on the road in PA. "Commercial" shouldn't factor in. Have you had any trouble getting insurance?

See, I was only partially seeing things; I thought it started out as a window van and you upgraded the windows. Great look and as is your style, functional. I keep looking at that space above the slider and think "loft."

"Do not engage" directive by Klaus on Expedition Portal Forum is a lot more menacing than ASD Dad's "Ignore this thread..." Still hard to imagine Nissan would benefit from using his ad agency.

Ok. I've saved photos that way but never thought to try what you did to correct someone else's photo. Good job. I also found that vertical photos don't transfer correctly just using the iPhone. So I avoid posting them, unless I take the time to do what you have described.

21+ mpg for a bare bones NV 1500. NVPs are heavy, almost same curb weight as camperized NVs so expect 17+ mpg for the V6. Also factor in the weight of all passengers and stuff you put inside and it is easy to add 1000#s. Most posted mpg info is for V8s as you noted so maybe a new to the forum V6 NVP owner will chime in.

David, Most bike demo vans are Sprinters and have 20+ bikes racked vertically. I think you will need more than 6' 4" for you and your bikes. I would be inclined to go with a Sprinter. If you go with the used NV you found and use fork mounts bolted to the floor, you should be able to carry 6+ bikes, with front wheels racked wherever you can find space. You will need some sort of ventilation, roof top fan and/or vented windows similar to the ones KMG has, if you plan to sleep in your van.

David, as long as you are logged in, you can "PM" anyone by clicking on their user name. You will get the options you need. Since we include an email address with our profile it will go there. Quicker unless email is checked less frequently than this forum. Chris_cm is definitely a good source for all things vehicle related, where to get the best fried pickles etc.

Looks clean! What I like about NVs is how impossible it is to tell the year. Service record and manuals? 2 keys? If the used vehicle dealer (?) offers an extended warranty I would be inclined to skip it. So little goes wrong with these, plus at 51,000+ miles, most NV problems should have been delt with. Owner/operator caused problems are another thing. You've mentioned using carfax... Assuming it had the 30,000 mile service, you will be coming up on an equally expensive 60,000 service. Get the the optional recommended service to make sure it has everything up to date.

KMG, do you have them on both sides? Or was I seeing things? David, the only downside of all around windows is the loss of wall space to hang things. With bike racks on the inside, that wouldn't be a problem. You could always add a cabinet/shelf system and ignore the rear side windows similar to VWs, at least the driver's side on older campers. If you get a good deal on that 2012 you would be able to add the ph. SMB in Fresno probably won't do it...

That is a great video of Dave Anderson's V6. Check out his blog and other videos. Mostly climbing in China but a recent one was in Monument Valley, AZ in the 4 corners region. Not a great place to change a flat!

chpfilo. Curious, how to you edit someone else's photo? I was expecting a photo of your puppy. andy_george. Enjoy your trip. That is a huge trailer, or is it the angle of the photo?

We have almost 59,000 miles on ours and trust it. Our plan is to keep it another 6 years, so we will be well over 120,000 miles. I rarely post on the SMB forum, but did so at 50k. Their response was "See you at 100k."

A window version appears in the forum gallery, airport/hotel limo? KMG, I thought yours was a window van. If the van is on a lot, perhaps it is a forgotten left over that no one wanted and/or didn't complete the limo build. Is it a V6? I met someone who found a forgotten 2012 low top Sprinter on a lot. Great deal. The insulation may only be there to deaden sound. I wouldn't worry about it. Just cover it up. If you plan to put your Dirty Wheels logo on the outside, no problem going over the glass. Low mileage. There is a "new" 2012/13 hightop SMB on a lot in Port Angeles, WA. with slightly higher mileage. Regarding what to pay? NVs hold their value and Chris_cm has pointed out it is not cost effective to keep used on his lot. People opt for new ones. Then again, this could be one that was impossible to sell. Good luck.

The cost of a poptop ($7k) vs the cost of a "higher" top Transit or Sprinter may push you toward the latter. For the same reason, the home build campervans on this forum are high top NVs. If you are delivering 1 or 2 bikes and have no plans for using your van as a mobile bike shop, you may want to consider a used lowtop campervan with poptop. I believe floor to roof is 6'10". You could remove whatever cabinetry etc you don't need. This would be more like returning to your EuroVan. Check out the used SMBs, mostly Ford 4x4, at www.sportsmobile.com but there are a few 2x2 Fords and Dodges. There was 1 used NV ($34k). Jon is taller and is probably your best source for info. His ph was installed by someone else.

You have been gone awhile. Why not put it in manual mode and lock out 5th to start, then 4th etc. to get to the gear you plan to stay in. It is real easy to shift up when needed.

When I quit racing 4 years ago, there were several bike shop teams using Sprinters. One pro/cat. 1 had his own hightop Sprinter that he kept all his bikes in. When he travelled for fun with his and his GF's bikes they also threw in a kayak. No sure where they slept, but I have seen photos of hammocks being used inside vans. You may want to PM Jon Nelson as he added a poptop to his hightop NV for the same reason as you. We bought our 2012 lowtop NV 2500 that was converted into a campervan by Sportsmobile West. It has the penthouse (poptop) and floor plan similar to VWs. I was able to fit one of my worn out race bikes under the bed platform, but not 2. We bought 2 Ritchey CX breakaway bikes to solve carrying 2 bikes inside. For the past almost 4 years reliability has not been a concern at all. It has been all about routine service. Our 36k warranty expired long ago but now it is 100k. Looked at your web site. Where are you located? SF I would guess... Great video. I ride a 54cm Pegoretti and a 56 cm Richey, but tried a Bike Friday. Twitchy until you got used to it. Started on steel and ending on steel after 3 aluminum and 1 carbon frames. Never tried titanium.

Don't worry about the "selling" dealership, unless there are few close by. Go with the best price, then find a good commercial dealership service department. Under "maintenance" topic, there is a thread for positive service experience. With luck you may be near one listed. There have been no new posts in a long time and I'm hoping all the new NVP owners will update this list. We keep these on file when we travel.

Think about where you plan to use your campervan, particularly in terms of needs and the size of your water tank. If you primarily will be in campgrounds that have water hookups, then you can get by with a smaller tank. We have a 20 gallon tank on the floor under the rear seat/bed and carry 10+ gallons of drinking water in gallon containers. This way we can deal with the absence of water hookups out west. Still need to find places to fill up... The size of the gray water tank in that small area may not be that important. If there is a sewer hookup, you can use a short garden hose or use a pan underneath and dump the gray water into the sewer. There are other legal places to dump the water pan as well. We use a pan and when not in use it holds the power cord and water hose.