radin2son

I'm not dead set on Zamp; it's just an example. Amazon sells another brand, same price, and could be the same unit, just another name. Positive reviews. The local RV repair guy, who sells but does not stock Zamp, looked at me like I was crazy and told me to just go buy the parts at Costco and build my own. He also said something to the effect that any fool can do this. Much like you did via email, leaving out the crazy and fool part... Maybe, I just like the provided carrying case... Connect positive to positive on first battery and negative to negative on second, last battery. Right?

KMG, what has been the life span of the batteries you use and where do you buy them? You may have a business source, so maybe the ? should be where is the best place to buy them. I was wrong about the price of the Zamp 80 amp portable solar unit. It sells for $450 (free shipping) on Amazon. Either prices came down, or SMB inflated the price to $700 plus shipping when I last looked. $700 will get you the 120 amp charger. Faster charging? But how much faster? Zamp doesn't list prices, just dealers. The one I checked locally didn't keep any in inventory. He'd order one. This low to no inventory is annoying. The only good thing is if the wrong part is sent or doesn't work out of the box, it can be sent back then. When attaching the cable to "daisy linked" batteries, do you put the positive on one and the ground on the other?

I've seen 2, maybe the same one in passing, at a dog show. Both were high top cargo vans. I looked in the windshield of one, and it was minimally converted with some shelving on the driver's side. Couldn't see much. Lots of ribbons on the dash, small breed dog(s). Plenty of room for crates. If you need natural light inside, the rear and side door glass options are inexpensive. If you plan to tow a travel trailer, go with the V8. V6 will be fine otherwise. You may find some very good deals on 2015s. This is not unique to NVs, but it will get hot in the cargo even when driving. I've seen NVs with ac units on top. When parked, you may need a fan. Insulating and sound deadening also. If you don't need a high top, don't see how, go with the NVP, remove the rear seats and enjoy the ac. You and your dogs will enjoy the ride.

I agree with Wollip. The slide show is excellent and answered most if not all the ?s I posed. I like versatility in vans, plus you may do more RVing and less cargo than you think. I like the ability to add or delete batteries. Not counting your labor etc., what do you expect your CTek project to cost? Estimated retail figures are fine. Given my current setup, my frame of reference is the Zamp 80 watt portable unit ($800) as it only requires a quick attachment to the house batteries for a trickle charge.

Wild Oats in Tucson, before they became Whole Foods, had a reputation for hiring staff based on their "smile." At the deli, I asked if they had any roasted veggies. No response. Like peppers... "I don't like peppers" was the response. So KMG, I don't like ice in my drinks. Good thing, because our fridge doesn't do ice very well. If you set it much above 3, it will freeze whatever is near the tiny freezer. I looked at Yeti coolers, hoping they made a 12 volt model. Still may go with one, Yeti or Pelican, when the Coleman stops working. I think I was put off by all the referrences to iced drinks. 3 100 AH batteries should keep you and your ice off the grid for a long time with what you are running. Are you going to use any high draw appliances, a coffee maker? You know, I expect you to say "I don't like coffee." I will PM my email address. We should have done this earlier when we were both in the NW.

The sonar switch has always been there, but has to be reset every time you restart your engine. The ? was how to disable it completely; same question for TPMS. In the case of rear sensors, when you lose one, the whole system malfunctiones and you get the constant beep when in reverse. $225+ to replace each sensor. You will also find that the sensors do not like shadows, inclines, curb drop offs etc. I wouldn't completely disable it even if the backup camera makes it redundant. There are times when the backup image is hard to see. Unless you have fog lights, the front sensors are a NVP only option.

There was an AP story on the almost nonexistent system for recalling unsafe tires. Huge number of tire related accidents annually, not all related to unsafe tires, however. Unless you or the tire shop register each tire, you may not know you have an unsafe tire even if the media covers the recall. Are NV oem tires registered? Something to keep in mind at replacement. Another item was Pep Boys being bought out by Bridgestone Tire. How many of us have crossed their oil stained parking lots to get a part.

Somehow, I confused Trooper 1 and The Beast as being the same vehicle. No more, based on your latest photos. I wonder what Nissan Commercial is sending to SEMA?

For some, this may be part of a vacation and wouldn't have to be on a weekend. There also are spring and fall breaks. As KMG indicated, we just have to see what the interest is and go from there.

Wow! Purely functional.

I am an "expert" in tow mode application, not because we tow anything or remember it on downhills; I inevitably hit the tow mode button instead of the inverter button to charge our phone. That is, when I remember to charge the phone or push the correct button and drive for miles thinking it is charging. My wife typically asks me, "Do you know you are in tow mode?" or Did you mean to push tow mode?" Actually, it is easier for the passenger to see both. Curious, what is the 4x4 set up for engaging it and driving? Can this interfere with the manual mode? Anyone wishing they had a clutch? Just had this thought. Although the manual mode works shifting up and down, maybe it only was intended to engage when stopped and put it in the desired gear to prevent gear hunting in stop and go city driving, low speed zones etc. For those who have not had the button work while in motion, does it not work if you are stationary? Also, does vehicle mass affect downshifting? If the system is car based rather than designed for NVs it could be too light duty. Then again, it could be a program issue.

Actually, maybe right in between. I was looking at the KOA book and there are 2, Mackinaw City and St Ignace in that area. We know absolutely nothing about the area. Macinac Island sounds interesting. (One families' tourist trap may be another's dream vacation.) Although we prefer state parks, some are impossible to get into on weekends and KOAs may be good for this type of event. But, I definitely defer to anyone who knows the area or any other area. This idea is open to everything and everyone for 2016 or 17. Chris the cm might even turn it into a NV event if we meet near Charlotte, NC. Truth be told, we have never been to a meetup and consider ourselves to be solitary travelers. It would, however, be interesting to meet others who use their NVs to travel, or as my wife just said to see that many NVs...

ASD Dad, Did you notice anything when you downshifted at higher speeds? Thought about this last night; I use the manual mode most often when there are speed zone warning signs on secondary roads entering towns. If it looks like more than one stop sign/light town, or we are looking for fuel, just gawking, etc., I will engage manual mode. (Same for traffic jams.) The feel/sound in the shift from 4th to 3rd is most likely to occur going from 45 to a 35 mph zone. I'm not shifting at 45; rather, I shift after braking to 35 mph or so. The revs don't change audibly. Don't notice anything when going from 3rd to lower speeds. Again, I've never had the manual button not work. No sounds etc., but the tach shows slightly higher rpm. KMG, Have you tried putting it in tow mode. It acts like a speed limiter. Here is another electronic related issue, or not, possibly related to the electronic brake force distribution (EBD). From day one, I have heard a faint sound when braking. It isn't mechanical, but sounds like pushing down on something spring loaded. When we were getting an "after the fact" NV orientation, I mentioned it. The cm at Dublin Nissan said he hadn't noticed this, nor had any one brought it up. It is faint enough that road noise drowns it out. I can still hear it, but it has never affected braking. Just ask the herd of deer near Eureka, NV I thought I was going to hit...

None of the displays have ever shown much if any movement once warmed up, no matter what the conditions. When overdrive is pointless, I will use the manual mode. Downshfting from 4th to 3rd on a downhill can be felt and heard if the speed is too high, so I tend to brake, probably more than necessary, to the point where I think the shift will be smoother. On the Moki Dugway, it was slow going in 2nd, and I didn't put it into 1st until I had braked for each switchback or very rough section. It has never not shifted. Climbing or slogging along in manual works like a charm. Whether you use the tach or your ears it is more intuitive...

Smaller? Nissan commercial may be behind the curve or a full glass cargo/passenger NV200 isn't marketable, but they may have sold one to you. I know the word is No towing for NV200s, but saw one the other day with a hitch. On our last trip, we saw all sorts of small vehicles pulling trailers. Add a hitch, attach safety chains and make sure the lights work seemed to be the norm. Pallets? If you have a fork lift, I envision the first slide in camper or sauna build; yes, under conversions.

Met the owner/cabinet maker of an '07 Ford E-series 4x4 diesel. He bought it new and has put over 100,000 miles on it. He chose SMB because they have been converting vans for 50 years and should know how to do it right. (One of the reasons we went with SMB.) Even though he is a cabinet maker and could build better cabinets, he didn't see a need to do a home build. His take on SMB is that they do it right, sometimes sloppily, but the major problem is being too conservative in adopting new materials and methods. One example is the "scissor" hinge that supports the pop top. They have been using the same tubing for 50 years, rather than upgrade to stronger, lighter materials. Periodically, I check SMB's website, but I had not posted anything on their forum in a very long time. I posted a brief 3 year summary of owning a NV SMB. It is a good site for info for builds, problems, solutions and replacement products.

I think they and the NV SMB owners started their own secret forum. Judging from past posts and photos, there may be 6+ who converted. Have you checked out expedition portal? Their search doesn't link to NVs but they are there. I googled NV 4x4 conversions and it came up. Jon Nelson is there. Last time I looked it was qiite active.

Welcome. Brought back memories of installing front and rear seat belts in our '62 Land Rover. Some 2 person jobs never change. How do you plan to use your NV?

Interesting process; you had much more info to review. I saw 1 high top NV in early 2012 and thought it was a Titan cutaway. Next time I saw it, someone had broadsided the driver's side. It was caved in but still drivable. Never gave NVs or camper vans another thought. Until... A road cycling competitor/friend showed us his older Pleasureway Dodge/Sprinter. We started looking at Sprinters until we found Sportsmobile. Online, we looked at Ford E-series and used Srinters. Took awhile to realize SMB also converted NVs. Had NVs come in an extended version, we would have paid the difference. Counter space is one area that is lacking in our van. You also may find a use for that extra 2', but it isn't an option.

Missouri? Because most active forum participants seem to be from mid to eastern US. Most are working and have families. Another less important reason is that we want go back to pick up the Lewis and Clark route and work our way back to the Dakotas, where we left off...we don't have dates or a specific plan. Just a reason why we would drive that far. Where in Missouri? I really don't know. KMG resides there and others seem to know the area. OR, northern Michigan, especially if it is cooler. I forget who resides there and loves the area. Never been there. Anywhere is fine... When? Dates open. We just have to reach a consensus and ante up $ if campground reservations etc are needed. Keep it simple and cheap. Who? All NV owners, whether or not you drive a converted NV, tow a RV or want to stay in a tent, cabin or motel. Will it happen? Who knows? It can if there is interest. If not, maybe 2017.

Don't worry.* There was a meet up in SoCal that reminded everyone to bring a shovel. "Unh?" I thought to myself. It had been a long while since we had gone backpacking. *Where is that pit toilet when you need it. To avoid hijacking Mahu's post, maybe they will address this part of their build under conversion. It is seldom addressed but is often the second question asked after "What is that?" NV, that is...

Would we need to bring a shovel? Next, where is that caterer on this site? Mahu, perhaps Chris the cm, asked you this. Why did you chose a NV?

Welcome, Now you will be able to tell us what works well, doesn't work and everything in between with your NV. We looked at your blog, well done. I booked marked it along with Anderson's. Speaking of David, he has't updated his in a long time. I know this sounds like a monitor and you will do this on your own, please post your build under "conversions." Real time posts are easy to follow; it is the search that is awful. With your NVs arrival, we are getting close to needing a group site for my half baked suggestion for a meetup in Missouri. Need to convince ASD Dad to bring his tools and Chris the cm to bring his boat...

So far, buy 3 get 4 tire promotions have been for a few select car tires. Other promotions are mailin rebates. 3 recent reviews for Transforce HT cover the spectrum: Ram PU owner: throw them away at 50,000 mi Ram PU owner: only 24,000 mi. Don't buy. 2012 NV 2500 owner (FL): 117,000+ mi. Still going, original tires... Not my typo; kilometers maybe, as this would be 70,000+ miles which is close to Axulsuv has on his NV 1500. I had forgotten this, but the first time I brought our NV in for service in Tucson, there was a "business" NV getting new tires at 30,000 miles. I was told this is what to expect for city driving.

I have two 90 amp/hr batteries that need to be replaced in 3 to 5 years. 2 years less than l read somewhere else. They power lights, a water pump, small fridge and an always on carbon monoxide detector. The van came with a microwave, which we use with shore power or infrequently with the engine idling. SMB says this is ok, but Roadtrek says not to, according to an owner.