radin2son

We were looking at the Glacier NP web site and found that there are vehicle restrictions On Going to the Sun, as in 21' long, 10' high and 8' wide including mirrors. Our tow mirrors make it 8'6". Unless someone is measuring vehicles this shouldn't be a problem. Just don't hang anything on the front or back... Another vehicle restriction to watch out: Zion NP has a tunnel at the east entrance and they do monitor vehicles. NVs are too wide. There are certain times of the year where an escort vehicle will take you through the tunnel for a fee. They stop traffic and it becomes 1 way. You have to use the west entrance to enter and leave, which adds a long detour to get to Bryce NP or the reverse if coming from Bryce. Nice roads, however... You are right about not seeing many NV camper conversions. We saw one just like ours in Grand Tetons NP a year ago and a home build at a campground near White Sands NM this past April. A park ranger in NC looked at ours, said he had never seen such a thing and decided it definitely was west coast. We have a lot of educating to do...

Last fall we met a couple towing a brand new 16' Airstream Bambi Sport with a 4x4 Nissan Frontier.it was a nice set up, but didn't offer much more room than our SMB. We see very few Airstreams probably due $$$$. We looked at at couple of videos of Airstream walk throughs, 16-27'+ and one said 3k and the other 3-5k. Assuming $$$$ or after market gets you quality bearings, your experience says repack bearings when they need it or if you are conservative, new owner, do it when you get home from a 5k+ trip.

We will be watching the weather to see if we should leave just before or after Labor Day. Even in good weather, it looks like things shut down around mid-September. Maybe whitebread250 can give us some tips... We also want to see Mount Rainier and North Cascades, both missed 2 years ago when returning from AK. A return to the Olympic Peninsula is also planned. At this point, we are just beginning to think this through. Meeting somewhere in the area could be work. Have you previously been to the areas you plan to visit? Bought a road map for Mexico. This is a trip that will take some planing... rad

I had no idea what a NVP MSRP was, so I checked "build your own" on Nissan. I couldn't pull up a tow package, so I'm not sure if this is standard on the SV V8. If it is included, the price you were quoted is not much less than MSRP. This isn't necessarily a bad deal if dealers can sell every NVP they can get their hands on in your area. Without going back to the site, it looks like there may be a $500 cash back offer in effect. This would cover the $300 dealer fee if that isn't negotiable. You also may want to PM Chris at Scott Clark Nissan and Capital Nissan; both post here from NC. Buying out of state adds a few steps and costs, but if the deal is right, go for it. Our experience is that Nissan service departments don't care where you bought your NV. Speaking of service, I would avoid quick oil change businesses and doing your own and only use Nissan to keep records easy to access and accountability easier to prove if there ever was a major problem. Think reliability and you will be fine. If NVP owners who tow similar trailers don't respond regarding the extended warranty, PM them. At worst, you will find out that some do and some don't... You can also find out the frequency for service. (I had no idea that TTs need wheel bearings repacked every 3 to 5k. Where do you get that done?)

I mainly use the mobile version, which doesn't enable reporting spam. It is easy enough to switch to the "full version."

When I look for NV camper blogs etc, Google inevitably brings up Nevada. Pair this with "lounge" and you get a Russian with disco fever!

Curious, Where and how do you secure the bed pad/panel/platform when you have your bike in there? Did you considermaking the platform in several pieces rather than one? We will be going to Glacier in the fall and hope "Going to the Sun" road will still be open. Mid-September is the typical cut off date. Last June, it was still closed due to a snow storm. I saw a short video of 2 cyclists riding it. Absolutely breath taking!

I've used edmunds.com and motortrend.com in the past. They should give you invoice for the van and invoice for each available option. You can play around with this to price your van/options. You should be able to do better than the average price paid, but probably not by much for a NVP. Check them as well regarding service plans. I personally trust the reliability of NVs more than dealer offered service warranties if that is what you were offered.

Have you used any of the pricing tools that give the average price paid for the same vehicle in your area plus any incentive programs for buyers or the dealer? These can be helpful, plus you can check other areas near you. The 100k warranty should protect you as long as you stay on top of any issues and document everything with Nissan. It is a pretty tough truck! Regarding the service contract, you have to make sure it covers any and all work done at dealers while away from home. Also check to see if there are any restrictions on towing. Otherwise, I would save the $4k for travel. Regular, dealer service has not been that expensive at home and on the road. We have shown up with and without calling and received great service. The warranty road service will get you towed to a NV dealer no matter where you are. (Has anyone tested this from the middle of nowhere?) the regular warranty will cover fixing whatever mechanical got you towed. What is expensive is fixing things you break, parking sensors for one or bashing a rear bumper even with the sensors. I've done both. Replaced the sensor and fixed, not replaced, the bumper at my expense while under warranty.

Based on your plans, you don't need solar. You have your lighting covered as well as starting your van if you run the battery down. Regarding solar, I meant the small solar chargers for phones, cameras and string lights that are available for backpackers and anyone else away from a power source for long periods. Can't see adding this weight and bulk to a pack, but there is a small solar lantern/flashlight that sort of makes sense. We mainly look at this stuff to see if it can be adapted for something else. Usually not... Came across a neat lantern idea that uses a headlamp and clear, full water bottle. Wrap the lamp, shining in, around the end of the water bottle, hang it and the water disperses the light.

You will need the NV window visors to keep the rain out and the windows slightly open. Also, skeeterbeaters will scream "camping" if you try stealth camping with these in place.

Except for MN and most of IL, this is a familiar travel grouping of states. Lots to see and do... If your budget can handle this and you are interested in dual functionality, think "backpacking and base camp" and look at folding tables, chairs, solar charger for LED lighting, multi-burner stove etc from REI or whatever store you like. You will want to able to spent time outside of your van, which will get very cramped as the weeks go by.

Skeeterbeaters work well except when windy and can blow off; you can adjust the window on the windward side to prevent this. Reasonable $. CR Laurence makes awning side windows that also work well; quiet when driving. Expensive. Look for a 12v plugin, clipon fan that can move the air around. We have one, never used, so I don't know how annoyingly loud it might be. Cheap.

Chris, maybe you can convince John E to pick up the GT-R that was in your showroom. It would look great on his car trailer, as well as on the road and track. John, post a photo of your NV and 356.

A thermometer might measure a difference when parked in the sun, but you wouldn't. Same for driving, but your AC may work better when recirculating cabin air. I think the white roofed Flex is Ford's idea of style not thermo dynamics. If I were going to do it, I would have an auto paint shop paint it, not attempt it yourself or use a commercial roof coating. It would kill the resale value if not done right. Speaking of resale value, we saw an old Dodge camper van that had bed liner paint up to the door handles all around, then painted tan. This was toughness over style and resale. Don't remember if it had a white roof...

They won't email you, but may call if you asked for phone confirmation. It will take 2 weeks to the day to get your check. Curious about what you think of the 2015 card and how it compares with your 2012 card. Ours is a 2011 version... Maybe next year. Any progress getting your NV in for diagnostics?

How does a 100 gallon tank capacity sound? A 4x4 NV in AK has this. Can't imagine the cost of filling this, plus it weighs 800+#.

I met someone with a NV 2500 who put in slider windows he purchased from a "pod" trailer manufacturer. His choice was based on price. You may want to call manufactures or look a TTs on lots. Another option is to look at European NV conversions. The new VW California, not bound for the US, appears to have large side slider windows. There also are 2 posts on this site that relate to NV camper conversions. You can PM them to get more info.

I received a survey questionnaire from Nissan Consumer Affairs based on my "question or concern." It is car based, of course, so many survey questions do not relate to commercial use. The car based side of consumer affairs actually is quite good. Unfortunately, you will be transferred to the commercial site once they realize you own an NV. Actually, they will attempt to transfer you... No one or the message machine will pick up on the other end. RICK, you will in 50 words or less be able express yourself...

True, but NVs are also discounted. NVPs are a better value even when you add 4x4. Armada was never on our radar. In January, we met a couple who had a brand new Armada and were camping in it; sleeping in the back and cooking etc. out side. It was a great vehicle to explore the area. When TT did a long term test report, I was mainly interested in mpg. The last test pointed out it "was not a truck." With NVs it is all about being a truck, function and space, no matter what the intended use.

Ask as often as needed. Our van is mostly empty right now so if you need pictures (interior, plumbing, electrical etc,) let me know. Some earlier posts may answer questions as well. Jon Nelson is doing a 4x4 build, but he mainly posts on expeditionportal.com. You can PM him on the NV forum. Both lower sections open out. If I understand you correctly, you have rear door and sliding door glass. Driver's side? The upper window would give you a view when stading up. With the pop top, we have 5 screened windows counting the front canvas that covers the front screen. Great ventilation and view when standing up. Yes, we have a bed there. If you can fit your finger under the vent visors and there is a quarter size of exposed metal, the magnets will work. Skreenz are like a pillow case, so they may fit over the visor. Don't know if he ever got around to making a template or if he resumed making side door screens. Call both... I think both are in NC. Skeeterbeater sells screen material and magnets so you can make your own side screen. It is wide enough to fit the width of the side door and sold by the yard. Still have oem tires. Think I covered it...

RICK, order the card and get it off your list. I didn't get email verification either, but you have enough phone records to make a case if you have to file a "disputed payment" with your credit card issuer. Nissan will reimburse you...

3rd of 4 Armada long term reports on Truck Trend shows an average of 13.43 mpg (Best tank, 16.49 mpg and low, 11.11 mpg) to date. This included some 4x4 on gravel roads... Same V8 as NVs, and a lot of us average much better mpg, carry a "ton" more and paid much less than $56k. Interesting option on the Armada is the Sportz SUV tent...

We have CR Laurence widows on the passenger side; only the slider has the awning window. They didn't put an awning window on the rear due to door clearance, but it needs one. The driver's side has the awning window opposite the slider. Both let a lot of air in when needed and keep the rain out. The only criticism we have is the sharp edges in the middle and rear of the awning windows when open. Some have complained about lack is spare parts. Compared to the 4HEHR, the fit seems to be flush with no sharp edges. Will you have additional windows. I wasn't able to pull up much on RB Components, but liked how I could add a $90k converted Sprinter to my cart. I hope it included the Sprinter. If you need screens for the driver/passenger doors, Skeeterbeater work well. Skreenz (?) also makes window and door screens but when we needed screens 2 years ago, he didn't know what an NV was. He was going to charge $150 to make a template plus the $80+ for the screens. We went with Skeeterbeater and made our own side door screen. We need one for the rear but have yet to figure out how to attach it. Your mpg sounds about right for a non-4x4. I assume it is 2x4, not awd, when not engaged. Someone will correct this notion of mine that big trucks get loaded mileage whether or not they are loaded. Has any one doing a "home" build checked to see what your insurance coverage will be?

Axulsuv, I was hoping you would jump in on this cautionary tale. We haven't used dealer service since the '80s, but with our NV and travel we decided we had to use dealers. So far so good. Nissan ineptly took care our sensor repair, but I doubt they would have if we hadn't been able to document it was an on going issue. So forum users, take the time to post good dealer service by name and location. Potential buyers, take the time to research service and buy from the dealer with a good service department.