Daydreamin520

Following... guessing no one here has done it, tho'.

Bumping up... cos I finally need to buy tires... like SOON! For my 2013 NV2500 SV high roof cargo van... which is still "wearing" it's original Transforce ones. In the past, I had Coopers on my Honda Element and liked them. I still have less than 50k on the van but not able to garage it from the Arizona sun, so dry rot is main problem. I will rarely, ir ever, have to drive in snow, but do go camping and drive on dirt roads sometimes. Occasionally have to drive in monsoon rains. So.... Firestone Transforce HT's - or - Cooper Discoverer HT3's? OR...??? The NV is my daily driver that I use as a home-on-wheels for camping adventures. Thanks for any input. BTW - Jack Furrier says they can do the Coopers for $682 total cost. I haven't checked the price on the Transforce yet, but the AFBase here has a Firestone store on it, so hoping there may be a dealio on price there... idk.

Did you ever get the smaller opening windows in the upper area of the rear doors? If yes, can we see pix? Thanks.

My 2013 NV2500 V6 HighRoof is just shy of 40k miles, with no problems. And the space from behind seat to rear door? I would say is 9+ feet, considering that some people push driver's seat back for leg room and if you insulate back doors, etc... it is less than 10 feet. Call it nine, when planning out a DIY build. You can carry 10 foot items like pipe and lumber, if you run it down the center, between the seats... but that isn't a factor, when figuring out bed, cabinets, storage, etc. Love my NV... will have owned it 2 years, come Jan 2017. And... ps, if you are thinking of buying used, get 2014 or newer, so you get the balance of it's 100K/5 yr warranty. My 2013 had the old 36k/3 yr one, with a little left on it for me, when I bo't it used.

DesertTed... would it be possible to do a quicky meetup somewhere in Tucson area, the first week in November? I am down in Green Valley until the 28th or so, but would love chance to meet and talk, before I tackle next step in my build, which I hope to be a house battery setup and maxxair fans on back cargo doors, ABOVE the windows. Thanks, Marty (mstar2@msn.com)

I think I am ok without any extra springs. Maybe, when I ever get a battery bank and some water storage in there, I will go weigh it and see. I put everything in that van all by myself... so I know it is not over 3000 lbs. BTW, no one noticed (my) "rear end sagging". It isn't. LOL. Appreciate the responses, tho'. Thanks.

Hello. I am the other Tucson NV owner. Would like to get a chance to meet in real life sometime soon, perhaps. I would like you to check out the van group on Facebook, for ladies only (single or married, doesn't matter), that I am a member off. If you can't see or work link here (I usually have problems... lol), then search "Gal Van Nation" over there, please. We already have 3 other ladies with NV's... so would be great if you joined, too. Love hearing about your build. Take care, Marty

Thanks, wollip. I need a thunk on the head, every once in awhile. Two dogs... but I don't take them on long trips, only weekend jaunts. All I can say, if I don't ask, I don't know. And it's always the thing I don't KNOW to ask, that gets me into trouble! So... I am doin' good, huh? Appreciate the reply.

Was told I should have a socket set, w driver, including correct size for the spark plugs. What size would that be? What would be a good basic set? Specifics welcome! In fact, other than what I have listed below, any other must-haves suggestions would be greatly appreciated! - spare belts (sizes?) - vise grips - duct tape - hose clamps - extra oil and various fluids Other than the jack stuff that came with, so far I have flares, folding "cones", fix a flat, and a AAA membership card!

I used Ultra Touch Radiant Barrier by Bonded Logic. http://www.bondedlogic.com/ultratouch-radiant-barrier

Thanks for sharing! Great pix.

IT's FREE... and I am going! I went for only two days this year, and had a great time. You can be as involved or as private as you want to be. There is a HUGE tent show in Quartzsite during the same time, so fun to see all the vendors. The weather is usually great, tho' I guess they had more rain this last one. I just know it got COLD at night, so bring your Mr Heater Buddy! All info about the 2016 gathering, including a schedule of all the FREE seminars they had, can be found at Bob Wells' (van dwelling guru) website: cheaprvliving (dot) com/gatherings . Sometime after summer, they will post info about 2017 event. All I know is that it is always in Quartzsite and usually for 2 weeks in January. A good video on this is "2016 RTR sights and sounds from ground zero 2" on the Enigmatic Nomadics YT channel: https: (slash slash) youtu.be/MU1WCsE_Mtg I think it would be amazing if even 3 of us showed up, but imagine how mind-blowing it would be if we had more! We could do an "NV Caravan Train" down the highway! Lol.... and a group pic, too! If we actually parked/camped near each other, even temporarily, it certainly would be an eye-catcher and conversation starter. So... There ya go! - FREE off-grid camping in a gorgeous, private, yet easily accessible location. (You can find regular fee campgrounds ALL OVER, if you need/prefer it... then join RTR for social times or seminars.) - FREE seminars, a few pot lucks, day trips... if you choose to check them out. I will be there.... will you?

Nice... hope you got to visit.

I get "hit" most often when I go grocery shopping. Last week, as I was loading bags thru' my side door, 2 older men came up and got into deep conversation about DIY campervan conversion. I probably talked to them for 15 minutes. Near end of convo, there's a late 20s gal waiting to talk to me. SHE wants to do a DIY, has an online job and a 3yo child.. so ready to hit the road! I talked to her another 10 minutes. I really think I need a flyer or brochure or something! LOL.

Thanks, guys! I was thinking ... is there something I don't know about here?? So, he was just messin w me and or did not have a clue about the NV. Holy moley! MUCH APPRECIATED.

My DIY camper conversion is basically Sanford & Son style... a few pieces of furniture bolted into place. On driver side I have a small desk, a mini refridge tucked into the kneehole of the desk, and a slim bed that's base is a lightweight, low, 4 drawer dresser that is 18" high. On the passenger side, there is a small sink in wood cabinet, and another slim bed that has a heavier base more like a chest with a lift top. I had someone suggest, by media comment, to get "heavy duty suspension" and... or "adjustable air bags". I have no idea why they suggested this... I was not complaining about anything, like ride comfort or hauling/towing anything. So... why would I need those things. I wrote back person, but no reply yet. I would hope a cargo van would not need special mods, just to basically carry 4 pieces of furniture. Someone here mentioned difference in 2500 vs 3500 and ride... and that is why they chose 2500...but did not elaborate.

Thanks rad' - Could I ask that you email me at mstar2@msn.com? I'd like to be able to at least say I was referred by (your first name), if that's ok by you. Appreciate.

just found this, again. So... i was wrong about being near warranty end when i posted this... so i waited. Now, have appt for just oil change next week because would rather discuss warranty stuff in person.

Hello. Just called Jim Click in Tucson, asking if I should have a (delayed) 30k service done. I had bot my 2013 nv2500 sv high roof van used from CarMax, with around 28000 on it. They told me it had been prepped and serviced for sale. It is now at about 34500. Spoke to Pete over phone who said the 30k service would cost about $780. He said if nothing else, I should do the oil change ($49), the coolant ($189), and the transmission ($139). He said a free inspection would be included, due to it being near end of 36k warranty. When I mentioned gas door hinge loose and USB dash port doesn't seem to work for more than a few seconds, he said I would have to pay about $122 an hour, 'cos those would not be covered in the free inspection. I made appointment for just oil change for this Tuesday. What say you, forum members?

Nice work. Please do show the other window install when done. Thanks!

agreed.. wish option for additional ac vents

My 2013 SV V6 high roof cargo van is nearing the 36k mark. I plan to call them to set up a general appointment to give it a look-over. (radin2son - I do remember, "ask for Frank") Would love any advice on what I should have them do. Details: I have owned the van since January 2015; purchased from Carmax; shipped from TX to AZ. Have done no serving of vehicle at all to date. One problem, early on, stalling, was due to loose battery cable. Been fine since. ONLY thing I have noticed that might be covered by warranty is the USB plug-in in the dash. It does not seem to work, even after trying 3 different cords... phone appears to charge for about 15 seconds then gives message that I am not using the right cord. Phone charges fine in house with cord, with adapter. ALSO, seat belts seem slow to retract when I get out of van. Like have to "help" them sometimes. So..... what else should I LOOK AT before I take it in, just to be sure to take advantage of any fixes that should be covered by my shorter original warranty?? (seems I remember a rust concern around bolts somewhere... bumpers?) APPRECIATE!

P.S. - Two excellent videos on Youtube RE: radiant barrier can be found in my Playlist titled "SAVE", #2 and #6 on that list. They are titled: -- "Bonded Logic Heat Sound Insulation" by Garage Pros... and -- "Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation - Why Is Air Gap or Space Required" by AtticFoil Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation. Also check out #5, in SAVE playlist, about Lee's van build... SO AMAZING... on an NV.

IF you want a RADIANT BARRIER, as well as sound deadening and insulation, there must be an air gap of minimum 1/2" between 2 layers of the Ultra Touch Radiant Barrier, with the foil sides facing each other. So, glue denim side to interior metal, foil facing into interior... THEN apply denim side to inside paneling, foiling facing towards gap and other foil surface. I contacted Bonded Logic and other foil manufacturers to confirm this. You can not have a "radiant barrier" without an air gap, between 2 foil surfaces, for the heat to trap itself in. I do have a YouTube channel that shows my sad lil' temp camper van builds to date. VAN BUILD (3) shows the insulation. If interested, you can search "Day Drifter Van" there and easily find my channel. If you scroll thru' my playlists, there are four VAN BUILD clips so far and two DAY TRIPPIN' clips that all show my van interior, in various stages of "build". Please do comment if you do venture over there, letting me know you are from forum and/or are a fellow NV owner! Take care!

My "build" has been on hold since end of April, when I was prepping van with temp stuff for first road trip, because I did nerve damage to right hand/elbow/arm. Sawing, hammering, lifting, pushing, pulling, cutting yards and yards of insulation, etc... my fingers on right hand are still numb! BUT... I do have a YouTube channel, Day Drifter, that shows what temp build looked like for that trip. Will try to add link, but if does not work, interior, at that time, can be seen on clip titled "2015 May - Mom-morial trip: Tucson to Newport Beach". Do check it out, if you'd like.