Daydreamin520

www.ursaminorvehicles.com do the eCamper popups on Elements and Jeeps in the San Diego area. They might be able to help you out.

I'll be curious to know the diagnosis. Hope it's nothing major.

BTW - In a few days time, I can tell all removing that big ol' console is the BEST thing to do if you want to move from front to back without getting out of van first. I have slide a Coleman cooler, that has wheels on one end, up into that space, so I still have an "armrest" and a place to toss stuff when it's not being used as cooler. Also, van manual does recommend replacing the screws into the floor holes to avoid rust or moisture or some such thing. I just haven't done it yet. Hopefully I will before I lose one of them.

andy_george ... LOL! I know! I should get a couple of French berets for the headrests! But, seriously, besides the dog fur flyin', I didn't even mention the DROOL factor with Boxers. Yikes! Bad enough what it does to the windows when I bring them along for a ride. (picture snail slime/finger paint!) I just couldn't see investing in car seat covers that would be a bear to remove regularly to wash. The skirts go on and off so easy... who cares if it's sorta trailer-park chic? hehehe. What can I say!? Later.

First full to empty tank fill-up. Drove 287.6 miles (100 of which were freeway miles), put in 23 gallons = 12.5 MPG. I always fill 'til the nozzle "clicks" itself stopped and I don't force/squeeze anymore into tank, so feel this is pretty accurate. Plus, on freeway I was going 65 to 90. Feel if it was serious road trip, all freeway, maxing at 65-70, I would get better and be happy with it.

seatskirts! console removed.

Hey Mr', After 3+ weeks I just HAD to get that console out! Afraid I would crack the top of it or bust a spring in my driver's seat. So, I used a socket wrench (?) with shortest handle racketing thing I could find and removed all 6 screws. It is NOT easy because of depth of console and limited space. Once all are out or loose(in the case of the ones in the cupholder section, I could not grab a hold of them once loose), I put removed the drawer under the driver's seat, adjusted the seat as far back as it could go, but was still struggling to unplug the electrical wires that go to the outlets inside console. It is easier to slide the whole console 3 to 4 inches back, towards the rear of van, and then tilt the entire thing up at a 90 degree angle towards the front. Then, I had no problem unplugging the wires. Will try to attach pix here. PS - If successful with pix, you will also see my seat cover solution! As an owner of two boxer dogs, 65 and 70 lbs respectively, that can shed like crazy, I tried throwing sheets over the seats without success. My brainchild - to hopefully not effect the airbags or seatbelts - was to go to a thrift store and buy two denim "prairie skirts" with elastic waistbands. Quick fix, easy to remove and wash... works for now! later all.

The parts came in... I know not when. (Have had van 3 weeks as of yesterday) I texted salesman yesterday morning at CarMax and he answered he'd get back to me. Instead, at 5:45 pm, my ex-husband, who I listed as an emergency number, "not a family member," texts me saying they called him and said parts were there. Why they didn't try both my phone numbers or my email, I do not know. Tempted to just go pick u parts and not even have them install them. the crack on the tail light is barely noticeable and I plan to pop off the panels anyway to do insulation. But, then I would have to pay someone to do tail light, unless super easy (I have done a headlight before on a civic). Debating. Really want to start the build but wondering where best to get insulation. Most online folks say do Reflectix but wish I find a good writeup on various options. Thanks for asking, tho', Rad'.

He only had the 3 year/36,000 ...aka the 4 month warranty for him. lol

Yes, I did not like the suicide doors on the Element. Will admit I am missing a rear side door on the driver's side tho'. It's a trick to grab 2 bags of groceries AND pull myself into the vehicle and then sling those bags to the passenger side. Otherwise, I have to "circle'round" to the back doors or the passenger side to put stuff in the back and then back to driver door to climb into van.

And what does one seat, installed, go for, $$-wise? (Is that an actual NV seat?)

I agree. Must admit I feel very much like I did when I got my first Honda Element in 2004. The INSIDE sold me... the being high up, the simplicity of interior design (rubber mat floor/no carpet), the SPACE. I feel all that in the NV, also... but with space to dance if I wanna! One more comment: - From younger daughter's guy friend, after hearing the description... he still has not seen the NV yet. ...... "So, it's sorta like an Element on Steroids!" LOL.... Yup!

In one week of ownership of High Roof 2500: - Adult daughter's guy friend, upon being told I had put a mattress in the back: ....... "She could put a whole bedroom suite in there!" - Eleven year old grandson, getting a ride to school: ...... "Could you let me out before the school, Nana?" ...... "Why? You don't want the kids to see you getting out of my van?" ...... "Ya.... It's really nice and I like it, but.... It's SO big!" ...... "Ok, I'll let you out in the church parking lot across the street." We park, he goes to rear doors, and, while looking both ways for witnesses, does his stealth exit! - A friend: ...... "It looks like one of those 'stake-out' vans in the movies."

Lol... you won't win me over with ice and cold stories, no matter how beautiful the scenery. I saw enough of that stuff my first 18 years of life, in Maine. I knew I would actually be making "lifestyle" changes when I bot this High Roof... no more full access to drive-thru's, no more car picnics on the top level of parking garages (a fave to-do with my grandson). Now, rather than loving the look of a tree canopied street, I am zigzagin' to avoid roof scrapes. My goal is to do at least one weekend jaunt a month until summer and then head out for a longer trip. One crazy tho't is to plan one trip around Drive-In Movie theaters (I SO miss the DeAnza here in Tucson). I guess that could even be a long weekend run, do a 3 or 4 nighter, with the grandson in tow, maybe. (P.S. - I am also fortunate to have a military ID, so when I do plan trips I chart any and all military bases along the way. In a pinch, I can drive on base, use the showers at the gym, and take a nap in the vehicle feeling pretty dang safe.)

For kicks, go to www.nissancommercialvehicles.com then click on Vans & Trucks and "build & price" a 2015 with all the options your 2014 has. If you got a NVP SL V8, with technology package, that link shows the '15 for almost $41k MSRP after destination charges. not counting taxes, etc... I'd say you done good!

Hope folks will share their BEST and WORST here, either from your travels or what you could recommend to see or avoid in your home towns, especially if it is not the typical "tourist trap." Thanks. CALIFORNIA - Sacramento CA area - Bear River Campground off the 80, in Colfax, on the way to Reno. BEST. Have not been there in decades but a sweet spot to camp right along the river. If they will allow the van on the road to the lower campground, that is the one you want. Rafting, tubing, gold mining.... I want to go back, so if anyone HAS been there recently, please give an update. (why can I not PASTE a link into the message?) Look up www.placer.ca.gov/departments/facility/parks/parks-content/parks/bear-river-park-campground ... or some such thing. MAINE - Old Orchard Beach, south of Portland. BEST. A shabby chic tourist community that will make you LOVE Maine. Six miles of sandy beach, a world famous pier, amusement rides, fireworks at night during the summer. Filled with folks from Boston, New York, French Canadians ... but the locals are there, too. I like to go last week of summer/first week after Labor Day... so you get to see the crowds and then the "ghost town", when all the locals let their dogs reclaim "their beach." ("We got ah beach back, a-yah!") Must haves: Pier French Fries with salt and vinegar.

Thanks. His is a nice build, but it feels "heavy" to me, just looking at it. And, from somewhere, I tho't I read "chipboard" (on his floor) was a bad idea. Great kitchen set up and tons of storage. I'll probably be somewhere in the middle... better than an air mattress & rug but not as elaborate as David's. Great video.

Thanks Carmen. Took a peek... 4 inside and 2 by cup holder part; need a hex shape thing, not regular screwdriver. Think I have drill bits like that. Gonna attempt later or tomorrow. Appreciate. Guess once it's out, I can see about saving the outlets to relocate.

The youngest dog seemed a lil' restless, either rode in passengers lap or stood on the flippin' console, looking like a mountain goat. Had to quick put a towel over console to avoid scratches. Oldest dog said "oh well" and laid down on the air mattress I'd tossed in the back. Middle age dog mostly stood between the two others, not sure what to do. The wind, coming from the SE it felt, was pushing us a bit on the way out there. Helped to know to expect the sound of the wind on the "forehead" of the van. Eager to start the creative "build" part, but have to do the (yawn) insulation/sound proofing first, I suppose. Will have to go back and re-read what everyone has found best for that task. later.

Has anyone put a swivel on the passenger seat in a cargo NV? I just discovered it is not electric adjust like the driver seat, so I am thinking it is possible. Thanks.

Looking for someone that has removed the center console and info how-to and what to do with the wiring for the two electrical outlets in it. Read somewhere that a person moved them to the cupholder area. Of course, I can not find that now... but that post did not explain or have pix, which is what I would like. Thanks for any help. (Would like to remove it before I get to liking armrest part of it, cos that thing is a pain to crawl over.)

Did the drive... as far as Dragoon Road exit 318. Did not get all the way to the Stronghold, tho', because of time factor grandson getting out of school. I started late because I picked up a friend and was packin' 3 Boxer dogs in the back! At first, the dogs were a bit weirded-out by the new vehicle. A bit more rattle-ly than Element. Went and picnicked at the Amerind Museum Park... cold up there! Still managed to hit a dirt road, too, so it was a great trial run, Radin2son. Thanks again.

Sounds like a good idea, radin2son. When I am a bit more assured of van's mechanical reliability, I would love to take it to Parker Canyon Lake Campground, below Sonoita, off the 83... but that is a lil' too far to go, first time around. Last time I went there in my Honda Element, I was thinking... "AAA Auto club will never find me, if something goes wrong with this car." ... lol! Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks Chris. I am thinking positive. Having only test driven one, last August, one time, I was a bit overwhelmed, momentarily, with its size. Silently hummed "I am woman, hear me roar..." as I drove it off the lot. LoL. Will definitely try out all the bells and whistles over the next few days. BTW... as it sits in my driveway, it makes my ranch style house look kinda small. Just waiting to see which neighbor comes over first to ask me about it.

Got NV today. CarMax online great... in real life, not so much. Took 9 days after it got here for them to get title paperwork transferred from TX to AZ. Then, it had a hairline crack in rear tail light and a punched in cargo panel/ board. They said they would replace the light but not the panel. Said it was "cosmetic". I had to make a stink about it, especially after the sales manager came in with a syrupy expression on his face, trying to tell me how wonderful CarMax standards are but... they wouldn't fix it. I stopped signing papers and started to walk out the building! I told him the pix in online ad did not show that damage... that the panels were NOT cosmetic, that they were one of the features I wanted in the van, etc... End of story.... they are ordering it and replacing it at their cost. Oh... I also have 5 days to drive it around and if decided I did not want, I could take it back and get my trade-in back, no problems. Made them write that down, too.