Campervan Conversions

[radin2son]

Timsbeast, I like your questions and desire to set up an info source for campervan conversions, but you are not likely to get much of a response. The primary reason is that there are too few sustained forum contributors, even fewer diy campervan owners. Add to this that most diy posts are build progress reports. Some question and answer. Laharview, Mahu, KMG and more recently Dudeinavan are great sources for build info.

 

Sportsmobile and Expedition Portal have good forums. Colorado Campervan has a van life blog, Open Road World, but it seems to be more about travel and it is not current.

 

What would I like to see? Reviews of how the conversions worked and changes made over time.

[Abejohnson]

I'm planning on posting some remodeling updates and a general review on my conversion in the spring. Currently I'm in an apartment for a few months as the weather has gotten too cold for the area I'm in. 

[laharview]

Hi radin2son,

 

Thanks for the plug.  Sometimes I try to look for changes/mods I can make so my post gets bumped to the top!  We have been out 71 days so far this year (still have that silly day job) and all is well.  Mine is a simple build that has worked well for us.

 

Best part this year was pulling into the east entrance of Glacier National Park and found there is a length restriction to go over the pass.  I explained we wanted to run the "Going to the Sun Road".  Ranger saw we had a Nissan and knew we were under the length restriction.  That horizontal line on the hillside is the road!

 

Best Regards,

Mike

Edited November 27, 2018 by laharview

[timsbeast]

Thanks for the reply!! 

 

I did speak with Laharview on the phone a while back, super helpful. Lee the master NV builder sent me his plans in 3 PDF, an amazing gift.

 

I like the idea of build and test, write up a review, modify, rebuild, post. My build has been done while camping or out in parking lots in the weekend, side road spots that don't bother anyone since now live in Condolandia and people cry if a saw cuts wood any day of the week.

 

There is no place to really rent to work on a van around here accept one good resource at a college hacker space. https://www.edcc.edu/workforce/entrepreneurship/makerspace/default.html

 

Now it is raining and getting cold. My next step is to drop coin into an awning and tent.  Check these Thule Quick from Europe. I found one company that will ship them and am getting a price, sure to be over inflated with shipping, may be worth a trip to Europe for a few days to pick one up and put it in luggage. Then I can go camping on weekends in the rain and build with some space outside of the van.

 

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/motorhome-accessories/tents/thule-quickfit-260-m-medium-_-307056

 

Here is a resource for batteries https://www.batteryspace.com/LiFePO4-Prismatic-Battery-12.8V-40Ah-512Wh-100A-with-Balancing-PCM.aspx

 

It is frustrating to be cutting wood and then have to move all of the crap back into the van. But the magic happens as it is getting closer and closer. 

 

More to come. Thanks, Tim

[radin2son]

At least 3 NVs have now done Going To the Sun. Well worth it.

 

Length restrictions are a good reason not to attach things on the front or back. (Zion has a width restriction for the east tunnel entrance. NVs don’t meet this even with mirrors folded in. They will at certain times of the year let you use the tunnel but you pay to restrict traffic to one way.)

 

We have used the Washington ferry system and they check height and length. NVs at 20’ just exceeds the Alaska ferry “car” bracket. I’ve read where people have considered removing the rear bumper to avoid paying more...

 

Fiamma seems to be the awning of choice but that Thule system looks like a great way to go.

 

It is interesting how views differ regarding keeping things simple. We chose not to go with an awning but use a screen room instead.

Edited December 12, 2018 by radin2son

[laharview]

Hey Timsbeast,

 

How is your build going?