New owner

[zelatore]

Just a quick introduction - I'm Don; just moved from a '13 NV200 that was a little too small and at 100K miles I was starting to question the CVT to a '16 low roof NV2500 V8.

 

I'm self employed doing yacht service and work out of my van.  I actually would have preferred a Sprinter or Transit as far as work goes (I hate the long truck-like hood sticking out...total waste of space imo) but my hobby is a Land Rover rock crawler that is normally driven to the trails but I'm planning some longer trips next year and being able to tow it offers a lot more comfort and peace of mind about getting back home.  The Rover is about 5600 lbs and the trailer 2000-2500 lbs.  And that means the ONLY van with enough towing capacity to do the job is the NV.  The next closest is a T150 Transit, swb/low roof, with the ecoboost at 7100 lbs towing.  While it would be a better fit for my work, it just isn't up to my towing requirements.

 

I'm just beginning to upfit the NV for my needs.  Will be stopping at my local Adrian Steel shop later this week to pick a few things up.  Also picked up one of the surprisingly high quality HF service carts that I'll build into the van.  Unfortunately this one has rear and side door windows as well as a window in the passenger sidewall.  There are security screens available for the door windows but not the wall window so I'll have to make my own there.

 

The van had previously been set up as a camper and I've just removed the steel framed wrap-around rear sofa/bed and pull out drawer.  If anybody is on the west coast and would like them, drop me a PM and I'm sure we can work something out.  I'm in NorCal.  Otherwise I'll cut it up and add it to my steel rack for some future project.

 

A few pics as she sits today:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/N4VHxLTeu7DRyCu38

 

 

Don

[radin2son]

Welcome. You will get used to the hood and most will agree your NV looks great in the photo. These NVs will do everything you need.

 

From the photo, it looks like you have an opening side door window. You may find you like this.

[zelatore]

Actually, I won't be using the window.  I'm going to install a security screen over it, and I'll have a solid steel partition anyway.  I'll be using this as a working vehicle, and I park overnight in Oakland, CA often so I prefer a big steel box that nobody can see into or at least they can't get into easily.  I do prefer it not look like the usual fleet delivery van though, so the aftermarket wheels and not-fleet-white paint are a plus for me.  :)

[radin2son]

Over it, as in inside or out. If it’s a CRL window, and the screen is on the inside, the louvered section won’t fair well against a pry bar. You may want to replace it with all glass, then sell the CRL along with the interior camper parts.

 

Attach a photo when you trailer your Land Rover. Many decades ago I had a ‘62...