Lowrideractual Posted January 17, 2023 Just bought a 2018 NV2500 high top and will convert to a one person camper/trailer puller. Sold an Xterra and Frontier F250 6 pack, and this the first time without a P/U since 1970. Look forward to using the NV for a touring vehicle around the Western US and never East of the MIssouri River. Motorcycle fit in with the van and I've been riding since 1964 so I may get a enclosed trailer for the NV to pull around. Been to all the Canadian provinces, all US states and 28 foreign countries thanks to the Federal Government/military. Age and body issues are catching up to me but my 1250 Bandit is still faster than my airplane. 100 years Harley gets it's share of time along with a DRZ 400/ and a few Honda's too. ATV/SxS and a 74 CT 90 get me around where I can't walk. Thanks for having me...not commercial but I build stuff and I like the NV and I plan to learn from you folks!! 1 radin2son reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) Welcome. Very few commercial users still around on this site. Mostly NVPs and camper conversions. A few 4x4 as well. Check out the Moto thread under Lounge - Off Topic. Edited January 17, 2023 by radin2son Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 17, 2023 Can't swing 4x4 but I am working on a basic build out so I can get on the road when Spring breaks. Sleep, food and internet/TV is about all I need. I have 5 trips planned for this Summer and a few days at Henry's Lake to play with some trout this Fall. I need a utility trailer to haul motorcycles and other toys but they are a lot of inflated Biden dollars now. I have a Loadrite ladder rack I removed from the roof if anyone needs one. Half retail price and it's in good shape. Thanks for the welcome and once I get settled in, I'm sure I'll have questions for the folks with experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Local Apparent Friday Posted January 21, 2023 Wait a little bit, things will be cheaper when people start needing money. As for internet, starlink has been pretty nifty, friendly on how far off grid you like going. Welcome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 21, 2023 Just had a long conversation with #1 son ref: Starlink...we're going to do it at the house then move to some effort of mobile for the NV. I'm hoping we can get TV off the Starlink internet and I can get rid of Direct TV. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 21, 2023 I'm looking at the Discount parts site and their captain's seats seem reasonable. The selection is awesome. Has anyone installed their seats...how do you like them and which one did you choose? Thinking about a seat swivel for the pax seat so I can use it turned to the back for more comfortable seating. Same question...how do you like their swivel?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Local Apparent Friday Posted January 21, 2023 We use starlink and pull tv via various different apps and scrapers via kodi, but I don't really need or use live tv. Live tv is always the kicker...best bet is still an HD antenna if you are within range of a broadcast antenna. Starlink is great but wish I would have used the portability feature instead of the RV feature. Hoping to be able to convert back in the future to portability, but currently locked out. Passenger swivel requires removing the center console, which is a great spot for a bougerv 12v fridge. Had the opportunity to buy a swivel for 25 and missed it. Kicking myself in the butt about it, and will continue to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 21, 2023 Thank you SIr! I bought a "stick on the roof" antenna and will give that a try once the NV is back on the road...currently under constructions in my shop. Shop is all steel and is a giant Farady cage. I do have cell service by using an antenna on the roof and an amp inside which works well enough to use Direct TV on my phone but sucks for football games. What's a "scraper" and who is kodi?? Sorry...guess I don't get out much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Local Apparent Friday Posted January 22, 2023 Post up some pics and tell us a little about your build when you get a chance. Kodi is just a multimedia OS that has access to a ton of free apps like crackle, tubi, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 22, 2023 Thanks!! No clue on how to post pictures. I suppose I should learn how. I'm still using a Kodak Brownie...2 weeks to get film developed!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Local Apparent Friday Posted January 22, 2023 Here ya go: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 22, 2023 Thank you Sir!! My build is just a bed, a place to cook, electricity and some solar, maybe an extra battery, sink, food prep counter, propane hot water, potty and shower. The van is rapidly getting too small so I bought a 7x14 cargo trailer with a single 3500 lb axle and brakes to haul motorcycles, generator and ATV...it's not high enough for my side by side so I may need to modernize my current Honda ATV to get power steering and more comfort or wack a foot off the SXS so it will fit in the trailer. I have 5 trips planned and maybe 6th if #2 son wants to do the Macgruder road with me. My wife and I did 6K miles last Summer, mostly OR, WA and ID but she died so I'm on my own and will do the trips we planned for this summer with the van instead of a pickup. I need to do Bear tooth pass on a motorcycle as soon as the snow melts up there. Some time in Utah, AZ, WY and maybe SD then back home to pick up a boat and hit Henry's lake for some trout and rafting on the St Joe and Clearwater. That should take me into late Sep. or Oct for steelhead. 2 Local Apparent Friday and radin2son reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Local Apparent Friday Posted January 22, 2023 Firstly, sorry for your loss. I'd be devastated without my better half who is also my travel buddy. I'm glad you're carrying on and living those dreams that you guys shared. As to your build, it sounds pretty great, would love to see pics. Ours rn is just a built in futon...everything else is just temporary as we figure it out....diesel heat/solar/stove/sink/etc etc all waiting to go in when we get back to the shop. I'd be curious about your plans to shoehorn the shower and head in. Rad is out your way, perhaps you guys will cross paths. We went the trailer route as well for the bikes...no way we could fit us plus two bikes and all the requisite track gear into the van. Currently we're track riding road racing bikes as well as running pit for a WERA endurance team, but hoping to get into some backwoods and trail riding in the future. Need to swap out bikes for it though...current stable is a gxr600 and an r3 for the track, then an r1150 and a tu250 for the street. Maybe i'll get rid of the heavy beamer and snag a couple small street legal thumpers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted January 22, 2023 Also sorry for your loss and concur with laf about carrying on with your trip plans. By all means, let me know when your plans include UT and AZ. We were just looking at the road into Horseshoe Canyon, west of Canyonlands between Green River and Hanksville, UT. Then, there is Rafael Swell… No available water so carry lots. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 22, 2023 I've done those areas on a motorcycle but plan to spend more time there this trip. Have 60 gallons including the trailer. AZ will be a trip across the Rim and back North into UT thru St George and head in the direction of home...maybe into NV on the way. NV just feels appropriate to hit in the 2500. Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. She was my friend and partner for 40 years and will never be replaced. Saving grace is she died quickly and I believe painlessly, may we all go that way. The van is something under consideration for several years and seems to be the perfect travel conveyance for one person with too many toys. The trailer is not required but will certainly make things easier and add flexibility to the trips. I used to make fun of riders that towed their bikes but age catches up to us all and I have migrated from Goldwings and Ultras to a group of shorter and lighter rides. A favorite lately is my 1250 Bandit and a Honda NC750DCT... just ordered a Burgman 400 since my hip is not getting better. Still ride my old DRZ400 but that's getting to the point that I need something use to get up there on the seat. My old 100th year Lowrider is still LOW. Van will be nuttin fancy but should be functional with the guidance of you folks. 2 radin2son and Local Apparent Friday reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted January 23, 2023 (edited) 60 gallons = lots of showers. Edited January 23, 2023 by radin2son Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 25, 2023 Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. She was my friend and partner for 40 years and will never be replaced. Saving grace is she died quickly and I believe painlessly, may we all go that way. The van is something under consideration for several years and seems to be the perfect travel conveyance for one person with too many toys. The trailer is not required but will certainly make things easier and add flexibility to the trips. I used to make fun of riders that towed their bikes but age catches up to us all and I have migrated from Goldwings and Ultras to a group of shorter and lighter rides. A favorite lately is my 1250 Bandit and a Honda NC750DCT... just ordered a Burgman 400 since my hip is not getting better. Still ride my old DRZ400 but that's getting to the point that I need something use to get up there on the seat. My old 100th year Lowrider is still LOW. Van will be nuttin fancy but should be functional with the guidance of you folks. 1 Local Apparent Friday reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowrideractual Posted January 25, 2023 I'm running into an A/C issue. The smallest I can find for roof top is 10K and that will turn the van into a meat locker. Has anyone used a 5K 110 volt house version and if so where did you mount it. I think I've seen some mounted on truck campers out the rear. I suppose it could be supported by a door out the rear of the van with a little support here and there. Any thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
