terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I need some of the edumacated folks on here to school me on the in's and out's of a camper or conversion van or whatever the heck they're called. I'm looking at trading/selling some of my extra vehicles to fund the purchase of a van that has living area of some sort. Not looking to spend much more than 3-4 grand on the thing so I know I'm limiting myself to the late 80's and early 90's. Also not looking for a big RV or something that's going to get 8 miles to the gallon. I've seen some Ford, Dodge, and Chevy vans in the price range I'm looking at, but was wondering if any of you guys have some things to look out for. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 I've been browsing a ton of random classified ads and have narrowed it down some. I'm thinking along the lines of Class B campervans such as a Chevy Roadtek, Ford Falcon, Ford Fiesta, and whatever Dodge brands their campervans as. Most seem to be out of my price range, but I did find a couple that need engine/trans work, which would be a perfect fixer-upper for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I don't know much about conversion vans but my mother used to have a 98 Dodge and it was terrible. There is very limited space in the dodge vans and the V6 motor was underpowered and junk. I would look into the Chevy conversion van more because they have a decent size bed that an average person can sleep on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 You need sir sam. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 You need sir sam. Rob But he's just going to tell me to get a Westfalia VW camper...which I can't afford :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 I really like the look of this guy: https://picasaweb.google.com/1100612831 ... oiXwsiaBw# For sale for $5500... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBKrazy Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I've had good luck with fords, my familys had 2 club wagon vans, an 88 and a 94, and they both had the rear seat that folded out into a bed.. The 88 was a regular club wagon, and the 94 had the chateau package with all the options.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I had a Dodge D100 camper van with the pop up roof, 6 cylinder, 3 speed std. It was nice. I really liked it, except for a few minor quirks. It was so lite that if I tromped it on a slick road it would swap ends. Have the roof raised and forget it would bang by head on the edge of the van roof. 2 people could be comfy in it, although it helped if they were intimate. Except for one minor incident, the roof blew off while batting down the freeway, it was a reliable, economical unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 What's the ultimate goal here? Camping van? Cross country hauler? Here's what I have started looking into: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 The idea spawned for a couple of reasons: 1. My GF is living down in Ocean City, MD this summer and is CRAMMED into an apartment with four other girls. So when I go to visit, it's going to be uncomfortable and awkward. Or, I could pay $90/night for a hotel in the area. Or I could pay $30 for an annual pass to the nearby beach campground and park overnight on the beach so long as I'm engaging in "active recreation." Plus I could bring my dogs with me if I did that. 2. My next job/living arrangement is currently in the air. I know the general area that I'll be in, but I don't know exactly where yet. Call it crazy, but when I start hunting for jobs and/or places to live, I'll be 4+ hours from home and might need a place to crash for the night. Why not in my very own camper at a truck stop? (I need to check the legality of that!) I also had someone offer up an older RV as a straight trade for my ZJ. This was a couple months ago and I laughed at the idea but today I was thinking about it...actually, that may not be so bad. The RV on the table was pretty old and massive...I'd be looking for something much smaller like a van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Unless you've got my stamina forget sharing 5 girls 1 room. Too many long drawn out silences. $90 a night? Forget the hotel room. That leaves the beach and the truck stop. Depending on the individual area the beach can suck or be a fun spot. I spent many a night on Myrtle Beach where they had rest rooms, trash cans, Cabanas, BBQ pits and some times all nite party, bon fire going. There are other beaches where your gonna be their all alone except for vagrants, bums and punks who will give you a hard time. I always had my Colt handy but you do have your dogs. Then there's the semi exclusive areas. Park there and your gonna be hassled by the HOA private cops. The truck stops are a good bet. A restaurant and showers and toilets. Park on the outer edge so they don't see ya and know your not a Truck driver. These places are open to the public but the showers and some other features are truck driver only. Many truck stops have small rooms with shared toilet and shower for rent to truckers only for about half what a motel charges. Park near a motel. In the early morning watch for who ever leaves first. Get in the room, get showered, get out. And in case you're wondering, yes I'm speaking from personal experience. Except for the 5 girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Good tips, Jim. We can always count on you to be the fellow that has "been there, done that!" Might be a pipe dream at this stage in the game, but I think it could be fun and potentially very interesting. Although, I did misread the nearby campgrounds in Ocean City, MD...it's more like $20 to $30 per night rather than for the annual pass. I just need to better educate myself on these vehicles so I don't get myself into too much of a money pit. A buddy of mine bought a Dodge campervan - can't think of the name off the top of my head, but it's a good deal larger than a normal conversion van, but not quite an RV. He just left his job not too long ago and has been traveling the country in it playing gigs with his band. Sounds and looks like a lot of fun...too bad I don't have a band. Traveling mechanic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Walmart allows campers/travelers/trucks to park for free without hassle in their parking lots. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 You can get westys for $3000-4000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_imag ... _large.jpg Rob :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Rob :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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