Men and Women retiring alone to a new city/state -- where will you go and why? (Kingsport, Tri-Cities)
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Here's a trick for a "B", especially if it's just you wandering around ... put the passenger seat as far forward as it will go. Makes it easier to get in and out of the side door.
I am wondering if those are sold fully equipped as is by manufacturer, or is it custom made by dealer, or what ?
This one was made by a manufactuer as a model - fully equipped. It's a 2006 so I paid the depreciated price - a whole lot less than a new one costs. The new ones have a selection of options one could choose to add onto all the standard stuff. It looks like mine had a few after market upgrades/changes too by its previous owners.
Some people buy a cargo van and build the camper themselves at subatantial savings but that is a lot of work requiring a lot of different skill sets. All the pieces can be bought on the internet. There's also a few custom makers that will build it any you like.
I finally got all but the bath scrubbed down so it fairly gleams now. I just can't stand anyone else's dirt but my own ;-) Its a good way to find problems that need fixing like a drawer support I need to replace and a door with a crack in it. Not too bad for used. I also tightened all the screws.
I put each of the cats in there with me at different times for a half hour each. They complained and paced but finally settled on my lap purring. They'll get used to it in time. :-) So much to do ...
My favorite was the GulfStream Vista Cruiser 22HD, no longer in production. Tall 'crossways' bed in rear with tons of storage underneath ~ 36"H x 80"W x 40" deep. I do enjoy having a separate bed, other than dinette / couch. It is always ready, night or day for nap or total exhaustion (i.e. Death Valley in mid afternoon after hiking from dawn)
The Sprinter will serve many glorious yrs (probably over 500,000 miles). they are very ez and safe to drive (I researched, sampled, and 'dreamt' of one for yrs). I finally settled on a used VW Rialta.
Traveling in VW van makes for very memorable war-stories (not all pleasant).
For the 'shoestringers' by necessity
Benchmark entry level USED Class B's
I know of a 'vintage' version van an older couple is 'retiring'; '87 Ford "Getaway" van ~ 14 mpg V8
These seem to run about $3500 - $5000 (porta potty / no shower)
My mom sold a dandy Roadtrek (Dodge) ~ '97 for $9000 a couple months ago.
BTW, I LOVE my outdoor shower, ready and hot after 10 min drive (when 'boondocking'... no elect) + a nice way to cool off after a hike in AZ / NM / CA
Hi,
Your new vehicle looks wonderful==in case I mised it where are going on your first trip---how exciting.
Denver to visit family & do my fix stuff for my mother visit.
Just encountered my 1st real challenge. The exhaust pipe for the generator fractured & it is really hard to find the right size pipe. Got a guy who said he can fix it by tomorrow but will have to figure out how and search for the pipe. Annoying how they use something hard to get. Might have to use a step down & bigger pipe to do it. oh well. such things can be retrofitted. It was the van part that I wanted be solid. Looks like the van is in very good condition.
Last edited by Tesaje; 07-22-2010 at 10:50 AM..
Reason: last sentence got lopped.
My favorite was the GulfStream Vista Cruiser 22HD, no longer in production. Tall 'crossways' bed in rear with tons of storage underneath ~ 36"H x 80"W x 40" deep. I do enjoy having a separate bed, other than dinette / couch. It is always ready, night or day for nap or total exhaustion (i.e. Death Valley in mid afternoon after hiking from dawn)
The Sprinter will serve many glorious yrs (probably over 500,000 miles). they are very ez and safe to drive (I researched, sampled, and 'dreamt' of one for yrs). I finally settled on a used VW Rialta.
Traveling in VW van makes for very memorable war-stories (not all pleasant).
For the 'shoestringers' by necessity
Benchmark entry level USED Class B's
I know of a 'vintage' version van an older couple is 'retiring'; '87 Ford "Getaway" van ~ 14 mpg V8
These seem to run about $3500 - $5000 (porta potty / no shower)
My mom sold a dandy Roadtrek (Dodge) ~ '97 for $9000 a couple months ago.
BTW, I LOVE my outdoor shower, ready and hot after 10 min drive (when 'boondocking'... no elect) + a nice way to cool off after a hike in AZ / NM / CA
I can just envision the 'meet-up' (gypsies?)
WOW ~ that is a lot of information ~ all of which I did not know, and I THANK YOU !! I have never paid much attention to those camper vans during my many road trips but I can now appreciate the convenience of driving in one and having one's own facilities I imagine it would be expensive for fuel though when going cross country, etc. ?
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,711 posts, read 58,042,598 times
Reputation: 46182
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tesaje
Denver to visit family & do my fix stuff for my mother visit.
Just encountered my 1st real challenge. The exhaust pipe for the generator fractured & it is really hard to find the right size pipe. ...
I'll be in Loveland and Colorado Springs in mid Aug and mid-Sept. I will be leaving my Rialta near Airport, fly home(PDX), ($79) then back in Sept and on to Quilt Show in Black Hills, then Family reunion in MSP area. From there I my drive to Albany, NY and park it fly home ($119) then return for fall colors.
RE. pipe Those (Gensets) are painfully specific. Exhaust breakage is common issue, it is most affordable to have a muffler shop make an adapter to std size for future replacement. Sources for tubing can be NAPA or a good hydraulic or tubing shop. It is often they will take pity on your plight and make a dandy repair very cheap. Offer to recommend them to others, AND give them food (that talks to worker bees ) MIDAS has been a good source of 'on-the-road' repairs (Hvy lift and nice franchise owners)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ConeyIsBabe
WOW ~ that is a lot of information ~ all of which I did not know, and I THANK YOU !! I have never paid much attention to those camper vans during my many road trips but I can now appreciate the convenience of driving in one and having one's own facilities I imagine it would be expensive for fuel though when going cross country, etc. ?
I have a spreadsheet that compares costs (Fuel, food, lodging)
I input my trips and determine my mode: (RV wins for 'leisure / open time frame' trips) VW wins for economy first, (Fly / rent = best for 'quick getaways')
Fly / rent
Drive 52 mpg VW and stay in guest homes
Drive mini RV and stay in parks
Drive mini RV and 'boondock'
FYI; my estimates (fuel, food, lodging)
for a 2000 mile 7 day trip - pretty leisurely for me... 300 mile / day.
bare bones = $225 (fuel, minimal food / lodging) This is how I usually travel.
VW@50mpg= $431 - better food (eating out some)+ couple hotels
RV@20 mpg= $487
RV@15 mpg= $554
RV@ 8 mpg= $897
Fly / drive depends on destination, BUT, with advanced notice and logistically friendly destinations (Cheap car and air)
= ~$650 (priceline ~$200 / week car; ~ $200 Air; guest homes / hostels $10 - $20 / night)
BTW, fuel can KILL a budget. I relocated a Motorhome for a friend from Colorado to Roseburg, OR. Cost me $100 in fuel to get to location (VW) and $1000 in fuel to return (Motorhome Class A HOG)!! I figure I would rather stay in a Westin and drive my VW, than a fuel hog. I often drive a 1000 mile day, that would be $640 fuel savings / day w/ 5 mpg vs 50 mpg @ $3/gal
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 07-22-2010 at 11:28 AM..
WOW ~ that is a lot of information ~ all of which I did not know, and I THANK YOU !! I have never paid much attention to those camper vans during my many road trips but I can now appreciate the convenience of driving in one and having one's own facilities I imagine it would be expensive for fuel though when going cross country, etc. ?
yes, lots of good info.
Fuel mileage was big factor in choosing the Sprinter van of this vintage. Previous owners said they got 24 mpg out of my van. There are reports of 28 mpg at speeds near 55mph from this van. Most moderate sized cars do worse. The really old US made vans do a lot worse - 10-15 mpg. Ford & Chevy vans do well if they can eke out 15 mpg.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,711 posts, read 58,042,598 times
Reputation: 46182
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tesaje
...
Fuel mileage was big factor in choosing the Sprinter van of this vintage. Previous owners said they got 24 mpg out of my van. There are reports of 28 mpg at speeds near 55mph from this van. Most moderate sized cars do worse. The really old US made vans do a lot worse - 10-15 mpg. Ford & Chevy vans do well if they can eke out 15 mpg.
Yes, Sprinters are great. I have 3 friends with them and they get ~ 22-26mpg. Speed is very important (thus I prefer back roads) mine declines about 10% over 55 mph.
There are very few choice yrs for economy in older vans.
About 1986 - 1996 there were some fullsized camper vans that got 15-18 mpg. My mom's Dodge got 17-19 mpg.
My 'beater' minivan gets 20-24 mpg (196,000 miles!)
I see some minivan camper conversion kits on eBay for $6,000!! I think those could be done for $500 - $1000. It is very time consuming and expensive to convert your own. Cheaper to buy a used one professionally done.
I am developing a product for 'stealth' camping that will ease a camper conversion / use of a station wagon or mini van. It will probably be well under $500
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, restricting how conversions are done on van)
). I finally settled on a used VW Rialta.
(gypsies?)
The Wide Open Road
StealthRabbit ~~
) MIDAS has been a good source of 'on-the-road' repairs (Hvy lift and nice franchise owners)
