JHZR2
Staff member
I know this is probably better at the RV forum, but I’m not a member there.
After enjoying far Northern Europe, and seeing how many folks go around in small self-powered rv/camper vans, it got us curious.
I’m not looking for a “lifestyle”. I don’t think there’s any money in a giant RV, truck, etc. I’m also not into luxury. Well, I might be into AC…
The intent would be tent camping without the tent. Essentially a family of five driving places in the vehicle, sleeping in it some places when convenient and needed, and not other times. But use the vehicle as a comfortable way to get around and do some weekend outings in it.
It isn’t our primary transport, doesn’t need to be pretty… just reliable and comfortable.
In my minds eye it’s something like a late 1980s conversion van that was well kept and had low use…. But can one of those sleep five?
What I’m looking for is this:
-drives five
-sleeps five
-no kitchen
-no bathroom
-routine resupply of ice chest
-2-3 nights max, more likely just for overnights.
-possibly some form of hvac since 5 in a vehicle will get hot in most of the us for half the year or more.
- four tires
What I don’t want:
- kitchen
- refrigerator
- TV/entertainment
- anything fancy
Remember I’m looking for using a vehicle in lieu of tent camping. So a van with cots is more my interest. No campers. No towing. All one unit. Ideally a van so it’s more like normal dimensions.
Does such a thing exist? How many people can a 8, 12, and 15-passenger type van sleep?
While I’d buy this:
I suspect it’s out of my price range and kind of big….
These are neat, but too darn expensive and fancy.
I think something like this is too complex too:
There were some small Ford transit diesel rvs that we saw stateside, and I’ve seen some nice Mercedes’ sprinter RVs that I’d consider. But I really want small, compact, incognito. Start small and simple and go from there.
Like used Amazon delivery sprinter outfit for camping. Can it be done for five? Seating with windows could be an issue…. But hopefully you get my angle.
I’m seriously not opposed to building bunks in a used 15 passenger van with all but the second row removed… just build from wood. But I’m not sure what works.
So what’s the best bet for a near zero frills camping setup in a van?
After enjoying far Northern Europe, and seeing how many folks go around in small self-powered rv/camper vans, it got us curious.
I’m not looking for a “lifestyle”. I don’t think there’s any money in a giant RV, truck, etc. I’m also not into luxury. Well, I might be into AC…
The intent would be tent camping without the tent. Essentially a family of five driving places in the vehicle, sleeping in it some places when convenient and needed, and not other times. But use the vehicle as a comfortable way to get around and do some weekend outings in it.
It isn’t our primary transport, doesn’t need to be pretty… just reliable and comfortable.
In my minds eye it’s something like a late 1980s conversion van that was well kept and had low use…. But can one of those sleep five?
What I’m looking for is this:
-drives five
-sleeps five
-no kitchen
-no bathroom
-routine resupply of ice chest
-2-3 nights max, more likely just for overnights.
-possibly some form of hvac since 5 in a vehicle will get hot in most of the us for half the year or more.
- four tires
What I don’t want:
- kitchen
- refrigerator
- TV/entertainment
- anything fancy
Remember I’m looking for using a vehicle in lieu of tent camping. So a van with cots is more my interest. No campers. No towing. All one unit. Ideally a van so it’s more like normal dimensions.
Does such a thing exist? How many people can a 8, 12, and 15-passenger type van sleep?
While I’d buy this:
I suspect it’s out of my price range and kind of big….
These are neat, but too darn expensive and fancy.
I think something like this is too complex too:
There were some small Ford transit diesel rvs that we saw stateside, and I’ve seen some nice Mercedes’ sprinter RVs that I’d consider. But I really want small, compact, incognito. Start small and simple and go from there.
Like used Amazon delivery sprinter outfit for camping. Can it be done for five? Seating with windows could be an issue…. But hopefully you get my angle.
I’m seriously not opposed to building bunks in a used 15 passenger van with all but the second row removed… just build from wood. But I’m not sure what works.
So what’s the best bet for a near zero frills camping setup in a van?