Conor and I camping near Rocky Mtn Ntnl Park
After my Sept 2009 trip to Yellowstone in the Datsun, I have been craving a vehicle more suitable to the road-trips I wanted to take. It wasn’t easy camping out of a 2-seater sports car, even by myself, and I wanted to bring Tim and Imelda on some of my trips. I waffled back and forth between a mini-van that I would customize myself or a large V8 van conversion, or possibly even a Class-C RV.
After careful consideration I realized that a mini-van would not be able to tow (important option for me), and a full-fledged RV was not practical for a 1-person trip, so the middle ground van-conversion was sought after via Craig’s List. I had one in the past, when Tim was 2 years old, and loved the freedom it gave us, so I searched for one similar to it and stumbled across what is now my “blue whale” (aka Jonas).
Though I have considered many a replacement, I simply can not find a more versatile road-trip vehicle. While the fuel mileage is poor compared to a passenger car, it is great compared to an RV or a Truck and trailer setup. It is large enough to pretend to be an RV and small enough to fit into a standard parking spot (only just) for which-ever suits me best that day. It doesn’t stand out too much so I can “stealth camp” just about anywhere I wish.
Van comforts;
-
Dodge 360 V8 engine - 5.5ft of headroom
- Can sleep 3 people in a pinch
- 2-burner propane stove
- Small 120v & 12v fridge
- 600 watt Microwave
- 1200 watts 120v inverter
- 1850 watt external generator
- Full 120v power when plugged in
- Cellular WiFi
Portable flush toilet- 5000lb towing capacity
- Single deep-cycle battery (125 Amp hours)
- 120 watt solar battery charging NEW
- 10ft retractable awning NEW
- Dual-bike rack NEW
- 1200lbs Load-adjusting shocks in rear NEW
I’ve have been reworking the battery/power systems for the ‘RV’ area while eliminating some of the weight at the rear of the van. Shifting weight forward allows me to carry more when needed and at a better aerodynamic stance for fuel mileage if heavily loaded.
In June 2011 I added more solar panels on the top of the van for a peak of 75 watts (5 amp) of charging power. I have also been making some more changes to the interior to allow more storage and living/sleeping areas. In August 2011, I tore out the original dual-bench seats in the rear (which converted to queen sized bed) and replaced it with a single bench that pulls out to a double-sized bed; I was the only one using the bed so a smaller bed gave me more usable space in van for non-sleeping times of the day. Later in August I re-upholstered the entire interior and bed/couch cushions. In November the bed area was rebuilt again; pushing the bed forward to give more storage in the rear of the van.
With the roof lined with solar panels, and 14+ gallons of water on board at all times, I can spend a week, or more, off the grid at any time.
The most recent 1100 mile trip to and from California and back averaged 13.4 MPG and 14.1MPG respectively.
