Date:         Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:10:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Beyond Vanagon-Keeping older vehicles! Camping in motor homes!
In-Reply-To:  <514E905A.1050600@colorado.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sat, Mar 23, 2013 at 10:34 PM, Richard A Jones <Jones@colorado.edu>wrote:

> Now for the $100K Sprinter based conversions I =
>> can get a 24' class C for 1/2 that price and use that extra money for =
>> fuel and it will be a lot more comfortable.
>>
>
> The Ford Transit will be available as a "chassis cab" so I'm
> sure there will be Class Cs built on it,
>


> Of course, even if you can drive this road:
> http://tinyurl.com/bs2m2w6
> you won't be able to camp at the spot where the picture was taken.
> Takes a Syncro Westy for that.  ;=)
>
> Richard
>
> PS: that IS a Syncro Westy in the center of that picture--where ever
> THAT is.
>

  I have a pal who got a Ford 250 powerstroke diesel cab chassis about
10yrs ago.  4X4 and very high ground clearance.   Had a Grumman aluminum
Box Van truck body installed behind and connected to the cab. His own
version of a class C.    It has a wide roll out loading ramp that stores
beneath the rear door.   He did the interior with solid maple flooring, got
a couple of old wooden church pews for a dinette and a full size air
compressor to air up the tires after going in sand.  It looks like a
delivery van, solid white with it's only window a skylight on top...And a
solar panel up there also.   Very stealthy, they can 'camp' downtown behind
any retail or warehouse without notice.   He has room in the back, while
still not compromising (too much) his living space, for two large sport
touring motorcycles that he rides right up that wide aluminum ramp to
load.  He gets around 14mpg if he keeps it under 70mph and can go just
about anywhere...  No bathtub or TVs but it has a diesel fired forced air
heater and a real workbench.   And engine heated hot water outside for a
telephone shower.
  He's used this as a daily driver, but he lives in Telluride, Co. so he
probably doesn't have to worry about it's being larger than a Priius or a
Yario or a___________(you name the mini car)  He also doesn't worry much
about getting stuck like a mini front wheel drive or low clearance.
   If I were going 'full time' as a RVer, I'd probably go with something
like that rather than a Vanagon or a rolling McMansion RV.   I see some
similar ones from Europe when we're in the Desert SW, but the Euros seem to
like to make theirs into Dakar Rally replicas with high wheels and winches
and sand planks and lights and camo paint.
  Fun stuff, but my simple vanagon does just fine for a couple of months at
a time...if I 'make do' with less "Stuff" and stay out of the sand.
  Don Hanson