SFR SFR - Recommendations for Limited Van Conversions

Sorta fishing-related
NukeLDO said:
With today's solar generators, there's no need for the traditional gas powered generator. Do yourself and your camping neighbors a favor and go the Li PO4 route for power. More than enough to do everything you want without the noise.
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I agree with this. I’ve had solar panels on three rigs and they’re great. I found no need for a standard gas generator at all.

I opted for a DC to DC charger on my current van conversion though, and have found that it’s so efficient that I don’t need solar panels at all. It has a solar plug in with built in controller if I ever want to add solar panels at a later time. The deep cycle AGM house battery powers the old school and inefficient 12 volt refrigerator and furnace fan, as well as the LED interior lights surprisingly well because the DC to DC charges it so quickly.
 
NukeLDO said:
With today's solar generators, there's no need for the traditional gas powered generator. Do yourself and your camping neighbors a favor and go the Li PO4 route for power. More than enough to do everything you want without the noise.
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That's actually a great idea. I'm still kinda old school as far as this goes. Looking at the "Jackery Explorer 1000 + 2x SolarSaga 100 Chargers" as an example with a price of approx $1500. The combined solar package weighs in at around 25lbs where as a single Honda EU2200i weighs approx 48lbs dry. Going with the 2 solar panel chargers instead of one cuts the charge time down to half, approx 6.5hrs compared to 11hrs with a single panel. Also saves the hassle of having to deal with gasoline and struggling to get the generators started. The other plus factor is that at most if not all campgrounds you're restricted on when you're allowed to operate gas powered generators..
 
DFG said:
I've researched Ford Transit Connect, Chevy Express and Ram Promaster, (model years 2016 and later) but I'm not sold on any of them. I read that the Ram isn't mechanically reliable, and the Transit sis a bit of a cracker box. I don't know about the Chevy.

Suggestions, anyone?
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I drive a ram transit, one of the small ones. It's a POS. Very cheaply built
 
A generator is NOT in my plans. I only need lights and a bit of 110V. No reefer, no heat, no water heater.

The tech I really want/need is keyless entry so I don't have to carry keys if I'm wearing a wetsuit. I also really like having Apple Play on my radio to repeat my cell phone display. Pretty much everything today comes with a back-up camera, which seems smart.

I'm strongly leaning toward a Ford Transit (low height) with AWD and EcoBoost. Evidently these are so popular that its tough to find them. I think I'll need to test drive one (even RWD) to make sure i like it, and then consider going walkabout. I can fly across the country if I see one I like and drive it home cheaper than buying it sight unseen and having it shipped.
 
The small solar generators are more than sufficient to run a 110 outlet for low watt applications, power LED lights, recharge phones and batteries, etc. And with most of them good for at least 1000 charge/discharge cycles, should last for years.
 
Well hell - I drove the Transit Connect (too small and too poorly appointed) and the full sized Transit (which drives like a school bus) and thought I was out of options. (Where was the automotive equivalent of Goldilocks when I needed her?)

Someone suggested a mid-sized pickup, like the Toyota Tacoma (Access Cab version) with a truck camper. It turns out I could be into a newer 4x4 model (2019, 2020, or 2021) with reasonably low mileage (25K or so) for around $30K. I then looked up used truck campers. These come anywhere from $4K and up.

I hadn't really been considering the camper route, but this does quicken my pulse a bit. I suspect that the lower priced campers are pretty worn, but I'm not looking for much. I could get everything I wanted (4x4, fairly good mileage, pleasant driving, newer model...) for less than the other routes, and I could remove the camper in the off season so I wouldn't need to lug it around in my everyday travel.

It's nice to have other options!
 
It's now a done deal. I went out and bought a new '22 Tacoma. I'm about to pull the trigger on a SnugTop Sport Hi-Liner. Rather than build a platform and drawers I think I'll stick with a decent camping cot and my storage tubs. That way I'm not committing to something that I may only use a handful of times each year.

I'm a bit sad about losing the keypad on the door (not available through anyone other than Ford) but I'll make do. I think I'll make a chip-less key that I can wear around my neck when I'm wing foiling so I don't have to be concerned about damaging the chipped key.

I'm not sure how to deal with fishing shuttles, though. Maybe buy a lock box that can secure to the trailer?? Has anyone else solved this problem?
 
DFG said:
It's now a done deal. I went out and bought a new '22 Tacoma. I'm about to pull the trigger on a SnugTop Sport Hi-Liner. Rather than build a platform and drawers I think I'll stick with a decent camping cot and my storage tubs. That way I'm not committing to something that I may only use a handful of times each year.

I'm a bit sad about losing the keypad on the door (not available through anyone other than Ford) but I'll make do. I think I'll make a chip-less key that I can wear around my neck when I'm wing foiling so I don't have to be concerned about damaging the chipped key.

I'm not sure how to deal with fishing shuttles, though. Maybe buy a lock box that can secure to the trailer?? Has anyone else solved this problem?
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Great, I think you made a wise choice, Toyota builds solid trucks that seem to run forever. Talk to the dealer where you bought the truck from, they may be able to give you some suggestions and help with lock boxes. Enjoy your journey..

BTW, which model of the Tundra did you get, is it a V6 and is it 2 or 4WD..?
 
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cdnred said:
Great, I think you made a wise choice, Toyota builds solid trucks that seem to run forever. Talk to the dealer where you bought the truck from, they may be able to give you some suggestions and help with lock boxes. Enjoy your journey..

BTW, which model of the Tundra did you get, is it a V6 and is it 2 or 4WD..?
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I live in Hood River, so I only wanted 4x4. I got the 3.6L V6 with a 6' bed and access cab (this features half doors to access the jump seats).
 
flybill said:
Decide if you really need 4wd.. I would have thought I would, but I probably wouldn't.. there's a place in Fife that sells finished ones.. 250k to 300k is a starting point! Northwest Auto (Jay Bunher company) has used vans you can buy.. won't be cheap as the demand outpaces supply now..
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Be advised, Northwest Auto has a very bad reputation for their lifted trucks and suspension upgrades.

No offense to Jay
 
DFG said:
I'm a bit sad about losing the keypad on the door (not available through anyone other than Ford) but I'll make do. I think I'll make a chip-less key that I can wear around my neck when I'm wing foiling so I don't have to be concerned about damaging the chipped key.
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Been doing that when surfing for decades
btw, doing any business with Art and Jeff at North Pacific for your boards?
 
Well, it's disappointing that you ended up with a truck. I was looking forward to seeing whether you went with the D&D/fantasy or Molly Hatchet style airbrush paint job on the van.
 
Paige said:
Be advised, Northwest Auto has a very bad reputation for their lifted trucks and suspension upgrades.

No offense to Jay
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Good to know.. I'm not ready to buy for a while anyway.. I know what I would want though!
 
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