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i'm gumby dammit
Sport climber
da ow
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Apr 21, 2018 - 12:26am PT
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I helped the ex GF build out her T1N that she bought off craigslist from a guy in sacramento that resold dhl vans.
Here are some tips
1. It's true what JLP said about merc vs dodge (and freightliner) being the same. That also means repairs are mercedes expensive. BTW she beats the hell out of hers (in terms of bumpy high clearance roads) and it's up around 270k now and running strong. She also maintains it well. We used to joke about becoming diesel mechanics at the beginning of every road trip as it would break down as we left town. As a side note, she hit an elk and then replaced her destroyed dodge grill with a merc.
2. There are no corners. Everything is round and this makes building it out difficult unless your carpentry skills (and tools) approach professional.
3. I wouldn't really factor diesel prices in at all as a reason to buy or not to buy. Since she's had hers (4 years) it has switched back and forth several times and also by location when you travel. In other words, your mileage may vary. Either way, your mileage will be good for a vehicle of that size and capability.
4. Plan on ditching the factory stereo (and it's ridiculous security code) and spending a few minutes every time you want to lock the vehicle.
Don't take these as reasons not to get one, just some tips about it's idiosyncrasies. It's been great for long trips.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:22am PT
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Boy, vans are cool. There's no doubt about it, but the cost/reliability issues are worrisome. It's hard to beat a good Toyota truck with a pop-up camper. Currently, my wife and I are going the trailer route, which is cool because you can drop the trailer and have the separate vehicle for switching venues, resupply, etc. Also, trailers have some real advantages when leveling. If I were going solo, I'd get a pop-up. Four Wheel seem to be the shiz.
BAd
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WBraun
climber
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:35am PT
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I've always wondered about "trailers".
Park trailer and then go do your day stuff.
Return later and trailer gone!!!
Yowza .....! :-)
Park sprinter, do your day stuff, return later, all your sh!t is gone from a break in.
What's a gross materialist to do????
Smoke pot, lol?
:-)
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:50am PT
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Easily replaceable V10 -less than 10k maybe less than 5k. No big investment. No big deal. Goes everywhere. Huge bed. Seats many. Hauls everything.
Junky trailer. Costs little.( less than a diesel tune up). Lives big. Not a clone.
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WBraun
climber
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:53am PT
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Nice trailer, I like.
Too bad it weighs a ton but it's good once it's beached at it's intended location :-)
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:54am PT
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My truck doesn't notice the trailer. It's not very heavy.
You'd have to be a special kind of crazy to steal this rig.
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WBraun
climber
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:55am PT
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I have a 97 Honda civic.
It will tow this beast, eh?
:-)
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 21, 2018 - 07:57am PT
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The civic can ride on top of the trailer but you'll need to bring some grass materialists
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 21, 2018 - 08:08am PT
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Two wheel drive? I guarantee that I can haul my trailer up roads that will break your overpriced POS van.. I bought my truck at 100k and have put 40k with barely an issue. You're going to have to haul your camping upgrades until your van dies and then what?
Talk about gross materials. Money but no sense is the new clone way.
Think about me every day when you have to break camp and load everything on your bed just to take a drive. Vans are so limited.
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Apr 21, 2018 - 08:28am PT
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96k DOT compliant, maintained miles, 150 sq. ft of stand up panoramic sanctuary for a measly $3.5k abandon all pride and embrace the powerbask! hundreds of thousands of geriatrics can't be all wrong
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Apr 21, 2018 - 08:36am PT
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Flippy, if vans are so over-rated why did the Canucks name a city in honour of them?
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 21, 2018 - 09:01am PT
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T,
I appreciate you admitting that your brand new van is in the shop. Next would be admitting the costs and time involved in the camping modifications. This isn't a fight, it's differing opinions.
I lived in my Vans for years. When I was young and climbing. I know about the ups and downs.
A 24' tin can has no appeal to me either. I don't stay in campgrounds much. Apart from the big investments, how is it going? It took awhile. It's in the shop. Would you recommend your choices?
Vancouver means "Vans are so over rated" in Algonquin
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 21, 2018 - 09:25am PT
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hooblie, that conversion looks awesome, can i get some info on that buildout. i'm a good carpenter, but not that great with steel or whatever the metal is.
i appreciate all the beta and different options, but the sprinter van seems the best choice for us, plus, that's what steph got. ss
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Apr 21, 2018 - 09:48am PT
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Next would be admitting the costs and time involved in the camping modifications. Deciding your route here has more impact on time and expense and final quality than the cost of the base van. By far.
Do you have more time, tools and fabrication skills than money? Looking for a project? Have lots of time to spare? Do you *really* like building things?
I think people generally don't appreciate the economics of a pro level conversion, they only see the sticker price, none of the complexity, then somewhat ignorantly believe they can do it all for less.
Fiat does not have a model that has lasted on the US market for more than a few years. Most don't even get into our market due to our safety standards. There are few established Fiat dealers in the US - for a reason - quality is generally dismal and everyone knows it - hence this Promaster came in under Dodge. Do some homework before buying.
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 21, 2018 - 10:10am PT
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WE GOT ONE!. just a few minutes ago. psyched. 2004 with under 120K and good service record. looking at buildout desighns now. ss
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Apr 21, 2018 - 10:16am PT
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cigars all around!
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Apr 21, 2018 - 10:24am PT
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All mods I made to the stock van ran approx. $8k.
Compare that to a Sportsmobile build out at a minimum $36k. A $36k conversion from SMB is on the middle to higher end. You could make your comparison if you installed every feature included in that $36k. Otherwise, SMB is custom every job. They might charge more like $10-15k for what you actually installed.
That said, there's something cool and very climber-like about seeing what a Real Man can do to his van - putting your skills on display and enjoying the benefit of them.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Apr 21, 2018 - 11:24am PT
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Congrats, Shipoopi! That's low miles for an '04. Well done. Put aside some $$ for future work you might need.
BAd
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Apr 21, 2018 - 11:47am PT
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Link to Sportsmobile build prices on van you provide;
10-15K they won't touch. I'm familiar. Yes they will take your 10-15k and do whatever, just ask, that build sheet is not a comprehensive list.
There are many other upfitters out there. Most better, frankly, SMB is well known as a poor value.
The prices you see from SMB include a great deal of custom details that will take a DIY a long time to replicate. Those details are why they are in business.
It's no great art to build a wood box, call it a cabinet and bolt it into the van - and it looks exactly like that.
To blend this stuff seamlessly into the windows and doors, the wall coverings - to install possibly dangerous electrical and flame burning appliances to RV Code in an economical and safe (and insurable...!) manner - that is the difference. Most insurance companies won't touch DIY campers, for good reason. You'll only insure the bare metal truck.
Most DIY vans miss all of this - and for the ones who put in the effort - this is where most of the effort and expense lies.
That said, I don't see you as having saved 20+k with your efforts. Not even close. Nice van, glad you enjoy it, like many others, but you didn't work off $20+k with your efforts - it was far less.
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