i did that a couple weeks ago with my son. we had a good time.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjXBkv_hi...0/IMG_5254.jpg
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i did that a couple weeks ago with my son. we had a good time.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjXBkv_hi...0/IMG_5254.jpg
My Other Car is a...Mercedes Camper Van? - The New York Times
"Harley Sitner was in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn for a wedding in March, feeling as if he’d just been sprayed by a skunk. Mr. Sitner’s hometown, Seattle, where he owns a camper-van restoration, repair and rental business called Peace Vans, was the site of one of one of the first huge coronavirus outbreaks. “People were like, ‘Stay away,’” he recalled.
Back home, with peak road-trip season approaching, his employees reported a rush of cancellations on rental vans. Mr. Sitner had just hired a “super-awesome” marketing manager and began thinking he might have to lay her off.
School was canceled and all but the most essential businesses were ordered to shut down. Mr. Sitner was compelled to give his employees a month off, save for a skeletal crew that stuck around to perform essential services like repairs.
“We were looking at some pretty significant revenue black holes,” he said.
Then, in mid-April, the phone started ringing in the repair shop.
“People started thinking they’d have a summer, and wanted their classic Volkswagens looked at,” Mr. Sitner said."
"Van Live" as it were began a long time before this. His business is positioned well and he'll kill it but like so many things is a fad. Bottomline, there will be a metric ton of AWESOME tricked out vans for sale real soon ;)
Honestly it's great and I'm super happy people are doing this.
I have been planning to head to Bishop, CA in a few weeks to meet friends to hike in the Sierra and had been in the process of turning my winter car, a 2003 Golf into a camper- big enough for one person who is not picky. My plan was to drive across, then after the week with friends head up the East side using Sierra South as a guidebook and do an assortment on hikes for a month or so. But it seems there's no way to do this on the fly now. Everything must be booked in advance versus showing up at the Ranger Station early on the day and picking up a permit. My expectation is that everything will become more restrictive as the summer progresses and having cut one cross-country journey short I am loath to have to do it again.
I'd be happy to have a basic van myself. An apartment on wheels has no appeal. As for four-by, if you need that you likely should not be there.
When the fad passes I will shop.
I keep coming back to the Benz Weekender and trying to think if it could serve as a daily driver replacement for a Sienna.
I love the idea in theory but with 3 kids, there'd be some tough compromises. And at a $40k premium to a minivan, you'd need to spend a lot of nights in it to get a good bang for the buck. You could spend $2,000 on an amazing car camping setup and put the rest in the bank.
Something nice to dream on though.
with three kids, i'd say the answer is no.
what makes a camper van so attractive is that it is ready to go at a moment's notice. setting aside the fact that when you have three kids, you're rarely able to do anything at a moment's notice, if the van has to accommodate daily driver duties for a big family, it's not going to be in "camp mode" regularly, which means you will have to do a bunch of work and packing before you hit the road for a weekend out - which is what you'd have to do for car camping anyway. it's a nice thought, but i dont see it working out in an ideal fashion.
A friend of mine just got one of those. Seems quite impressive !
https://storytelleroverland.com/wp-c...Artboard-1.jpg
My wife informed me on Monday that we'll be getting a Cybertruck next year so we can go camping in it. I don't believe her, but I am delighted she's thinking about such a harebrained idea - it means my "sensible alternative" might stand a chance!
Attachment 115983
We have gone to events like d2r2 where you park / camp in a field. A 2wd van goes nowhere on wet grass. If your adventures never leave the pavement you will be fine. We have no interest in “off-roading” but do like to explore sometimes beyond the pavement.
Attachment 116093
New wheels and tires on big red there dan? looking good!
Love that van.
Ach, that's what my big red van wishes it could be when it grows up.
Well this is a room I didn't imagine I'd have anything to contribute to, but here you go:
https://i.imgur.com/Eel3WF0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bLO5RbI.jpg
Went to look at this guy's '05 Hallmark Guanella LX and ended up buying the truck to go with it. Initially was looking to do a whole 'stealth' van conversion project but realized I'd only have a tricked out van to show for it and nothing I could realistically drive to work or whatever once the first of two teenage boys starts to drive this year etc, I settled on this thing. At first was apprehensive of the camper's age, but seeing it verified the outstanding condition and the fact that if stored well and maintained, they can last decades. He did a nice solar addition 5 years ago as well, and told me they had gone several days off grid without coming close to running out of power.
Nice...
SPP
Homerun Sean. I'm looking forward to some good times.
whats the inside of that thing look like?
Very cool. you should bring that to Michaux in October for our next Nomad's ride.
https://www.velocipedesalon.com/foru...1-a-54723.html
Haven't you made your reservation for Pine Grove Furnace yet? After a Covid interrupted version 2.0, a request was made to have a 2.1 fall version.
Of course I am up there most weekends, so if anyone is in the area and wants to ride, hit me up.
It is a 1 ton Quigley. Tow rating is 10,000 lbs. Our Airstream gvwr is 7600 so we should be good. The 6.0 gas motor does fine towing our Airstream and is considered a pretty bullet proof motor. We can tow our trailer, put 2 bicycles, and 2 motorcycles inside the van, and our canoes on the roof, and head out for week long adventures. We've been really happy with it so far.
I'll attest to the fact that van can giddyup. Dan and I were going straight up the Blue Ridge Mtns. and both my Tundra and his Chebby were going the same speed....because guys would never try to see who's truck was faster towing a massive trailer right?
That van is awesome. When it comes time to trade up this is probably what we'll get.
FWIW,
For 2021 Chevy is offering their new 6.6 gas motor in the express van. My 6.0 is adequate, but who wouldn't want another 40 hp and more importantly another 80 ft-lbs of torque. I am sure the local Chevy dealer would love to take your Tundra in trade. If you buy one, I'll buy the free candy bumper sticker for it.
Anyone ever use a rooftop tent? I'm not in a position to get an Airstream at the moment, or the requisite tow vehicle. Possibly one or the other, but not both.
The rooftop tent seems like a better solution in some ways (not all of course) to ground tenting and might be possible with my current vehicle. Get a trailer hitch for a bike rack, sleep on the roof and away I could go.
An image from a Google search.
https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-cont...PM-768x576.jpg
Attachment 116174
The beginnings of our camping trailer due to be completed on 9.10.20. SCTrailers.net is building it, as we wanted something solid but not a fiberglass fist through the walls commercial unit. Airstreams are nice but no bike storage and too much plumbing.
Rooftop tents are OK for a small segment of campers. the problem with rooftop tends is they render your vehicle stationary. if you want to set up your base camp for a few days and still want the ability to do a quick beer run or grab some more hot dog rolls, you have to break down the set-up to drive again.
By the way, expanding - here's the problem with rooftop tents - look at the size of that thing compared to the woman standing there. Now imagine if you are on a fun cycling weekend with the boys, you just got back from a hot sweaty ride and you need to change out of your cycling kit into street clothes. you'll have to crawl into that tent, lay down and wriggle around in your sweaty kit to try and maneuver a change.
the other thing is, when the weather sucks, it's raining or whatever, there is just no room in there to hang out and relax.
the only reason i see for a small tent is if you have to backpack carry it. if you've got your car anyway, i say - go big! have a little breathing and relaxing room.
last time i went to michaux, i opted not to bring my camper, but took my car camp set-up. it's an 8 man tent and a canopy. everything pops up in 20 minutes and i have a solid, comfortable base camp for a few days, not crammed in something on my roof. I also bring a small cot to sleep in - much more comfortable than a pad and bag.
just advice!
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d02iFM5zf...0/IMG_5566.jpg
Thanks for that!
I can see the advantages and disadvantages to both. At this moment I'm pretty inclined towards the rooftop tent despite the things you mention. There are some workarounds, but you're right, the whole thing needs to be stowed to move the vehicle. That's not nothing.
10-4. I can see some of the advantages. Whatever get's us nomading!
You guys need to get your noses out of my internet search history. Saab, keep us posted on the roof top tent. I really like the idea of being able to keep the bikes inside the car (theft, weather). At least with the tent pictured above, it would just take some tarp and binder clips to make an outdoor changing room/shaded seating area.
I'm with Angry on this one. I've never had a roof top tent but spent many nights in a tent when we were motorcycle touring. If I am driving a car I would much rather have a bigger tent and be able to leave it setup when I pull out. What are the advantages of the roof top tents? Being off the ground? A good Helinox cot is comfortable and keeps you off the tent floor if comfort is the issue.
I've used an air mattress and have slept in our van. The issue with that is no air flow if it is hot out.
SUPERLITE ROOF TENT – Go Fast Campers
this is the one i'm considering
it is pretty big...and pops up in seconds...one less thing to worry about when you get to a site...and i do like the idea of being off the ground
screens so plenty of air flow
and light...only 80lbs so i could feasibly throw it on my jeep myself
Car camping, I have a six person Big Agnes and a queen air mattress. I also have a 10X10' popup shelter. I've got a two person Big Agnes if I have to haul it anywhere. The girlfriend has an older Class C RV but our relationship is maturing to the point of selling that and getting a 25ish foot travel trailer. The used market is pretty good here.