thriftydutch
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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I have 2 retired brothers who have done their own conversions. One purchased a used Chevy 3/4 ton with low milage the other purchased a new 3/4 ton Ford van. The chevy brother build it all by himself and installed what he wanted in there. Kept it all very simple and did all of his own cabinets. Had the extended roof installed.
The second brother is in the process of converting right now. Also keeping it simple. Also doing all his own cabinets.
Both have porta potti stored in closets, lots of cabinets and counter space. Both have propane and electric that they installed themselves. The finished one I think took no more than 2 months and the second one will be about the same.
I am sure neither one spend more than $5000.00 on all the materials including the 3 way fridges and propane tanks and that is a heck of a lot less money than buying a new or one year old unit that has a great many items in them that you may not even want.
And these guys are 67 and 74 years young.
Of course you can do it yourself and one hell of a lot cheaper and you will know the quality of all the material that you have put in.
1990 L.E.R. Dodge B 250 Class B 17'
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boogerbear
Ontario
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Joined: 08/31/2007
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I'm the 67 year old brother that thriftydutch is referring to. I did my own conversion in a 2006 Chevy van 3/4 ton.The total cost including the raised roof and windows was about $ 9000 Canadian.We were interested in lots of storage space so when the roof was cut out we left the roof from the first and last ribs forwards and to the back.We made a bed across the back on two boxes covering the wheel wells using the centre piece for a table.(we have used this once in 67,000 kms.)To make access to the table easy I hinged the table top about 18 " from the back so that it hangs down at the back when the table is in use.We have a five foot counter. The fridge is underneath and all the sorage space underneath is drawers,no shelves.I'm too old to get down on hands and knees to look for stuff.I've propane,110 and 12 volt, porta potti and a small closet for my wife to hang stuff.Prior to doing this conversion we always camped I 2-3 persons tents ,the last one a Eureka K-9.I do NOT have a heater,air conditioner shower cookstove sink etc.We camp and almost always do the cooking and washing outside.We did 2 months in the Yukon and alaska last year and were perfectly comfortable.If we can't find a shower we do without.Our son thru-hiked the A.T. three times and went without showers for up to two weeks at a time.So what's a few days. All tha cabinetry is oak .The inside is fully insulated.There are cabinets along both sides in the top.It is really not terribly difficult to do you own conversion and you can do it for half the cost without having to pay for all kinds of unnecesary "conveniences ".From what I read in many messages space is all to often at a premium so make it
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thriftydutch
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Ooops brother; I forgot about the price for having the roof installed. Well I wasn't too far off in the price.
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jetrier
Sun Prairie, WI
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Joined: 12/21/2007
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There are many advantages to the DIY campers and I've enjoyed this thread. I thought this forum was all about the people who bought or special-ordered them.
I like the fact that you know how to repair and replace the stuff, if it's DIY. You can keep it pretty simple and even hold down the weight by installing or simply carrying only light components. Or, leave some of it at home if it's not permanently installed and you know you won't use it on the trip.
The drawback on the DIY is finding a buyer who might appreciate the same flexibility in the vehicle. On the other hand, they can always easily remove stuff or you can sell it separately.
2006 Chevy Express with a Sportsmobile Poptop, DIY inside and DIY gear trailer
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boogerbear
Ontario
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Joined: 08/31/2007
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For us the main reason to DIY was twofold; price and utility.We put in what we thought we needed and would use rather than buing what some salesman could talk us into or what some designer in an office ( who probably has never camped in his life ) felt what we should have .Of course the more gadgets that can be packed into a vehicle ( useful or not ) the greater the profit. I'm not gadget oriented. Heck we don't even have cable or satellite at home or ( don't tell anyone )a cellphone.We read a lot and walk a lot at home and on vacation.We have a whole cabinet in the RV just for books.If anyone out there wants info on how to DIY I would be happy to help.
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Bamabound
Alabama
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Joined: 12/26/2007
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Well I've been told it is useless to try to sell vans right now, so after reading and thinking some more I quess we will use it as is and just carry a screen tent to cook in.It makes sense to NOT build alot of stuff in it so we can use it for passengers too.
I like the idea of having something a little more solid than a tent to get in case of a bad thunderstorm if a bathhouse is not available.
We were at the beach last week and even the pop-up folks were in their trucks. I figure a van would do better!Summer storms in the South are terrible with lightening and driving rain and winds!
I think it will work fine for the occasional over-nighter to the lake while pulling the boat.We can just park close to the bathhouse 
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