I have a 2005 1 ton Chev van with no windows. It is unfinished inside, 35,000 miles and in excellent condition. I am trying to decide if it is better to sell it and buy an already built class B or build this one out. I want a simple van to travel in and limited actual camping. I like to build things so the challenge of doing it is part of the fun. Since B's hold their value so well it seems that building one would be cheaper.
Any thoughts and also does anyone know where I could find basic plans. I am concerned about where (not how) to wire it and things like that. Simply building cabinets and finishing the interior is not a major concern. The question is where to put outlets, plugs, etc prior to finishing the interior.
I'm in the process of doing exactly this type of project right now. Mine is a 96 Dodge B2500 hi-top, which I bought very partly converted...the middle seat was out and a sink, house battery & refrigerator had been added. Now it has an enclosed bathroom, bed/dinette in rear (gave away original sofa/bed) better sink, and a much smaller fridge (original was WAY too big so I sold it). Will still be doing new carpet and a microwave. It would have been better to plan on doing all this in the first place because I'm working backwards on some of this... for example, NOW I've decided it needs 110 wiring, so I need to figure out how to do that with stuff already in place. I had looked all over the web for layout ideas without a lot of luck, so it's been seat of the pants all along. I'm having fun doing it though and can have as much, or as little inside as I want.
The map shows the states my wife and I have driven (or camped) in together.
i had a 1 ton ford extended cargo van years ago, i redid it into a class B used it a few years and sold it for more then i had in it.it doesnt happen that way all the time maybe i just got lucky.i liked it for week ends and short term camping.no plans that i know of i just did what worked for me,do a good job on the inside and it will sell and be worth more when your done.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
Make a list of everything you would like and then decide what you really need. After that start sketching. Better yet have a look at some of the euro motorhomes. Most common is B and small C's and they have some neat ideas.
It depends to what extent that you build it. Cabinets and the finish work are the easiest and least expensive stuff. There’s no simple van to travel and camp in that is self-built if you going to do the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooking, etc. I’ve been building mine for the past 6 years and though I like doing it, it’s still not finished (although almost). Picking a ready-made Class B up used can be way less expensive than doing it yourself, not to mention the time involved. The problem with the simple approach is feature creep; it’s incredible the amount of things that can fit in a van. If you really want to do it, try the SMB site for layout ideas; otherwise it really is a custom project.
Purchase a body builders handbook from the manufacturer. It will tell what you can do to the vehicle safely. These bodybuilders books are the basis for all conversions from any reputable builder.
Weights, fuel fill locations, insulation, electrical tie ins, etc.
What roof and body panels you can remove are all there.
wow what quick responses. I think we will be more stealth campers, until the wife gets her camping legs, I anticipate staying more in motels when we are not traveling. I expect to have a fridge, microwave, porta potty, tv. Van came with 4 drycell batteries, 1500 watt invertor, 60 amp booster and battery charge indicator professionally connected. It was a marketing van in it's previous life. It used to have 2 computers, 8 big speakers, 2 wireless mikes, two large TVs, DVD and a camera for taping all powered off the batteries only. I should have plenty of power for my minimal needs. I am debating about plumbing needs. I think I should do the basics and see what happens, finish interior minimal, make a place for two single beds and try it. Make it so I can pull the finished items out down the road and upgrade. I would like a raised roof and things like that but think the best thing is to jump in and learn as I go. I am only 90 miles from the sportsmobile store in Huntington IN and not much further from Elkhart area where I plan on getting new front seats. Seating will only be for two since when I need a break I can hit the bed. Think I want a small dinette/bed area in the back and then a seat that converts to a bed using one front seat. Hate to give up all the space for a larger bed also do not want to crawl out one end in middle of night for potty trip. In answer to what I want in it, I want class A equipment with class b size and mileage and a low price.
(who doesn't). Hope to end up with a sprinter type vehicle in a few years.
hoosiermark wrote: ... In answer to what I want in it, I want class A equipment with class b size and mileage and a low price.
(who doesn't). ......
At least on the web, and maybe in person at a dealer, take a look at what Roadtrek and Pleasureway offer in a 19' Chevy 3500 van.... almost the same amenities as a class A or C, just smaller stuff and less empty volume. No low price tho', but ~15 mpg. If you go to a dealer, take lots of photos to study for ideas and to let you figure out how they did it. Hold the camera under the edges of the skirting and snap away; digital pix are cheap, and taking many shots compensates for lousy aim.
One thing I didn't see was what chassis you have...1500 or ?? and in what length. Weight might become the limiting factor if you have a 1500, especially a long one.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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