Not a very active board anymore, but i figured those that are still around might have an interest. Does anyone here have a camper, RV, teardrop, airstream, converted van/bus or some other adventure mobile? I've been thinking about and looking into getting one for a long time. I am still having a hard time deciding between getting something that's towable or something that's self driving. There are certainly positives and negatives to both. Just curious what others here are using, what your setup is, and if you could have done something differently what would it be.

11/16/2016 8:56:35 AM

paging smoothcrim

11/16/2016 10:22:01 AM

do you have any particular uses or destinations in mind?

11/16/2016 9:22:40 PM

Would primarily be intrastate, from the mountains to the beach for weekend and extended weekend trips but I would certainly want to use it for longer road trips around the country. I like the idea of a camper van or small class B motorhome for the ability to reach different places, go off the map or setup camp somewhere unmarked, and have a smaller footprint. I only own one vehicle, my F150, but I put a good bit of mileage on it already for work. It's 4x4 with a full towing package so i know I can handle a pull-behind without much issue. The advantage of towing would obviously be being able to bring more gear, more living space in a trailer, and being able to drop a trailer at camp and still have a vehicle.

11/17/2016 11:39:57 AM

Unless you use it 2 or 3 times a month, i don't think they're worth it after you factor in maintenance, taxes, insurance, MPGs, etc. You still have to pay for a spot to park the thing most of the time.

11/17/2016 6:36:01 PM

I've had both. I live in the city so having something I can backup by myself was hugely useful. I prefer having a nice truck and 5th wheel for longer hauls, especially if no one is helping me drive. It's much quieter. What size are you looking for? Toy hauler or no?

11/17/2016 6:44:27 PM

no toy hauler. Something small, for two people and a dog.

11/18/2016 8:14:30 AM

Quote :

"Something small"

That's always where it starts

11/18/2016 1:08:39 PM

definitely a bumper pull. i'd go for a tandem axle 12-14' unit with a slide. could probably tow it with a tacoma

something like http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fully-Loaded-Pristine-16-2015-Starcraft-Pop-Out-Camper-Trailer-/262720776825

11/18/2016 1:51:41 PM

Quote :

"no toy hauler. Something small, for two people and a dog."

Maybe a tear drop then?

11/18/2016 9:02:01 PM

Nrr said it

11/19/2016 6:33:59 PM

I've been looking for Transit/Sprinter Vans for about a year. Need something to double as a primary vehicle and small enough to parallel park. Most of the conversions have more than my wife and I need. Just a big bed, insulation and gear storage is all we need.

Can never seem to pull the trigger.

11/19/2016 10:57:12 PM

a sprinter conversion was parked down the road from me over the weekend. I saw it Saturday night and wanted to walk by it with the dog on Sunday to see if the owner was around and strike up a conversation, but they were gone Sunday morning.

11/21/2016 9:13:18 AM

i would go sprinter conversion or something discrete so you can camp in cities

11/23/2016 2:32:51 PM

the hangup with sprinter based stuff is that it costs a TON

11/23/2016 6:01:09 PM

then e350 with a hightop, in white it will still look like a regular work van

11/25/2016 5:30:51 PM

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5866167443.html

11/26/2016 11:31:56 PM

omg that is glorious

11/27/2016 10:03:36 AM

Don't most of the E350s get like 11 mpg?! The transit vans are a lot more economical and the ecoboost option seems to get about 20mpg like the Sprinters. I kind of want 4x4 for the few ski trips I take a year, but it's probably adding a bunch of cost for not a realistic amount of use.

11/29/2016 8:19:38 PM

that's probably about right, but they are also a whole lot cheaper than sprinters

if 4WD is important a slide-in or flat-bed truck camper is probably the most cost-effective way to do it. If you are able to do the work yourself a 4wd conversion for an e350 probably isn't unreasonable but i bet you'd pay over $10k just for the conversion having a shop do it.

11/30/2016 12:37:03 PM

nm

12/1/2016 12:09:04 PM

Yeah I have seen a few econoline diesel 4x4s at 10 years old with 200,000 miles they still seem to be going for 30-40k

12/1/2016 1:38:05 PM