Adventure Van -> Truck Camper -> DIY.Roamer

Dear Geek...
Not a van, but awesome: Livin_Tiny_640x360MASTER.m4v (video/mp4 Object)
(Via http://www.outdoorresearch.com/video)
Also, have you ever seen Mickey's camper?

Tough call. Not many deisel options. My V10 Ford does OK with a 9k # trailer, but more torque would be great.

Pardon my stepping in Geek, but...




http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/express-3500-cargo-van.html
"SELECT OPTIONAL FEATURES....
Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel with 260 hp, 525 lb.-ft. torque and B20-Diesel compatibility"


I drove a new 2013 4500 cutaway w/ box and the same engine/trans combo, but pushing a LOT more air, from Milwaukee to New Orleans. Total weight with the equipment in the back of about 12-13,000 lbs. Pulled strong, nice 6-speed auto, felt like it would handle a trailer also (which it will need to do on occasion) w/ no problem.

I think a 3500 with that drivetrain would be a sweet toy hauler.

What was your fuel mileage like?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I think the readout said 14.5 mpg. I run on their fuel card , so the only reason I pay attention is to gauge my range for fuel stops. It had a 50-sumthin' gallon tank.

Disclaimer;
My job is to move the equipment around the lower 48 and Canada as needed, I drive a different truck or multiple trucks interstate every week. But this is what I remember.
Details;
This was a new 4500 w/ 7xx miles on it when I picked it up, 17xx when I dropped it off. Mileage might improve w/ break-in.
It had a wide box on the back, but did have the "aero roof" above the cab.
Don't remember the axle ratio, but I think it was the "lower" one. That's what they usually buy.
Highway speeds, 65-70 all the way, but since I was running down the Mississippi Valley on I-55 it was mostly flatlands.
But I do remember it pulling well through the southern Missouri hills before I dropped down into Arkansas.
The 6-speed auto was sweet. Shifted well and at the right time. Didn't hunt, hold too long, or hesitate.

My guess the 3/4-ton w/ the same drivetrain would do 20 mpg. Might be some reviews out there with actual mileage seen on the 3500 standard body diesel van.

Otis

Geek, I think between your thead and haydukes, you guys have made me want a van instead of a trailer. I've already been buttering up the wife to the idea. Keep it coming.

You'll want both.. Base camp with the amenities. And the van to take you further..

That would be sweet but my budget is around 20K and a 4x4 van with a duramax would be around 30K

sick van geek...well done!!! you could do that type of assemblys for living...

enjoy your trips....live the life!!

I always heard " Fix It Again Tony!"

Sorry.. I've been too busy to update this thread in forever. The van is approaching 40k miles.

Nothing mechanically to report... a headlight went out.. replaced simple H7.. 4 days later other headlight went out
I'll replace them as a set from now on


Here's one cool thing:

The fridge in the van has a plastic latch top and bottom. I broke one of them.
I was going to take a file and band saw and waste the hours away trying to make a good enough copy....

A client of mine recently got a 3d scanner and a 3d printer.

Voila! More fridge latches than I'm ever going to need




As spring starts to spring.. I'm going to be making a push to take the van to the next level so there will be updates to this thread hopefully soon - but not this weekend - I'm headed to Moab again with the 500 in tow
I'm really looking forward to sleeping in the van in the 75 degree desert for the next 3 nights.

Current priorities:
Overhead cabinet on passenger side
Counter tops and drawers
Awning

EH? have fun

Glad to hear no mechanical issues. I was getting worried cause there hadn't been any updates. Got my powder coated wheels done, they look great. Van supposed to be here April 25. Wish I was heading to Moab.

This may be an odd question but do you have a cost of maintenance over the 40k miles?

What percentage of gloss did you end up choosing?

That's pretty easy (off the top of my head)

(maintenance) cost of ownership in first 40,000 miles:

10k service - Mercedes of Westminster: $350'ish
20k service - Mercedes of Westminster: $550'ish
30k service - Mercedes of Westminster: $350'ish
...the 40k service will be another 550'ish

(as you can see, the service intervals are every 10k and there are two levels of them - every second one includes all the secondary filters so it costs more).

Two headlight bulbs: $30
One tail light bulb: $7

Adblue: $26 each time. I think I've filled it 4 times - call it $100.
I tell the Mercedes dealer NOT to do it during service interval because they charge a stupid amount of money for the task.

---------------

A footnote worth noting: My van did have a transmission leak - it was repaired under warranty. I don't know what that would have cost sans warranty.

footnote#2: I think I'm about due for front brake linings (I drive in the mountains a lot). We'll see what that costs; I'll probably just buy the pads and do it myself.

Can't wait!!!

Insulation

Okay, maybe that's only my priority. Those walls get COLD when it's in the 20's.

Thanks, looks like there may be another sprinter on the block in the future!

Just ran into this guy.. He has a nice solar setup. I'm adding solar back to the priority list... The fridge has already used 9ah since I turned it on.




...phat phingering on my phone.

He also still has his antenna.