crockett Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Along Walt's Truck thread, well, I bought a minivan a month ago. So my man card is revoked for now. I got tired of worrying about my new Vette or truck getting scratched and dinged up when staying at the beach for the day. People don't pay attention (and don't give a **** either). Beach chairs, beach umbrellas, doors flying open, kids peeing on the wheel hubs, you name it. It takes in average 2 trips to the beach (or any place around here) for the first dent & scratch combo to show up. So I searched for an old beach beater that I could also turn into a long weekend "camper". After a couple months I found a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan with 140k miles on it for only $3k. Prior owner is a hard core liberal and had no clue. The van had a break and serpentine belt squeak, and one sliding door didn't lock anymore. A dealer quoted him almost $2k, so he probably still thinks that he made a good deal giving it away for only 3k.. Bought aftermarket lock actuator for $25, belt /tensor / pulley kit for $70 and new break pads all around for $50. All fluid change for good measure and this thing drives like new. So far I kicked all but the driver seat out and threw a camping bed in for now. Will build a proper bed / cabinet frame this winter. Will have 400 watt solar panels on the roof, 280 Ah LIPo batteries and 40 G water tank in the Stow & Go storage places in the floor, gas stove, sink, porta potty, outdoor shower, RV mini fridge / freezer. Nothing for long trips but I do want to get around more in Florida and not having to worry about hotels, or shitbags scratching up my new vehicles. Planned layout.. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Some of your pictures didn’t show. Maybe they will when my connection is better. You might find “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon of interest. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmet Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 (edited) What does your husband drive? I’m just kidding. Those mini-vans can be a lifesaver when you need them, and ideal for what you describe. And you can’t beat the price. Edited November 25, 2020 by Valmet 5 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deputy tom Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Cool plan. Good pricing. tom. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampfox762 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Good on you!! Make sure ya post us pictures when ya get her all rigged out like ya want. Now days, I don't think I'd feel too comfortable "campin out" here in Floriduh unless it's a campground. I'm pretty sure there's somethin Illegal bout it, doin that in rest areas anyway. Have fun with it man!!! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 Minivans also have one major advantage over small RVs like those Sprinter based models: you can't tell (easily) if somebody is sleeping inside. You can park in all those "No RV" parking lots, and anywhere basically. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 First real mod was a new head unit with a 10" screen for some entertainment. Plays movies, YouTube, weather radar apps, police radio scanner, navigation, or anything that is Android based. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 We - then I - had mini-vans for decades. Still have one currently not running which I am sporadically tempted to restore to operation. They served us/me well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tadbart Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Cool project! Rode a minivan all over lower Alaska a few years back. Quite comfortable! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 1 hour ago, crockett said: Minivans also have one major advantage over small RVs like those Sprinter based models: you can't tell (easily) if somebody is sleeping inside. You can park in all those "No RV" parking lots, and anywhere basically. Spent the occasional nights in rest areas, bank parking lots, and other informal locations over the years. Maybe one night per vacation when the map made me a distance optimist. Station wagons in those pre-mini-van days. The parking lots of 24-hour Walmarts have been known to accommodate RVing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittpa Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 First real mod was a new head unit with a 10" screen for some entertainment. Plays movies, YouTube, weather radar apps, police radio scanner, navigation, or anything that is Android based. You need a fake overlay that looks like a cassette head unit to protect that from prying eyesSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Indeed you do. When my vehicles were broken into, the “built in” electronics were enticements A photograph of the previous occupant of that space might be the ideal cover. Ten year old factory electronics shouldn’t be much temptation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueiron Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 It looks like a search warrant wagon. 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 (edited) On 11/25/2020 at 5:50 PM, railfancwb said: Indeed you do. When my vehicles were broken into, the “built in” electronics were enticements A photograph of the previous occupant of that space might be the ideal cover. Ten year old factory electronics shouldn’t be much temptation. On 11/25/2020 at 5:39 PM, pittpa said: You need a fake overlay that looks like a cassette head unit to protect that from prying eyes Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Good point. This thing sticks out by 3 inches since the screen doesn't fit into a double din slot. So it could be yanked out easily. Placing a fake cover over it won't work, its too big. I think I'll just get a bigger baseball hat or something and pull that over it when I'm gone. Edited December 13, 2020 by crockett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historian Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 9 minutes ago, blueiron said: It looks like a search warrant wagon. Shag-wagen. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO Fugga Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Nice. Got an Express 2500 in early October. Just a tool hauler, but can throw a mattress in it in a pinch. Keep us updated with pics of the progress! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 On 11/25/2020 at 6:52 PM, blueiron said: It looks like a search warrant wagon. I got the matching plate... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerbie18 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Speak not of the mini-van. It is the stealth camper. I own one too. Passers by know not you camp within, for you are stealthy. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerbie18 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Here is a pic of my van. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerbie18 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 (edited) Just now, kerbie18 said: Here is a pic of my van. I also have the advantage of having a badge, so they tend to keep the beatings to a minimum. Edited November 26, 2020 by kerbie18 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 31 minutes ago, kerbie18 said: Here is a pic of my van. Yep. Seems pretty stealthy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueiron Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 1 hour ago, crockett said: I got the matching plate... Nice. I used to use this plate when using one of our minivans for street jumps or warrant details: The irony was not lost on some of my fellow employees. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWARREN123 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Mini vans have their place in life just like other vehicles. Looks good to me. Sounds like you got a good deal. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 This guy did a pretty extensive camper conversion... bit too cramped for my size. He lives full time in his mini van... hikes many summits. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt Longmire Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 I have a 14' enclosed trailer I set up for camping. I also have a 26' toy hauler but hardly use it due to it's size. But when I do, it sure is nice. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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