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C4/1971
Trad climber
Depends on the day...
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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C4, Flying Cloud 27? Looks fairly new! I'm shopping but my main concerns are AS suspensions
and tank capacities as I plan on lots of boondocking. I'm all ears as to yer thoughts.
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Happy Cowboy
Social climber
Boz MT
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I echo Jim's thought...
I'll add "happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have"
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Yury
Mountain climber
T.O.
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Happiegrrrl2
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Minimal - all those little nooks and crannies organizing things, IMO, are unnecessary. Happiegrrrl2, do you mind sharing some interior photos of your current van?
There are thousands of photos of very nice vans on the Internet, but not a lot of photos of minimal modifications.
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s_mestdagh
Trad climber
Between Boulder & Crestone, CO
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Feb 10, 2017 - 02:52pm PT
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Everyone has their own ideas of the perfect camper. In my case, I need a vehicle to camp in when we arrive at the trailhead. That means 4x4 and a decent approach /departure angle and better tires than shown in the 1st pic below :-) While vans provide the most space efficient camping option, there was not an affordable 4WD van available when I was shopping. Nowadays, I'd look close at the Sprinter 4WD option. For the camper I have a Callen Camper on the 6-1/2 foot bed leading to a somewhat short wheelbase for a full size truck.
Not shown in any of these photos are the gargoyle and bear beer openers on front and rear bumpers. :-)
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2017 - 03:30pm PT
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do you mind sharing some interior photos of your current van?
There are thousands of photos of very nice vans on the Internet, but not a lot of photos of minimal modifications.
Well, not today, as it would entail clearing things out to show it, but maybe I can do this in the next few days.
EDIT: I realized I do have some images from a while back - nothing has changed except of course I do make up the bed with sheets and all that of course. And the pictures look like I am in "Gunks Mode," which means not packed with bins for winter. I keep a lot of stuff inside the van year round, as my cabin is not suitable for working in - why haul stuff up there just to haul it back down to work on?
My set up is basically the bed on platform, and that is it.
The platform was made high enough that I can store 18 inch height bins beneath it, but still allow room to sit up in bed for reading/lounging.
The platform fits a queen sized mattress, with room on the length of one side, which I can lay small bins in and put things like the dog food, some water jugs and stuff. I could reduce to a full-sized mattress and still have luxury sleeping but add more space for the bins.
Underneath the platform is room for a LOT. 20 lb cylinder, camping stove, huge duffel with all climbing gear and packs and guidebooks in it, a soft-sided cooler and 4 bins related to food, spices, dry goods. bin with books, bin with knitting/crochet materials, big duffel with hair accessories inventory and shipping supplies, big nin with jewelry supplies and another for inventory, big bin with cooking gear, and a big bin with clothes.
Under the platform on the sides, I store on one side, folding camp table and some tools, and on the other side a folding camp chair, jack and automotive fluids.
Atop the bed I do store the chalkbag stuff. Two bins with half-finished stock which gets sewn upon purchase, and one bin with finished pieces, plus a small bin with the fleece inserts(that goes in the trough alongside the mattress. I also have a guitar(which I don't play....always wanted to learn and found a $20 one in a thrift shop last year but need to practice!)
There is space behind the drivers seat where I keep my cooler, which is a full-sized one. I use that for a "tabletop" if I am cooking in the can, or making snacks. above the front seats, where there was originally a tiny TV which has been removed. I keep electrical cords and chargers there, winter gloves, a base layer top/bottom and winter hats.
Between the cooler and the bed area is a doggy bed for Lucas to lounge on.
The passenger seat is my "studio chair" and Lucas' chair if he wants to sit up front.
That's about it. There is none of that "home sweet home" stuff like spice cabinets, decorative lights, bookshelves....going on.
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Yury
Mountain climber
T.O.
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Feb 10, 2017 - 06:47pm PT
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Happiegrrrl2:
I store on one side, folding camp table and ... a folding camp chair ... Happiegrrrl2, does it mean that instead of a built-in table you use your folding camp table inside your van?
I like your setup. It should be a good option for an introduction to van camping (with minimal expenses and efforts).
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2017 - 07:26pm PT
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No - I only use the folding table outside. It would not fit in the available space inside the van.
There is no room for a "sit at" table in there. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but when I made the van set up, I thought a luxurious bed was a must-have - hahahah. Not that I regret it. When I visited my family over the holidays my room was just a single bed. I was like "Dang! I haven't slept inside a house for like two years and "THIS" is what I get to sleep in?"
The only "table" I have inside is I place a top from a bin on my lap when I am doing jewelry making or sewing a chalkbag. Or, I use the top of the cooler to place a cutting board on if I am slicing something like cheese, or an avocado, or set the stove on it when I am boiling water for coffee or the (very) limited cooking I do inside.
I made a grilled cheese sandwich a while back, inside due to bad weather and yuck - I just don't like cooking smells that linger. I open the sliding window next to the stove, but it doesn't really vent much.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2017 - 08:42pm PT
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* That's cool. But I kind of just think my foldaway table serves the same purpose, if I am going to be cooking outside, although not as quick/convenient. Plus I don't have to worry about Lucas jumping off from the bed and into the frying pan - hahahah
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Feb 11, 2017 - 04:32am PT
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we have the folding wallmart table as well but not enough room under the bed for both chairs, the stove and a 2nd table. When i built the table on the door it was amazeing how much it improved our quality of dineing experience just haveing that little bit of extra counter space. As you know, when you live a simple existance small pleasures make a big difference.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Feb 11, 2017 - 09:42am PT
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A Frieghtliner with a pickup truck back. I don't know what to do with that thing. Highway rig? The cost/usable space has to be the worst ever. Off road? No way. Highly functional for some task and/or immaculate interior? It's an F150 on mega steroids - and just as plain.
All dick, no balls. No brain either.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 11, 2017 - 09:43am PT
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Those darned camp chairs take up a lot of room. At first I wondered why people would want to keep those sleeves they come in, but after getting the legs and arms tangled in jumper cables and snagged on the platform supports....I finally understood. hahah
Space - that is why I have decided I would like more than I have. And I am just ONE(and a little dog).
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Feb 11, 2017 - 01:26pm PT
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I stopped at a Dodge dealer on my way climbing and checked out a high top Promaster. Amazing.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Feb 11, 2017 - 03:03pm PT
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by the end of the summer I was seriously getting tired of haveing to put my pants on laying down. if it was at all possible to not get arrested for indecent exposure i get dressed standing on the carpet in front of the side door rather than cramped in the van. Sprinter or promaster is my dream........
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Feb 11, 2017 - 08:56pm PT
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If I want to change I close the blinds. I switch on one of the many 12v overhaead lights. I get my clothes out of one of the many cabinets.
If I want to cook I turn on the exhaust fan over the stove and turn a dial to start the stove. Then get my food out of the fridge running on propane.
If I need to go to the bathroom I use the toilet and flush with running water.
I didn't spend any time creating all these conveniences. I spend a whopping $4200 on a truck camper.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Feb 12, 2017 - 03:34am PT
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but you had to buy the truck first....
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Kim scianghetti
Social climber
gilbertville
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Mar 10, 2017 - 08:26am PT
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So cool to see Jacquie and Dean's camper!
I believe it's a chevy...I can email them for more details! Their dog's name is Bones 😆Lots of room in this 4 wheel drive camper...no problem standing up and has a bathroom/shower combo. They have solar and a generator when off grid.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Mar 10, 2017 - 11:41am PT
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I totally get wanting to roll your own camper. If I didn't have a million other things going on I'd want to build one. I have fun following other's builds vicariously though.
Pop up campers are nice and drive much better than a hard side due to the lower weight and wind resistance. I've talked to some folks who just leave them on all the time. I think it's just supply and demand that they command a much higher price on the used market. You can get a good older hard side camper for under $5000, but a pop up will cost 50-100% more.
And of course your use dictates your needs. I have a family of 4 and a van would just be too cramped. I go in the snow and on the beach so I need 4WD. So my rig is bigger and heavier than a lot of people need.
One of the best things about the truck camper is that the base rig is just a pickup. There are millions of them around, they are among the longest lasting vehicles on the road, you can get them serviced anywhere, and can reconfigure as needed. e.g. you can put a shell, or a pop up, or a hard side, or pull a trailer.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Mar 10, 2017 - 08:48pm PT
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thge problem with pickups these days is it is so damned hard to find a used one with an 8ft bed. everyone buys those wimpy 6ft bed trucks. my neighbor just got a used F350 and it has a tiny bed on it.....
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