Buying Sprinter Van and ideas for racking system

[winddude]

How about a pole for those light wind days?
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[JL]

I'm not sure if Dave is O.K. with a thread called T.V.E. but here is a video by a frustrated stealth camper: https://youtu.be/765jYFWfMBo?t=189 Not quite an 'easy Rider' moment but certainly a situation I wouldn't want to be caught in

[KUS]

I'm not sure if Dave is O.K. with a thread called T.V.E. but here is a video by a frustrated stealth camper: https://youtu.be/765jYFWfMBo?t=189 Not quite an 'easy Rider' moment but certainly a situation I wouldn't want to be caught in

ok worst link ever I lasted 3 minutes

[winddude]

I'm not sure if Dave is O.K. with a thread called T.V.E. but here is a video by a frustrated stealth camper: https://youtu.be/765jYFWfMBo?t=189 Not quite an 'easy Rider' moment but certainly a situation I wouldn't want to be caught in

ok worst link ever I lasted 3 minutes

No idea what that even was...

[JL]

O.K.

[JL]

I've looked at the Sprinter & Promaster vans & now agree with Nanmoo & MF4, the Mercedes is the nicer unit. Much better ground clearance & a proven diesel. Here is another Canadian conversion available out of Quebec: http://www.safaricondo.com/en/motorises_Mercedes-LX

[nanmoo]

Look at the Ford Transit too. I think it is nicer than the Sprinter as well and something like $10k cheaper if you buy the gas version. For most people, especially people who use it as a work van, you'd really be stupid to buy the diesel sprinter as the only way you'll ever make the cost difference back is if the diesel runs to 500,000km and the gas one dies well before that (which is what we were/are counting on). The Ford only has a 5 cyl diesel, so at that point, even if it is nicer vehicle, the Sprinter 4 cyl is a better option because of the fuel economy is better for something that costs the same.

[KUS]

Meet Moby He's embarrassed to be a Ford but makes up for it in SUP space and sips diesel

[nanmoo]

Ah the E-series... with a aftermarket top like Lawmans van, you can't do much better.

But the in-ability to stand for multiday trips to rainy Tofino in an unmodified one...

[rvanderbyl]

Back in the early 1990s I had an 81 ford Van. I found a similar van in the junk yard with a white fibreglass raised roof, windows, lighting and carpeted. Made a deal for a hundred bucks. Easy to lift off once you remove all the screws. The fun part was cutting the roof off my van with a skil saw then screwing the new top on. 🚐

[nanmoo]

This brings up an interesting aside - auto wreckers ain't what they used to be. With auto-mobiles dropping in price relative to their complexity and dealerships offering zero percent purchase financing for the last decade or more, the repair business and salvage of parts is no longer as viable and many wrecking yards have closed down as result. It's simple economics - do you want to make this $3000 repair (or $2000 with used parts) to your 7 year old car that is worth about the same $3000 and pay 19.9% interest on your Credit Card; or would you instead prefer this brand new X-model with 0% interest monthly payments (not to mention we'll give you a grand to cash-in your clunker!). As a result cars have quickly become throw away items, auto wreckers have had to switch to higher margin/higher dollar parts, value added services, niche markets and/or only those brands and types of vehicles that support this type of activity. Now interestingly you won't notice this as much in areas where land is more plentiful and cheaper, but with the lower mainland wrecking yards this has been pronounced.

[rvanderbyl]

You're like the first kid among your friends to try pot. Now everyone needs to try it!

[more force 4]

Whatever your ride if it's one you want to keep, don't let salt water under the floor. My sprinter is in for.a.few thou of rehab. Going to a spray in liner after a lot of grinding. Then reinstall floor and cabinetry

[JL]

http://www.sprinter-rv.com/sprinter-owners-manuals/

[TheLaw]

Here is my budget minded rig that I picked up a few months back. I'm in the middle of a full conversion into an Adventure Van. Check out the custom rear swing door.

Frdige, Water, Hotwater, Furnace, Solar, seats and sleeps 4...should be great!