Big Blue (and hello)

[Outtahere021]

Hey! I'm a long time lurker, but new member. I first found ExPo years ago when I had a lifted 4Runner. I loved that truck for exploring and camping in BC. But then I found motorcycles! Pretty quickly, the motorcycles multiplied (funny how that happens...) and the 4Runner got sold. A couple years ago I got into road racing mini bikes (DRZ 125, and YZ85) and recently I started thinking a travel trailer would be nice for camping at the race track...Eventually the need for a tow vehicle shot that idea down. So I started thinking 'van'...

Then a couple months ago, I got a call from my grandparents. They are thinking of downsizing (they are both over 80, and live on a 7.5 acre farm! It keeps them busy, but harvest time is getting to be too much) and they wanted to know if there was anything we wanted when they do. So, they had this van...

It's a 1991 Dodge B350 extended wheelbase, with a dual fuel (propane/gas) conversion, 219,000km, swivel font seats, a fold flat rear bench, and a fully insulated and carpeted interior!



It needs a little work, as it has been driven very little the last few years...they used it to take their dogs to the vet for checkups, and that's it for the last 4 years. The sliding door latch, propane tanks, and rear brakes need attention, and it's currently in the shop for a battery and some fluid changes so it can make the 300 mile drive from their place to mine.

My original plan was to make a toyhauler out of it, but that was shot down when my Grandpa's one request in giving me the van was that I not put my motorcycles inside...

So, the wishlist has changed;
I need to seat at least three, and sleep two adults and our son.
I need to get rid of the cassette deck, and install a cd player!
I need to install a hitch to haul my bike trailer
I would like to replace the incandescent interior lights with LED
I am thinking of keeping the cooking and plumbing outdoors, but this may change...

Right now, I can't wait to get it home and be able to start work! I know it'll be a simple build, especially compared to some of the amazing stuff on here, but I think it will work well for us, and make camping a whole lot easier, and get us out more.

 

[olddodgevan]

Welcome....nice van!!

 

[Outtahere021]

So, I finally got the van home! One small hiccup, but we made it. When the propane got low, I switched over to gas, and the engine died...coast to a stop on the highway, and tried to start it...nothing for the first couple attempts, then it fired right up! A couple times later in the drive it stumbled, but recovered. I am thinking it may be time for a fuel filter, and I will flush the lines at the same time.

Now that I have it home, I can truly start planning...

I am trying to come up with a plan that will;
Sleep three - my son can sleep across the van, myself and my wife cannot.
Seat at least three, one in a car seat, which means the rear seat has to stay forward facing.
Offer a decent amount of storage in the back.

So far, I have three ideas, and would welcome opinions from you guys!

1) move the rear bench forward, leaving 6'6" between the rear doors and the bench. Build two folding beds, one on each side, that when folded out create one large bed roughly 6'x 5'8". Our son would then sleep on the fold flat rear bench. When the rear beds were folded to the walls, we would have 6'6" x 5'8" (or a little less)in the back for stuff. Downside would be no walkway past the rear bench, and no floor space at the rear bed.

2) rear bench moved to the same position as plan 1. Build folding bunk beds in the back. This would allow the same storage space as plan 1, but with floor space for changing, etc. Not convinced that that my wife would go for bunk beds... And still no walkway past the rear bench.

3) rear bench in the same place as the other plans. Solid (not folding) bunk beds in the back. Less complicated to build and mount, but eat up storage space for large items.

So, I'm torn on what to do. The large bed, and the folding bunks have the lead in my mind, but I am very open to opinions and suggestions! I don't see us bringing a ton of stuff camping, but our son is only 1, so as he gets older I'm sure he will want his bike, etc, so I am trying to keep the options open.

Also, does anyone know, will a standard trailer hitch fit with propane tanks? They are so much cheaper online, but I don't want to end up with something that doesn't fit...