Chevy AWD adventure van build

[skibum148]

I recently picked up a 2009 AWD 1500 passenger van with 28k miles on it, and have started setting it up for camping and passenger use.



Wheels and tires are Nitto Terra Grappler G2 265 /50 R20 mounted on Level 8 Tracker 20 X9 6-139.70. The bigger wheel helps the handling, and i will mostly be using the AWD in snow, and mild dirt roads, so i didn't wan much sidewall, or a lift at this point.



The bed holds a full size bed I am using the Exped Megamat duo 10. It is a foam / air mattress, and has proven to be very comfortable. i like it better than allot of regular mattresses i have stayed on.
The sleeping bag I have been using is a Grizzly -25 2 person. It is very heavy, and is too warm for temperatures in the low 30's. We just ordered another grizzly 2 person 0 degree bag. If you want more details on the build of the platform and drawer, i have more pictures and can put together a more detailed thread.









Plans I still need some finishing touches on the plywood and a latch/ travel limiter. The next project will be to make some sort of curtains to block the light, and give prvacy, Idea's on this are welcome, as i havnt seen anything that i really like that much yet. I will probably also install a deep cycle battery and inverter at some point, and may do a roof rack/ awning. The build plan is still in the works, and i have been getting allot of good ideas from other threads on here.

Does anyone have any experience with a 12v heater? I am not sure if there is anything that could work well enough to heat the van in the morning, to make it easier to get out of the sleeping bag.

 

[dleeallen]

Looks good! Did you fasten the platform to the floor? Looks like you left the factory plastic side wall trim in place. I like your drawer!


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[86cj]

I can't argue with a blue passenger van, nice choice..........

I like the higher bed it gives you more width, we use reflectix cut just a little bigger than the window trim, it will pop in and stay put. I does a very good job on insulation and no light gets through.

Get a remote start, the rear heater will be blasting while you are in bed, mine only gives two 10 min bursts but is usually enough.

 

[Stitebunny]

Looks good! Nice work so far.
I think the general consensus on 12v heaters is you need a massive battery bank.
If you plan to be in the cold a bunch, which I think you do, search for threads on gas/diesel/propane heaters. Lots of talk about those as well as electric. Also electric blankets.

 

[skibum148]

Looks good! Did you fasten the platform to the floor? Looks like you left the factory plastic side wall trim in place. I like your drawer!


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I didn't fasten it to to the floor yet, the way I built it, it's easy to take out so I can put the seats back in. So far it doesn't move around, and doesn't tip over with the drawer out if your careful about how you load it. I have a plan o use the factory rear seat mount to hold it in place, I also would like to make a bracket to install the rear bench facing backwards to make getting onto the bed easier and make it so the bed platform could be used as a small table if the weather gets bad.

I can't argue with a blue passenger van, nice choice..........

I like the higher bed it gives you more width, we use reflectix cut just a little bigger than the window trim, it will pop in and stay put. I does a very good job on insulation and no light gets through.

Get a remote start, the rear heater will be blasting while you are in bed, mine only gives two 10 min bursts but is usually enough.

I have seen the reflectix, only real problem is it's obvious that it's in the Windows and someone is in there, I would prefer something more stealth.

The remote starter is probably the top choice right now for heating in the morning, just wanted to see if there are other viable options. I know I don't need heat through the night, so I can't justify spending allot on a gas or diesel heater

 

[screwball48]

Would it be possible to glue a thin layer of black felt to one side of the reflectix. This would give the look of dark window tint.


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[TeleSteve]

I adhered black foam backed headliner fabric to one side of my reflectix curtains and when up the van is completely blacked out. I put tan colored auto carpet on the other side(because I had it), so the interior looks better, but if I did it again I would use a tan colored headliner on the inside. I then I bound the edges by sewing black nylon Webb I g folded around the edges.

 

[skibum148]

I adhered black foam backed headliner fabric to one side of my reflectix curtains and when up the van is completely blacked out. I put tan colored auto carpet on the other side(because I had it), so the interior looks better, but if I did it again I would use a tan colored headliner on the inside. I then I bound the edges by sewing black nylon Webb I g folded around the edges.

That sounds like what I'm looking for, where did you get the headliner from?

 

[TeleSteve]

That sounds like what I'm looking for, where did you get the headliner from?

I picked it up at a local upholstery supplier. It is pretty common. I am sure it could be found online as well.
I used high temp contact adhesive to glue them together.

 

[skibum148]

progress update 12-6-16

I still haven't had time to make the curtains, Been busy skiing since we finally got some snow. but i made some updates to the drawer. i added side wals, used 5.5mm plywood, and put in a heavy duty rubber/plastic floor. its made by husky and sold by homdepot. should help protect the plywood from getting too banged up from ski's and other gear.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=377782&d=1481054160&thumb=1&stc=1

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=377783&d=1481054160&thumb=1&stc=1

I tried to make a PVC rack to make it easier to stack ski's and keep them organized, it worked well until the mountain roads where it wanted to fall over, Rev B will be double wide with a divider up the middle, should keep it more stable, and the bag chairs can go in the other side if i decide not to bring too many pairs of ski's.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=377784&d=1481054160&thumb=1&stc=1

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=377785&d=1481054202&thumb=1&stc=1

Just had to throw in a shot of the recent snow up at Stowe we stayed up in the area, and the 2 person Grizzly -25 was still too warm with a low around 22 F. I think we are going to try out the 0 degree version, and choose the right bag for the temperature. One downside i have found to this sleeping bag, is that it does not fit in a normal washing machine. so ill probbaly get a liner of some sort that can easily be washed to help keep it clean.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=377786&d=1481054202&thumb=1&stc=1

 

[dleeallen]

Stowe? You are in VT?


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[skibum148]

Stowe? You are in VT?


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I live in CT now, but try to get up to vt, and nh whenever I can.

 

[philos]

Reflectix takes flat black rustoleum nicely... Two yeas and counting on mine.


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[dleeallen]

I live in CT now, but try to get up to vt, and nh whenever I can.

Gotcha. I'm up near Burlington VT. If you are up this way give a shout and we can talk vans over a beer.


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[45Kevin]

We put black felt on the outside of our reflectix window covers. From the outside, day or night, it just looks like a deep window tint.

Nice looking van.