So I'm buying a van...

HoboJen

Adventurer
Whew........you'll never get laid in one of those :coffeedrink:
haha, i'm a cute girl. not a concern ;-)

On a serious note, go look at one of those 1993 Eurovan pop tops! It has 2 beds already built into it, a popup table, small fridge, house battery already wired in, sliding side windows with screens, curtains, Poptop for standing room/venting room in hot climates, good fuel mileage, and going up in value not down like all the others.

serious question... the bed in the back, are those actually comfortable and can you actually stretch out? just wondering since they don't look like they fold flat - like in the eurovan camper... i do love the teal ones :)
 

Cole

Expedition Leader
haha, i'm a cute girl. not a concern ;-)



serious question... the bed in the back, are those actually comfortable and can you actually stretch out? just wondering since they don't look like they fold flat - like in the eurovan camper... i do love the teal ones :)


They fold totally flat but are a bit lumpy! Lots of room to stretch out! It's basically a queen bed. Many people run a 2" foam "topper on the bed...but you can cheat that buy just taking the 2" foam bed from the upper bunk and use that. Which makes a great place to stack a bunch of stuff out of the way at night too!
 

Cole

Expedition Leader
With a bit of searching a sub $5-10k 1993 Eurovan poptoo can be found!

I tried to find a good picture if the bed out, but no luck. Here I spots out, there is about 2 feet free in front of it before my swivel seats since I took out the two "jump seats" (more room to move and for pups)

Those are stock curtians btw, stock table folded against the wall. And a giant down queen size comforter on it. (This was at 11k feet in the early spring, totally comfortable)

12332813223_02caf33b47_b_d.jpg
 

Cole

Expedition Leader
is there a reason you say 93?

that bed does look comfy...


Here is an image I got from the web. Show the bed down and the middle row of seats that you could just sell to get more room. Put on a set of swivels on he the front seats to increase the living space. They make swivels specifically for this van so you just order and install, no fab work.

8184891_orig.jpg



Re: 1993

The VW T4 Transporter van was imported into the USA as the "Eurovan". VW imported them here in 1993 as a "short wheelbase" version in 3 trim levels. A "GL" which was just a regular hardtop passenger van, A "MV" (multivan) which was a hardtop with a pull out bed and table. Or a "Weekender" which was the pull out bed, table, small fridge, "elevating roof" with second bed, house battery!

The 1993 came with a 2.5l 5cyl gas motor and either a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed auto.

VW did not import them again until 1999-2003. Same basic trim levels except that the "GL" was now a "GLS" The newer version is still short wheelbase but a "long nose". They added about 5" to the front to fit the 2.8l VR6 engine. Had about twice the power but only came with an automatic.

These later vans are much more popular and thus command a much higher price! Which is why I keep suggesting the "1993". The later vans in the "Weekender" configuration usually start about $18k and I've seen them sell for upwards of $52k!!!!!

Now, to add to the confusion. :coffeedrink: In 1993, 1995, 1997, 199-2003 Winnebago imported "long wheelbase" Eurovans (about 18" longer) and made the "full camper" version. These are all white. They sell anywhere from the random $15k to the more common $30-50k they had a sink, stove, fridge, shower(outdoor), furnace, etc.


One nice thing about the Eurovan is the aftermarket and factory support for things like curtains, bug screens(doors, slider, windows, etc), tops, etc, etc, etc. So you can forgo a bunch of custom stuff and just buy/install/use stuff.

These vans are HUGELY POPULAR everywhere else on earth, just not as common in the USA. I can post a bunch of cool photos of vans from around the world if you like. The popularity and semi-rarity in the USA makes their value go up instead of down like a domestic cargo van.
 
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VW love here too

Our new-to-us Ford EB quigley is replacing our trusty Vanagon. Ours did not have the pop-top, but did have the fold down rear bench and fold out table with jumpseats - wolfsburg edition, I think. We had the 2.2 Subie engine in and and it was great. Just got too small as the kids have gotten bigger. The Eurovans are a little less funky than the Vanagons, and that is both good and bad. I would steer clear of a stock-engine Vanagon - but if you could find a good subie-converted one you'd be happy. Problem is, like Cole says about the Eurovans, the clean Vanagons are priced high. If you look at the prices at GoWesty the sportsmobiles start to look reasonable!

My now-wife and I travelled around the country living in the back of a Isuzu pickup. Even a minivan would have been compartively huge...but you can make anything work. Carrying the boats pretty much rules out a roof-top tent, which would open up vehicles like the honda element.

Keep thinking, sound like you've almost got it. B
 

Cole

Expedition Leader
http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/4244958724.html

There are a couple of cheaper ones...for a reason. But that leaves some budget available to fix up or do some things your way!

I'm sometimes a fan of buying something that needs a little love for a discount. That way the money you spend to bring it up to par goes into NEW parts. Instead of paying a premium for old parts that just haven't broken yet :coffeedrink:

Here is a steal for a long nose vr6! I wouldn't let the miles scare you! There are several of these around with 400-700k on them.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4287968537.html (vs these for comparison http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4308815768.html. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/4316249121.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4307035646.html)


This looks like a decent deal in your backyard!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4319442042.html


Looks like a clean and decent deal! Fun road trip up the coast!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4320547965.html



Steal....just needs a little love!

http://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/4255092764.html


Steal for a full camper if not a scam!!!

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4308807642.html
 
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Stroverlander

Adventurer
haha, i'm a cute girl. not a concern ;-)

Obviously. :eek:

Cute girl threads get waaaaayyyy more attention! :D

Since you're back to minivans... For reference, here's what my Astro looks like with an air mattress, cooler and backpacking gear in the back.

Not really suggesting one over another as everyone has their idea of what works for them.

Stroverlander1.jpg
 

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