Guess I was thinking ability for more stealth, so cooking inside was not impossible but would be less often, thus committing space to built in stove may be less desirable than using a single burner that can be stowed when not in use.
Re Pop top - definitely a nice feature, no doubt. But absolute requirement??
Pros - great space and ventilation, ability to stand up and move around, counter heights can be taller, additional sleeping/storage space.
Cons -Could present loading issues, if counters designed for pop top use, then pop top must be up which negates stealth, bed runs front to back and, if using upper bunk - must be made, un-made daily, middle of the night bathroom break is a bit more difficult, cold weather is COLD with top up, about $4 to $8k value added cost to purchase.
Full-timing, lots of campgrounds, mild weather, etc. would push me towards pop top. But if stealth was frequently required? Probably not.
Great thing is one can make these vans into nearly anything to suit one's needs and with a little imagination can be made very flexible and convertible for multi purpose, or specially designed and dedicated to single purpose. Main thing is to just get going with something and, if it has some flexibility, usage will start to reveal what is truly important to the user and what should become "built in" and dedicated. Time is NOT on any of our sides. To have an opportunity like HoboJen has at what I perceive is a young age is special. Her risk is her life journey makes a decision for her and this opportunity is a best delayed. Nothing wrong with change in path, but I for one feel, looking back, that this type of adventure early in life is greatly enriching for the person and leads to a broader/richer life path (perspectives) down the road. Her "potential" positive impact on the lives of others she comes in contact with for the rest of her life will be influenced by this year of adventure. Sailing across the Atlantic on a sailboat was a great experience for me, glad I did that earlier as it has enriched not only my life but many I have come in contact with. It would be far less if I had to wait until I was 65 or 70 yrs old.
Sorry for the philosophical nature of my posts, it is just at the end of this journey, what is most important to someone. For me it is the people and experiences that I will recall fondly / deeply, not worrying if I had a inside stove or pop top :sunny::bowdown: Peace
