What's the story on the vans with a hat (Airstream B190 and the likes)?

[Zorro]

I see them pop up quite regularly on craigslist/marketplace at often reasonable prices, are they any good, what is there to know, are there better models than others, etc etc.

I like how compact they are (for an RV) and prefer the fixed raised top (over a poptop) as one could spend time comfortably in the back while underway. Curious how badly it affects the center of gravity when you get off the road though. I like the ultra-ubiquitous platform and price point, obviously. As they are getting a bit older now, a little afraid to end up with basket case ... but at the same time I feel they would be sturdier than regular RVs?

 

[86scotty]

Sounds like you are new to vans. Just start reading. You are in a good a place as any (here). Lots more info on van on the Sportsmobile Forum and many other newer van forums about taller van based RV's. Not at all hard to find online these days.

The roof cap doesn't matter, it's just a big non-aerodynamic piece of fiberglass. No different than anything else added to a van which decrease fuel mileage but give you certain advantages also. Bumpers, lifts, 4x4 conversions, tops, roof racks, ladders. All decrease aerodynamics in what is already a big heavy steel brick.

You are correct that anything with a beluga whale top (B190 etc.) is pretty old. No converter has used that top in 20 years. It's going to be just like any other older vehicle, just with the added disadvantage of older plumbing and electrical with it being an RV. Are they sturdier than regular RV's? Not sure what you mean. A van is sturdier but all of the components in it are the same thing you'd find in any other RV (of that vintage).

I have never heard of anyone having COG issues with B190 style high tops but not many people are taking them very far off road either. If that is your goal I would consider a lower roof with a pop top.

 

[Herbie]

Fiberine still makes "Supercamper" tops for both the E-series and Transit vans:

30†Super Camper Tops

Tops for Ford Transit Vans

A 30" tall fiberglass top will make the van more top heavy, but "how much" will be a function of floorplan/build-out.

"Boomer" is maybe the most visible of the old-school diesel and iron bubble vans here:

Boomer the Quadravan 4x4 Camper

Boomer the Quadravan 4x4 Camper - Full Build Thread For those of you who have been here awhile you'll recognize Boomer. For those who don't, this is it... Boomer, The Beginning. Chapter 1 So I was driving down a road up north where we used to live and there was this van for sale. It looked...

expeditionportal.com

But there are a bunch of others. Several B190 airstreams have been through the UJOR shop (although they're no longer doing them), so there are some examples out there with good 4x4 conversions, even.

 

[plh]

I follow the new owner of Boomer on IG. They don't post very often. Love that van!

 

[Scotty D]

I have toyed with the idea of adding a top to my express van for years . The problem is that I need a bunch of rooftop stuff like solar panels , solar water heater and my kayak. I dont do any rock crawling but I do use my AWD to get me to some very remote beaches in mexico. I have to pull a few tricky maneuvers to get to them
I would worry about COG in some of these cases.
Also would probably have to build a custom roof rack as the fiberglass cant take much of a load

 

[RVflyfish]

I checked out an Airstream B190 thinking what a luxury it would be to have all that extra space. But what I found is that they didn’t use it well at all. The layout felt disjointed, like they threw cabinets in wherever they could without thinking how movement would flow. Coupled with dated appliances, oak finish, ugly carpet and fabric, a leak over the cab bed, and a crazy seller, it was a hard pass for me. If I were buying one, I would gut it and start over.

 

[Zorro]

I am new in that I have never owned one, but have read about them for a while. I also follow Boomer

RE : CoG, not that I plan on rockcrawling but I wouldn't add anything on top short of light and thin solar panels. Heck I'd even consider ripping out upper storage inside too.

Those new tops are great, but Im not sure I could build anything from scratch that I'd be happy with.

Didn't know UJOR didn't convert them any more. Did they say why?

I'll try to go and see some local ones. I feel as though I don't care about outdated finishes (and the wife loves grandma chic), but you never know.

 

[Herbie]

Didn't know UJOR didn't convert them any more. Did they say why?

UJOR has put a halt on converting anything older than 2000-model-year vans, due to how much more work they are to convert. ("Crusty-ness" and "gotchas", as they describe it - but they WILL still sell you a DIY kit for older vans.) The B190s are all older than 2000, so you can no longer just drop one off for the UJOR treatment.

 

[86scotty]

I checked out an Airstream B190 thinking what a luxury it would be to have all that extra space. But what I found is that they didn’t use it well at all. The layout felt disjointed, like they threw cabinets in wherever they could without thinking how movement would flow. Coupled with dated appliances, oak finish, ugly carpet and fabric, a leak over the cab bed, and a crazy seller, it was a hard pass for me. If I were buying one, I would gut it and start over.

this has always been my feeling about the B190 as well. Just too cramped. I think it was one of the few well known camper vans that paved the way for where we are today though. Airstream was being true to it's mission that people want a 'full' home in a small space on those. 4 beds, full kitchen (albeit small) and a closed off bathroom with a real toilet are just a stretch in almost any van, even the bigger Sprinters etc. of today.

@Zorro, you might be interested in what some folks have done with Chinooks.

E350 Chinook Build

After tons of research and looking at a few ambos and a handicap bus, I finally bought my '98 Side Entry Chinook Concourse. Decided that building out a full camper setup would take more time then I had, and kept thinking that having a bath would be so nice (it is!). Once we decided on a Chinook...

expeditionportal.com

Also, ambos. Way too many stellar builds here to list.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Ambulance
vs
RV

Any questions?

RVs are built to a very low price point… B190s might be somewhat better, but I’d not bet my life on it.

 

[Kstills]

I checked out an Airstream B190 thinking what a luxury it would be to have all that extra space. But what I found is that they didn’t use it well at all. The layout felt disjointed, like they threw cabinets in wherever they could without thinking how movement would flow. Coupled with dated appliances, oak finish, ugly carpet and fabric, a leak over the cab bed, and a crazy seller, it was a hard pass for me. If I were buying one, I would gut it and start over.

Not sure I understand this comment, although truthfully every RV presents differently to each individual based on their perceptions.

For me, this is a 'truck camper in a Van'. The over cab bunk allows for a full bath in the back, which for me is a huge deal. It has an enormous amount of kitchen counter space for a Bvan, almost 7 feet with the covers on the appliances. The jacknife sofa works as comfortable seating and as an adult sized bed, while there's enough storage to go out and stay out for weeks at a time.

As for the dated appliances and fabric, well, my van is 26 years old, and thanks to the care of the previous owners the cabinets look like they just came out of the factory. Carpet, fabric, dopey sit down shower....all that stuff can be updated and replaced, along with the fridge and oven. What you can't replace is the extra space and build quality of the interior.

Now, if it only had 4WD....