Can you get any play out of this type of arrangement?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shadow-Cruiser-Truck-Camper-Bath-AC-Nice-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ230326734000QQihZ013QQcategoryZ50061QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I see the main advantage being that you can apply as much tow-vehicle as needed. The downside is that it is small.
http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/ <-- nice little camper popups.. Very bare bones and great for wheeling.
ummm.. Jensen man.. U need this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
Trans-Van?
ignorant wrote: ummm.. Jensen man.. U need this.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
Does that hitch attach to the rain gutters!?!?!?!?
A+ for coolness and manueverability
D- for the scariness factor
Did you notice the sloppiness of the bug's suspension with all that weight attached?
I had a conversion van that I used for camping and general crap-hauling. Most full-sized conversion vans can tow around 5000# w/o much difficulty.
I've thought about a slide-in camper for my Dodge pick-up... and while it has it's pluses, there are some downsides as well. For one - as RVs go, slide-ins hold their value well. Figure on around $5000 for a used one that's worth buying... you can find them cheaper, but will all of the RV pit-falls previously stated. Really nice ones with slide-outs and bathrooms can run well into 5 figures. You can buy a nice, used trailer for the same money... Second - where to put the thing during the times you're not using it. Third - larger ones pretty much require a 3/4t or 1t truck... sometimes even a dually...
Personally, I like conversion vans. A raised roof van with a few relatively cheap mods will give you much of the RV functionality while being a much more useful utility vehicle for the 90+% of the time when you don't need an RV. Not to mention being cheap and inconspicuous.
FWIW, the thought of a Cummins in a Dodge van is not a new one... however, the engine fits in a Ford van better (it's been done). Niether is an easy swap and requires some major firewall trimming - just less so with the Ford. Remember - in a Dodge van, most of the engine is in the interior space. At least with a Ford, 1/2 of the engine is farther forward. The entire drivetrain has to swap over, so the actual van used doesn't really matter... If the Cummins fit easiely, Dodge would have put it in a long time ago...
Slide ins get pricey and to me are cramped. Plus to have any decent tow capacity I'd need a minimum of a 3/4 ton dually pickup and those ain't cheap.
A conversion van would be cool but is missing a few things the TransVan has: the TV already has a gennie on board, water tank, stuff like that. A lot of them also came with tandem rear wheels, better for towing stuff with heavy tongue weight. The TVs are generally a bit smaller than the Minnie Winnies of similar length, easier to park.
A GM based version would be pretty simple to stuff a Duramax into as well.
As a diesel owner - diesel conversion = big waste of time and money unless someone plops a nearly new diesel drivetrain on your doorstep for free... or you plan on driving a CRAP-load of miles... It sounds great in principle, but the reality is the conversion cost will buy a LOT of gas for a big block... and a big block will be a ton cheaper to keep running.
Unless you want to be "green" and run WVO... then all bets are off...
As far as the RV-stuff in a Trans Van... let's see... the newest Trans Van is nearly 30 years old... 30 year old tech... 30 years of piss-poor maintenence... 30 year of general abuse... When I was travelling a lot for mtn bike racing, I seriously looked into one of these. 10 years ago, everyone I found was basically used up... I doubt they've improved much since.
I guess it really depends on what you plan to tow and how many people you need to cart around while doing it.
What about "Casino Vans"? You know the Ford E650 bus chassis with the cool lights and whatnot for running a dozen people back and forth to the casinos.
Convert the interior for sleeping and rock out with your glock out.
What about a roof top tent for the Super Trooper?
http://www.autohomeus.com/gallery/isuzu.php
One of those Casino Vans would really nmake a cool MH. 
Somehow I am not seeing the Queen and the Princess sleeping on the roof of the Trooper. Not conducive to midnight bathroom runs. 
I have often thought that the way to go for a grassroots RV/tow rig would be to buy a short bus or ambulance and convert it the interior to what you want it to be. If you can find a decent-condition handicap bus, you could leave the wheelchair lift on it and use that to load/unload tools, wheels, whatever else. If I ever work this out, my first mod is going to be to stencil "Midvale School for the Gifted" on the side. :)
I know I am crazy, but for whatever reason I want an RV. The kids will be old enough in a year or two to start to do some cool road trips with.
I have been searching for the ultimate camping setup since we began traveling to attend BMX races with the kids. Basically, because we are at places with no camping hookups for 3 days at a time, our unit must have a shower. FWIW, I have an old 24' sunline towbehind which works, but is big, a pia to setup, and reduces my mpg to the single digits. We spend almost no time inside it unless we are sleeping. What I will probably end up doing is lightly outfitting a conversion van, using an outdoor portable shower, a retractable awning, and a small honda generator to power a microwave and small A/C unit. I have considered the "casino vans", box trucks, etc., but they are pretty used up by the time they become attractive pricewise. For those wanting a lightweight setup for a van, this is pretty cool : http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1524
Good idea Jake. A friend who has a really built wheeling rig, purchased a diesel short bus for $2500. Tows great and hasn't broken yet.
ManofFewWords wrote: What I will probably end up doing is lightly outfitting a conversion van, using an outdoor portable shower, a retractable awning, and a small honda generator to power a microwave and small A/C unit.
This is almost exactly what I used my old van for and plan to set up my next van to do. Retractable awning... small microwave... dual batteries... inverter (I don't see needing that much power)... I have other ideas, but we'll see how they pan out when I actually get the van. Gotta sell my truck first.
Re: handicap lift vans. Have you ever been in one? I have (friend of mine had one). The side-door lift system takes up a TON of space. I'd look for one with a rear-gate lift. I could see that being useful for the reasons stated. However, rear-gate versions are usually commercially owned so by the time they hit the used market, they are often used up. Side-gate is more common as a private van. Driving a van with hand-controls is a PITA... all kinda of stuff in the way... would definitely want it removed...
ignorant wrote: ummm.. Jensen man.. U need this.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
That is just cool! Wonder if the RX-7 would tow one???
I finally got a chance to watch that vid. Man, that is both cool and scary. Wonder how much lift it generates at highway speed?
ignorant wrote: ummm.. Jensen man.. U need this.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
Wow. 
That video contains:
-Bud Lindeman -Short sleeves and tie combo -Yellow Beetle
..and more coolness than the Nintendo power kid.
I'm leaning towards a conversion van after seeing this thread. My local craigslist seems to have plenty of them for short money. The appear to be in decent condition. We just had a child, so my standard cab pickup won't due for tow duty when I want the family to join me. It would also work for those long family trips. I vowed to never own a mini van....but I can look at this different. At the "track", I can still setup a canopy. Add a portable shower and the bumper dumper and I'd be in heaven. One thing I can't stand about tent camping, is the smallness of the tent. I'm got a bad back and really like to be able to stand up straight....most tents don't allow that. Conversion van could work so long as it is a high top.
I'm looking at the DRW aspect as well. Conversion vans are generally SRW, if towing a biggish trailer there is less of a safety factor for the tires. A dirt biking buddy has a Dodge hi top conversion van with SRW and when he gets it loaded with wife/son/daughter/riding gear/gas cans/trailer with 2 bikes and 2 ATVs it gets downright heavy over the rear axle. I've driven it loaded that way and I honestly don't care for the sloshy rear feel.
One would think making a DRW conversion van wouldn't be too awfully hard. Add those fender flares....it could look pretty mean.
If only the sliding side doors would clear...
most conversion vans have barn door side doors.
Jensenman wrote: I'm looking at the DRW aspect as well. Conversion vans are generally SRW, if towing a biggish trailer there is less of a safety factor for the tires. A dirt biking buddy has a Dodge hi top conversion van with SRW and when he gets it loaded with wife/son/daughter/riding gear/gas cans/trailer with 2 bikes and 2 ATVs it gets downright heavy over the rear axle. I've driven it loaded that way and I honestly don't care for the sloshy rear feel.
I tow alot of heavy stuff for play and work, and I'll tell you, if you can find a 3/4 ton van, with good rear springs and the correct tires, you might be surprised. I rarely drive my 3500HD dually because of the terrible ride, and its a pain to park sometimes. 1/2 tons, to me, are just about worthless. I've never driven a trans van, but I bet even as a dually, it'll sway more than a built srw. Interested to hear what you end up with, keep us posted.
sachilles wrote: I'm leaning towards a conversion van after seeing this thread. My local craigslist seems to have plenty of them for short money. The appear to be in decent condition.
I've seen a lot of conversion vans going for stellar deals on CL.
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