LarryB-ClassB
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2010
- Posts
- 6
After 20 years in VW Westfalias, my wife and I are ready to make the move to a modern vehicle for our van camping. Adequate power, good AC, safety features, more reliable, better MPG. However, we live in an older neighborhood with narrow streets and driveways, we like to use our van as a second car, and we enjoy urban touring as well as campgrounds and national parks. So we want a smallish vehicle.
We've finally given up on retrofitting our Westy, so for several years we've been looking at van alternatives. We've learned to live comfortably in the smaller space of the Westy. I had hoped the new "Euro" vans (Transit, Promaster, Sprinter) would be smaller, but they are still too long, typically 18' and up, and too wide for city driving. The new "small" vans (Transit Connect, Nissan 200, Dodge Promaster City) are just too small.
A recent trip to California in a Dodge Caravan was an eye-opener. 26MPG at 70MPH, good AC, quiet, very good handling, very manueverable, and just enough room inside that we could make it work. Lots of used models out there to choose from. So we're researching "mini" vans as a platform. Dodge Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Mercedes Metris. This size is what I would call a "B Minus" or "Class D". Certainly not for everyone, but I think might be just right for us.
The only company doing complete conversions on this size vans that we've found is GTRV of California. They convert Siennas and Metris, complete with a pop-top, water system, frig, stove, sink, portapotty, etc. The Metris is a nice size, but is new, so no stock of less-expensive used available, and Mercedes service is expensive and hard to find. It also has terrible ground clearance, only about 4 inches.
Among the other candidates, the Sienna seems the best choice: lots of used units out there, most ground clearance at 6.5", AWD available, smallest turning radius (37'), largest cargo volume, step-in height of only 16". Overall size is 200" L by 78" wide by 69" high.
Several tops are available for the Sienna. I think GTRV will do the top only, either tilt (V) or pop-up (T). Fiberine.com (California) makes a 12" raised top. Reimo.com (German) makes several "Mushroom" pop-up roofs, about 40" square and 18" high, complete with screened windows, that can be added to any van.
What are your thoughts? Has anyone done this DIY? Any other companies doing conversions on this size? Any other roof options?
Larry B
Portland, Oregon
We've finally given up on retrofitting our Westy, so for several years we've been looking at van alternatives. We've learned to live comfortably in the smaller space of the Westy. I had hoped the new "Euro" vans (Transit, Promaster, Sprinter) would be smaller, but they are still too long, typically 18' and up, and too wide for city driving. The new "small" vans (Transit Connect, Nissan 200, Dodge Promaster City) are just too small.
A recent trip to California in a Dodge Caravan was an eye-opener. 26MPG at 70MPH, good AC, quiet, very good handling, very manueverable, and just enough room inside that we could make it work. Lots of used models out there to choose from. So we're researching "mini" vans as a platform. Dodge Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Mercedes Metris. This size is what I would call a "B Minus" or "Class D". Certainly not for everyone, but I think might be just right for us.
The only company doing complete conversions on this size vans that we've found is GTRV of California. They convert Siennas and Metris, complete with a pop-top, water system, frig, stove, sink, portapotty, etc. The Metris is a nice size, but is new, so no stock of less-expensive used available, and Mercedes service is expensive and hard to find. It also has terrible ground clearance, only about 4 inches.
Among the other candidates, the Sienna seems the best choice: lots of used units out there, most ground clearance at 6.5", AWD available, smallest turning radius (37'), largest cargo volume, step-in height of only 16". Overall size is 200" L by 78" wide by 69" high.
Several tops are available for the Sienna. I think GTRV will do the top only, either tilt (V) or pop-up (T). Fiberine.com (California) makes a 12" raised top. Reimo.com (German) makes several "Mushroom" pop-up roofs, about 40" square and 18" high, complete with screened windows, that can be added to any van.
What are your thoughts? Has anyone done this DIY? Any other companies doing conversions on this size? Any other roof options?
Larry B
Portland, Oregon
