Talk me out of it, please

[Cubey]

That's quite the juggling act.
I'm rural, and most projects were 70-120 miles away, so I picked up a ultralight 24' camper and just found RV sites close by.
Was a second home, actually spent more time in the camper than home.
What you are doing is not easy, and takes a LOT of in depth system knowledge and maintenance to keep everything reliable.
Did swap out the WH to dual power, when hooked up to a site and both gas and electric enabled, it recovers instantly.
Didn't want a insti-hot because sometimes I only had 20 minutes to drop, set, and shower before the day started, and after driving half the night wanted a hot shower without waiting.

Yeah I have previously entertained the idea of a winter use trailer. Also thought about the idea of a very small camper trailer to drag around full time, but I don't like that idea too much. I'd rather drag the bug around and have something else to drive.

Also considering a 7x9 canvas tent with 6' 3" center height for around $500 with tax. It's 66lbs total but about 1/4 of that is just the poles and stakes.

I bought a 10x14 one last winter but it's 96lbs and much larger packed up. Too big and heavy, just for me and Lucy.

Here is the 7x9. The $475 one has extra windows on the white sides.

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I got the lower priced 10x14 and it's lacking in ventilation for changing winds, so I think I'd get the one with the extra windows in 7x9.

Basically something I can have for an "out building" where I can stay if I don't want to be in the dark van all day, even if it's raining.

That's what I wanted to use the 10x14 for, but it's just too much to unpack and pack every two weeks or so, all summer long.

It's in the cargo trailer right now, and will be set up again this winter while I'm insulating and building the van inside better. I'll be flat out living in it for a week or two, depending how long it takes, depending on the weather.

 

[divemaster5734]

That's what I wanted to use the 10x14 for, but it's just too much to unpack and pack every two weeks or so, all summer long.

I'm far too spoiled anymore. It took a lot of room to pack and then set up all the little things separately, propane bucket shower, portapotty, cot, airbag, TV, lighting, table, etc, and then the added electronics, signal amplifier, jailbroke streamer, merlin air card, an AC was absurd.
But then, was obviously not as mobile, and remote spots required the generator at least a few hours everyday to charge everything, and at least twice monthly water fill and dump.
There's definitely a freedom in your style that can't be duplicated in RV life.
Almost bought a big diesel pusher to live in, but got my home instead.

 

[Cubey]

I'm far too spoiled anymore. It took a lot of room to pack and then set up all the little things separately, propane bucket shower, portapotty, cot, airbag, TV, lighting, table, etc, and then the added electronics, signal amplifier, jailbroke streamer, merlin air card, an AC was absurd.
But then, was obviously not as mobile, and remote spots required the generator at least a few hours everyday to charge everything, and at least twice monthly water fill and dump.

A table and chair is just about all that would go in a tent. Camp stove maybe, if it's cool enough temperatures, or raining. I'm not fond of setting up a big camp but eh if it's for two weeks? That's not as bad.

I almost never needed a generator for the RV (except for A/C) after I went to an mppt solar controller and lithium batteries.

I was able to go 14-16 days for water in the RV, including the extra 25 gallons in jugs too.

I can go about 8 days in this van, IF I use commode bags for #2. Saves filling up the 5 gallon porta ***** camp toilet. I keep those bags on hand and use them actually, just keeping them outside in a Walmart bag. It goes on the bug roof rack for hauling to a dumpster later, along with dog poop bags and trash in general.

This national forest has a 16 day limit. I stayed 8 nights, went 17 miles to the RV park (and grocery store because I was out of some stuff) and paid $34 for one night. Got a good shower, did a load of laundry, dumped and filled, and came back to the same spot for another 8 nights. Tonight is #6 after returning. On Sunday, I'm going back to the RV park again for 1 night, then I'll be going further away (30 more miles) to another area of the national forest for at least 8 nights, maybe 10 if I can hold out that long.

If you wanna talk cramped, the truck camper was cramped. Image only having an 8ft pickup bed for your space. The mattress was less wide than a twin. That thing was very claustrophobic. I lived in that all of 2017 and it got miserable in winter. I got a crappy trailer around new years 2018. I hated it and the NA f250 was underpowered, so I sold the trailer and redid the truck camper, which is what is shown below. But after 4-5 months, again it was too cramped, and I got the motorhome in January 2019. Kept it almost 5 years but was sick of the single digit mpg.

I didn't want to go back to the truck camper. Hence getting the van.

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[The_Josh_Bear]

Yeah I don't know who among us is gonna talk you out of that conversion bus...I like it!

 

[Cubey]

Yeah I don't know who among us is gonna talk you out of that conversion bus...I like it!

If it had been available last year, I'd have definitely gone for it.

But now? Nah. I don't feel THAT cramped in the van. Not like I was in the truck camper, so many years ago.

It is a good deal for someone who's more capable of fetching it.

 

[tbowker]

Look at it this way. You'll be laying there in the rack, looking at those mismatched lines on the bead board, tossing and turning. Weeks, possibly months of sleepless nights wondering what other things could the previous owner have done half ***** that aren't so obvious. You'll be a physical and emotional train wreck in no time. You've gone this far in talking yourself out of it, cut it loose and move on. You'll be a happier man for it. You got this.

 

[Cubey]

You've gone this far in talking yourself out of it, cut it loose and move on. You'll be a happier man for it. You got this.

Yeah, I have. I'm thinking ahead to this winter, doing a better build in this van. Getting rid of the carpet, putting vinyl flooring, insulating, building shelves along side the bed, etc.

It'll all be half-assed too though because I'm not a good carpenter

 

[tbowker]

It'll all be half-assed too though because I'm not a good carpenter

That's me, I'm more of a wood butcher. My cousin used to call it being a cobenter and not carpenter. Not to say I'm any better at metal work, but I enjoy it more.

 

[Cubey]

Time to revive this thread.

My nephew bought a 94 GMC G3500 coachman for $6k and then changed his mind (he's 21 and has nothing much going on besides work, which makes him lots of money). So yeah, I went and had a look. It needs a lot of maintenance done but overall it's in good shape mostly, except cancerous rust under the windshield on the driver side. One scrape/dent on the rear right corner side but not terrible. He wants about $6k for it, which is what he has in it.

I forgot to see which engine it has but I heard it idling. He drove it about 100 miles to here from where he bought it, parked it, then decided against using it. Engine oil is pretty nasty and a bit overfull, transmission fluid (engine off) is very low on the dipstick. Power steering is very low but does have some in the can. Radiator is a bit low on coolant, but it's nice and green from what I can see down in it. He showed up as I was about to leave, prior to that I was getting info from my brother, who was home.

I miss having a shower inside and stand up height inside, both of which this has. I think this is the 17ft model, so it's not too huge to drive/park. Has a generator (in need of work maybe? runs but stalls) built in even.

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[Cubey]

Well... I might actually be getting that GMC class B van, and selling Traveler Smurf.

Unless I pay to transfer the title to my mom to get it out of my name (for financial reasons). Might consider that, if I can't get a decent amount out of Smurf really quickly. I can't take a big loss on Smurf. The RV and F250 I was able to go lower on when I sold them, because reasons.

But yeah, I miss having proper RV indoor amenities, like a shower and being able to fully stand upright.

Doing the math, it'll cost in the range of $150-300 dollars more per year (at most) in gas vs diesel due to lower mpg, but that's before factoring in things like more expensive diesel oil changes (even DIY), diesel fuel additive, and more things can break on an IDI (IP, injectors, FSV, etc). Oh and worrying about coolant testing. Those strips are so insanely expensive and you can't get just a few... you have to spend $40+ for a bunch, which go bad before you can use them all. IDIs have underlying costs that gassers don't.

It has a 5.7/350 TBI according to the VIN decode, so that's considered a decent engine that lasts and is cheaper to work on (vs Vortec). Has 149,*** miles. Should be fairly ok on fuel if kept around 55-60. It has an overdrive (4L60E) transmission so that'll help with mpg. I'd be looking at maybe 11-13mpg not towing, 10-11 towing the bug. Still beats ~8mpg of the IDI RV with higher priced diesel.

Smurf's tires (A/T KO2, came on it) are from 2019 so they're getting up there in age a bit. The GMC's are 2 from 2017, 2 from 2018 but all the same A/S highway tread tire model. Not visible dry rotted though, at least. But yes they will need replacement pretty soon. Maybe I can wait until next winter, since they have deep tread. Fords used 235/85 while GM used 225/75 so I probably can't swap out the tires, due to the fiberglass fender flares on the GMC. At least 225/75 aren't any more expensive than 235/85. I might stick with highway/all season on it for better MPG, since that's what the RV had. and I only ever got stuck once. To be fair, A/T would have probably gotten stuck too, in that particular situation. Soft very squishy mud on a heavily loaded dually with a trailer hitched to it. A wide board fetched by a state park ranger and my rubber recovery mats (meant for snow) got it out, but yeah.

Parts in general are much cheaper and easier to get for GM vans still, despite this gen ending in 95. Unlike 3rd gen/IDI vans, which ended in 91). For example, an IDI van radiator is $650+shipping on Rockauto for a 3 row aluminum. The same brand/3 row aluminum for that van is $256+shipping. And when/if I need an IP/injectors.. put on a van. That'll be expensive, if I can even find anyone to touch an IDI van. Vans in general can be hard to find a mechanic, but doubly so for diesel.

Oh and 2 starting batteries for diesel vs 1 for gas. Walmart's good 3yr batteries have gone up 50% in price in the past few years from $100 to $150. Can get a 2yr group 34 (700CCA) for $110. The $150 3yr is 800CCA, kinda overkil. Or $70 for a 600CCA 1yr battery. So yeah there are more affordable options vs buying $300 of batteries for an IDI.

Plus the dash A/C system is not butchered up like the one on Smurf. I have never been able to find the discharge line that is IDI van specific. You can still get the complete 2 piece hose assembly for the GM vans easily. Having no A/C makes things difficult travel wise. The IDI RV had to be recharged every year, but at least I could do that in a Walmart parking lot, if needed. I quit doing it after R134a doubled in price from $5 to $10, since it always took 4 cans to get it recharged.

Yeah, there are so many reasons that it's probably a better choice. It'll be slower in the mountains vs the turbo IDI van most likely, but it probably won't be as bad as the IDI RV was.

It's fully equipped too:

Water heater
Furnace
Generator (Onan 2800)
Roof A/C
Roof vent fan
Microwave
2 burner gas stovetop (no oven)
Shower (very cramped but better than nothing!)
Toilet
Screened a couple of screened (no bugs!) windows for ventilation
Cabover bed (good for summer when its too warm to share the bed with my big dog, I used the one in the IDI RV due to that)

I don't know how well all the RV systems work because the lead acid house battery is dead, but most stuff can be repaired pretty cheaply DIY. I took a bigger risk on the IDI RV and it worked out well, vs this. Maybe I'm just very lucky, in that respect. I'm good with wiring too, so any fixes can be done myself if needed. Nothing is missing, at least. Unlike the IDI RV which was missing the toilet tank when I got it and didn't realize.

Plus I am at my mom's house helping her with stuff still, so I can do a few things to prepare it before being driven a long ways. IDI RV cost me $1500 for poorly done brake work immediately plus a night in a motel, so I guess I wasn't THAT lucky with it. oh and getting gouged on the C6 rebuild in 2022... that wasn't so good either.

Try living with only an outdoor tent shower in cold or windy weather most of the year, you'll understand why I want an indoor shower again. And actually the GMC has an outdoor shower on it too, so I could always use that in hot, calm wind weather.

 

[asmith]

I would be surprised if you get 13 mpg with that rv and TBI. If I remember right, I don't think those transmissions are known to last very long. Has it been rebuilt before? If not, it will need it sooner rather than later. The rust would bother me, but I am from California and unless you live at the coast, any rust means a vehicle is junk.

Other than those things, I think the RV is definitely a better fit for living in than a van. I understand your reasons for downsizing from the last one, but I was also kinda surprised that you went to a van since you live in it full time. Even if it is a chevy I think it is a better set up for living in full time.

 

[IDIBOBS]

Um I’ve got 300,000 on my 1997, 4l60e 4door Tahoe with a 5.7 with the vortec injection (same motor different imjection) I’ve towed 3-4000lbs for just about every mile and never had an issue. I think it’s about how people use them. Never tow, haul, or climb hills in 4th and be easy on it and it should last forever.

 

[Cubey]

I would be surprised if you get 13 mpg with that rv and TBI.

Under ideal conditions maybe.

The big idi RV (not towing) got almost 10mpg going from Arkansas to Yuma one autumn, because tail winds.

Re: the 4l60e, Google ai overview says this:

"The 4L60E transmission, while sometimes criticized, can be reliable if maintained properly and not used for excessive towing or with significantly modified engines. Some users report excellent longevity with well-maintained, stock vehicles, even with high mileage. However, they can be prone to issues like losing third gear under heavy use or with age.

 

[asmith]

Um I’ve got 300,000 on my 1997, 4l60e 4door Tahoe with a 5.7 with the vortec injection (same motor different imjection) I’ve towed 3-4000lbs for just about every mile and never had an issue. I think it’s about how people use them. Never tow, haul, or climb hills in 4th and be easy on it and it should last forever.

Thats good. I dont know much about chevys, but I have 4-5 friends who are diehard chevy fans and in their Suburbans, trucks, and Tahoes over the years they all have had to replace many transmissions. They take good care of their vehicles, but they do tow campers and boats. It seems the transmissions would last about 100,000 before going out. That is my experience with the 4l60e. In a heavy RV that transmission is working much harder than in a Half ton truck so it would be something to be wary of. It is something to think about when weighing the pros and cons. The C6 he has right now is a much tougher transmission, but it lacks OD. That is all I am saying.

 

[Cubey]

Thats good. I dont know much about chevys, but I have 4-5 friends who are diehard chevy fans and in their Suburbans, trucks, and Tahoes over the years they all have had to replace many transmissions. They take good care of their vehicles, but they do tow campers and boats. It seems the transmissions would last about 100,000 before going out.

The C6 in the idi RV lasted less than 100k before slipping into 3rd getting worse and worse on the way to Oregeon/Washington, but it never did totally go, but it was also grossly undercooled from the factory, and was 37 years old. And every hard part in the tranmission was wrecked.

The most towing I do is under 2000lbs (more like 1700-1800), and the bug is flat towed, so basically no added weight on the rear end. I will probably strip off all the added gauges from Smurf (except oil temp, EGT and boost, since those came on it) and move them to the GMC.

I have a 1980s made new old stock Gear Vendors for C6 (bought for the RV but never installed) that I can sell to help pay for the GMC, since I doubt I'd put GV on the GMC. Technically you can on 4L60E but I'm not sure it would be worth it, since GV says not to use double overdrive when towing/hauling. It's kind of hauling full time, based on the vehicle type it is. Less so than the IDI RV was, but still.