In reply to Steve_Jones :
Mine is a 2005, so I guess if we're rounding up 11 years - you're definitely right about not being comparable to an overpriced work van with a fold out couch in it.
Kinda like goobers paying a ton of money for slow-ass air cooled Porsche. People will pay what they pay, it may be worth it for them, but that doesn't make it worth it.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Fair and thanks for the different perspective. I can see having a small unit for some types of camping.
Keith Tanner said:In reply to accordionfolder :
My statements have nothing to do with price. For the same price, I'd rather have my Vanagon than an RV because RVing holds no real appeal to me. And given the value of Vanagons these days, that's not a theoretical comparison!
Hipsters will do hipster things for 10x the cost and call it a good deal is what I was saying - Not that you should buy an RV. You're just describing car camping, achievable with some or more comfort by a wide variety of vehicle - and I'm aware of many ways cheaper AND more comfortable if you don't buy an old overpriced VW or (apparently?) a Ford work van?
accordionfolder said:Keith Tanner said:In reply to accordionfolder :
My statements have nothing to do with price. For the same price, I'd rather have my Vanagon than an RV because RVing holds no real appeal to me. And given the value of Vanagons these days, that's not a theoretical comparison!
Hipsters will do hipster things for 10x the cost and call it a good deal is what I was saying - Not that you should buy an RV. You're just describing car camping, achievable with some or more comfort by a wide variety of vehicle - and I'm aware of many ways cheaper AND more comfortable if you don't buy an old overpriced VW or (apparently?) a Ford work van?
So I'm curious, what are these "wide variety of vehicles" that are cheaper and have a bed, fridge, sink, stove, heater that doesn't require running the engine, and built-in storage all inside the vehicle, accessible from the driver seat?
Some people are happy to car camp by driving somewhere with camping equipment, dealing with setup/breakdown, sleeping outside in an uninsulated tent, dealing with a cooler and ice/ice packs, etc. I did it a lot when I was younger, but I don't think it is the same experience as pulling up to a parking space in a self-contained camper with minimal to no setup involved, and an indoor space to camp in.
In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :
Are you implying that 25-37k (USD - no one attack me) is a good deal for an old, poorly appointed almost RV - VW van? (Where you still get to E36 M3 in a bucket!) I guess I've never driven one so maybe I'm missing the magic.
In reply to accordionfolder :
Not necessarily. The Vanagon Westfalia has brilliant packaging, but has terrible crash safety by modern standards...but there isn't much like it on the current market. A conversion van based on a Transit Connect, NV200, Promaster City, etc is probably the closest thing available that is new/newer, and about the same size.
I am saying that well-packaged self-contained small campers are few and far between, and generally aren't cheap as a result. Some people are OK with paying market price for the convenience and a scarce commodity, and some people prefer to spend less and pursue creative ways to get a different version of the same experience for far less money. I am saying that the end experiences of car camping, small camper vans, and used RVs aren't all the same, and I'll refrain from making judgments or saying that either approach is the best way to go, just that each it has roots in different priorities. 
In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :
To be clear, I think the VW van is cool as hell - I think the transit van is pretty cool too, but this thread read like you're going to spend as much or more to accomplish anything close to this **magical van life** - when the cat can be skinned a dozen ways: DIY, class B, truck camper, overlander, etc etc. I mean jeez, for 35k us if you search for classB or Van on marketplace right now you can get a hell of a rig with that budget.
In reply to accordionfolder :
Actually, scratch everything I said. Here's The Pinnacle
accordionfolder said:In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :
To be clear, I think the VW van is cool as hell - I think the transit van is pretty cool too, but this thread read like you're going to spend as much or more to accomplish anything close to this **magical van life** - when the cat can be skinned a dozen ways: DIY, class B, truck camper, overlander, etc etc. I mean jeez, for 35k us if you search for classB or Van on marketplace right now you can get a hell of a rig with that budget.
It can be skinned a dozen ways, yes. I wasn't saying you need to spend this much to camp, my point is you will spend this much to recreate what was posted, and I stand by that. Comparing an older full size RV to this and saying it's similar for cheaper is like me asking you why didn't you just buy a tent vs RV.
If a 2015 Porsche Boxster was posted and I posted a 2005 Pontiac Solstice and said "here's the same thing for less" I'd look foolish. They are both 2 seater convertibles, so they must be the same right?
Your whole premise is/was the price of the Transit Van is silly because you can buy different things cheaper that do the same thing. Now you say you didn't say they're similar. Which is it? Why is the price of the Transit silly? Compared to a tent the price of your RV is silly.
You're comparing 2 vehicles and saying one is overpriced because you can get a completely different vehicle for much cheaper, it's an odd comparison. You can buy a 2005 Corolla for less than a 2015 RAV4, so the RAV4 must not be worth it...
Edit: nice delete.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
Oh, I just was done debating - A fool and his money are easily parted. Knock yourself out, Go spend 45k on a ford work van w/ a 200 dollar solar panel, a futon, and a bucket toilet 
I've got some NFTs to sell you as well. Good investment, that!
Edit: workshoppin'
But are we talking USD or CAD?
You crazy kids and your fighting.
I think ultimately this comes to personal preference and whether you are (apparently) trying to street park in Seattle.
I look at that tiny van for $45k (USD) and my brain immediately goes to used RV where I get far more comfort and amenities for potentially less. But I fully realize my idea of sleeping in a vehicle and the nexts guy's don't have to be the same.
In the car business they say there is an arse for every seat. Perhaps there is also an arse for every stealth mini van rv-ish vehicle, too. I just know it's not me.
Loweguy5 said:But are we talking USD or CAD?
Lol, that's the real question!
John Welsh said:I keep checking this thread to see if there will be an 8 paragraph manifesto that then gets self-deleted for seemingly no reason.
Damn you're good. I was happy with my first reply but then seeing this take off, I had to toss my hat in the ring one more time...
So he made a video, he built this one to sell. So that by itself means he’s making money..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lY8u6b14S8
All prices in USD unless otherwise noted…
I had some time this morning waking up so I went through his video and looked at the main components and looked them up on Amazon. Tried to list median prices when there were many. Like the $100 inverter there were $50 ones too. And with the toilet not the cheapest but also by size in his video not the bigger $800 one.
Cassette Toilet - $200
Propane Hot Water Heater - $150 (With show head)
RV Sink - $125
Speakers - $50
600W Inverter - $100
Fridge / Freezer - $300
2 x 100W Solar Panel - $150
Renegy Adventurer Solar Controller - $50
Renegy 100ah AGM Battery - $225
Roof Rack (3 bar off the shelf style) - $300
Class III trailer hitch + Wiring - $300
Water Tank - $150
Water pump for sink - $50
Gear motor for bed movement - $50
Folding Mattress - $175
Switch Panel with Volt Guage - $50
Indoor outdoor thermometer - $30
Total so far: $2500
Certainly missing some small stuff like the switch for bed motor, the water tap, the single 110v outlet but those are a few dollars each. Even being generous and thinking of a lot of things I may have missed, say $500.
Next biggest thing is wood and the build out. I looked up ¾” Birch Plywood as that usually has the nicest finish like you see in his van at $85 a sheet. I’m guessing 5 sheets. Wood flooring, 2 cases at $35 each (23 sq. foot each). Countertop $275 Butcher Block Style, Screws $120. More of random Home Depot hardware, wire,paint, stain, etc. that you find shopping. $500. So the Home Depot trip might be around $1400
In this scenario I’m assuming someone that has the motivation to build all this has at least some basic tools (table or circular saw, cordless drill, trim router) but even going home depot route you could grab most of that in basic for under $1000.
So even with tools I’m at about $5500 USD, Go even crazier and pay a friend to help (A LOT of Pizza and Beer) or some more components I maybe missed and really exaggerate it and say 10K USD all in on the build. So I do believe this could be recreated for $5500-10,000 USD in materials. The only thing lacking is time = money and this guy is trying to get paid for this build out OR you’re paying the premium for the easy button. But I’d say that goes against the mindset of most on this forum. We like the build process, but we also buy each others projects, so we do like the easy button sometimes too. Can’t we all just get along?
In reply to accordionfolder :
You keep saying "Ford work van" like it's an insult. Ever wonder what your rig is built on? There's a reason they only cost $6500.
Did the stealth camping thing in the 80s. Parking lots at the beach, ski resorts, etc. Also stayed in campgrounds, spent 6 months living in a van. It was an Xplorer 224, was and still is the best RV under 18 feet IMHO. Hot water, shower, crapper, fridge, stove dedicated bedroom and dinette. If I wanted to do it again I would find one of those and spend the money to upgrade it. All the new stuff I have seen just doesn't match the features or costs over 100K.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
I think we can agree to disagree - I probably was too worked up last night, my bad.
I'm snowed in out this way, hoping to get the keyway glued back in on my spec Miata and some work done on the LS3 car!
Hope you're staying warm where you are
I'm looking to do a much more primitive stealth van build out in the near future and spend a whole lot less. That said, that original van seems pretty well done.
Comparing it to DIY pricing is pointless. Comparing it to RVs makes zero sense. If you can find other listings for similar builds that are way less, sure, that might be a reasonable comparison.
How reliable are the transmissions in those Transit Connect vans? The chassis is Focus based, right?
In reply to accordionfolder :
I'm trying to stay warm, seems lousy to complain about 27 degrees when I see others at -27, lol. It's all good, realistically no reason to argue about a van in a different country that neither of us have any interest in buying. The funny part is if I was in the market for a camping rig, I'd buy something like what you have way before a Transit. If I wanted small, I'd do the Sprinter but no clue how they are worth 6 figures....
In reply to Steve_Jones :
Agreed on all fronts, the low is -1 tonight in mid-tn and that's more than low enough for me!
I enjoyed this build up and he shows the entire process and budget, which is nice. I think if I was going to DIY a van I'd probably start w/ some version of the Chevy Express platform.
dan0 said:John Welsh said:I keep checking this thread to see if there will be an 8 paragraph manifesto that then gets self-deleted for seemingly no reason.
Damn you're good. I was happy with my first reply but then seeing this take off, I had to toss my hat in the ring one more time...
So he made a video, he built this one to sell. So that by itself means he’s making money..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lY8u6b14S8
All prices in USD unless otherwise noted…
I had some time this morning waking up so I went through his video and looked at the main components and looked them up on Amazon. Tried to list median prices when there were many. Like the $100 inverter there were $50 ones too. And with the toilet not the cheapest but also by size in his video not the bigger $800 one.
Cassette Toilet - $200
Propane Hot Water Heater - $150 (With show head)
RV Sink - $125
Speakers - $50
600W Inverter - $100
Fridge / Freezer - $300
2 x 100W Solar Panel - $150
Renegy Adventurer Solar Controller - $50
Renegy 100ah AGM Battery - $225
Roof Rack (3 bar off the shelf style) - $300
Class III trailer hitch + Wiring - $300
Water Tank - $150
Water pump for sink - $50
Gear motor for bed movement - $50
Folding Mattress - $175
Switch Panel with Volt Guage - $50
Indoor outdoor thermometer - $30
Total so far: $2500
Certainly missing some small stuff like the switch for bed motor, the water tap, the single 110v outlet but those are a few dollars each. Even being generous and thinking of a lot of things I may have missed, say $500.
Next biggest thing is wood and the build out. I looked up ¾” Birch Plywood as that usually has the nicest finish like you see in his van at $85 a sheet. I’m guessing 5 sheets. Wood flooring, 2 cases at $35 each (23 sq. foot each). Countertop $275 Butcher Block Style, Screws $120. More of random Home Depot hardware, wire,paint, stain, etc. that you find shopping. $500. So the Home Depot trip might be around $1400
In this scenario I’m assuming someone that has the motivation to build all this has at least some basic tools (table or circular saw, cordless drill, trim router) but even going home depot route you could grab most of that in basic for under $1000.
So even with tools I’m at about $5500 USD, Go even crazier and pay a friend to help (A LOT of Pizza and Beer) or some more components I maybe missed and really exaggerate it and say 10K USD all in on the build. So I do believe this could be recreated for $5500-10,000 USD in materials. The only thing lacking is time = money and this guy is trying to get paid for this build out OR you’re paying the premium for the easy button. But I’d say that goes against the mindset of most on this forum. We like the build process, but we also buy each others projects, so we do like the easy button sometimes too. Can’t we all just get along?
So for $ 20646.00 you could DIY it AND have some serious change left over for actually going to see the great outdoors
Maybe my original post was correct. :0P
In reply to MyMiatas :
Eh, possibly/probably. It all varies on how perfect and equipped you decide to go. I bought a 2006 E450 based short bus. Got a steal on it at $2200, flew to Minnesota and drove it home to CT. Then ripped out seats and built some stuff. Sold the handicap lift for $250, Spent about $200 on lumber for part of a floor. Then I had some flooring left over from the house I owned at the time, a kitchen cabinet, countertops from a work remodel, a mini fridge from college. Bought a $200 Amazon Chinese copy diesel heater. So I'm barely into mine at all but certainly doesn't have everything a build has.
I'll be slowly working on updating it. The short bus is a decent in between size between a stealth camper and RV. It fits width width in a standard parking space (barely) just sticks out length wise so it can be parked in most places without too much hassle. Has room for a motorcycle inside.
Picture wayback to when I bought it...
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