What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Downsize..ish? (3500 for a Sprinter)

AH64ID

AH64ID

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,187
Reaction score
5,393
Points
113
I am very seriously considering trading my 2022 and on a 2025 sprinter, and building it out as a two person camper van. Anyone go a similar route before?

My wife and I are doing more and more solo camping trips and a van just makes more sense. But we also still have kids at home, so I’d likely have to get an older truck for taking the fifth wheel when the kids are involved for the next couple years. Probably an early 4th gen, maybe 2500 5.7/6.4 or maybe even a 6.7 that’s been through weight loss regiment.

It kind of feels like a step backwards, and a big step forward… So looking for any experience with a similar situation.
 
I don’t have experience but I’d stick with your truck and do a truck camper. Another vehicle is more maintenance and insurance and property tax if applicable. Said van will sit 90% of the time next to your 5th wheel and still cost $. Motorhomes and vans never really jived with me because once you get to a destination you’re kind of stuck there, unless you bring a 2nd vehicle or pack up each time you want to go out and explore. TC has space constraints and mostly no kitchen or bath, but campgrounds can accommodate most of that. Idk. Tough call to try and find the best of both worlds…
 
flan said:
I don’t have experience but I’d stick with your truck and do a truck camper. Another vehicle is more maintenance and insurance and property tax if applicable. Said van will sit 90% of the time next to your 5th wheel and still cost $. Motorhomes and vans never really jived with me because once you get to a destination you’re kind of stuck there, unless you bring a 2nd vehicle or pack up each time you want to go out and explore. TC has space constraints and mostly no kitchen or bath, but campgrounds vocab accommodate most of that. Idk. Tough call to try and find the best of both worlds…
Click to expand...

A slide-in has definitely been on our radar, but not sure it’s what we’re looking for. We want smaller for back road trail heads, skiing, etc. 99% of the time we don’t camp in campgrounds. We plan to use it for day trips and weekend/long-weekend trips where we are rarely inside and the parked location is the destination.

Finding a truck camper that fits a SRW and has a decent floorplan is also not super easy when we want 4-season capabilities. Campers are big and bulky, with a high CG that is felt even on stable trucks. Vans are offer a more nimble feeling.

The truck already sits a lot, so there is that too. Having a truck and a sprinter would likely be a shorter term solution until the kids are moved out in a few years. I don’t like the idea of more things to maintain, but that’s short term.
 
Something to watch out for with building a van is most insurance companies won’t cover a conversion that wasn’t done by a commercial converter.
 
Maybe I’m missing something, but I just can’t find any slide-in’s that are light, 4 seasons, and not crazy bulky for an 8’ bed. Some great options for smaller beds, but I’d like to take advantage of the space we have.

jsalbre said:
Something to watch out for with building a van is most insurance companies won’t cover a conversion that wasn’t done by a commercial converter.
Click to expand...

I’m not concerned about the conversion insurance, but insurance in general has already been a pain. My insurance company doesn’t appear to cover the basic van, so I’d likely be shopping for a new company if I go that route.
 
I would love to convert a Van into a camper. My wife won't let me though, if I get a van I'll be living down by the river lol. Hope you enjoy it there are a lot or cool ideas on YouTube.
 
Dinky503 said:
I would love to convert a Van into a camper. My wife won't let me though, if I get a van I'll be living down by the river lol. Hope you enjoy it there are a lot or cool ideas on YouTube.
Click to expand...

It definitely helps having the wife on board, pun intended, but I’m not sure she’s really ready for my full inner hippy to come out on this build… but time will tell :D

IMG_5596.gif
 
AH64ID said:
It definitely helps having the wife on board, pun intended, but I’m not sure she’s really ready for my full inner hippy to come out on this build… but time will
Click to expand...

Yeah I can convert a cargo trailer just not a van... she just doesn't like vans lmao. Saving to convert a trailer now for when I take off by myself for hunting season.
 
Dinky503 said:
Yeah I can convert a cargo trailer just not a van... she just doesn't like vans lmao. Saving to convert a trailer now for when I take off by myself for hunting season.
Click to expand...

Part of the reason I’ll need to find an older truck is hunting season with the wife and middle daughter.

Our small TT isn’t 4 seasons and not much available payload on the JT when the TT is hooked up, certainly not enough for 2-3 elk.
 
AH64ID said:
Part of the reason I’ll need to find an older truck is hunting season with the wife and middle daughter.

Our small TT isn’t 4 seasons and not much available payload on the JT when the TT is hooked up, certainly not enough for 2-3 elk.
Click to expand...

Too bad 3rd and 4th gens people want too much money for them. Lol my JT Is overloaded just sitting in the driveway....I'll always have a decent truck my wife's TT will need to be towed.
 
passed a sprinter on the way from PA yesterday, was camperized. it was a conversion setup i think offered by a company. looked decent.

benchmarkvehicles.com

Home

Benchmark Vehicles customizes adventure vans for the wildly curious.
benchmarkvehicles.com benchmarkvehicles.com
 
There are a lot of companies customizing vans, which is good. Lots of ideas and information, it also means that if this is the wrong path for us we’ll be able to sell it.
 
Like your van idea. One of the members of my ski crew out here in the Washington state area owns a Van customizing business. She seems to be quite busy with work.

And I have a small truck camper - Lance 825. Its a 4-season and I've had it in the Cascade mountains for a few Winter seasons, and a few overnight stays in ski resorts. It's kept me and my wife and one of my kids warm and safe after some cold days. But I'd probably not take it too far off into the bush. Good luck with the project.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top