- Thread starter
- #381
T Bolt
Colonel
My wife and I have planned to tour the south-west USA in an RV after retirement, but to make sure we would like living in an RV for months at a time before we invest tens of thousands of dollars in said RV, I have started to convert my old 2002 Toyota mini-van into a mini-camper.
I made a rack out of 2x4 lumber and plywood for the bed. It has removable panels for easier access to the 14" deep storage space underneath.
The mattress is in three removable sections made from foam pads I bought at Jo Ann Fabrics going out of business sale and is very comfortable. Inside the back hatch can be seen my 2400-watt power station which can be charged either from the car alternator or the 200 watt solar panels seen leaning against the van. I have also ordered another 200-watt solar panel.
At the side door can be seen my 12-volt refrigerator and a cook stove stashed in the storage area. We will also be carring two 7-gal water containers and a removable 12,000 lb capacity winch in the storage area.
We will have a side shelter tent as well as a screen tent, bathroom tent and portable toilet in a roof cargo carrier and trailer hitch cargo rack for other items.
Lastly is six computer cooling fans which I have mounted in a panel fitted into the sunroof to provide ventilation.
More work to be done yet.
Retirement for both my wife and me is hopefully in January with the first trip in the camper being in February, lasting 1-1/2 to 2 months, camping in campgrounds and BML land with an l overnight stay in a hotel from time to time.
I made a rack out of 2x4 lumber and plywood for the bed. It has removable panels for easier access to the 14" deep storage space underneath.
The mattress is in three removable sections made from foam pads I bought at Jo Ann Fabrics going out of business sale and is very comfortable. Inside the back hatch can be seen my 2400-watt power station which can be charged either from the car alternator or the 200 watt solar panels seen leaning against the van. I have also ordered another 200-watt solar panel.
At the side door can be seen my 12-volt refrigerator and a cook stove stashed in the storage area. We will also be carring two 7-gal water containers and a removable 12,000 lb capacity winch in the storage area.
We will have a side shelter tent as well as a screen tent, bathroom tent and portable toilet in a roof cargo carrier and trailer hitch cargo rack for other items.
Lastly is six computer cooling fans which I have mounted in a panel fitted into the sunroof to provide ventilation.
More work to be done yet.
Retirement for both my wife and me is hopefully in January with the first trip in the camper being in February, lasting 1-1/2 to 2 months, camping in campgrounds and BML land with an l overnight stay in a hotel from time to time.
