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rv:intro [2017/06/24 21:10] frater_secessus [DIY campers] |
rv:intro [2023/06/25 16:53] (current) mahkato add attributes |
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- | ====== RVs and campers ====== | + | > Words of Wisdom: |
- | ===== Retail RVs ===== | + | ====== Overview of Vehicle Options ====== |
+ | After determining that [[lifestyle: | ||
- | | + | **This page is a starting point for finding the right vehicle for you.** |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
+ | ===== Video overviews ===== | ||
- | ===== DIY RVs ===== | + | Additional videos can be found on the pages for each vehicle type in the [[# |
- | * campervans built out of [[rv:cargo_van|cargo vans]] are the most common kind of camper | + | * [[https:// |
- | ===== Retail campers ===== | + | * [[https:// |
+ | * [[https:// | ||
- | * [[rv:travel trailer|travel trailers]] are the most common kind of RV in the US. Examples include bumper hitch trailers, [[https:// | ||
- | * slide-in [[rv:truck camper|truck campers]] ([[https:// | ||
- | ===== DIY campers | + | ====== Vehicle Attributes ====== |
- | * [[rv:cargo trailer|cargo trailers]] are boxy trailers that can be converted to a living space. | + | Knowing what features you need can help guide your vehicle selection. |
- | * [[rv:camper shells|camper shells]] cover the bed of a truck. | + | |
+ | * **Ceiling height** is the interior height of the living space. A vehicle you can stand in is significantly more comfortable to live in. Keep in mind that insulation and other surfaces reduce overall height. | ||
+ | * HIGH - Motorhomes, box trucks, step vans, some buses | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Trailers, raised-roof vans, some buses | ||
+ | * LOW - Standard-roof vans, pickup trucks with slide-in camper | ||
+ | * VERY LOW - Cars, minivans, SUVS, pickup trucks with topper | ||
- | ===== passenger | + | * **Clearance** is the overall height of the vehicle. Tall vehicles |
+ | * HIGH - Box trucks, buses, motorhomes, step vans, 5th wheel trailers | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Most trailers, raised-roof vans, pickup trucks with slide-in camper | ||
+ | * LOW - Cars, minivans, SUVs, standard-roof vans, pickup trucks with topper | ||
- | * cars | + | * **Conversion difficulty** refers to the amount of work required to converting a vehicle from its original purpose to a residential vehicle. Straight walls are generally easier to work with when adding [[hvac: |
- | * minivans | + | * NO CONVERSION - Motorhomes, travel trailers, pickup truck campers |
- | * SUVs | + | * EASY - Box trucks, step vans, cargo trailers |
+ | * MODERATE - Cargo vans, pickup trucks with toppers | ||
+ | * HARD - Buses, passenger vans, cars, minivans, | ||
- | ===== repurposed | + | * **Fuel efficiency** is the miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (km/l) or liters per 100 km (l/100km) that your vehicle uses. In general, a heavier vehicle will have worse fuel efficiency than a lighter vehicle, and a high profile (tall/flat fronted) vehicle will have worse fuel efficiency than a low profile (short/ |
+ | * HIGH - Cars, minivans | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, Class B motorhomes | ||
+ | * LOW - Class C motorhomes, vehicles with trailers | ||
+ | * VERY LOW - Class A motorhomes, box trucks, step vans | ||
- | * box trucks | + | * **Living space** is the amount of livable area (in square or cubic measurements) after conversion. Since vehicle width is limited by law and practicality, |
- | * step vans | + | * LARGE - Class A motorhomes, most buses, box trucks, |
- | * ambulances | + | * MODERATE - Class B and C motorhomes, raised-roof vans, trailers |
- | * school buses | + | * LOW - Standard-roof vans, pickup trucks with slide-in camper |
- | * shuttle buses | + | * VERY LOW - Cars, minivans, SUVs, pickups with topper |
+ | * **Parking** is generally more difficult to find the larger your vehicle is. | ||
+ | * EASY - Cars, minivans, SUVs, pickup trucks | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Cargo vans, passenger vans, Class B and C motorhomes | ||
+ | * HARD - Box trucks, step vans, Class A motorhomes, trailers | ||
+ | * **Passthrough** refers to the ability to reach the cargo or living area of the vehicle from the driving area. | ||
+ | * YES - Most vans, buses, motorhomes | ||
+ | * MAYBE - Trucks | ||
+ | * NO - Trailers | ||
+ | * **Solar mounting** refers to the ease of adding sufficient solar panels to the roof of your vehicle. Large, flat roofs are easiest. | ||
+ | * EASY - Box trucks, step vans, motorhomes, trailers | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Buses, cargo vans, passenger vans, pickup trucks | ||
+ | * HARD - Cars, minivans, SUVs | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **[[camping: | ||
+ | * YES (if unmodified or built to be stealthy) - Box trucks, step vans, cargo vans, cargo trailers | ||
+ | * MAYBE - Passenger vans, buses, minivans, cars, SUVs, pickup trucks with toppers | ||
+ | * NO - Motorhomes, travel trailers, pickup trucks with slide-in campers | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Undermount space** is the amount of space under the vehicle which can be used for storage, water/ | ||
+ | * LARGE - Class A motorhomes, box trucks, some buses | ||
+ | * MODERATE - Step vans, some buses, Class C motorhomes | ||
+ | * SMALL to NONE - Cars, minivans, trailers, and most SUVs, pickup trucks, and Class B motorhomes | ||
+ | | ||
+ | ====== Vehicles ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Visit the pages for each vehicle type for additional information and resources. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Vans ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Vans are the most common choice for those who want to build their own mobile living quarters. For most people, they are a good balance of pros and cons. Professionally converted vans are also available. | ||
+ | |||
+ | See also **[[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common van models: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | A **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** ease of modification, | ||
+ | * **Con:** aesthetics, living space, used work vans can be beat up | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | A **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** stealth, raised roof, already own?, [[rv: | ||
+ | * **Con:** ease of modification, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Commercial Trucks ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Trucks offer significantly more room than vans, and are generally built on a heavy-duty chassis that will last much longer. However, they use more fuel, usually cost more to purchase and repair, and may be less comfortable to drive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** living space, easy to find | ||
+ | * **Con:** MPG, parking, parts, insurance, serviceability, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[RV:box truck|Box trucks]]** provide a large cubic space for an easy build. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** Large living space, square shape easy to modify, easy solar mounting, passthrough (on some vehicles), space under truck to hang things | ||
+ | * **Con:** Low MPG, insurance may be difficult to obtain, may be difficult to find repair shops, GWVR may require stopping at weigh stations in some jurisdictions, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[RV:step van|Step vans]]** provide a large cubic space for an easy build, with easier access than other trucks. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** flat surfaces for easy build and solar mount, large living area, entrance steps and low floor height for easy ingress and egress, nondescript for stealth camping, easy engine access | ||
+ | * **Con:** commercial vehicles often see very hard use, not ideal for regular highway driving (geared for local deliveries), | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** coolness, built-in storage and electrical systems | ||
+ | * **Con:** potential biohazards, may have excessive idling hours, leaks around specialty lighting, insurance | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Motorhomes ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Motorhomes are purpose-built for recreation and living, but are expensive and often have low build quality. They are generally grouped into three classes: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | The **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** large comfortable living space, slide-outs for additional space, many built-in features and amenities, professionally designed and installed systems | ||
+ | * **Con:** parking, expensive, build quality sometimes lacking, very tall overall height, high fuel usage | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ http:// | ||
+ | The **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** build quality, built-in amenities, passthrough, | ||
+ | * **Con:** parking, expensive | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | The **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** living space, built-in amenities, relatively inexpensive, | ||
+ | * **Con:** parking, low overhangs, build quality, very low MPG | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Trailers ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** space, built-in amenities | ||
+ | * **Con:** build quality, passthrough, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | A **[[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** space, ease of modification, | ||
+ | * **Con:** passthrough | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Smaller vehicles ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | A **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** stealth, insurance, already own?, passthrough | ||
+ | * **Con:** living space | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common van models: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | * [[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** stealth (with sufficiently tinted windows), MPG, insurance, already own? | ||
+ | * **Con:** low living space, limited solar options | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | **[[RV: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Pro:** 4wd can go anywhere, ground clearance, built for towing | ||
+ | * **Con:** handling, low overhangs, passthrough, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== Making Your Purchase ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | After you've decided what kind of vehicle is right for your needs, what next? | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[RV: | ||
+ | * How to [[RV: | ||
+ | * [[RV: | ||