Cheryl,

I won't be able to speak directly to you in regards to full-timing in a conversion van, but I'm sure that others can.  The best I can do is direct you to a blog where an older conversion van is the RV of choice.  I've not read much of this blog as I've just discovered it, but it doesn't have that many blog entries.

The home website is at Where the Wind Blows, and their very first blog entry is an introduction to their conversion van and is entitled, Our Girl Annie.

What I can speak to is something of the quality of the vans.  We used to have a GMC "custom" van that had multiple seats and a bed in the back.  It had nothing like a stove or refrigerator, so it wasn't a "true" conversion van for RV'ing.  In addition, we once drove Jo's sister's custom van that was a Dodge.  (I cannot remember the model years for either van.)  The Dodge van seem to be top-heavy and acted a lot more "squirrely" in a wind than the GMC did.

In fact, one dark rainy night we were driving home in the GMC and came to a country crossroad where it was flooding across the intersection.  We hit that flooded area at about 50 or 55 mph because we just couldn't see the water.  I think I sensed its presence more than actually seeing it.  Otherwise, I would probably have been doing closer to 65.

Anyway, that GMC 3/4 ton van hit the water but never swerved a bit.  I was blinded by a huge wall of water on the windshield from hitting the water, but the van continued straight ahead.

If you go with a conversion van, be sure and give each one a really good test drive, especially in windy conditions, if possible.

Good luck with your research and searching.

Terry

I never full timed in one but lived in one with full features for a month driving coast to coast & back. Two adults & two small dogs. Easy to drive but just too tight for us. Now f/t in a 5th wheel. Sold class B @ end of trip. A few days of rain convinced me B was too small.

I look at conversion vans in a different light.

Based upon the price for new and up to 10 year old units....I would rather go with a entry level Class A motorhome. For about the same price or less than a van conversion you can find a new or gently used 30 feet plus Class A.

In a Class A, you'll have tons of room which can be very important if you end up in bad weather for several days and are stuck inside. Cabin fever kicks in really quick with smaller RVs.

If you're concerned about size and driving...you'll find most RV'ers will tell you after a while a 40 foot motorhome is as easy to drive as a mini-van.  You get used to the size very quickly.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 18th of May 2012 03:07:39 PM

There is a Canadian couple that FT about 6 months of the year, and do so VERY FRUGALLY, shunning the turnpikes and campgrounds. Marianne's blog is http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/. She also sells ebooks about some of the areas they have boondocked in their travels. Great info offering many places we would have never thought of until we passed it on our way to a pricey campground.

6 months at a time is not FULL full-time, but since their focus is travelling the most frugal way possible, it works very well for them. Might be worth reading her blog to get some pointers.

A conversion van may have basic necessities, but it is REALLY compact living - for me, anyway. If my choice were B van or nothing, I'd make the van work in a heartbeat

Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 20th of May 2012 02:52:04 PM