Anyone have a van built out?

P

Pablo

Member
We are about 90% sure we are going with a Ford Transit 148 EB base (around $60K) and having a semi custom set-up ($90K+). Yeah I know, there is used and there are factory models, but they pretty much are not what we want.

https://freedomvans.co/

https://nordicvans.co/

We visited Freedom today and will see Nordic soon. Both local. Freedom is pretty darn nice.

I'm looking for any input, must haves, avoids, etc. We listened to you guy and are avoiding the MB platform.
 
Something to be said for getting what you want the first go round. I assume the builder could also do remodeling of sorts if you decide to change it down the road.
 
ctechbob said:
Something to be said for getting what you want the first go round. I assume the builder could also do remodeling of sorts if you decide to change it down the road.
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Full custom shop, so yes. There is some coated marine plywood subfloor, the rest is hard maple with screws, for example. Compared to the junk factory stuff with 18ga brads or staples.
 
Pablo said:
We are about 90% sure we are going with a Ford Transit 148 EB base (around $60K) and having a semi custom set-up ($90K+). Yeah I know, there is used and there are factory models, but they pretty much are not what we want.

https://freedomvans.co/

https://nordicvans.co/

We visited Freedom today and will see Nordic soon. Both local. Freedom is pretty darn nice.

I'm looking for any input, must haves, avoids, etc. We listened to you guy and are avoiding the MB platform.
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are you talking about spending 90k over the 60k base price of the vehicle, or 90k total?


Friends of ours bought a used Winnebago Solis, I think it is a 2020 on a Ram Promaster chassis.. they got it for $70k and it had less than 20,000 miles on it. its a nice setup, has small bathroom, stove bed across the back.
 
MSCH said:
are you talking about spending 90k over the 60k base price of the vehicle, or 90k total?


Friends of ours bought a used Winnebago Solis, I think it is a 2020 on a Ram Promaster chassis.. they got it for $70k and it had less than 20,000 miles on it. its a nice setup, has small bathroom, stove bed across the back.
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Promasters are a lot cheaper that's for sure and Winnebago is middle road to cheap in quality. You get what you pay for. Lot of of pro builders won't deal with Promasters (engines and steering locking up)

Ford AWD ex long base vehicle is around $55 or $60K, custom build starts about $80K
 
Pablo said:
Promasters are a lot cheaper that's for sure and Winnebago is middle road to cheap in quality. You get what you pay for. Lot of of pro builders won't deal with Promasters (engines and steering locking up)

Ford AWD ex long base vehicle is around $55 or $60K, custom build starts about $80K
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so you are talking about spending 150k on a van? wow..

if I was buying a van to convert, I'd make sure it was dual rear wheeled and I know Ford offers them.. ..
 
MSCH said:
so you are talking about spending 150k on a van? wow..

if I was buying a van to convert, I'd make sure it was dual rear wheeled and I know Ford offers them.. ..
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Inflation. Unfortunately. It's not 2019 any more. I can go buy a new factory unit for $130K

Dually is interesting, but space trade off and adds even more $
 
Pablo said:
Inflation. Unfortunately. It's not 2019 any more. I can go buy a new factory unit for $130K

Dually is interesting, but space trade off and adds even more $
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I was just wondering if you have ever used a Class B before?
Basically it is the modern equivalent of a Pickup Camper, but without dual use capabilities..
Class B has its advantages, mainly in being able to go anyplace a car can go
and for stealth camping. Disadvantage is space limitations, especially if it is for long term use.

for less than 130k you can get something like this. https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Newmar-Bay+Star+3014-5033529978#sid=999894
 
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MSCH said:
I was just wondering if you have ever used a Class B before?



basically a Class B is the modern equivalent of a pickup camper but makes the vehicle single use.
has its advantages, mainly in being able to go anyplace a car can go
and for stealth camping. Disadvantage is space limitations, especially if it is for long term use.
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We have rented a couple and my brother has a Sprinter. We like the small size. Single use is what we want. AWD and get there. I can't see us for more than 7-8 days, then maybe a day or two hotel, then 5 days van, one hotel, then 10 days camp new place.....and pretty soon we haven't seen the cats at home for a month.

No way do I want a trailer or huge vehicle.

The cool thing, wife and I are not large people and in good shape. We will have slider tray for our bikes.
 
Pablo said:
We have rented a couple and my brother has a Sprinter. We like the small size. Single use is what we want. AWD and get there. I can't see us for more than 7-8 days, then maybe a day or two hotel, then 5 days van, one hotel, then 10 days camp new place.....and pretty soon we haven't seen the cats at home for a month.

No way do I want a trailer or huge vehicle.

The cool thing, wife and I are not large people and in good shape. We will have slider tray for our bikes.
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yeah, it sounds like you understand how small the darn things get after a given amount of time.
Our Washington State friends just showed up yesterday to spend the winter in SWFLA at their house.
I just talked to them this morning and his comment was 12 days in the Van was long enough..
 
MSCH said:
yeah, it sounds like you understand how small the darn things get after a given amount of time.
Our Washington State friends just showed up yesterday to spend the winter in SWFLA at their house.
I just talked to them this morning and his comment was 12 days in the Van was long enough..
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12 days in the 3000 ft sq house was enough!:love::ROFLMAO:
 
Wayne said:
@Pablo did you order a van?
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Yes sir! Kind of excited and I forgot to post HERE.

We ordered a Ford 350 AWD Ecoboost van, bare basically behind the swivel seats and loaded decently forward. No deposit required.
We deposited $1500 with Freedom vans to hold our build spot.

Even then, if all goes right we will have our van this time next year.
 
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