Sleeper Sleeper: Toyota Sienna Campervan Build

Not sure - life changes coming up in a couple weeks when MsBoyink starts her new nursing job. We don't know the schedule or PTO situation yet. But I'm guessing it'll be back to NM but exploring from Albuquerque north to the Colorado state line. Lots of photogenic stuff in that region - plus the drive up 550 from Albuquerque to Durango, one of my favorites.

 

A few more tweaks:

- New first-aid kit location, now also residing on a MOLLE seatback panel. I used to have it in a plastic bin under the passenger seat but it would get bound up when we moved the seat.
- Added grab handles to the leveling blocks.
- Realized I never really carry tools, so bought a nice Leatherman to stay in the van, also residing on a MOLLE panel.

At this point I think the van is about as dialed in as it's going to get.

And with 225K on the odometer, I've been considering what to replace it with when the time comes.

Overall this thing works well as a camper. It's nimble around town, makes a great DD, easy to park, etc. Hardly anyone marks it as a camper unless I have a door or hatch open. No bathroom, but we're more comfortable overnighting in places that have them anyway. With the extra battery and solar setup I just need a place to park - I can rent a tent campsite and not pay for RV electric.

But there are two issues that I'd like to solve with its replacement:

- Lack of a "living room" type space. We're not campfire people. We usually fill the hours between dark and bed reading or watching movies. In this, we only have two choices - sit up front, or lay in the bed. The former is OK, but not great. The latter means we're in bed too early and too long.

- Lack of heat or AC when parked. Not having either narrows the temperature range we can comfortably camp in. if I could even just heat or cool the thing for a couple hours a day it would open up more camping options. And yea - I know there are heating options but I haven't seen any that I'm comfortable using in the space we have available.

I considered a Suburban build to get a cheap 4WD camper - but I think I'm going to have the same issues.

I'm looking in two directions -

Option 1 is finding one of these EuroVan campers made by Westfalia or Winnebago:


Prices aren't horrible, they're all built out, have heaters, and seats that convert to lounge seating. I just haven't been in one personally to know how well I'd fit. I think we'd end up sleeping one up and one down.

Option 2 would be doing another DIY build, but on a full-size van platform. I'm still partial to the classic American full size vans from the big three. I'd look for a conversion van to start with, as then I could get a roof raise, usable seating, etc. I'd do another outdoor, pull-out kitchen to keep space inside for the lounge area we lack. Chevy made an AWD version of the Express that would make for an interesting platform.

 

So tempting. This just got relisted after auctioning off at $6100. I've always had a sweet spot for the G20 GM vans. And this one is even MsBoyink's color.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/186467594360

 

Being stealthy and not paying for campsites sounded great.

What I found in practice is that if we're in a spot with any risk of being rousted out, I can't sleep well. I deal with enough sleep issues as it is.

I'd rather just pay the $ for an overnight spot, especially if by paying we also get access to a bathroom and shower. I don't always need much more than that - I don't even need hookups now with the solar setup. Just a place to park. We've had good luck finding those kind of spots for $8 - $20.

I do love that G20, but am leaning towards a later model AWD Express. I could add a lift kit and we could at least do some of the more rustic camping I was thinking about with the Suburban.

Realistically, unless the Toyota craps out, it'll be fall before I'm serious about buying. It's not like I'm going to work on it in a 100 degree OK summer....