Community Forums

mtbikexcski · 12-12-2014, 03:56 AM

Not quite ready for a full size RV or interested in towing a trailer, so does anyone make a Sprinter Van or Dodge Promaster with a bed, sink, stove, fridge, kinda like the old VW Vanagon's had? I can't find one. Don't really want a bathroom, takes up a lot of space and I'd prefer to use the campground facilities. Thx, Brad.

wildtoad · 12-12-2014, 05:40 AM

http://www.sportsmobile.com

They have basic models and give you the ability to design your own.

Medico · 12-12-2014, 05:53 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

Check out the plethora of Class B RVs. Perhaps you will find something that suits you there.

jenandjon · 12-12-2014, 06:03 AM

VW still makes this. I know 2 people that have them. Say they get 30 mpg. Too small my family but may be good for you. Well I think they still make them. Ive seen some nice ones going down the road.

Welcome - Rialta Heaven - VW Eurovan Rialta Campers and Other Earth Friendly RVs

Rockwood27 · 12-12-2014, 06:22 AM

One thing to consider. if it doesn't have a "bathroom" . it may not be considered to be an RV. This could change registration and insurance options. With the addition of a port-a-potty it would be an "RV".

mtbikexcski · 12-13-2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Sportsmobile Custom Camper Vans - Your Home Away From Home

They have basic models and give you the ability to design your own.

I like it! Thanks for the info! Closest company to Massachusetts so far. There's one in Oregon and one in Canada that do similar but they're too far away. indiana's still a bit of a haul, but closer. Thanks.

mtbikexcski · 12-13-2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockwood27

One thing to consider. if it doesn't have a "bathroom" . it may not be considered to be an RV. This could change registration and insurance options. With the addition of a port-a-potty it would be an "RV".

That might be a good thing! I assume insurance is more on a true RV?

mtbikexcski · 12-13-2014, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

VW still makes this. I know 2 people that have them. Say they get 30 mpg. Too small my family but may be good for you. Well I think they still make them. Ive seen some nice ones going down the road.

Welcome - Rialta Heaven - VW Eurovan Rialta Campers and Other Earth Friendly RVs

Ah - I actually bought a Rialta several years ago and there was a lot I didn't like about it, mostly driving it. The body was wider than the cab. I couldn't switch lanes. I have no idea how people drive with just their mirrors only I guess. Also, every time I went to use anything it was broken - the whole electrical panel died, a water pump died, we had a leak in one of the lines, soaked the whole floor, shower drain clogged almost every shower (I was a bit muddy from mountain biking but still). Service was very hard to find. No Rialta's for me, plus our VW dealer around here was horrible. When I had a Vanagon, I was sometimes without it for up to a month while they were fixing it.

So - looking for something non-VW for sure.

Dodge Promaster really looks good. Add a bed, ceiling fan, maybe a stove and sink and heat, swivel driver/passenger seats, finish off the interior and I'd be more than good to go.

Thanks!
Brad

TDI-Minnie · 12-13-2014, 08:36 AM

Brad,
If you are looking for somethig simple with no bathroom, a lot of people convert a cargo trailer or a van.
Not sure if you were looking for a project or ready to use, but this is a great option.

I have seen several Sprinter based units. One guy that camped next to us had one and it was really awesome. Had his KTM in the back, mnt bikes and a kayak and still had room for bed and a small dinette. No bathroom. But it was quite a big rig. The tall roof, long wheelbase dually. These are expensive before you do any kind of conversion.

There is always a "but", so here goes: for a fraction of the price of anything like that, you can buy a nice, used travel trailer. Any custom built unit will be harder to re-sell and you will probably lose quite a bit of money.

Bamaman · 12-13-2014, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockwood27

One thing to consider. if it doesn't have a "bathroom" . it may not be considered to be an RV. This could change registration and insurance options. With the addition of a port-a-potty it would be an "RV".

Another issue is the IRS. RV's with kitchens and bathrooms can be counted as a "house", and interest on loans treated as such on your income taxes.

There are a number of high top "European style" vans coming on the retail truck market, and they'll be joining the Sprinter/Mercedes vans in the RV conversion market soon. But they'll be some high dollar mommas--especially with little diesel engines.

But you can buy a lower end Class A or a Class C for the same or less money, and get much more for your investment. I would suggest you visit some of the upcoming RV shows to see what's available.

wildtoad · 12-13-2014, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

VW still makes this. I know 2 people that have them. Say they get 30 mpg. Too small my family but may be good for you. Well I think they still make them. Ive seen some nice ones going down the road.

Welcome - Rialta Heaven - VW Eurovan Rialta Campers and Other Earth Friendly RVs

I owned a 1999 Winnebago Rialta and it got nowhere near that mileage. Winnebago quit making them years ago. I also owned a 2000 Winnebago built VW Camper and neither did it. As far as I know they don't build them anymore either. They may make something in Europe, but I don't think they make them for sale here anymore.

But as my wife points out frequently, I could be wrong.

AggieDad · 12-13-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Sportsmobile Custom Camper Vans - Your Home Away From Home

They have basic models and give you the ability to design your own.

A Sportsmobile was our first RV. It was based on a Dodge extended length van and had the pop-up top. I was able to put it in the garage. Our Sportsmobile was great. We bought it used, but when bought new you can configure it the way you want.

Ours had a small refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. There was also a Porta-Potti. The driver and passenger seats turned around to become the living area. There was a dinette in the back that became a bed and there was a bed in the pop-up. We slept up in the pop-up so we never had to worry about converting the dinette.

Be sure to give them a look.

Since then we wet to a B+ and now onto a Class A. I guess the Sportsmobile was more expensive than I realized.