I'm thinking about using my van in a similar manner (stealth camping)... What do you do for ventilation/cooling in hot temperatures? (I have a propane heater for cold temps)

 

That elevated bed platform is great for making storage room.

 

Hi Teutonics. Well, so far mostly crack the front windows a little. In fact, where I am with the van, it's almost perfect temps / weather. It goes down to lowest high 50s and upper 60s tops at night. I deliberately didn't do a super hardcore job of insulating van, as I had read it might help the heat leave quicker if it's not fully insulated everywhere in more mild climates.
I never need a heater, I've been in the van Jan and Feb this past year and no trouble in the high 40s at lowest or 50s at night. Just pile up an extra cheapie sleeping bag over my comforter and I'm fine.

But in hot temp... I would install the largest pop up sunroof I could find:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A296KTVXSBHDLI This is link to the one I will put in, a CR Laurence NP1636B5H model that was recommended as largest I can install.
Since our vans are so high off the ground, popping it up at night will still keep it stealthy, which I'm all about.
I think also one pop out rear window would help with cross vent flow. I might install a very dark screen there for privacy.
And lots of people install those vent fans on the roof.

And yeah, vicp21, the elevated platform creates SO much space! I can't wait to get even more freed up when I can axe the 3 CNG tanks and finally put my spare under the van, where Ford intended it.

 

roof racks. bolt SS .25" fore/aft 2x3" to racks. paint 2x3". cover rack grid with 3/8ths plywood, painted primer and topcoat. Use lathe screws.


2 topcoats use Rusto white then silicone the seams after 2-3 moths drying. dry plywood n 2x3 before using.


install a sloped airfoil at front from van roof to abt 3-4" above ply.


If the temps are HOT try Quick n Easy mounts from NRS.


Ply sides.


Use a sleeping bag over the windshield when parked with you. Salvation Army.


I have a hospital cage fan from Holmes in the cab running on an aux batt system.


Once the roof is shaded then heat absorption goes waaaay down.


Raise hood when parked, let the heat out.


Amazon sells carpet insulation by the roll cut for underfoot in cockpit. cover with cardboard pasted with aluminum foil on downside.


also useable for cargo. there are 3/8th's.. .25" thicknesses.


http://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Qi...Qftn4O2mYQMTKB_-


batts go under the bed not under the van. if gas release is suggested, run tubing, poss with sprinkler connectors n tubing from Home Depot thru floor. place before rear axle to driver's right balancing fuel tank. Buy 3 750AH+....2 is good but 3 covers it with LED, computers plus Holmes fan


check your rear bumper and front wells under batt and oil reservoir on left.


I haven't noticed gas release from Optima's with their charger run on snowflake nor an Odyssey charged on normal..

 

Oh this is wonderful.

Van just got stolen yesterday and is MIA.
a$$h@ts are gonna run out of fuel and not know it in 100 miles.

 

yikes that sucks man

 

Aw Crap....

 

Wow, that sucks! I hope you recover it.

 

Thanks guys. Yeah... been stressing out about it last 24 hrs.
No word on it yet.

 

Who steals a van?
I thought it was just a select group of nerds (us at FTE) that care about/enjoy/don't hate full size Ford vans. ..

 

I gather in this city to either sell for drugs, commit a crime, or targeting a cargo van hoping for expensive tools to pawn inside.
I guess. Loser thieves.

 

Not no more ! And forget about thinking gasoline will go back up to where it was a couple years ago. Every time oil goes up, they'll start another round of punching holes in the ground and it'll go down again. Same thing's been happening with natural gas now for a decade, no reason oil won't do the same now with shale oil plays, horizontal drilling and fracking. They know where the oil is, they rarely if ever drill dry holes now. Cheap oil is here to stay.

 

I think cheap oil is here to stay - for 2-3 years and then will go back up again.
Maybe not but I don't think at all it will remain this cheap. It's close to cheapest in history accounting for inflation.

CNG will continue to be a complete pain the *** and over regulated and basically a very stupid fueling means. Which in a way is too bad, as we flare (burn) off tons of excess nat. gas from oil and fracked wells.

But I never liked the thought of 3000 and now 3600 psi of flammable stuff strapped in your vehicle. I didn't know this when I bought it.

 

I got a phone call from O. Police Department Officer. He found the van and was standing next to it.
Quick call he said looks to be no damage and bed and frame and clothes were still in it.
He said "it looks like how you left it... to my eye at least).

So very good news so far!

 

Ah!! Now we've got a 10-20 on ya!!! Was the fuel tank empty ?