UPDATE: Sold!
For sale is my 2008 Ford E350 with Sportsmobile Penthouse/poptop and a hand-built interior. I built this van with the highest quality finishes I could find, and used non-toxic materials where possible. It seats and sleeps 4 comfortably, has enough storage for multi-week camping trips, sports a huge built-in fridge with freezer, and uses a 135W Kyocera solar panel to keep the 100Ah AGM deep-cycle battery charged.
Located in Monroe, WA (30 miles NE of Seattle).
Van
2008 Ford E350
5.4L V8
28,100 miles
Clean WA state title (no liens, tabs valid until 02/2013)
Air conditioning
Cruise control
Power windows and door locks
Air bags
Class III tow hitch
Interior
Second row captain's chairs
Lightweight cabinetry built with formaldehyde-free plywood
Rear facing benches convert into a 4' x 6' bed
Cushions and mattresses made from natural latex
3.5 cubic foot Nova Kool refrigerator (model R3800)
Van walls and floor insulated with foil-backed, recycled cotton insulation
LED overhead lighting
Exterior
Fiamma F45i awning
Aluminess aluminum rear bumper with spare tire swingout and 'deluxe' box
Running boards
Electrical
135W Kyocera solar panel
Blue Sky MPPT solar controller
Universal 100Ah deep cycle AGM battery
Xantrax TrueCharge2 40A charger
AC / DC power distribution panel
Battery separator charges house battery from alternator
Oversized wiring throughout
More information
The van is in excellent condition, and the conversion work is of high quality. The conversion was done in 2010.
I ran out of time to complete the interior, though - there is some finishing work to be done by the purchaser. Wall panels are in place in most of the van, but have not been upholstered (though the automotive upholstery is included). There are some rough edges that need to be finished with trim. The van is fully usable in its current state, and still looks very nice inside.
The refrigerator is massive! You can store enough food in there for many days. It uses an efficient Danfoss compressor, which runs so quietly you won't hear it while you're sleeping. In good weather, the solar panel will have your battery topped back up to full charge by 10am; even with the panel disconnected, you could last three days without charging. There's also a 40A charger that runs off of shore power, and a battery separator that connects the house battery to the alternator while you're driving.
Cooking and washing is outside. The van is a 'dry camper' without water or propane on board.
The cabinetry is lightweight, and amazingly spacious. The drawers go back almost two feet, and slide out on full extension RV slides. RV slides use a spring detent to keep the drawers from opening while you're driving, without having to remember to latch them each time. The rear benches open up to reveal a ton of storage; we did numerous 2 week road trips as a family of four, carrying all of our gear with us.
There's also a dedicated cupboard at the back for the portapotty. The van includes a pop-up latrine tent for use outdoors - unzip the tent, throw it into the air, and it pops open, ready to use. It folds away in seconds, and doubles as a shower tent.
The 5.4L V8 is an amazing engine. It drives incredibly smoothly and quietly, and has plenty of power to pass uphill. It's very satisfying to blast past larger campers in your compact rig
It's extremely comfortable to drive, even on long roadtrips, and the factory sound system is very nice.
Pricing
I'm asking $25,000. Here's how I came to that number:
Van: $16,000 (KBB price: $16,716)
Cost of major accessories installed in 2010:
Sportsmobile penthouse top: $6000
Aluminess bumper with deluxe box and Hella reverse lights: $5000
Fiamma F45Ti awning: $900
Nova Kool R3800 refrigerator: $900
Solar panel and controller: $600
Xantrex TrueCharge2 40A charger: $300
Universal group 27 AGM battery: $200
Total accessories cost = $13,900
Depreciated to 70% = $13,900 * 0.7 = $9730
Not included in price:
Cabinetry
Accessories such as power distribution panel, quick release seat pedestal (not installed)
Seats, beds, sofa mattresses
Flooring, insulation, etc
Basically, the conversion work is not being added to the price (though it would cost you many thousands of dollars at a place like Sportsmobile).
Total price of van + depreciated accessories: $25,730
Asking price: $25,000
Sportsmobile (AKA Money Pit)
Linear Mode
