lmpetersen
Advanced Member
Ok, so I am doing this a little backwards. I have been lurking on this site for a long time since 2015, but with all of the help that I recently got from the group I wanted to introduce myself properly. Vanning for me started with a 1969 Dodge A100 that I used to haul motorcycles around that I restore and race. But when my wife and I learned that we were having a child, it was time to find something that was safer, more reliable, and certainly more comfortable.
Our search eventually led us to a 1994 E150 Winnebago conversion, the McVansion. It was no Sportsmobile, but in my mind it was a great starting point for a comfy camper that needed a few things. We removed a captains chair, kept the gaucho, removed some of the cabinets for better storage, added a swivel base to the front seat, an ARB awning, of course some went up to 32" tires.
We hit the road, did a tour of Norther California to Lassen and surrounding areas.
Back in Oregon, we used the van for camping and hauling motorcycles around. I love vintage motocross and trials, so the van was a fixture of PNW races (I restore and race British bikes, Greeves is my brand of choice for all of you moto nerds).
The van did amazing. After a new radiator and water pump, we really never had to do any major repairs and we really felt that having a van was an important part of our family, and our adventures were a worthwhile investment.
The last two years, we made trips out to the Alvord Desert with friends to camp and explore. On our last trip, I told my friends that I wanted to go everywhere that they go...them in their Jeeps and 4wd overland vehicles, and us in our McVansion. They did not go easy! We followed them all around the edge of the playa, and got stuck twice requiring some winching. But I appreciated their willingness to include us in the fun (off roadrers LOVE the chance to pratice using their recovery gear).
Our last trip in the van was to Canada. We took the ferry across to Vancouver Island and explored for 5 days, camping all the way. Since my wife is pregnant again (due any day), we spent the trip imagining this van setup with two kids...and as we drove home we both decided that we needed a bigger van, or at least a different setup. When we got home, we drew plans for gutting the interior and doing a whole new build out...but it just kept costing more and more and it would have taken us forever to complete. Never delay your adventures if you don't have to!
So we listed the van for sale, thinking that we could sell it and then be ready when the right van came our way. Well...I was not prepared for the van selling 2 hours after I listed it. I experience some depression, some sleepless nights...wondering if we will ever be able to find a van to replace it! I posted on here that I was looking, and I got some great feedback from people who were selling or just offering advice. We have found a new van to replace ours, which I will post about later. But thank you for welcoming me into your community, and i cannot wait to share more adventures!
Our search eventually led us to a 1994 E150 Winnebago conversion, the McVansion. It was no Sportsmobile, but in my mind it was a great starting point for a comfy camper that needed a few things. We removed a captains chair, kept the gaucho, removed some of the cabinets for better storage, added a swivel base to the front seat, an ARB awning, of course some went up to 32" tires.
We hit the road, did a tour of Norther California to Lassen and surrounding areas.
Back in Oregon, we used the van for camping and hauling motorcycles around. I love vintage motocross and trials, so the van was a fixture of PNW races (I restore and race British bikes, Greeves is my brand of choice for all of you moto nerds).
The van did amazing. After a new radiator and water pump, we really never had to do any major repairs and we really felt that having a van was an important part of our family, and our adventures were a worthwhile investment.
The last two years, we made trips out to the Alvord Desert with friends to camp and explore. On our last trip, I told my friends that I wanted to go everywhere that they go...them in their Jeeps and 4wd overland vehicles, and us in our McVansion. They did not go easy! We followed them all around the edge of the playa, and got stuck twice requiring some winching. But I appreciated their willingness to include us in the fun (off roadrers LOVE the chance to pratice using their recovery gear).
Our last trip in the van was to Canada. We took the ferry across to Vancouver Island and explored for 5 days, camping all the way. Since my wife is pregnant again (due any day), we spent the trip imagining this van setup with two kids...and as we drove home we both decided that we needed a bigger van, or at least a different setup. When we got home, we drew plans for gutting the interior and doing a whole new build out...but it just kept costing more and more and it would have taken us forever to complete. Never delay your adventures if you don't have to!
So we listed the van for sale, thinking that we could sell it and then be ready when the right van came our way. Well...I was not prepared for the van selling 2 hours after I listed it. I experience some depression, some sleepless nights...wondering if we will ever be able to find a van to replace it! I posted on here that I was looking, and I got some great feedback from people who were selling or just offering advice. We have found a new van to replace ours, which I will post about later. But thank you for welcoming me into your community, and i cannot wait to share more adventures!
