Hello. My name is Thomas; I'm a proud owner of a 2015 Ford Transit 250, High Roof, 148" WB, 3.7 engine cargo van since Feb of 2016. It's a blank slate. I've spent much of the past 3.5 months diligently studying this forum, as well as Sprinter Source, and any other camper-van forum I could locate. As most of you can probably appreciate, I have spent countless hours reading, rereading, and then rereading again the many threads on general builds, roof racks, electrical plans, layouts, bed frames, and on and on and on. This site has been a blessing, and it's all thanks to the many of you who have contributed tirelessly. I hope that after my build experience I can also contribute to future converters.
Some context:
The van is for my wife and myself, mid-30's, and two dogs. No kids in the plans. Live in Idaho. We kayak, raft, mountain bike, and hike almost every weekend. We plan to use it as an adventure-van and camper for our outdoor activities, with the longer occasional road-trips. Trips will primarily be 2-4 day weekends with the occasional week-long trip. Stealth is not a concern.
I've already put a Thule rack on the roof, with 2 Renogy 100w solar panels toward the front of the van; also installed the Maxxair fan (toward the rear), an OEM hitch, Proline ladder, and rear vertical kayak rack. We are getting ready to run the electrical wire and hang insulation (Thinsulate) now.
For interior layout, there will simply be a fixed-platform bed, about mid-height, for bicycle and misc. storage under the bed platform. There will be a small kitchen galley with gravity-fed water/plumbing, nothing elaborate needed here. We will use our Partner Steel propane stove to cook (outdoors). We also plan on building a few drop-down table/shelves, a passenger-seat / day bed, and some storage cubbies/anchor points. No need for heat/AC, plumbing, or toilet/shower at this time. We will use our Yeti cooler for a refrigerator for the time being (it will cool for almost 2 weeks).
Our biggest concerns are keeping the van relatively cool in the summer, and condensation.
Some context:
The van is for my wife and myself, mid-30's, and two dogs. No kids in the plans. Live in Idaho. We kayak, raft, mountain bike, and hike almost every weekend. We plan to use it as an adventure-van and camper for our outdoor activities, with the longer occasional road-trips. Trips will primarily be 2-4 day weekends with the occasional week-long trip. Stealth is not a concern.
I've already put a Thule rack on the roof, with 2 Renogy 100w solar panels toward the front of the van; also installed the Maxxair fan (toward the rear), an OEM hitch, Proline ladder, and rear vertical kayak rack. We are getting ready to run the electrical wire and hang insulation (Thinsulate) now.
For interior layout, there will simply be a fixed-platform bed, about mid-height, for bicycle and misc. storage under the bed platform. There will be a small kitchen galley with gravity-fed water/plumbing, nothing elaborate needed here. We will use our Partner Steel propane stove to cook (outdoors). We also plan on building a few drop-down table/shelves, a passenger-seat / day bed, and some storage cubbies/anchor points. No need for heat/AC, plumbing, or toilet/shower at this time. We will use our Yeti cooler for a refrigerator for the time being (it will cool for almost 2 weeks).
Our biggest concerns are keeping the van relatively cool in the summer, and condensation.