[jme3505]

After renting a sprinter campervan in the spring I have been exploring ways to justify purchasing one. I don't want to wait until I retire.
My wife is planning to open a commercial child care business with an after school program. So, she wants a van to transport kids and she asked if we could use the same van for a camper. I then looked at the 148 in WB wagon and it seemed that with 3 rows of seats it would have enough room in the back for a small kitchen on one side and a shower/bath on the other. By making two rows of seats removable it seems that it would work for camping or transporting.
Any comments or suggestions? I would love to hear some comments from experienced "van people."

 

[DearbornDude]

Welcome to the forums!

I will let someone else more knowledgeable chime in about the conversion possibility. I've learned a lot here on the forums, and I'm still learning more about the Transit!

 

[ted]

Welcome!

Glad you can join us!

 

[tmillar]

Conversion is definitely possible. Are you wanting to do it yourself, or are you going to hire a company to do it for you. I remember reading about a company that does conversions that is based in Quebec, Canada.

 

[jme3505]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll try having the conversion shop in Portland do it.... but I'll have to wait for the Mrs/boss to tell me she needs a van for her business. I hate waiting.

 

[Lars1]

We had our Sprinter done at Van Specialties in Portland. They did a great job and were more reasonably priced than Outside Van also in Portland. They will do whatever you want. Lars

 

[accrete]

Greetings jme and welcome to the forums.
Since you are in Seattle area...if you have any interest in seeing nearly all possible configurations of the transit the Ford Transit Tour (sign up link) is going to be in Seattle area this month (Thurs 14th).

My wife and i are looking forward to seeing them up close and have some time behind the wheel.

Oh, our van was done by one of those "Portland Shops" (Van Specialties)... great work and crew. Will probably go with them or their sister shop (Outside vans) up the Gorge when doing Van V2.0

Cheers,
Thom

 

[tmillar]

Hey jme, just let us know what you end up deciding on in the end. It'll be cool to see what you do with your Transit.

 

[ted]

Hey jme, just let us know what you end up deciding on in the end. It'll be cool to see what you do with your Transit.

also interesting in knowing what you do

keep us posted.

 

[Chance]

....cut.....

My wife is planning to open a commercial child care business with an after school program. So, she wants a van to transport kids and she asked if we could use the same van for a camper. .....cut.......

I'm no expert in this area, but would check on whether there are regulations against using any type of camper van to transport children. Some areas have very strict regulations on vehicles used like school buses.

I only bring this up because campers have a poor reputation for safety when they are involved in accidents. RVs as a group don't have many accidents but when they do it can get ugly.

 

[jme3505]

The regulations are the reason that I want to start with a wagon that has DOT approved seating for 9 or 10 in the back. A fleet manager up here gave me a spec sheet showing 41 inches of floor space and 34 inches belt line (behind the top of the seat) behind the third row in a 148 inch wheel base transit wagon. It is looking promising about adding the RV essentials behind the third row of seats.
Jon

 

[Chance]

I wasn't thinking so much of seat integrity as much as a possible microwave or cabinet flying through the air in case of an accident. Flying projectiles is one of the things that makes RVs dangerous in accidents.

 

[ted]

I wasn't thinking so much of seat integrity as much as a possible microwave or cabinet flying through the air in case of an accident. Flying projectiles is one of the things that makes RVs dangerous in accidents.

Just imagine if you were walter white and crashed your RV.....all those chemicals, meth, jars, etc ....everywhere.

 

[jme3505]

Well......I hope the wife would have the meth jars put up in the garage while the van is in the kid transportation mode!