[cargovanconversion]

Realizing that so many of you are interested in doing your own conversion and willing to share your experiences, I have been considering to organize an event, where some of us DIY'ers could come together and show off their vans.

Would like to know how much interest there is and who would like to attend.

Location would have to be in Central-Florida, because that's where I live. And early spring would leave me enough time to organize it.

Give me your input.

Van Williams

 

[Ahoelk]

Would be great but Florida a bit far for me coming from BC,

 

[cargovanconversion]

Would be great but Florida a bit far for me coming from BC,

Appreciate your input anyway. Knew, a lot of you are from the PNW and for that matter from all over the US.

Van Williams

 

[jonsobi]

I like the concept, but we winter in az. You never know though, maybe next year!

 

[EddieZ]

I could probably make it, from Georgia.

 

[amclean11]

Sounds like a good time, but I'm in the PNW too. Im always down for a good road trip though!

 

[orton]

I would go to a meet on the West Coast if someone wants to organize it.

 

[CrewVanMan]

From doing auto swap meets and car shows all over the country, your best bet for a location is somewhere in a central location of the U.S. The shows that we have the most vehicles show up are in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri areas. You have to look at how many vehicles are in a 100 to 500 mile radius.

One thing that might work for next year is get the Ford Transit USA forum setup to register members for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. You might not drive your Transit to the show, but this is where all the new accessories and anything related to the Transit coming to production shows up. Hope to find out what the new accessories are coming for 2016 and what Ford might have on display for the Transit. You have a lot of the Ford factory representatives at this show and I hope to talk to them about what is new for late 2016 and 2017. This may be the best place to get input to Ford about what should be the future scope of the Transit.

 

[cargovanconversion]

I have to be fair, I looked into organizing an event/meeting from a standpoint of conversion vans. That would include Ford Transits, but the others as well.


Your input so far, shows what I expected: it's a big country and not everybody has the time or means to attend an event at the other coast. An event in or nearby Las Vegas, when the SEMA show occurs would be a good time and location, but may appeal mostly to new van owners, yet I suppose a lot of you boondocking in the Four Corners area may be able to attend. As 'Orton' suggests, other events could be organized locally, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.


I'm trying to establish what such an event should look like and what you would like it to be:
- one day or multiple days
- overnight camping availability
- locally arranged side trips
- etc



Let's get creative and give me some of your ideas...


Van Williams

 

[orton]

I have to be fair, I looked into organizing an event/meeting from a standpoint of conversion vans. That would include Ford Transits, but the others as well.


Your input so far, shows what I expected: it's a big country and not everybody has the time or means to attend an event at the other coast. An event in or nearby Las Vegas, when the SEMA show occurs would be a good time and location, but may appeal mostly to new van owners, yet I suppose a lot of you boondocking in the Four Corners area may be able to attend. As 'Orton' suggests, other events could be organized locally, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.


I'm trying to establish what such an event should look like and what you would like it to be:
- one day or multiple days
- overnight camping availability
- locally arranged side trips
- etc



Let's get creative and give me some of your ideas...


Van Williams

Maybe just start small. Pick a day to meet at a location with parking in a major city. In SF area a good spot would be the Marina Green.

 

[cargovanconversion]

Maybe just start small. Pick a day to meet at a location with parking in a major city. In SF area a good spot would be the Marina Green.

Small is good.

Big city ...mmmm. Rather more an intimate location, maybe near some hiking trails. What do YOU think?

I thought, if you drive a couple of hundred miles or more, it would be nice if there's a bit more to do (together). As I said, maybe some hiking and a kayaking trip, visit an upfitter, perhaps even get some involvement from a corporate identity like Camping World.

Anybody with more ideas?

Van Williams

 

[jonsobi]

The Phoenix AZ area is somewhat of an rv mecca because of the large snowbird population. It's also a very scenic area of the SW (Sedona, Tucson) and there's lots to do and see.

Also some good municipal parks, and the Phone D Sutton boondocking area in the Tonto NF is close by.

Just a thought.

 

[rascorp]

Just starting my full conversion. I can easily go to central or south Florida anytime, short notice. Traveling west from Florida Panhandle would take couple months advance notice. I should, at least, have bed and head-shower combo use. Traveled last summer to Burning Man and previous summer to Calgary Stampede. Ready to roll somewhere soon.

 

[cargovanconversion]

The Phoenix AZ area is somewhat of an rv mecca because of the large snowbird population. It's also a very scenic area of the SW (Sedona, Tucson) and there's lots to do and see.

Also some good municipal parks, and the Phone D Sutton boondocking area in the Tonto NF is close by.

Just a thought.

Agree and very similar to Las Vegas, at least general area.

For me, with my base in Florida, difficult to organize, but perhaps somebody else is interested in doing so.

Let's see how many are interested. Please, state a general area as your preference in your comments.

Ultimately, it would be nice if we could organize in each of these areas, at least once a year and spread throughout the year.

I'll stick with Central-Florida this time around.

Van Williams

 

[cargovanconversion]

Just starting my full conversion. I can easily go to central or south Florida anytime, short notice. Traveling west from Florida Panhandle would take couple months advance notice. I should, at least, have bed and head-shower combo use. Traveled last summer to Burning Man and previous summer to Calgary Stampede. Ready to roll somewhere soon.

You're close to me, Just '350 miles'...

Van Williams

 

[EddieZ]

I have to be fair, I looked into organizing an event/meeting from a standpoint of conversion vans. That would include Ford Transits, but the others as well.

...
I'm trying to establish what such an event should look like and what you would like it to be:
- one day or multiple days
- overnight camping availability
- locally arranged side trips
- etc

Let's get creative and give me some of your ideas...

Van Williams

I figure you're pulling camper vans in from out of the area -- you want it in an overnight/camping venue. Most of the mutual interest would be in getting and giving "grand tours" of the vans. That would keep folks entertained and yakking for an afternoon, and into evening campfire. Not sure what else... but, for me, I would be interested in kayaking some with a knowledgeable local, if there is one. Springs & swamps... and maaaybe offshore, if the local was really on the ball. (I'm not as experienced with ocean paddling, and, it would vary by locality, and there could be potentially serious consequences for NOT being with knowledgeable paddlers.)

 

[cargovanconversion]

I figure you're pulling camper vans in from out of the area -- you want it in an overnight/camping venue. Most of the mutual interest would be in getting and giving "grand tours" of the vans. That would keep folks entertained and yakking for an afternoon, and into evening campfire. Not sure what else... but, for me, I would be interested in kayaking some with a knowledgeable local, if there is one. Springs & swamps... and maaaybe offshore, if the local was really on the ball. (I'm not as experienced with ocean paddling, and, it would vary by locality, and there could be potentially serious consequences for NOT being with knowledgeable paddlers.)

That is exactly what I had in mind. The highlight should be a day where the vans take the spotlight and an evening where we can get together and talk vans or van life. Either around a campfire or organized dinner. Those that stay another day could join in some activities.

I suggested kayaking, because locally there are some great places to (rent and) do some easy paddling. I wouldn't touch off-shore kayaking, that's only for the experienced.

Van Williams

 

[danketchpel]

I would go to a meet on the West Coast if someone wants to organize it.

Same here. FL is too far for me unless it's in the future and turns into a major road trip.

 

[cargovanconversion]

Same here. FL is too far for me unless it's in the future and turns into a major road trip.

Actually, I had a spring date in my mind. That's well after the holidays and a time when the temps are moderate. And here in Florida RV'rs are moving again; Canadian snowbirds heading back home.

It would give anybody that would like to attend, sufficient time to plan their trip.

Van Williams

 

[rascorp]

Just starting my build,, Would like to meet in Florida since I live in Destin (Panhandle) Alabama, Georgia would also be good.