Van - i'm aware of the quality control issues with the dodge/mercedes sprinters, but would appreciate if anyone has a link to any literature for DIY instructions, ie mainly in the area of electronics (the inverter panel wiring) and the plumbing layout.
I've been lurk4 year old ing on quite a few boards for sometime, and just now registered here, after responding to a post that i had not noticed was 4 years old. I suspect "multi-tasking" fries brain cells faster than they can be regenerated
I've researched the cost of most of the appliances, components etc that i'll need and the following list is what i've come up with - prices shown are approx (suspect i can do better, but took these from a couple sites on the web), and prices do not reflect labor to install, but i've got decent mechanical skills, am currently a manufacturer in another industry, but was a dealership mechanic (Datsun/BMW) in the late 60s/early 70s and have kept my hands into car building/tuning. Also have a good deal of fiberglassing and carbon fiber experience, so i should be able to custom fabricate a number of interior items, coverings, shower stall, etc.
I've also been working with wood (as a hobby) for years and am comfortable with my wood fabrication skills
The main purpose of this class B would be something that the wife and I (nearing retirement) can travel in, and if i get tired, she can drive and i can go back, fix cup of coffee, take a nap, browse the web, whatever. We want to tour the country, searching the coasts for that retirement spot on the water but also to view the country. Don't plan on spending a lot of time in the van camping, but like the potential, depending on the location.
My current plans are to go with a new Dodge Sprinter Passenger van, 170" with the mega roof and the 3.5 gas engine. Not worried too terribly about the power (do have some concern about climbing grades) but am too fearful of the diesel model from all the reports on problems and the dodge techs not being able to diagnose and repair successfully.
Main reason for the selection of passenger van model, is those are not dis-assembled and then re-assembled in South Carolina to avoid the truck tariff importation tax of 25% - I suspect a number of the quality control issues probably arise from that "assembly, crating it as a kit and re-assembly" process. 2nd reason for selecting the passenger model, it will come with interior noise insulation and interior panels, including headliner etc. And the 3rd reason for both the passenger model and building it myself, when we're thru with it in 2 - 3 years, i feel the resale will be stronger re-installing the passenger seats and reselling it as a passenger vehicle and selling the interior (shower, refrigerator etc) separately.
I don't want to spend $90 - 100K on a prebuilt one and take the enormous hit on depreciation i've seen on resale units, plus only see the prebuilt dodge sprinter based class Bs being offered on the diesel platform, not the gas engined platform. And before anyone suggests it, i'm not inclined to purchasing something like this used - a lot of items i will, but just don't want to find the issues the previous owner had - if i build it myself, then i'll know the system in case of repair becoming necessary.
Any insights, suggestions, maybe something i've overlooked, or even just opinions, i'm eager to hear them, and if anyone has any sources for the wiring designs and plumbing designs on these vans, i'd love to have them
tks for reading - below is the initial cost projection i've done on this, in case anyone else has thought along these lines.
I estimate the van will take 6 - 9 months in my spare time
Rooftop A/C, Carrier $800 (complete)
3 Burner Stove, drop in $150
Range Hood + vent $100
Shower Pan $65
(build my own stall panels + local sourced fixture)
Kitchen sink (13X17) $65.00
Kitchen faucet $100
Washer/Dryer combo unit $1200.00
Water Pump (Shurflo 5.7) $200.00
Fresh Water Tank (40 gal) $150.00
Microwave convection oven $263.00
Hot Water Heater (Bosch tankless LP) $500
Pressure Valve, water $14.00
Water connection panel $110.00
Generator, RV, 3600, Gas, cabinet $1750.00
approx total to this point $6,000.00
_________________________________________________
Toilet - undecided but am thinking a marine chemical tank
Grey water tank - ??
Various plumbing tubing, fittings ($200 - 300)
Lightling - have a ton of halogen 20 watt disc fixtures, and have a box of LED small lamps, pretty bright, should serve as well
TV - probably a 19" Samsung ?? (estimate $????)
Articulating mounting arm for TV ?? (estimate $200)
TV Antenna dish - ????
DVD player ???
LP/CO2/Smoke detector ?? guesstimate $100
Aux battery(s) & cabinet - guesstimate $100
Monitor panel (holding tank, grey water tank, aux batt & LP tank) ??
Furniture grade plywood, Cherry veneer, epoxy, fiberglass & epoxy - approx $1000
Upholstery - if i go with leather covered cushions, maybe $2000, but most likely will go with cloth, because of the dog - and
buying Futons and adapting them is not beyond the possibilities, estimate for two $600-800)
I've been lurk4 year old ing on quite a few boards for sometime, and just now registered here, after responding to a post that i had not noticed was 4 years old. I suspect "multi-tasking" fries brain cells faster than they can be regenerated
I've researched the cost of most of the appliances, components etc that i'll need and the following list is what i've come up with - prices shown are approx (suspect i can do better, but took these from a couple sites on the web), and prices do not reflect labor to install, but i've got decent mechanical skills, am currently a manufacturer in another industry, but was a dealership mechanic (Datsun/BMW) in the late 60s/early 70s and have kept my hands into car building/tuning. Also have a good deal of fiberglassing and carbon fiber experience, so i should be able to custom fabricate a number of interior items, coverings, shower stall, etc.
I've also been working with wood (as a hobby) for years and am comfortable with my wood fabrication skills
The main purpose of this class B would be something that the wife and I (nearing retirement) can travel in, and if i get tired, she can drive and i can go back, fix cup of coffee, take a nap, browse the web, whatever. We want to tour the country, searching the coasts for that retirement spot on the water but also to view the country. Don't plan on spending a lot of time in the van camping, but like the potential, depending on the location.
My current plans are to go with a new Dodge Sprinter Passenger van, 170" with the mega roof and the 3.5 gas engine. Not worried too terribly about the power (do have some concern about climbing grades) but am too fearful of the diesel model from all the reports on problems and the dodge techs not being able to diagnose and repair successfully.
Main reason for the selection of passenger van model, is those are not dis-assembled and then re-assembled in South Carolina to avoid the truck tariff importation tax of 25% - I suspect a number of the quality control issues probably arise from that "assembly, crating it as a kit and re-assembly" process. 2nd reason for selecting the passenger model, it will come with interior noise insulation and interior panels, including headliner etc. And the 3rd reason for both the passenger model and building it myself, when we're thru with it in 2 - 3 years, i feel the resale will be stronger re-installing the passenger seats and reselling it as a passenger vehicle and selling the interior (shower, refrigerator etc) separately.
I don't want to spend $90 - 100K on a prebuilt one and take the enormous hit on depreciation i've seen on resale units, plus only see the prebuilt dodge sprinter based class Bs being offered on the diesel platform, not the gas engined platform. And before anyone suggests it, i'm not inclined to purchasing something like this used - a lot of items i will, but just don't want to find the issues the previous owner had - if i build it myself, then i'll know the system in case of repair becoming necessary.
Any insights, suggestions, maybe something i've overlooked, or even just opinions, i'm eager to hear them, and if anyone has any sources for the wiring designs and plumbing designs on these vans, i'd love to have them
tks for reading - below is the initial cost projection i've done on this, in case anyone else has thought along these lines.
I estimate the van will take 6 - 9 months in my spare time
Rooftop A/C, Carrier $800 (complete)
3 Burner Stove, drop in $150
Range Hood + vent $100
Shower Pan $65
(build my own stall panels + local sourced fixture)
Kitchen sink (13X17) $65.00
Kitchen faucet $100
Washer/Dryer combo unit $1200.00
Water Pump (Shurflo 5.7) $200.00
Fresh Water Tank (40 gal) $150.00
Microwave convection oven $263.00
Hot Water Heater (Bosch tankless LP) $500
Pressure Valve, water $14.00
Water connection panel $110.00
Generator, RV, 3600, Gas, cabinet $1750.00
approx total to this point $6,000.00
_________________________________________________
Toilet - undecided but am thinking a marine chemical tank
Grey water tank - ??
Various plumbing tubing, fittings ($200 - 300)
Lightling - have a ton of halogen 20 watt disc fixtures, and have a box of LED small lamps, pretty bright, should serve as well
TV - probably a 19" Samsung ?? (estimate $????)
Articulating mounting arm for TV ?? (estimate $200)
TV Antenna dish - ????
DVD player ???
LP/CO2/Smoke detector ?? guesstimate $100
Aux battery(s) & cabinet - guesstimate $100
Monitor panel (holding tank, grey water tank, aux batt & LP tank) ??
Furniture grade plywood, Cherry veneer, epoxy, fiberglass & epoxy - approx $1000
Upholstery - if i go with leather covered cushions, maybe $2000, but most likely will go with cloth, because of the dog - and
buying Futons and adapting them is not beyond the possibilities, estimate for two $600-800)