First...is your boat gonna be inside or on top? I suggest on top because it's light but cumbersome. Next, I suggest buying a set size of rubbermaid storage bens and using those for your underbed storage. It's nice because if you need, you can leave them outside, they are easy to carry around, easy to unpack and repack, you can write on them and their cheaper than building drawers for under bed storage. Also look into designing some overhead storage in back. I've seen people mount the spiderweb bungy things to the roof and use them as drying racks. Also...post picks when it's done...I'm workin' on mine and want to see some other ideas.
Curtains are another red flag for the popo and park rangers, but I haven't figured out how to get around that one yet.
Limo tint would work. find some 5% or 10% tint, and it'd be difficult to see in, unless you had a light on. just don't tint the winshield or front windows, as that will get you illegal tint tickets. the rest of the windows in a conversion van are fair game though.
does the van have a spare tire on the back?
if so, and if you don't feel like carrying it around, get a bigger wheel, around the same size as the wheel/tire combo from before, and make it a fire ring. bonus points for welding in a bottom, then you can use it like a firepan
Another good idea is find a utility rack (ladder rack) for the model van you have. You can find them on ebay and craigslist. They are super burly, and can take a lot more abuse then a yakima/thule. They are also great for mounting an awning on the door side of the van since the span the entire side. The example below even has built in straps.
Ok, so... here is the situation, I have asked many people (all males to this point) about converting my Ford Windstar minivan to a traveling kayak carrying road van. I have looked over some other peoples designs for their uhm.. interior layout . Aside from setting up a bed of some sort, and putting in bins for various gear.. .What other 'things' would you ladies suggest that I include in my interior make over design? I know it seems like a weird question but I need help 'thinking of things'. Like in talking it over with a chica-climber friend of mine, she suggested that since there is a chance I will be camped out in the backcountry for a few days at a stretch, that I should make an air tight stink proof 'feminine products' canister, in case said event arises when I am a ways out from the closest garbage bin. Any other ideas ?
Thanks
Nic
I converted a 99 safari panel van. It has a sofa pull out bed, two burner propane stove,three way refrigerator, converter and inverter 12 volt to 110 ac,100 amp deep cycle battery, porta potty,take out the passenger seat and use it for storage, storage cabinets, put a yakima rack on top, a bicycle rack on the back, 30 lb propane tank, catylictic heater, 5 gal. water container w hand pump,fixed and slide in tables, spacecase on top, ladder on back to access the space case and put kayak on top,snap on curtains for all the windows(insulated),very dark tint on the windows,put sun shower on top,good radio/cd/iPod system...a good four season van for one (or two very friendly people),use kitty litter container w snap on top for grey water. good luck
The other thing I have for our van is a piece of outdoor carpet, that serves as a clean standing area right outside the side door. Either just a piece (which frays) and put grommets in the corners to stake down, or buy a "finished" one for RV's. Great for camping on dirt/grass/gravel and keeping the dirt out of the van.
And curtains are key. I made my own, put snaps in all 4 corners so they stay close to the windows, even on the bottom. Riveted the snaps to the plastic of the van. They work great and keep the van cool which is especially nice for the pups
[quote=mtthumper;86287]Ok, so... here is the situation, I have asked many people (all males to this point) about converting my Ford Windstar
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Roof Top Tent! For the ultimate road trip vehicle, consider adding comfortable sleeping for two on top of your van. With wide cross bars - you could probably carry your kayak up there too. For ideas see: www.cartopcamper.com.
Lived for some time in a 1960 VW Bus in Yosemite, J-Tree, and other climbing spots. Big lack was a pair of screened windows, for cross-ventilation. Having to grease up with bug dope to sleep really sucks—
I finally bought some bug netting and duct-taped it inside the windows, with a ragged slash for the latch. Sort-of-ly worked.
If you'll be hanging in the warm zone, mo' screens, mo' bettah!
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