I already have a camper van project I'm working on so this idea might have to wait, but maybe... someone else would want to try this out?

For anyone who might've considered a Westy or Class B camper due to the poptop and uptop sleeping bunks... what about getting a conversion van or 15 passenger van for around $1k and detaching the fiberglass top to lift up? You could then get a custom canvas sewn for it for and a few custom welded brackets and bamm! (Maybe a cost of about $500?)

This is alot less than the $10-20k which most of the campers sell for. 90% of interior amenities provided by these can be built/designed on the cheap as well... the most expensive parts might be the 12v appliances... and the bathroom stuff can be the removable kind... which avoids the pain of RV maintenance...

The only challenges I'd see are ensuring a tight seal on the roof and possibly the sturdiness of the top once it's detached or cutout, but from the looks of the seals on the Westys are just rubber.

Just some hinges, a hydraulic lifter, and some canvas? (GTRV price= $8k)

 

More photos

 

If you already have a 15passenger van and just want a fiberglass top...

e350 for parts fiberglass top

More used parts on the Samba: More used parts on the Samba

 

Edited: 04/09/2017 at 08:11 AM by Sector9surf

 

well, maybe?

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add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

Camper vans, no good in Florida (or the South in general)....Too Hot!!

Edited: 04/11/2017 at 05:14 AM by SurferMic

^Not if you have a good fan going or a sea breeze. Remember the old fans they put in houses before a/c.

Camper Build Porn:

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/new-van-build-5489.html

 

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/2000-4x4-ford-van-build-2362.html

 

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/23254-Has-anyone-ever-built-there-own-penthouse-top

 

http://www.camperize.com/poptops/

Edited: 05/02/2017 at 07:20 PM by Sector9surf

Prius Wagon. You can run AC while the car is off.

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scientia potentia est

Another cool layout: https://www.hymercar.com/en/models/hymercar-camper-vans/models-on-a-fiat-chassis/hymercar-on-a-fiat-chassis-with-bathroom/aussenansicht-und-stauraeume.html

It has been a while since I checked on the price ofa readymade pop up top with canvas, as I recall it was around $1,200.  a lot of the older conversion vans havea fold down bed for air conditioning you could buy one of those units used in a pop up camper. a 2 battery system would aalos be a worth the cost. maybea solar panel or two.  If you have the money go for one of the Sprinter vans or one of the high top Ford Transits. I have seen some amazing campers build into those Vans.  lots of info on the net on doing a camper conversion.

The low end:

$200 Toyota Sienna conversion

more:
https://za.pinterest.com/pin/116249234107289975/


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"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

WG, Cool! I like the food part.

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Silence is golden, duct tape is silver.