Converting a Step Van into an RV

[theLegionWithin]

just joined, nice resource here. in the process of converting a 1987 Ford Grumman "Kabmaster" Step Van (Ford E-350 chassis, all aluminum body) into an RV - one of them mid-life projects. trying to research/plan each step before making it so I dont screw up too many times, and I found this most excellent website w/ all kinds of neat information - so, thanks for being here!

project pic included.

 

[Ex-Calif]

Welcome aboard and good luck with the project.

Best advice is keep it light and don't overbuild. Weight is the enemy...

 

[SuwanneeDave]

just joined, nice resource here. in the process of converting a 1987 Ford Grumman "Kabmaster" Step Van (Ford E-350 chassis, all aluminum body) into an RV - one of them mid-life projects. trying to research/plan each step before making it so I dont screw up too many times, and I found this most excellent website w/ all kinds of neat information - so, thanks for being here!

project pic included.

I am just finishing a 20' cargo trailer camper conversion. Be prepared that it will take longer and cost more than you initially think!

 

[TheBar]

40 years ago I converted a 73 Chevy step van into a RV. It was a fun project building a dinette/bed and bunk beds for the kids. Built a tiny bathroom for a porta potty. I got lucky finding a working RV fridge, stove/oven, and sink at a flea market. The step van I found had been a milk delivery truck so it had excellent double wall insulation and roof A/C. In great shape and for $200 at auction. Also made 13 mpg.

The biggest problem I ran into was keeping the kids warm when driving in cold weather. The dash heat wouldn't keep the cargo area warm so I had to weld up an extended bumper to mount a generator. Then I could run a 120v space heater while driving. Mine had double doors in the back that sealed tightly but your roll down door may not seal that well. I repainted the body so it looked custom but left the "From Moo To You" decals on the sides as conversation starters I got a lot of positive comments and never a negative one at campgrounds.

 

[theLegionWithin]

I am just finishing a 20' cargo trailer camper conversion. Be prepared that it will take longer and cost more than you initially think!

oh yeah, I've run into that issue already lol.

just installed a bulkhead door this last weekend - 80" x 36" solid core door slab trimmed down to 77.5" to get it on the heavy duty drawer slides (rated at 260 lbs) I'm using as the rail mechanism. this weekend I start building the bulkhead wall around it, then insulating the wall. going to try to reuse the aluminum sheeting I ripped off of the walls, using pop rivets to secure it to the 1/2 plywood sheeting. If successful I'll post some more pics

 

[Kirk]

Are you making a sliding door into the cab area? Great idea if that is what it is.

 

[theLegionWithin]

Are you making a sliding door into the cab area? Great idea if that is what it is.

yep, the door will be inside of a wall that separates the cab from the living space - for both security aspects as well as heating/cooling aspects.

 

[theLegionWithin]

not sure why but it looks like my post got split off somehow? or maybe there's two threads for whatever reason? anyway, not going to retype stuff lol

Living in a Van?

I'm converting a 1987 Ford Grumman Step Van into an RV/tiny home & intend to live in it for at least 5+ years - primarily boondocking in the desert/on BLM land (will probably trade up to a longer Step Van or maybe toy hauler eventually). it's perfectly doable - and more "normal" than it was in...

www.rvforum.net