Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[jackattack]

Just a hunch, but I think that would be a bit over $40k. It would be cool to see them bring a competitor to Merc.

[DanoT]

There is a company in Kamloops, B.C. that specializes in converting vans from 2wd to 4X4, so for around $11,000US most camper vans can become 4X4 mobile ski chalets.

[tmokes]

Yeah I’m thinking about $50k, but im looking at 3500SV with accessories. If you get 1500S, you might get it for $40k including the conversion.


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[tmokes]

https://youtu.be/N9ecFNkunBA

This video highlights the ease of conversion. Watch the whole thing. Talk about tapping into the fuel cell and larger alternator.


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[simple]

There is a company in Kamloops, B.C. that specializes in converting vans from 2wd to 4X4, so for around $11,000US most camper vans can become 4X4 mobile ski chalets.

Speaking from experience the 4x4 conversions end up being $15k. The minimum price never happens.

Personally I think U-joint is the best outfit to go with but I have a Ford van and that is what they work on. If I did a Nissan I would go with Quigley

[Tryingtostaywarm]

Speaking from experience the 4x4 conversions end up being $15k. The minimum price never happens.

Personally I think U-joint is the best outfit to go with but I have a Ford van and that is what they work on. If I did a Nissan I would go with Quigley

Can one buy the parts kits from any of these places and just DIY? I love the van setup but am not going to pay $10-15k for a shop to do it especially when they aren't doing a signifiant amount of fabrication to fit rather they are just making the parts fit to bolt on.

[North]

Can one buy the parts kits from any of these places and just DIY? I love the van setup but am not going to pay $10-15k for a shop to do it especially when they aren't doing a signifiant amount of fabrication to fit rather they are just making the parts fit to bolt on.

U-Joint sells their kits for DIY install. Some welding and fairly serious drilling required depending on the version you purchase. Only for Ford E-series vans

[Tryingtostaywarm]

U-Joint sells their kits for DIY install. Some welding and fairly serious drilling required depending on the version you purchase. Only for Ford E-series vans

Just checked that out. You are correct. Well, at least that saves us shade-tree mechanic's some money if we decide to go that route. I am still torn on going 4x4 truck w/ hard side camper or trying to find a reasonably priced van then do the conversion myself. The vans are cool...but the price on them for what you get is not cool

[simple]

"Saving money" is a foreign concept when it comes to RVs. You just spend and spend....

The main reason people are living in them is that it is hard to afford one plus your normal home expenses. They dont tell you that on #vanlife Lol

[skiing-in-jackson]

"Saving money" is a foreign concept when it comes to RVs. You just spend and spend....

Ha! The whole thing screams big money.

We were considering a Winnegabo and traveling in it full time. The kids were little and the model- with bunks had a retail of $101K. Middle of Summer.

Somehow the dealer beat my phone number outta me. Calls me back immediately and says he can get it to me for $92K.

In Oct he calls and says I can have it for $72K.

In Feb he calls and says it could be mine for $47K.

Somehow this seemed relevant when I started. Who pays the inflated prices?

I remember a WSJ article some years ago about middle class Palo Alto families living in RVs and riling the city council. It was better than rent.

[simple]

Years ago every RV park near a decent sized city had openings. Now they are full all the time.

In my neighborhood there are a few people living out of RV full time. They just move it occasionally.

[GeezerSteve]

"Saving money" is a foreign concept when it comes to RVs. You just spend and spend....

True in some cases, although certainly not true in all cases. Per my rough calculation, I paid for my first 4 (of 5) camping rigs via savings on lodging. We are on pace to pay for our 5th rig in the next few years via savings on lodging. FTR, my first 3 camping rigs were inexpensive and daily drivers. The 4th and 5th were/are slide-in popup campers carried by daily drivers.

It's not rocket science for full-timers to save money vs. cost of home ownership (e.g., insurance, tax, utilities, upkeep).

OTOH, people who buy new expensive RVs and use them 15 nights a year are leaking money, would be better off paying for hotel rooms.

[TAFKALVS]

Nice, Used, 4WD 1 ton diesel dodge/ford/chevy = $12 - $15,000
Nice, Used, Northern Lite/Bigfoot = $5 - $8000

Total setup = $17 - $23,000.... and you can take the camper off and use the truck.

Why are we talking about $60k vans again?

FTR, I'm in my entire truck/camper set up for around $19k

[LightRanger]

I remember a WSJ article some years ago about middle class Palo Alto families living in RVs and riling the city council. It was better than rent.

Gotten far more common since you read it. How can a public school teacher afford to teach in places like PA when almost everything within a reasonable commute is pushing a million or more? RVing just makes sense.

Edit: I use the word "reasonable" loosely too.

[North]

If you need 4x4 it’s hard to beat truck + slide in camper. If I’d already owned a pickup I’d have gone that route for sure.

LVSs truck/camper costs are a bit higher than I figured when I did the math, but that setup is almost certainly nicer than what I envisioned for myself.

A 4x4 van can be done for <$20K, I’m well under that now. Caveats: mine is not a true 4x4 (AWD), it took me almost a year of searching daily to find the vehicle for a good price, and I converted it entirely myself. Also, I can’t stand up. So yeah, truck campers are easier.

[TAFKALVS]

LVSs truck/camper costs are a bit higher than I figured when I did the math, but that setup is almost certainly nicer than what I envisioned for myself.

My assumptions are based on the NW truck market (which is expensive) and that the average maggot is not wanting an pile of shit 1992 454 Chevy with a single cab. The more ski-bum crowd among us could probably piece together a truck/camper set up for $6000 or less. But after owning a variety of truck and camper combos, year 2000+ 1 ton diesel trucks are so much better than 90s trucks its laughable.

[tmokes]

Maybe if I didn’t have motorcycles that I want to travel with, truck and camper might work for me... if I go to a city, I don’t want my bike sitting on a trailer or a bed for some meth heads to steal it. Even an enclosed trailer, it’s asking for it and driving around city with a trailer sucks.

Advanced 4x4 might not be the best, but there are no other way to get 5 year/ 100k mile warranty.


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[ThreeRidges]

This is what I don’t understand. On one of my regular interstate travels of about 90 miles I pass no less than two huge RV dealers with huge lots with enormous inventory, easily 100-200+ large RVs and lots of small stuff. In these times, who can carry that inventory ?

[Skidog]

This is what I don’t understand. On one of my regular interstate travels of about 90 miles I pass no less than two huge RV dealers with huge lots with enormous inventory, easily 100-200+ large RVs and lots of small stuff. In these times, who can carry that inventory ?

I think the same about normal car lots. Like 100's of pickups...no way they sell them all.

Hey Bobby...where do all the cars they don't sell go. I assume you can answer. Oh wait maybe not. I guess any dealership you worked at sold all their cars. [emoji3]

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[TAFKALVS]

This is what I don’t understand. On one of my regular interstate travels of about 90 miles I pass no less than two huge RV dealers with huge lots with enormous inventory, easily 100-200+ large RVs and lots of small stuff. In these times, who can carry that inventory ?

The RV manufacturers typically give very favorable credit terms to the dealers, which is why in the 2008 bubble so many RV companies went out of business

[GeezerSteve]

Hmmmm, pretty sure most big RV lots use third party floor planning financing

[Micol]

Squaw and alpine valley's camping policy sucks. Don't try the Safeway either. However, there is sketch lot in Truckee by the tracks. But with the Squaw security harassment kind of steals the desire to ski with them. I will spend my money elsewhere and avoid all properties owned by Squaws investment group.

[GPP33]

This is what I don’t understand. On one of my regular interstate travels of about 90 miles I pass no less than two huge RV dealers with huge lots with enormous inventory, easily 100-200+ large RVs and lots of small stuff. In these times, who can carry that inventory ?

We have 6 big ones within about 10 miles of interstate, everything from little ones that can be towed by a Subaru to million dollar rigs. I’d guess the vast majority are $60k plus 5ths (MSRP) and there’s easily 1,000+ of them for sale within a stones throw. I have often wondered the same thing however my friend who’s in the bank world does some financing for one of the owners and has assured me that he does quite well. Two of them are right down the street from my work and there seems to be multiple trailers delivered every day so the invintory isn’t sitting stagnant.

[doebedoe]

True in some cases, although certainly not true in all cases. Per my rough calculation, I paid for my first 4 (of 5) camping rigs via savings on lodging. We are on pace to pay for our 5th rig in the next few years via savings on lodging. FTR, my first 3 camping rigs were inexpensive and daily drivers. The 4th and 5th were/are slide-in popup campers carried by daily drivers.

It's not rocket science for full-timers to save money vs. cost of home ownership (e.g., insurance, tax, utilities, upkeep).

OTOH, people who buy new expensive RVs and use them 15 nights a year are leaking money, would be better off paying for hotel rooms.

I'm only on my 2nd vehicle. After 3 years with it I'm down to $53 a night. Not including maintenance costs associated with its use as a regular ski-hill / mtb / adventure commuter.

Is it as nice as a $53 hotel? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But I don't have to worry about vacancy, I can bring the pup, and I get to sleep in some pretty cool places.

[pano-dude]

There is a company in Kamloops, B.C. that specializes in converting vans from 2wd to 4X4, so for around $11,000US most camper vans can become 4X4 mobile ski chalets.

Company is Clydesdale I believe.

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