Hi everyone,
I hope this post isn’t too redundant.
Previously, I lived pretty much full time in a Toyota, Previa for years, which I had done just about everything one could do to turn it into a full time home. I spent my winters in Baja, surfing and living on the beach, fall backpacking the Sierra Nevada, and lots of up and down the California coast, guerrilla camping and surfing.
I upgraded to a used 2004Dodge Sprinter with 85K miles in 2009, but it was the low roof model and was an unbelievable money pit. I was glad to get rid of it.
For the last 10 years, after I got married and had kids, we’ve had a 1991 Toyota Warrior, which has its pros and cons, but we use it mainly to stay at local camp grounds here on the coast of Oregon. (it gets terrible gas mileage)
What I want to get now, is a small vehicle that I could use to take on surf trips about two or three times a year from Newport, Oregon down the coast to Encinitas, CA. These will be monthlong trips and I’ll have a couple surfboards, but travel solo (my wife and kids will stay home)
I need a vehicle that will get good gas mileage. The Toyota Warrior is too much and too old for these trips, and the gas mileage is terrible.
I need enough room to sleep inside, be able to guerrilla camp, camp at campgrounds occasionally, park in front of friends houses, etc.
It would be useful to have a camp stove and ice chest or better yet, a powered cooler, like a dometic (and this might require some electrical system or a solar array).
Of course, a portable toilet is critical, just something I can pop out and use and tuck away.
Basically a space to sleep, cook, keep food cold, go to the bathroom and keep my nine foot board inside or on the roof.
Any thoughts?
I’ve see Ford Transit Connects as an option, and I think there other similar mini vehicles of this type.
I’ve seen conversions of the Connects that end up being $50K for the vehicle and conversion; that’s not my budget.
In the past, I built out my own Toyota, a bit like the way a kid builds a fort, very basic.
I had friends build out my Sprinter in a more professional manner, but it was still affordable.
I am open to all options, but looking to save myself trouble and time by checking in with others who have current experience.
Cheers and thanks so much,
Phoenix