Pros and Cons of a Camper Van???

I've been eyeballing the 70 Chevy Camper Van for sale and wondering what members who have or have had like or dislike about them. Things to look out for or keep in mind...That sort of thing. Thanks - Vanny

I have one i am totally rebuilding! Love the thing too. Only thing I w=ont be able to do i load a bunch of stuff in it i never would nead anyways -& I can still pull a trailer if i need any "Stuff"If ur looking at that 70 thats now available 0id snap it up quickly!! Likely you can get that one for a 1000.00 bucks!!

Pros..... You can camp out in it, drink beer in it & just have a good ole time. Cons..... If the old lady gets mad at you she can make you move in it. Uh but then again maybe that's not a con..

The worst thing i can think of, is once you set up camp, you cant go anywhere unless you break camp or bring another vehicle.

Thanks for the input guys! Handi, there are times that if she told me to stay out in the van, that wouldn't be such a bad thing!LOL We already have a trailer that we leave at a camp we go to every summer but I'm thinking if we decide we want to go on a road trip and save some money on hotels then maybe we could use this. If it checks out OK, I think I'll make an offer.

Thanks again. Vanny

good for you . Hope it all goes your way.Every early out there for sale needs work and help, The brakes is always a big one after sitting that long , door rubber, windshild, tires , Battery , Try to figure what some of the items will cost so you have a idea.

Thanks dix, I know a lot more since I've been reading so much about these vans on this site. I realize that anything of this age that has been sitting for a good period of time will have to be gone through for safety sake. I am aware of that and I'm looking at it as a project that will take time. I'm going to take my time with whatever I end up with and I will attempt to do some things myself if I feel comfortable and if it's more than I can handle, I will either call my buddy who is now a shop teacher for help or I will farm it out to a pro. The memories I have of working on these when I was younger was half the fun of owning one. That's what I'm trying to recapture.

Campers are a blast. I love mine, we're chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy it. However, I eventually want to get a panel van to be able to haul stuff and just to cruise.




Just do it-drive yourself to drink!!

Joel

I can tell you that you'll be a hit at any campground. That being a 2nd gen it already has a dual master cyl in it. And being a 70 model the side reflextors light up

Campin Fool, you've got a nice set-up there. Looks like the same style pop-top too! G-Man, the dual master was what I was thinking too since I read on here that those were required as of 1967. One thing this site has stressed is the importance of trying to make them as safe as possible.

I don't know the chevys but if it sat that long , i'd look in to the disc brakes in the front.

My 2nd gen is a 3/4 ton with the bigger drums and it stops great, but if it's a 1/2 ton with the smaller drums I would go with the disc's

I had a regular van before and it was great. but now that I have my hightop camper? I CAN STAND UP IN IT!!! Im 6'3"!!!! Thats awesome!!! campers rule.

Good for you -camping is usually what we all do time to time - at least if the little ?? woman gets mad @ you = you can do what ever you want to in that =COMFORTABLY!!!!

Vanny! dont wait on that one!! best grab it -before i do!!

very nice rig campin fool, looks like your havin a great time by the lake,

Thanks dodge man, It's just hard to come up with too many "cons" to having a camper, they are far out-weighed by the pros if thats what you are into. More and more too, you are seeing old "retro" campers whether they are pull behind, pick-up or the old class "C" stuff. You can meet some very cool people.

Joel

love to camp, i built a bed in mine and plan on camping in it, we have a screen tent and a gas stove, with that and a cooler full of beer your all set,

I can say that one con is trying to decide how you are gonna set up the interior.. still thinking... still thinking.... still

joel can you post your interrior. thanks bud.

This is a factory set-up. The table fold to a bed. This is a good layout that may give you some ideas.




Joel

Camper vans = THERE ARE NO CONS!

love it

I don't know if you can tell by the pictures, but you CAN drink beer in there...

Joel

its not camping without beer !!