[DK11]

 

[DeanBC]

DK11, your van looks great. I just picked up a '99. Besides some initial mechanical work, working towards a basic weekend camper with inside bed, but have a new hard shell roof top tent for the truck i would really like to put on the Astro. Have found nothing but negatives about RTT on the OEM roof rack. Have seen a few mounted anyways but really would like to know how yours is mounted. Any info would be greatly appreciated. RTT for summer, inside bunk for B.C. winter temps! Thanks in advance buddy.

 

[tiffx19]

Here's mine, still work in progress.. Roscoe approved.

 

[sixsix]

Thanks for sharing - sweet pup!

 

[Allergictostabwounds]

This is Pluto, my 94 Safari conversion. Lovingly restored and extensively modified by my old lady and me. For the last year and a half we've been travelling across Canada in it after building up the inside ourselves. This old beast has survived a hell of a lot.

 

[Alaskan Astro]

Simple conversion for us...We bought this 02 Astro passenger van with 46k miles, removed/sold the rear seats and stuffed a pre-owned Riverleaf Grand Teton conversion kit in the back in about 10 minutes..only hookup was 12v connection for the reefer unit. We only use it for about 2-3 months out of the year to escape Spring thaw in Alaska..about as simple as it gets, short of just using the passenger seats for a bed...We will add a few more improvements, like the passenger seat swivel from IronCloud Metalworks in Salem, Oregon, a heater that I'm still researching, better sound with backup camera/monitor but not much more for this "SEV" Snowbird Escape Vehicle

 

[sixsix]

Thanks so much for sharing obviously a well thought out travel / escape Van. We know it well...
Cool, would love any more pics / ideas you may have. There's a build Thread section. Did I say seeing more...?

 

[Alaskan Astro]

Thanks so much for sharing obviously a well thought out travel / escape Van. We know it well...
Cool, would love any more pics / ideas you may have. There's a build Thread section. Did I say seeing more...?

Thanks so much for sharing obviously a well thought out travel / escape Van. We know it well...
Cool, would love any more pics / ideas you may have. There's a build Thread section. Did I say seeing more...?

Glad to as we travel and improve...Doing 2 month 'West of the Rockies' journey starting the end of this month from Southern Oregon so I'm sure the photos will increase as the miles do the same...

 

[bithebay87]

My van in its minimalist "base camp" camper format using mostly my backpacking equipment and an inflatable air mattress. When sleeping inside the van, I like the inflatable mattress as it takes up little space when deflated, sets up in a few minutes and is one of the more comfortable options. The rest of my gear is all backpacking type stuff - sleeping bags (35° and -5°), backpacks, water filter/portable water storage, MSR stove, etc. I would like to add some window coverings for privacy when stealth camping.

View attachment 190586

Going a little less minimalist but still camping style, my van with Camping Lab rooftop tent which mounts to roof rack folds out, pops open and supported by the aluminum ladder on the overhang side. I added four additional crossbars to the rack in order to help better distribute the load of the tent.

I love this thing with a decently fast setup time, it's up and out of the way, 3" foam mattress, great ventilation with protection from bugs and a rain fly to keep things dry it's very nice to sleep in.

View attachment 190594

I originally wanted a smaller rtt that when set up, opens out over the rear hatch so I would have the passenger side free for a full length awning but this larger one came up for a great deal and so went with it and it's great to have the extra room for one - two people. When I do add an awning to the passenger side, I'll rotate the tent to open over the driver's side. This will give me more room to lounge and cook under the awning with easy access to the van.

With the van growing in height, I need to add a ladder extension to make the climb a bit less vertical. I usually place a folding aluminum work platform in front of the ladder for an extra step at the bottom and use another one under the overhang as a platform for cooking, eating, etc. Adding a changing room enclosure to the area beneath the overhang would be great to have for use a shower room as well.

View attachment 190602

I'll be modifying the cover to roll up out the way as there isn't enough room to keep it stuffed between the tent and roof. I'll either add some rope rings and velcro straps to the overhang or make the cover detachable. Another reason to have it open over the driver's side, the cover hanging down wouldn't affect anything.

View attachment 190610

Lighting is the next hurdle, I'll be installing some led light strips inside the tent and on the overhang for some additional night lighting. I'll try to remember to get some interior shots as well.

View attachment 190618

The tent is down right now for modification and a few small repairs. I also picked up two older vintage Coleman stoves, one three burner and a two burner, both Coleman fuel/white gas. The three burner is from the mid-60's and the two burner from early 70's. I bought them from the original owner and we both were excited they are going to see some use again!

View attachment 190626

They both do work but before I take them out for use, I'm going to rebuild them and also try out a propane conversion kit to see how I like that. I can always keep that on hand and have multiple fuel options when traveling.

A nice coleman 425, mine has seen twenty-five of use from me alone, I run gas and lp still. Nice rig.

- Bo Harvey

 

[AstroKit]

Simple conversion for us...We bought this 02 Astro passenger van with 46k miles, removed/sold the rear seats and stuffed a pre-owned Riverleaf Grand Teton conversion kit in the back in about 10 minutes..only hookup was 12v connection for the reefer unit. We only use it for about 2-3 months out of the year to escape Spring thaw in Alaska..about as simple as it gets, short of just using the passenger seats for a bed...We will add a few more improvements, like the passenger seat swivel from IronCloud Metalworks in Salem, Oregon, a heater that I'm still researching, better sound with backup camera/monitor but not much more for this "SEV" Snowbird Escape Vehicle
View attachment 294250 View attachment 294251

Hi! fellow Alaskan here – just wondering what's the height of the frame? And how high is the top of the mattress off the floor? I'm looking at different options for how much storage space (bed frame height) i can get, without making the bed feel claustrophobic being too close to the ceiling... thanks!

 

[Tenzo]

Dunno if we are still posting our builds here but this is my full time home:

 

[WoodButcher]

I did build threads.