Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: P5 Guy on April 03, 2010, 07:56:01 PM
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My retirement plan is to travel.
I want a van, a travel trailer and the open road.
Is there any members on APS that have experience with doing this? Can you tell me what your rig is? I do not want a motorhome. I'm thinking a conversion van as a second bedroom. the trailer as a main base.
I'm going to sell my house to help with financing this plan.
I'm looking for input, please what would I be getting myself into?
Thanks for the help, P5 Guy
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My spouse sold RVs of various kinds. Most of the units he sold for full time use were fifth wheels.
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I'm looking at a trailer 20 to 25 feet. It is for one person only. The van is for a mobile second bedroom to use on 2 to 3 night trips. I have done a little searching, but most of the info I've seen is family/couple centered.
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I'll be taking off to do a bit of cross-country at the beginning of next month, for at least a week or two, just me in my car. =)
Depending on the length of your staying out, I'd say that a proper panel van, worked over and repaired 100%, along with tools, replacement parts for critical systems, etc. would be a very good idea.
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It being Easter and all, I'll point out that real men go sojourning with no other vehicle than a pair of sandals. :P ;)
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if you have your wife along a camel is allowed, would hate to see someone break there back starting a trip. [popcorn] :angel:
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My retirement plan is to travel.
I want a van, a travel trailer and the open road.
Is there any members on APS that have experience with doing this? Can you tell me what your rig is? I do not want a motorhome. I'm thinking a conversion van as a second bedroom. the trailer as a main base.
I'm going to sell my house to help with financing this plan.
I'm looking for input, please what would I be getting myself into?
Thanks for the help, P5 Guy
I understand not wanting a motorhome...cumbersome things they are.
I'd recommend something like a "toyhauler" with an attached garage to hold a small auxillery vehicle (golf cart, 4 wheeler, etc). I'd go for one of the smaller toyhaulers vs. one of the huge fully decked out ones. One person only has an upside (less stuff required) but the downside is that you don't have ready help for hooking up, backing in places, etc. Yes, truck drivers deal without the help, but it's just nicer to have someone to help.
An adequate tow vehicle. We have a conversion van, but it's underpowered (engine is too small for it...305 just ain't enough for it) and top heavy. Not real fun to drive. Also, a van is much more of a pain in the ass to work on.
I'd recommend a solid pickup truck for the tow vehicle. Open bed, or with a camper shell to store your gear in it. If you do go with a van, I don't think the conversion part is really worth the bit of headroom. Going back to the truck part, if you throw a camper shell on it, then you can put a cot or something in the back to camp in. Regardless of the truck or van, I'd want a solid 3/4 ton vehicle, or better yet, 1 ton...for a normal van, just pull the benches out of the back and build yourself a bunk and some storage bins or whatever you want.
I really envy you. This is the way I'd like to live my whole life, but I have no funding to do so.
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This fellow has written a bit about how he did it in a small pickup. Good tips. http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Survivalist_Truck_Dweller.html (http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Survivalist_Truck_Dweller.html)
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This fellow has written a bit about how he did it in a small pickup. Good tips. http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Survivalist_Truck_Dweller.html (http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Survivalist_Truck_Dweller.html)
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi171.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu292%2Fjoshbissey%2FTravelswithCharley.jpg&hash=1b12cdc4c325fe5420d6de9979beca57a3b3f309)
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Banks, credit cards, etc will require you to have an address. I think a PO Box will do.
However, for your DL, you're going to need to have a residency. You could probably have a good friend or family member allow you to start getting bills there and establish residency.
As for your setup, most conversion vans are pretty underpowered and don't get great gas mileage. They aren't really setup for towing, either.
And I am also a fanboi of the toy haulers. You can fit all kinds of stuff in those. Motorcycles, bicycles, ATV's, Kayaks, small fishing boats, etc.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-2005-NOMAD-RAMPAGE-TOY-HAULER-NEW-TIRES-SHOWER_W0QQitemZ140396296850QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item20b0457a92
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F05%2F%21%21f2h5Gg%21mE%7E%24%28KGrHqYH-DoEu%2CofBJziBLtSpnKpW%21%7E%7E_4.JPG&hash=36b7b5e52320b65cf5c235d214116d423a7d9311)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DESERT-FOX-TOY-HAULER-24-AS-BEST-PRICE-ANYWHERE-L-K_W0QQitemZ280486230287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item414e48390f
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I'm looking at a trailer 20 to 25 feet. It is for one person only. The van is for a mobile second bedroom to use on 2 to 3 night trips. I have done a little searching, but most of the info I've seen is family/couple centered.
Sorry I misunderstood OP
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This statement is a little confusing ... if you have no home, from where will you be leaving for your 3 to 3 night trips ?
He said he intends to use the camper as a base.
Personally, I'd plan on just returning to that base every night.
Conversion vans are great family cruisers, but are not very good tow vehicles.
One person only has an upside (less stuff required) but the downside is that you don't have ready help for hooking up, backing in places, etc. Yes, truck drivers deal without the help, but it's just nicer to have someone to help.
Truck drivers rarely have to back into a wooded and angled camping spot with low hanging branches and a dropoff.
I'm not much on big crowds, but I'm also not one for pure solitude. I'm not sure I could do a trip like that without at least minimal companionship.
To the OP: Are you choosing to go by yourself, or is that just the boat you're in?
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I've never liked vans much because they are so hard to work on. They don't seem to hold value very well, which might be an advantage if you are buying used.
A fifth wheel trailer tows the best and is easier to back up, provided that you don't get a huge one. I've always wanted one that was less than 25' overall length, so that the towing length would be about like a 17-18' bumper pull. The trouble with a fifth wheel is that you can't also have a camper shell on the pickup.
I've actually lived like you propose - I had to back when I was logging. I camped out in the woods on site. I got pretty good at hooking up a bumper pull trailer by myself. It depends somewhat on the size of the trailer. I would turn the jack wheel sideways and set it on a thick plank maybe two feet long (also cross-ways). The trick was to get the fore-and-aft distance right, and then you could get out and manhandle the tongue side to side a little bit. If you get the ball halfway lined up, then you can screw down the jack and it will usually slide down into place.
If you've never towed a trailer much before then you have a bit to learn.
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I know that there is a lot I need to learn about this. I'm doing my research now. This life style is 5 to 8 years in the future.
Yes, it is my choice, more or less, to be going solo. The missus ran off with her hippie boy friend after 30 years of being married to my stogy butt. Thats another unrelated story.
I'm not going to be hauling any toys along. If I want to I'll just do a rental, mostly water crafts. I got the off road motorcycling out of my system long ago, note the limp?
If I start out with an E350 Diesel will my tow vehicle be that under powered? A 20 to 25 foot trailer, smaller the better, is the biggest I'd want. I'm a simple man and kind of a hermit. Do any other car companies make a similar type van? I know that vans are harder to get into the engine compartment but isn't the rest just about the same as any other truck?
I need to find out more about the "no permanent address" thing. Can I pick the state with the lowest vehicle registration fees and no income taxes?
Please keep the posts coming, thanks P5 Guy.
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Google "boondocking". I stumbled across a web site not too long ago that addressed many of these issues, living on the road, how to keep a permanent address, etc. Some interesting stuff for people who want to live on the road and chuck the conventional home/mortgage lifestyle.
gene
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http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Survivalist_Truck_Dweller.html
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An E-350 Diesel will not be underpowered. Diesels are great for heavy towing because they have a lot more torque than comparably-sized gasoline engines.
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If I start out with an E350 Diesel will my tow vehicle be that under powered? A 20 to 25 foot trailer, smaller the better, is the biggest I'd want. I'm a simple man and kind of a hermit. Do any other car companies make a similar type van? I know that vans are harder to get into the engine compartment but isn't the rest just about the same as any other truck?
I'd think the E350 with a diesel would be a much more logical choice for a van than a conversion van. GM's vans are also available with a diesel, IIRC (but I wouldn't deal with GM for nothin' since they cut the deal with the devil).
You may also want to look at the Dodge Sprinter, but I just don't know about the reliability or if it would tow well (for some reason, I doubt it). Chrysler stopped production of their conventional fullsize van back around '03. Also, I don't trust Chrysler's quality one bit. They also cut a deal with the devil...
P5 guy, you also need to learn more about the construction of travel trailers. Many are built rather cheaply and all will require maintenance. You may consider fiberglass trailers like a Scamp, Eggcamper, or similar...the Airstreams would also be a very good, albeit expensive, option. I'd put durability/longevity at the tops for traveling constantly like you want to do.
I don't own anything yet, but I have been doing a lot of research over the past couple of years for a setup to do much as you describe.
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Interesting link thanks oldcop. A little rougher roughing it than I had in mind but very interesting. And I have friends in Key Largo so I recognize the campground/marina the blogger is in. His secret is safe with me, I might move in as a neighbor (LOL). And I'd want to keep a firearm or three with me.
I didn't see the last couple of posts.
I'd convert the van to my needs not buy an already built one. A cargo van would be my starting point. More privacy that way with out all the windows down the side. Ventilation for those sultry nights of Summer would be my biggest concern. No matter where one goes in the lower 48 July and August get hot.
I looked at Scamps, and others of similar construction at an RV show in Tampa last month. I know from that the slideouts lead to leaks real quick. AirStreams are nice. I wonder if I could do a RealTree application? The aluminum skin isn't appealing to my eye but the interior is fine with me.
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I know that there is a lot I need to learn about this. I'm doing my research now. This life style is 5 to 8 years in the future.
Yes, it is my choice, more or less, to be going solo. The missus ran off with her hippie boy friend after 30 years of being married to my stogy butt. Thats another unrelated story.
I'm not going to be hauling any toys along. If I want to I'll just do a rental, mostly water crafts. I got the off road motorcycling out of my system long ago, note the limp?
If I start out with an E350 Diesel will my tow vehicle be that under powered? A 20 to 25 foot trailer, smaller the better, is the biggest I'd want. I'm a simple man and kind of a hermit. Do any other car companies make a similar type van? I know that vans are harder to get into the engine compartment but isn't the rest just about the same as any other truck?
I need to find out more about the "no permanent address" thing. Can I pick the state with the lowest vehicle registration fees and no income taxes?
Please keep the posts coming, thanks P5 Guy.
I would think you could rent one of those PMB's (private mail boxes) and then be able to have them forward your mail to various points around the country. I dunno how that will work for DL address - maybe you could use a relative's address? In MT you can use a PO box (or at least you could last time I renewed mine) for a DL address.
Right now I'm not sure I would be making plans 5-8 years in the future =| Is there even going to be fuel available at a reasonable price by then (might consider a backpack or a horse ;) ).
They are still expensive (and getting rare), but look out for an older Airstream trailer in the 25' range. If you find one, buy it! Don't wait until you're ready to go "Traveler."
You ought to put together a truck/trailer combo now and try it out on some shorter trips (week(s), months(s), etc) to get the feel of the lifestyle. Find out what you need and don't need to take. I'd say take more basic tools, and less of most everything else.
And you are smart to stay away from motorhomes. Where would you live if it broke down and you have mechanics tracking grease all over your living room. ;)
A good trailer will outlast a dozen pickups (or vans). That's why I recommend an Airstream or one of the other all-metal brands (Avion, Streamline, Boles-Aero) that won't rot out or shake themselves apart. There's probably some new brands out there that I don't know anything about, but really I wouldn't tie up a fortune in a travel trailer. You could even completely remodel the inside of an older but sound trailer and customize it to you wants/needs.
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BioDiesel
I'm optimistic about BioDiesel back into a McDs and filter from the waste oil another 100 miles down the road is mine.
Keeping my water tanks from freezing, even in the Keys may be a concern. I'd not want to leak waste all over. Even gray waste water.
I'm saving up now for the tow vehicle/van. If fuel costs get that bad travel trailers may be free to good homes.
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BioDiesel
I'm optimistic about BioDiesel back into a McDs and filter from the waste oil another 100 miles down the road is mine.
Keeping my water tanks from freezing, even in the Keys may be a concern. I'd not want to leak waste all over. Even gray waste water.
I'm saving up now for the tow vehicle/van. If fuel costs get that bad travel trailers may be free to good homes.
You can be hit by the feds for doing as you propose. You're not paying road taxes and you're "affecting interstate commerce" in that case. Plus, how are you going to convince the manager of the place to let you take the oil off his hands when they've already got somebody scheduled to come pick it up?
It's also not about high fuel prices- it's about availability, too. The fuel will be priced high because of limited availability, and then when the gov't steps in to "stop price gouging" the already limited availability will vanish...
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From what I've seen of the process of making bio-diesel from waste cooking-oil, I don't know that it's something you could realistically do out of a trailer.
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More study is needed for that BioDiesel plan. The bar on the corner from my house pays to have waste fry oil removed. I'm sure he'd be happy to have a free removal on occasion.
Looks like SD is the place for registration and DL. I'm wondering how this RealID nonsense is going to shake out? In Florida one needs to have a utility bill to renew the DL. Uncle Sam is such a Nanny.
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I'm with Tallpine, regarding trailer & tow vehicle: a 5th wheel or goose neck is so much easier to tow & maneuver. Full-sized van + 25' standard trailer + no help will keep you out of a lot of trailer grounds in places you'd really like to go.
My dad & step mom did this for ~1 year with a 25' 5th wheel light enough to be hauled by a 1995 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton with 318 V8, 4spd auto, & 3.73 rear end. It was short & maneuverable enough (ext cab & short box) that they did not encounter any grounds that they could not squeeze into. In retrospect, my dad would have preferred more vehicle, minimum a 360 V8 or a 3/4 ton PU with any appropriate engine (360+ gas or diesel).
The E350 diesel is enough tow vehicle, but as TP writes, vans are a SOB to work on.
My ideal tow vehicle would be a 3/4 ton or 1 ton (non-dually) 4-door PU, diesel engine, manual tranny, goose neck trailer. Truck bed would have a quality big ol' truck box up front. I'd have one of those soft camper shells to use if I was tooling around w/o the trailer and wanted covered area. I could sleep in the back seat, or the bed on my electric-pump-inflatable mattress under the soft shell.
The trailer wold be a goose neck metal frame, or at least one of the better quality others. If only me & maybe one other, and our mission is to go neat places, 25' would be ideal. If more a "mobile house," that moved around the country from work site to work site, I'd want 35'-40'.
I'd definitely spring for the side awning and would also have a screened, covered area to serve as a foyer, outdoor eating/whatever area to serve as a "mobile mud room."
A utility bicycle on a mountain bike frame would be an invaluable accessory.
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Just buy an H1 and sleep underneath it or dig a ranger grave =)
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I'm not real impressed with the task of hooking up a crew-cab p/u to a gooseneck type trailer that goes on a ball. You can't see what's going on and the ball seems to go in the opposite direction that you turn the truck.
Maybe it's easier with the mini fifth-wheel type hitch more common on RVs =|
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If you really want to stick with the van idea as a mobile platform for mini trips, maybe a suburban would be better? Easier to work on, better at towing IMO, etc. The only disadvantage I can see over a pickup is you can't do a fifth wheel, but you maintain lots of the interior space of a van.
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I had thought about the extra large SUV and that might be an option.
I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hips and knees. I haven't looked into joint replacement, yet. My limited mobility means I rather have the headroom that a van would provide.
I know a 5th wheel is more maneuverable, I'm going to an RV park and dropping the trailer, then off to the areas other attractions.
I know that an awning on the trailer is a must. I also want a screen room to setup at whatever camp I'm at.
A secure place for "valuables" will be essential too.
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I've gotten pretty good at backing the pickup up to the boat and hooking it up quickly. of course, this winter, I wacked the bumper on the tounge :facepalm:
Its not that hard and the more you do it the easier it gets.
Many of the trailers have under bed storage, which could be converted into more secure storage I'm sure.
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200 bucks wireless backup cam
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I've gotten pretty good at backing the pickup up to the boat and hooking it up quickly.
I've found that the trick is to back in straight and keep the same amount of of trailer sticking out on both sides in your mirrors (old truck driver - the mirrors are "king" ;) ).
Depending on your ball mount, sometimes you can back slooowly in until you just touch the tongue, and then pull forward a bit.
There are some aids for this: special mirrors, marker wands, etc but I've always just followed the old trial and error method unless I have spotter (which doesn't always help ;/ ).
At least you shouldn't be getting into screaming arguments with yourself over backing into a campsite if you are traveling solo =D
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200 bucks wireless backup cam
Nah, the old CSD front-mounted hitch for ease of hookup and then drive it in reverse to the destination.
I'm not real impressed with the task of hooking up a crew-cab p/u to a gooseneck type trailer that goes on a ball. You can't see what's going on and the ball seems to go in the opposite direction that you turn the truck.
Maybe it's easier with the mini fifth-wheel type hitch more common on RVs =|
I guess my dad's buddy who had both his 7 horse trailer and RV trailer switched over (or bought originally) to goose neck made it look easy. When you do it for a living (haul high-dollar horses all over) I guess you get puh-lenty of practice.
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after i graduated high school, i traveled cross country for 4 1/2 months and 21,500 miles counterclockwise throughout the country. i drove ( and still drive - i love this truck!) a 2001 2.7L toyota tacoma, with an extended height cap on the back that i camped in. i had a futon in the back sitting on top of a 2x6 and plywood frame that my uncle and i made for extra storage and insulation from the potentially cold truck bed. it was a really great trip and the truck was the absolutely perfect rig of choice. 4x4 for wheeling, having fun, and safety, enough power to move around but good fuel mileage, and just the right size for one person.
if i were to do it again, i'd perhaps use a larger truck with a small camper cap on the back or a 4x4 van or SUV of some sort, along the lines of a 4Runner.
if you're interested in reading more about my trip, read my blog at:
http://themadmailler.livejournal.com/
TMM
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I guess my dad's buddy who had both his 7 horse trailer and RV trailer switched over (or bought originally) to goose neck made it look easy. When you do it for a living (haul high-dollar horses all over) I guess you get puh-lenty of practice.
Most likely.
I helped my neighbors load some hay, so in trade they hauled a load for us in their horse trailer. Only problem was he had to leave and I had to help her hitch up.
(I could have probably done it a lot faster by myself ;) )
Because it was a crew cab, you couldn't see into the bed and the turning response was slow. Then I figured out that the ball is actually slightly ahead of the axle so when you turn left, the ball goes right ;/
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I suck at backing up trailers, I know how I'm just way out of practice.
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How about a full sized pickup with a slide in self contained camper? Many are now a semi popup so you can drop the height a lot when drving down the road.
Also I was looking at a hard sided popup a few years ago. I really liked these. http://www.chaletrv.com/
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Interesting, so the 9 passenger vans are a lot more difficult to work on than pickups?
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Interesting, so the 9 passenger vans are a lot more difficult to work on than pickups?
The engine in a van is mostly underneath the dashboard :(
You need to pull an engine from a pickup: unbolt the hood, disconnect everything holding the engine (same stuff as a van but more accessible), and just lift it out with a hoist.
On a van, you have to remove the radiator and grill/front end assembly and somehow get the engine out laterally =|
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Interesting, so the 9 passenger vans are a lot more difficult to work on than pickups?
Yep, mostly under the dash and center console. More then a couple times I remember seeing my grandfather unclipping the console and taking out the seats to do some sort of job on his van. By the time he was ready to work on the damn thing the same job on his pickups would have been close to done.
He hated the damn thing, but it was Grandma's bingo bus.
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Oh yeah, it's a pain to work on a van (we've had several over the years). As Dad got older, he declared no more, as he couldn't take the twisting and other contortions to get into the engine compartment. Just to get to the engine involves taking off the engine cover (including unbolting, unlatching, and unscrewing it) and wrestling with it to get it past the seats. And then you've only got access to half the engine. And they were a pain to work on in the pre-computer/electronic area. Now, with all the extra *expletive deleted*it bolted onto the outside of the engine...hell no.
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At least you shouldn't be getting into screaming arguments with yourself over backing into a campsite if you are traveling solo
I've made it a point to not get into pissing matches with the wife over something I should know how to do myself. I give her clear instructions on helping and do everything slowly enough that if she messes up I still might have time to catch it.
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I've made it a point to not get into pissing matches with the wife over something I should know how to do myself. I give her clear instructions on helping and do everything slowly enough that if she messes up I still might have time to catch it.
Our VFD has a policy that we always have to have a spotter when backing up.
But the driver is still responsible for the vehicle. Mostly, I just ignore the spotter and watch the mirrors on both sides, plus the front corners. Most people don't know how to guide anyway =( They will tell you to turn left when you should turn right. Only direction I follow is "Stop!" ;)
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Since mama is on the boat title, she's pretty conservative in helping me back it up.... :laugh:
How about a full sized pickup with a slide in self contained camper? Many are now a semi popup so you can drop the height a lot when drving down the road.
Also I was looking at a hard sided popup a few years ago. I really liked these. http://www.chaletrv.com/
I dig on these myself:
http://www.flippac.com/
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flippac.com%2Fsitebuilder%2Fimages%2F1078_Truck_FlipPac_Up_in_Desert_Crop-400x314.jpg&hash=dcc01e0c922cf7607249d7e1a1779416e443643e)
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Is it bad that my brain immediately went to building one of those for my CV? =D
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I don't know where you live, but my wife and I are in the process of doing the extended travel thing. I bought a 1983 Winnebago on a GMC chassis and a 5.7 liter engine. We started out traveling with my work trailer converted for camping, but every time we wanted something, it was either in my F150 tow vehicle when we were in the trailer, or vice versa. We decided quickly that a small motor home was the only way for us. Of course you have to understand that when we travel we take the whole family (4 dogs and 4 guinea pigs).
We have a permanent address, but you still need to have someone get your mail for you and let you know if anything important like winning the Readers Digest Sweepstakes or your great uncle leaving you millions is going on while you are out vagabonding around. You will also find that any established campgrounds like KOA will want a permanent PHYSICAL address, not just a PO Box. In many cases, the physical address must match your driver's license.
I have waited all my life to take off and go, suppressing the urge many times over the last 50 years or so. We got a taste last summer and it only made us more determined to make it happen. Even Parking in some old curmudgeon's yard in Montana didn't discourage us. =D
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Hey, Grandpa! Glad to see you all are still alive! Haven't "seen" nor heard from you for a while. We were beginning to think the dogs mutinied and had you two stuffed in the freezer or something =D
Even Parking in some old curmudgeon's yard in Montana didn't discourage us.
Some folks aren't very picky about their choice of campsites :lol:
DD 2.0 is here, but she has a job with a family about 50 miles away starting this weekend.
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I wonder if you could purchase a small home and rent it out, but still claim it as a permanant residence? Charge a flat rate and keep the utilites in your name, then you have utility bills to prove residency.
Just pontificating.
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http://www.flippac.com/
I was thinking something like these, http://www.alaskancamper.com/ which are a hard sided popup.
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I was thinking something like these, http://www.alaskancamper.com/ which are a hard sided popup.
Slick :)
The thing I like about the Flippac is its light and small. If you're just using it as the occasional camp, and mostly staying in a pull-behind, it gives alot of flexibility.
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Does VW still make Westies? (campers) My family had one back in the 70's and took many a long trip in it. Would be pretty comfortable for 1 or maybe 2 people. Not really big enough for 3 for more than a week...
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Does VW still make Westies? (campers) My family had one back in the 70's and took many a long trip in it. Would be pretty comfortable for 1 or maybe 2 people. Not really big enough for 3 for more than a week...
Not much good for towing 25' travel trailers ;/
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Not much good for towing 25' travel trailers ;/
and the old ones were mechanical a-holes.
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Grandpa Shooter, I'm on Florida's west coast by the Tampa Bay.
I really don't want an RV. Minor inconveniences, like pulling off the road to get something from the other part of the rig doesn't seem too much trouble to me. Now keep in mind I've never had to go to the other in a monsoon rain.
That tent on the PU topper looks interesting, if the Big Three stop making full sized vans in the next few years.
VW Westfailias don't tow. The last VW Micro Bus I was in barely got out of its own way with six people in it. Yeah, that was an old aircooled flat four. something like 40HP.
Is a gas engine van really that weak? I'd rather a diesel because of the durability of the engine and fuel mileage.
A bit of this has been about hooking up to the trailer, do the chain campgrounds offer a helper?
Tallpine, Got an opening for another to back in? Montana is on the list for Summer travel.
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VW used to make a nice van. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Transporter_%28T4%29) =(
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P5:
Make friends in the campgrounds and you'll always have a helper. That said, there are numerous aids out there for hooking up trailers. There are cheap back up cameras, and even [urlhttp://garage-toys.com/alquichitgui.html]these things that mount to your trailer and hitch[/url] that help you line them up. Really, I hook up my boat ALL THE TIME without any help. And I do it backing up the driveway mouth which slopes into the street.
I really think the flippac is pimp. I'd like to get one for my truck one day.
Westies are fun, but not much for living in them unless you're a dirty old hippy. They make great weekend toys for flyfishing in the mountains.
Yes, the gas engine vans are that weak. The springs are not set up for towing in most of them. The engines are usually on the small side, small V8s like the 305, and with all the added weight of the "conversion", they are just not set up for it.
Another bene of going the truck route would be to go 4x4. I've seen conversion vans stuck in campground parking lots, on the beach, and on back roads before.....