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Anyone have an Explorer Conversion Van here?
Posted on 6/8/26 at 4:49 am
Posted on 6/8/26 at 4:49 am
Itching to have a family road trip vehicle and I keep coming back to these. 3 young kids, all in car seats, so need them strapped in and like the idea of entertainment and comfort for everyone. Primary use would be weekend trips and long vacation trips, not a daily driver.
Is this unnecessary? Anyone have one and happy with it?
This one is too rich for my blood, but it's the idea.
Is this unnecessary? Anyone have one and happy with it?
This one is too rich for my blood, but it's the idea.
3
Posted on 6/9/26 at 9:43 am to thegreatboudini
I do not know 160K for a van when you could have a Class C for half that?
Posted on 6/9/26 at 9:50 am to Crow Pie
Second hand can be had around 50k which is where I'm shopping really.
Class C isn't something I can do right now with young kids. Need them strapped in with car seats.
Also happy to pay for hotels for travel at this point in life.
Class C isn't something I can do right now with young kids. Need them strapped in with car seats.
Also happy to pay for hotels for travel at this point in life.
Posted on 6/9/26 at 10:18 am to thegreatboudini
quote:Perfect for having 3 kids and you want to be able to get out in nature. Go for it.
Second hand can be had around 50k
Posted on 6/10/26 at 11:09 am to thegreatboudini
What would be the benefit of this over a Suburban or other large SUV that you could daily drive? I thought these were mainly camper vans, but if it's just laid out in a normal seating configuration it seems less practical than traditional options. You should be able to strap 3 car seats in a 3-row SUV, right?
Posted on 6/10/26 at 11:58 am to thegreatboudini
My suggestion if you go this route:
Get one with removeable bench seats, and you can then use it for a ton of other things besides just hauling your kids around (bicycles, motos, lumber, plants, etc.. etc..). Basically, it's like having a truckbed that actually keeps your contents secure. Don't build it out too much, as this limits its flexibility.
Bluetti power bank and charter to run off your alternator in conjunction with an electric ice chest is pretty awesome for road trips and camping.
Get one with removeable bench seats, and you can then use it for a ton of other things besides just hauling your kids around (bicycles, motos, lumber, plants, etc.. etc..). Basically, it's like having a truckbed that actually keeps your contents secure. Don't build it out too much, as this limits its flexibility.
Bluetti power bank and charter to run off your alternator in conjunction with an electric ice chest is pretty awesome for road trips and camping.
Posted on 6/10/26 at 12:08 pm to weaveballs1
quote:
What would be the benefit of this over a Suburban or other large SUV that you could daily drive? I thought these were mainly camper vans, but if it's just laid out in a normal seating configuration it seems less practical than traditional options. You should be able to strap 3 car seats in a 3-row SUV, right?
It's far more comfortable. Wife's daily is a 24 Honda Odyssey already, and with 3 kids in the back and her (because she likes to ride back there with them) it's pretty slammed.
Also, these come in 9 seater configs with 4 captains chairs and a bench, so definitely more seating than a full size SUV or the van we currently have.
Posted on 6/10/26 at 12:11 pm to hogfly
Yes, I actually think I would remove 1 of the captains chairs and install a jackery and a dometic fridge. At some point I could remove 2 captains chairs and have lots of room for bike and whatnot.
Posted on 6/10/26 at 12:36 pm to thegreatboudini
quote:
Yes, I actually think I would remove 1 of the captains chairs and install a jackery and a dometic fridge. At some point I could remove 2 captains chairs and have lots of room for bike and whatnot.
Being pretty heavy in the mountain bike world, I've seen a lot of sprinter (and Transit) build-outs. I've also travelled pretty extensively in two very different builds. One was a full vandoit buildout with all the bells and whistles. Retractable Beds in it, dropdown flat screen TV, etc.. etc.. I was convinced I was going to love it. I hated it. The other was a failry bare bones Sprinter with removeable bench seats. the main "build" it has is a solar panel with a built-in powerbank. Other than that, my friend kept it basic because he also used it as a gear hauler (moto and MTB). I loved it, and it was super practical. If we WANTED to sleep in it, then we just packed a memory foam roll (or sleeping pads and bag) and tossed them down at night. If we were staying in a hotel, we could lock all our bikes and such up in the van at night. If we had a huge group going floating, then put all the bench seats in, and have a great shuttle vehicle while pulling a trailer full of canoes and kayaks.
Anyway, if someone is building out for vanlife, I understand wanting to make it very personalized to the specific needs, but cargo vans are way too useful and flexible of a vehicle otherwise.
Oh also: keep that interior and flooring as industrial rubber cheap as possible, especially if you're hauling kids around. Being able to basically vacuum then mop out the interior is fantastic.
Sounds like you already know all of this, so I'm really just ranting at this point.
This post was edited on 6/10/26 at 12:39 pm
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