For active outdoor folks interested in an RV with a small footprint and have the time and desire to do a conversion project, check out Eric Tabb’s “Project Motovan: Off-Road Van Conversion.
It seems Eric’s life has changed–from a single guy to a married one with a toddler–and he’s switching from a toy hauler trailer to a smaller, hearty, off-road camper van.
“My grandparents used to have an ‘Open Road’ full-size camper van when I was growing up. It was a 2wd van with a hard fiberglass camper top that had a bed in the front, a couch/dinette down below and a small kitchen and stove setup. They used to enjoy getting away from the city and camping in the desert. Over the years I have seen a few around but they are often converted to ice cream vans. The idea of a camper van started to ring in my mind as a great alternative to a trailer since it could be parked at home and loaded during the week,” says Eric.
Over the next few months Eric will be working on a 2000 Ford E-350 Extended van with the 7.3 liter turbo diesel engine and a factory ordered Quigley 4×4 conversion.
“The goal for Project Motovan is to create a vehicle with many of the creature comforts of home while at same time still being able to act as a heavy duty hauler for dirtbikes, gear and whatever else shows up on the tow hitch. Reaching that goal will require more research, careful planning and finding the right products. Above all however it will involve finding the right people with the experience to help build such a custom rig.”
Click on Project Motovan to check back to see the progress.
Photo: The “Open Road” – early inspiration for this van conversion project. Source: Eric Tabb.
