Running on generator power now...

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by StorytellerStealth

Storyteller vans are made in Alabama and have nothing to do with except enjoying a great product. storyteller has year waiting list to get one they do not need my help. The electrical system is amazing. Just pointing out could be used to power a house.
This would be a bad forum if I wanted to push Storyteller vans. Not many here are going to pay $200k for a van.

[GTOguy]

I was looking at Sprinter vans this past year and was tempted to pull the trigger on a perfectly set up (for me) MBZ 4x4 turbo diesel. It was about 3 years old with 70k miles, and was around 50k, which was about 1/3 what it cost new. All the comforts. The only issue was lack of ground clearance, long wheelbase, and not enough low range. I ended up building a storage cabinet/sleeping platform/kitchen in the back of my '05 Tundra 4x4, which has a hard camper shell, effectively low 4 wheel drive, good ground clearance, and is trail rated. I do a lot of remote stuff in the deserts and need to be able to get in and out more than I need an electric blender. Maybe in 10 years when I'm slowing down I'll spring for an RV or trailer....or just do the hotel thing and not worry about 'roughing it'. Sprinter vans are cool and have their place, for sure. (Like going to Bonneville Speed Week, etc. )

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

I was looking at Sprinter vans this past year and was tempted to pull the trigger on a perfectly set up (for me) MBZ 4x4 turbo diesel. It was about 3 years old with 70k miles, and was around 50k, which was about 1/3 what it cost new. All the comforts. The only issue was lack of ground clearance, long wheelbase, and not enough low range. I ended up building a storage cabinet/sleeping platform/kitchen in the back of my '05 Tundra 4x4, which has a hard camper shell, effectively low 4 wheel drive, good ground clearance, and is trail rated. I do a lot of remote stuff in the deserts and need to be able to get in and out more than I need an electric blender. Maybe in 10 years when I'm slowing down I'll spring for an RV or trailer....or just do the hotel thing and not worry about 'roughing it'. Sprinter vans are cool and have their place, for sure. (Like going to Bonneville Speed Week, etc. )

Baby Doll was talking this up about a year ago until I talked some sense into her. "Camping" to her is is a one bathroom condo.

[GTOguy]

It's a slippery slope. The more 'stuff' the more comfort, but the less mobility and the less 'camping' you are doing. We're all older, have BTDT, have nothing left to prove (well, most of us) so it's about what's easy and fun. Rented a big motorhome for my dad's last trip in '09 and it was killer, but I was glad to turn it back in after a week. It did allow us to set up house in places like Mammoth Lakes, Pallisades Glacier, Alabama Hills, etc. on sites where lodging was not an option and the scenery was epic. For the past 30+ years, I've been going off grid to historic ghost town sites and have camped on BLM land in order to hunt and to shoot target practice. Very low overhead, except now, fuel is back up to $6 per gallon for regular E-10. Should be $3 per gallon with the current price of oil. Love CA.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by StorytellerStealth

Storyteller, not EV. Built on Mercedes Sprinter 4X4 2500 shell. Mercedes 3.0 turbo diesel powers Storyteller vans. Storyteller just started building a van based on Ford transit also.

So where does the "Stealth" part come in? Are you a homeless guy living out of your van?

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

It's a slippery slope. The more 'stuff' the more comfort, but the less mobility and the less 'camping' you are doing. We're all older, have BTDT, have nothing left to prove (well, most of us) so it's about what's easy and fun. Rented a big motorhome for my dad's last trip in '09 and it was killer, but I was glad to turn it back in after a week. It did allow us to set up house in places like Mammoth Lakes, Pallisades Glacier, Alabama Hills, etc. on sites where lodging was not an option and the scenery was epic. For the past 30+ years, I've been going off grid to historic ghost town sites and have camped on BLM land in order to hunt and to shoot target practice. Very low overhead, except now, fuel is back up to $6 per gallon for regular E-10. Should be $3 per gallon with the current price of oil. Love CA.

When I used to camp, I'd so so out of a trailhead with a 25# pack.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

When I used to camp, I'd so so out of a trailhead with a 25# pack.

So your tolerance for alcohol is so high that a 6 pack of beer won't get you drunk?

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

When I used to camp, I'd so so out of a trailhead with a 25# pack.

We call that " Breakfast " when we go camping.

[LATB]

We are happy with our truck and travel trailer setup. We never much considered any RV other than TT or slide-in camper or 5th wheel.
I like being able to detach from the RV and go. And the truck is my daily driver.
Our Lance TT has been pretty much flawless and perfect for us so far.
And my F250 is the nicest pickup I’ve ever owned.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by LATB

We are happy with our truck and travel trailer setup. We never much considered any RV other than TT or slide-in camper or 5th wheel.
I like being able to detach from the RV and go. And the truck is my daily driver.
Our Lance TT has been pretty much flawless and perfect for us so far.
And my F250 is the nicest pickup I’ve ever owned.

How many camping trips have you taken in it? A nice Hilton would be cheaper.

[UniqueDoug]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

How many camping trips have you taken in it?

[Steve_R]

Doug!

Hope you’re doing well.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

How many camping trips have you taken in it? A nice Hilton would be cheaper.

We’ve been on 6 trips including the current 5 day trip. And going again end of the month.

With the dogs Hilton is not an option and in the end likely not any less expensive.

We are admitted noobs but so far so good.

[LATB]

Btw, this week has been awesome. We are able to open the windows and skip the AC. Sleeping with the windows open and enjoying the cool air is a pleasure.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by UniqueDoug

Good to see you posting.
I know you will like this pic.

[Rikki Z-06]

Originally Posted by UniqueDoug

Dougie!!!

[UniqueDoug]

Hey guys!

Lars you’re only supposed to post raw pic lol

[ricks327]

Doug,
Good to see you back and praying you can stay on the track to recovery. If you don't care to answer, I would understand...how is your mother doing?

[99 pewtercoupe]

Originally Posted by LATB

We’ve been on 6 trips including the current 5 day trip. And going again end of the month.

With the dogs Hilton is not an option and in the end likely not any less expensive.

We are admitted noobs but so far so good.

Just for future reference, I ran across this page on Hilton’s web site when we were looking at possibly evacuation from our island. Looks like a lot of Hilton properties allow pets at their more budget friendly brands


https://www.hilton.com/en/pet-friend...gleLink,i85249

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by StorytellerStealth

That's about it one bedroom condo.
But you can see some beautiful areas without other campers or RVs and travel trailers. Rarely I will ever camp in an official campsite.

Kinda like the car commercials where there is nobody else on the road and the sky is blue; nothing at all like reality.