Got a new camper extension for my van..

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arlon
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Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by arlon »

Well it is an extension..

Image


Figured when I'm solo, most of the year the van is great but here in West Texas if I want to do any local trips in the summer, something with some climate control would be a big bonus. Wife likes the idea of a shower and potty too.

Figure the van should pull it ok for local trips and for long hauls I'll just pull it with the Dodge/Cummins..
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Nice little camper! The van will pull it no problem. The Dodge on the other hand... :muhaha: It'll do it and get 15+ mpg! :muhaha: :muhaha:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by 1Gary »

Hey Dean,as the snowflakes start to leave the nest,maybe you should start looking for one like it for yourself. :yawinkle:
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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T.Low
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by T.Low »

Sweet.

Details and interior pics, please!
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LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

1Gary wrote:Hey Dean,as the snowflakes start to leave the nest,maybe you should start looking for one like it for yourself. :yawinkle:
Way ahead of you Gary. :yawinkle: :D We are actually thinking of downsizing but not necessarily to that small of one. Although a size I can pull with the Astro may be an option.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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arlon
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Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by arlon »

We had a 28ft 5th wheel but it was just over kill. We never spent much time in it, it was just a place to sleep. It was also a storage problem and after moving to Midland we sold it. After using the van solo so much lately I decided that more isn't always better and when a good deal on a decent condition used Casita fell in our laps, we grabbed it. Fully loaded it should be under 3000lbs. Hopefully it will tow ok with the van. I plan on some larger tires and raising the axle a little too. They have decent clearance but I think it could be improved. Add some E tires and it should go about anywhere the van will.. Dodge will get the most towing duty though. It used to get 15mpg pulling a 10k lb 5th wheel, I bet it will get closer to 20 mpg pulling the Casita.

Only have one shot of the insides. It a "bunk" model, wouldn't be my choice if we were getting a new one. We plan to do some mods on the inside too.

Image
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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mdmead
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by mdmead »

arlon wrote:Dodge will get the most towing duty though. It used to get 15mpg pulling a 10k lb 5th wheel, I bet it will get closer to 20 mpg pulling the Casita.
Yeah, but come on, pulling the Casita with a Cummins is just going to look silly...... :muhaha:
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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H2OJoe
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by H2OJoe »

We were at Nehalem Bay State Park a few weeks ago and there was a Scamp/Casita club camping trip that weekend. It was cool seeing so many of those little campers at one time. The van should pull it with no problem. There were a couple of Astros and even several small cars pulling them and they said they had no problems at all.
Have a great weekend all!
Joe :guitar: :cheers:
2001 Astro LT AWD "Redneck Edition", 4" Custom Lift, 30x9.5R15LT on stock wheels, Hightop conversion, custom interior, custom roof racks, external solar shower, front recovery points. SOLD

1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.

astroturf
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by astroturf »

Very Nice...
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Topic author
arlon
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Re: Got a new camper extension for my van..

Post by arlon »

Well, visiting this old post I was reflecting on the van vs casita usage last year. It seems about even. Wife and casita or me and van. I did a lot of solo trips last year in the van as wife was tied up with other duties. This year I expect to see a shift towards more Casita use and longer trips as a career winds down towards retirement and I start using accumulated vacation time. I'll still use the van a lot I suspect. I'm actually planning some changes for the van to make it more camper and less van.

When I got the van I expected to be hauling people a lot more than I have. It hasn't had more than two people in it since I got it. The rear seats going into storage and the interior is going to get an overhaul. Need to add a little roof storage (mostly for propane tanks), swivel for the passenger seat and a few other minor changes but that will be it. Hopefully I can start getting even more use out of it than I already have. Love to go from 3.73 to 4.11 gears and hi-lo transfer case but will probably just leave it like it is and just use it.

Still haven't pulled the Casita with the van but the old Dodge is getting 20-22mpg pulling the Casita and I can run 70 and pass 18 wheelers on the 2 lane. Doubt the van will ever have to pull that trailer.

Image
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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