Extended Stay Vehicles

[CheapCigarMan]

Several of you have updated / modified trucks, campers, vans, or vehicles designed to stay in the mountains or anywhere away from your house for extended periods. They have enough creature comforts to both live AND work from them. Showers, wifi, extended cell coverage, toilets, satellite TV, running water, stoves, etc.

Interested in such a vehicle myself I was thinking there might be some on this forum that would like to share about their ESMV "Extended Stay Mountain Vehicle"
Looking for design ideas, things to look for, include, tips, and places to look for such a vehicle. Advice and tips on both creature comforts and connectivity for work as well (wifi, satellite, etc.)

Discussion could include the 4WD aspect. How practical are such vehicles to get to 4WD roads and TH's.
Are there such factory stock made vehicles?
If so, pros and cons of factory made vs custom?
Shops or dealers that specialize in selling such vehicles?
Other?

[Will_E]

If I ever become independently ridiculously rich I’m buying an EarthRoamer and swapping in a manual transmission.

[CheapCigarMan]

If I ever become independently ridiculously rich I’m buying an EarthRoamer and swapping in a manual transmission.

I guess so, HD model $2 million and their LTi model $700,000.

[climbingcue]

I would just like a AWD sprinter van with just a bed and heat. The prices for the van with nothing in them are completely out of control. Hoping the market crashes and I will be able to get one at somepoint. Until then I will be sleeping in my 4Runner.

[Mtnman200]

Ben (SupraNihilEst) has been living/working out of a van he customized. If he doesn't comment on this thread, you might want to PM him.

[12ersRule]

My extended stay vehicle is a VAN down by the river!

[two lunches]

i more or less live out of my 4runner on weekends in the summertime-- if i purchased an awning with some side panels, i'd be able to set up a little shower/restroom for myself. with that small addition it would do everything i need it to. there is perhaps a little more setup/takedown time associated with not having lots of dollars to spend on a super awesome van (instead of purchasing, say, a home) but she'll get the job done.

[9patrickmurphy]

I lived out of a 4Runner for about 4 months between graduating and starting a job. Got rid of the 4Runner earlier this year and recreated a similar setup for my Subaru Forester. It still fits a twin bed, though the headroom is reduced. Still, plenty of room to sleep in and holds all the supplies I need. I lived out of it for two weeks this past June. While the 4Runner (or a Land Cruiser, if I was richer) is a lot better offroad, it sure is nice to get 30+ mpg when I'm not trying to get to a silly remote trailhead!

[bdmtns]

There are so many options (van, truck bed camper, tow-behind/teardrop camper, rooftop tent, build-a-bed in the back of a truck or SUV, etc...) which is nice, and overwhelming. I think it's mostly a matter of narrowing options down to what works best for you in terms of cost and convenience. I can tell you how we came to our decision to purchase a truck bed camper.

After going back and forth between van vs truck bed camper, we opted for camper. Due to home, work, and many outdoor opportunities in very close proximity, we are essentially a one car family so adding a third vehicle seemed silly, and expensive. We already had a one ton truck to facilitate the camper. Campers are cheaper than vans. (ok, there wasn't a lot of back and forth at all) Also, by virtue of traveling with a high clearance 4wd truck, we can gain access to basically anywhere we want to go. Yes, the camper changes the handling but it's still just driving a big pickup truck. It goes.

In terms of amenities, and maximizing space...
- Hard no to a bathroom for us. We've both camped/backpacked for years and thanks to pit toilets, wag bags, the groover on long trips, and digging holes, a bathroom was absolutely not something we wanted to take up precious space. We have a solar shower type thing for when it's necessary.
- Yes to a sink and running water, however once the camper has been winterized it's back to jugs which really isn't that bad. Also yes to a built-in 2 burner stove and fridge.
- No to tv. No to wifi booster-- either we go somewhere we know there's enough service to work remotely (or in town from a coffee shop or library) or take vacation. Friends who frequently work remotely do have a Verizon booster and attest to it working.

If you have friends that have any of the options you're considering, with whom you can tag along or (ideally) borrow for a weekend, I think that's the best way to decide what you want, and then you get to start whittling down necessities, and from there stalk online sites and talk to dealers everywhere. I do know that a lot of truck bed camper manufacturers build to order, so it allows you a lot of customization.

If you have questions or want more specifics, please let me know!

[Ptglhs]

I have spent weeks car camping with sedans. If you're okay with 15 min of set up and tear down it's much more fuel efficient than a house on wheels. The draw back is lack of access to 4wd THs. I think a dream vehicle for me would be a short wheelbase lifted jeep which could go nearly anywhere, hopefully still get 30+ mpg (not nearly as good as my 45mpg elantra, but there are trade offs), and just have a tent and pack in back for when I wanted to head out.

[Kiefer]

Ben (SupraNihilEst) has been living/working out of a van he customized. If he doesn't comment on this thread, you might want to PM him.

Second this. He gave me a tour of it one night in Ouray after dinner and that thing is freaking dope! It's SUCH an awesome way to do mountains/peaks and see the country if you can work remotely. I'm actually a bit jealous of it.

[Jakomait]

Several of you have updated / modified trucks, campers, vans, or vehicles designed to stay in the mountains or anywhere away from your house for extended periods.
Other?

You need to head over to https://expeditionportal.com/ and prepare to be overwhelmed. The forum threads as as vast as the internet itself!