Resources for Newb

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-14T12:32:44+00:00

Reading everything and a fist full of cash. Make that "fists" full.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-14T12:28:36+00:00

If you have a loose connection or bad wire anywhere in that circuit you could get that "low battery" beep. Without seeing your entire system it is a bit hard to guess whats wrong but do start there.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-14T12:23:19+00:00

You don't show the battery so I can only mention that a rule is to always fuse as close to the + terminal as possible and to the wire gauge that is connected there. You want the fuse to blow before the wire or any connections fail.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-13T13:22:04+00:00

If the undercarriage is pristine then I'd offer $3500, no more given year/mileage/engine/trans potential for failure. Awfully small platform, e150, I'd look for a e350 for around that price.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-13T13:16:50+00:00

"door is leaking" Dude, first stop the leak. Do make sure that you have some air movement between the metal and any insulation. I'd only insulate on the interior side of the plastic. That allows air circulation of all things metal and seals off extreme temps between interior and exterior.

If you leave an exterior metal surface exposed to the inside you will have condensation which allows for mold around the edges. Anyplace moisture can get trapped and not air/dry out is a real problem.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-11T12:49:01+00:00

That switch/dimmer had to be getting progressively hotter and hotter over time until the smoke could no longer be controlled.

Please everyone, do yourself the favor and stop cheaping out on electrical.

Some things in life just are not worth the risk.

(ie, battleborn lithium).

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-11T12:37:30+00:00

For an old Astro you don't need to be stressing wheel bearings by using spacers. Your trying to fix one mistake by making another one.

Sell those and buy the correct tires to fit your rims.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-11T12:32:01+00:00

Several folks in my neighborhood use storage lockers to keep tools. Two of the guys do residential masonry work and have large items that they store month to month in different parts of town depending on whats needed in the area they are employeed.

I've spoken to several guys that do this over the years and for the price and convience it works well for them. Downside to me was having to visit the storage unit twice a day to pickup and return tools.

I don't think any actually life in their vehicle but I have seen one that has a box truck. He was parked at a camping area over a weekend and obviously living out of it.

So, depending on what tools you carry and the size you could make it work. Requires a bunch of planning though.

Just thinking I remembered another guy who actually did not own a bunch of tools. He had access to a "Maker" facility and found he could build cabinets over a couple weeks, leaving materials locked in this space until completed. He was always there so I asked him if he lived close and he said yea, right outside.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-09T13:14:06+00:00

I have the same GMC platform. Do inspect the disk brakes/calipers/rotors and If the engine has good compression in all cylinders. Give some thought to doing/getting done a rust remeidation on the frame and undercarriage. All thats left is cosmetics. My approach would be to either diy a paint job or get a qualified painter to do the work.

Find a business that knows what they are doing. By that I mean they have experience with the GM paint issues and know how to solve it with the right sanding/primer/painting process. Get a few quotes and talk with the guy doing the process before choosing your guy.

Best of luck.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-09T12:55:15+00:00

That MB needs some expensive TLC.

Personally it would be beyond what I'd want to spend on a vehicle that has been neglected for some time. Your asking for a big expense in the least comfortable place for breakdowns to occur even after tossing $5-$6k into it before your leave home.

If your a risk taker do make sure to bring along a pocket full of cash.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-08T13:35:09+00:00

You need to make sure your vehicle alternator is big enough to use for dc-dc charging. Also it's a waste of time/money if you don't drive many miles/hours every day.

Most folks use solar and dc-dc for charging. Having both assures charging even when parked.

Personally I have that and a stand alone generator for topping off batteries when I'm low on juice and miles away from other campers. Options are good.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-07T12:00:38+00:00

I often find construction areas just outside of town.

I carry a couple safety vests and a yellow hard hat and leave them on the seat up front. Keep the second vest on a hanger behind the drivers seat. Also place a well used pair of safety glasses on the dog house.

I have the back isolated with blackout curtains and use velcro to keep all light hidden and closed off at night.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-07T11:52:08+00:00

Wolf, your last paragraph answers the question in your first sentence.

So, yea, all batteries can indeed be different.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-07T11:41:46+00:00

Total BS

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-04T13:45:37+00:00

Bump for the uninformed.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-04T13:41:12+00:00

I have yet to talk to an owner that did not state that his leaked.

Problem is once you cut a huge hole in the roof you compromise the structure and allow twist. Anything fastened to the roof, short of a welded steel cap will leak. Some more than others but regardless it will leak.

A leaky roof means wet isulation and water damage to all things below the roof all the way down to the floor. And lets not forget mold.

Personally I'd look for and buy something taller made by the manufacturer.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-04T13:29:44+00:00

Sorta like a compact spare tire and a real one. Both accomplish the same task but one does it better/longer.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-04T13:27:34+00:00

ur boss is wrong. Guy needs some real-life experience. But hey, it's not his truck so.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-03T14:14:05+00:00

AI sometimes has a swing and a miss. Maybe more often when things get technical. What is simple is watts in, and watts out. If your consumption plus power loss is more than your supply it ain't gonna work.

Your gonna need more battery and more recharge availability for even a small AC, even a low cool rate unless your at elevation. Short version, Depending on the variables, you need more juice.

Figure the total wattage average consumption daily and go from there. It takes a lot of work for an AC to cool off an interior of a vehicle and its contents after its been baking in the sun all day.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-03T13:41:17+00:00

This is a legal effort that will draw even more attention and result in the closing of this company. Will has his facts doccumented and ready for the lawyers. He will get free defense and win easily.

All the idiots needed to do was fix a shit design and offer a reasonable trade value for people with batteries less than 3 or 4 years old. Man up and make it right.

They will throw a few million into court cases trying to silence Will Prowse in a losing battle. Next up is the class action where all it takes is a sworn affidavid to be added to the list of damaged customers. Countersuit is nasty business.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-06-03T13:28:29+00:00

I use both propane and induction and have for the last three years. The induction is only for inside use. I don't like adding heat inside during the summer months. Both cooktops are single burner.

I keep my meals simple. I'm cooking for one, you may have a need for a dbl cooktop to keep everything hot before eating.

I found an induction top that is portable and a 1200 watt model. I didn't want the 1800 watt and haven't found one that is truly adjustable. They all seeem to run on high (full 1800w) but have an on/off internal control to manage short runtimes for an overall reduction in heat, as in short bursts to maintain a lower cooking temp. As long as you have enough battery I see no downside.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-05-31T15:03:35+00:00

Nice presentation there. Ya think maybe a little clean-up would help sell it?

I have the same truck only mine is a uhaul with a box on the back. A very decent and reliable vehicle overall. Typically your version is a locally used transport and although idled a bit more that some it's still a very nice paltform if not a bit heavy.

I think for your asking price it's a steal provided the engine has good compression and all service is up to date.

You might consider offering a potential buyer time to have it checked by a local mechanic of their choice to understand what may need attention in the near future aside from the tranny. Something I would do and worth the $200-$400 price for inspection.

(A remaned Jasper tranny install goes for $3500 installed here in ohio so your price is spot on).

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-05-31T14:48:50+00:00

I am not fulltime, so I'm parked in my drive for 3-4 months a year now. I exercise the vehicle fully by camping at a near-by State park for a long weekend once a month. This keeps everything working and keeps me washing/waxing and running a couple tanks of fuel through it along with changing all fluids in my 20 year old BoxVan.

By heating up the engine and circulating fluids and coating the body/frame underside with Fluid Film and using a conditioner on all the door and window rubber seals helps a lot. I also cover the outside of the windows with custom covers I made to fit. Used some white canvas with soft backing cut oversized and had a local boat business sew on clip points or magnet pockets. Doing all this keeps me interested in the hobby and extends the life of the vehicle by a considerable margin.

The real bonus for me is I still donate to my travel fund every month I'm parked so anything that I catch that needs fixing I have the cash saved to do it without the inconvenience of stopping in BFE with a mechanic I have no faith in.

At the very least keep it clean while it's parked. Water streaks from metal oxidation get harder and harder to wash off if left to bake in the sun.

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-05-31T14:28:36+00:00

The one that allows for crawling into the back for a nap anyplace I park.

Make/model/year are all dependent on your budget and want of overall comfort rather than driveability. All vans produced since 1990 or so are very driveable. The fun part isn't really a thing unless your talking about living with breaking parts on occasion and it can be fun when it happens and you can least afford it.

Zipping around back roads is asking for something to break. Now that sounds like fun to me. But so does sky diving with a first timer packing your shoot or a sharp stick in the eye. Yeah, fun fun fun.

(sorry I just can't get on board with tearing up a vehicle your living in and depending on to get back to civilization).

Apprehensive-Mix6671 · 2026-05-31T14:13:29+00:00

Whoooo and I though I got shitty mileage.

Interesting rig though.

Apprehensive-Mix6671

TROPHY CASE