Dedicated vehicle? Conversion van, camper, slide-in?

[Boston Wrangler]

I think I would like to have a dedicated roadtrip vehicle someday. I have traveled in SUVs, compact cars, and other vehicles in between, but I have never had a vehicle that was built for living on the road like a conversion van or camper.

Mark and Megan's Phoenix One is quite the vehicle. I checked out Revcon Motorcoach, Inc.'s website and their vehicles are impressive, albeit a bit out of my price range for the my stage of the game, or the stage of the game I see myself playing for the next 10-15 years.

I have browsed the local advertisement websites like Craigslist and there are a fair number of conversion vans available out there. The vans don't have the ammenities that a camper-type vehicle has (water tanks and hookups, lav, shower, kitchenette, dinette, etc), but often times the rear seats fold into a queen-size bed or the seats are removable to make room for said bed.

I also have an affinitiy for classic vehicles and Chevrolet produced the Blazer Chalet in 1976 and early 1977 that is an eye-catcher. I can't help but want one!

Two years ago when we took a trip in my 1982 Jeep Wagoneer to the Smoky Mountains in N.C., I removed the rear seat and we put a queen-size air mattress in back, which worked out pretty well. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to lay down in the back of my Subaru Impreza the same way.

So what is your opinion on the ideal roadtrip vehicle for various enthusiast levels? SUV, conversion van, pop-up or slide-in camper, or full-on Class A motorhome?

Here's some pictures to get the juices flowing:

Phoenix One


Blazer Chalet


Conversion van

[Mark Sedenquist]

Actually, there are a couple more rigs that get my heart a-pumping these days.

This Custom-RV on a Unimog chassis is fine:

But it is the UniCat UXL 17HD that I really like!

A bit more pedestrian -- but much closer to real world price level is The Earthroamer XV-LT

Just dreamin'

Mark

[RoadTripper Brad]

The words "UN Envoy" or "International Red Cross Envoy" comes to mind when seeing both the unicat and that custom RV. They look like they belong right in a caravan of military humvees or white Land Rovers sporting White/Red IRC Flags.
-Brad M.

[RoadTripper Brad]

If you plan to stay on well maintained roadways, a class C (conversion van) might be your best bet. They are usually less expensive, and do get a bit better gas milage (last I was told anyway!).

The Phoenix One style appears to be a good option too. If I had the time and the money, I would design a doosey of a RV... but that will have to wait!
-Brad M.