Hello Sue!
Thanks for the good suggestions. I have thought about having a plug-in port installed in the side of the van for a while, but I probably won't do it. Partly because I already have about 2" of foam panel insulation in the walls of the van that would have to come out for the re-do (MAJOR job) and partly that I resolved when I first did the van build not to put any holes in it - mainly because I have yet to see a hole that didn't leak sooner or later, no matter how well it was sealed. And when it did leak it would leak inside the wall (inside the insulation) and I wouldn't know about it until it started to smell with mold. Good idea, though. Putting the extension cord through the partially rolled-down window is dead easy (a lot easier than having a port put in the side of the van!)
As to putting stripes and such on the sides of the van to dress it up a bit and make it look more like a camper. . . well, I have thought about that too, but prefer the plain-jane "stealth" approach. As it is, it looks like a cargo van - and I just park it in my driveway next to my Nissan. I live in a, um, "working class" neighborhood, and try not to announce that there is a camper on the block. Also, when I go places I prefer the stealth look as well - there are a jillion white Chevy/GMC cargo vans on the road everywhere (look for them next time you are out driving!) and my van just kinds of "blends in" and doesn't attract any notice. I like it that way.
I have a memory-foam mattress on a platform for sleeping, with plastic-drawer storage underneath. I also have a Coleman camp stove for cooking on the road, utensils, and a Dometic ac/dc refrigerator that looks like a large ice chest that works great. I also have a porta-potti, so I am good to go!!
If anyone is interested, please check out the link to my van build below. Or, here is a direct link to the van part:
http://heartdogs.net/wordpress/?page_id=171This is a five-part story of my van build; there is a link at the bottom of each page to the next part of the story.
Since I posted the photos, I have removed one of the beds, which I really didn't need. It gives quite a bit more nice space to move around inside than the photos suggest.
Catherine:
The van is really perfect for my needs, and I do drive it fairly frequently - which keeps the tires round and the battery charged. I am very happy with it.
Thanks for the Congrats, everyone!
So far I am finding retirement pretty awesome!!
I also like having it parked in my driveway, because I take it out once a week or so for a spin.
Anne