Sleeping in a Minivan???

[2_little_kiwis]

Hi Peoples!!

Carrying on from my post about traveling through California/Nevada/Arizona in March/April 07/

Well, we figured that it was too complicated (and rather expensive) to get a proper RV so we thought we'd go for a minivan instead (you know, like a Dodge Caravan or something). Figured we could easily sleep in it AND fit in all our shopping too!! Ok, so a Dodge Charger would have been more fun but it's a bit more tricky to sleep in.

We figured we'd sleep at those Walmarts & Kmarts that allow overnight camping, maybe a few motels and camping grounds?

What do you all think???

THANKS HEAPS
Agnes

[nyclawstudent]

Hi! So funny. I just answered your other posting.

Are you sure Walmarts let you sleep in your car? Even if it is a minivan, you might want to call one and make sure. I've had a cop come up to a car I was sleeping in. For some reason, it's considered different from sleeping in an RV. I don't think I'd consider it too safe either.

Also, I mentioned in the other post that it will be cold around that time. I lived in Phoenix for about four years, and nights in the desert get really chilly. You'll be farther north too, so it could be worse.

I'd strongly suggest finding cheap motels. They're usually easy to find and extremely convenient (right off the highway). You could start your trip attempting to stay in carparks, but leave room in your budget in case you change your mind.

[deaddoll]

Agree with Myclawstudent ....get a cheap hire vehicle ..learn to pack stuff REALLY well and ..go into motel ..holiday inn type and will be safer warmer more comfortable..

[Maid of Kent]

Walmarts do allow you to park/sleep overnight but you should ok it with manager/customer services desk first. Just so they know you are there.

You can get cheaper places than Holiday Inns. Lots cheaper. Look up Motel 6 prices. Also family owned places, known as mom & pop places, can be good value but view the room in daylight. Light bulbs in motels tend to be of very low wattage so you can't always see if it's clean.

You can also get very good quality sleeping bags. Buy them over there. Donate to charity shops at the end.
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[2_little_kiwis]

Was so sure this was gonna be a sure-hit.
Bummer.

I mean there is always the option of going to a motel should an "overnight camping Walmart" not be available. Couldnt we stay in camp grounds as well? They should be safer shouldnt they?
How cold does it get in March/April? We have some really warm sleeping bags and have been camping out while hiking in the middle of winter in New Zealand so usually the cold doesnt worry us. Although under -10 Degrees Celcius could get a little cold. Up to -5 is probably bearable I think.

[Maid of Kent]

Are you sure you want to sleep on the ground at 5.5 months gone? You will be getting bigger by then and less agile.
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[2_little_kiwis]

Yup, that is a point..no, not planning on actually sleeping in a tent. Just thinking we could sleep in our minivan on our blow up mattress in the camp ground? Might work? Probably pushing it?

[Maid of Kent]

something like this
http://www.jndtrips.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=3&pos=4
This chap drove part of route 66 in his van.
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(=’.’=)
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[OnThePike]

Hello Agnes,

Yes, it is quite possible to drive cross-country in a minivan, provided, of course, you make the necessary preliminary preparations. The obvious being removal of the seats and having a safe place to secure/store them while not in use. If you don't plan on removing the seats, you can remove the smaller center bench and prop it over the rear bench while availing space to sleep between the rear bench and front seats.

Because it was just the two of us, we didn't need any other seats, so we removed all but the two front seats and set up our "mobile bedroom" in the rear:

In addition to the bed, which is an actual twin, mattress, box spring and yes even the frame (wheels removed), I wired two independently fused 12-volt lines from the battery through the firewall and into the cabin to power an electric oven, electric cooler, CD/VDV/TV, and the CB radio installed above.

If you have any questions, please ask away! We drove this van from New York to New Mexico via old US Route 66 just last week. We put over 4,400 miles on the thing and she's still going strong (though balding rather quickly, much like her owner) LOL!

If you want to see more, the link provided by Maid of Kent may be expanded to view the entire gallery. That would be our website.

Jeff

[OnThePike]

PS -- I had a lengthy image post above, but apparently I'm not allowed to post images

I have asked Maid of Kent (who provided the link to our site) to post them if possible. If not, you can see how we arranged the van by clicking the link in my signature, below.

[paul]

You will be able to post them now, JND. It's just new posters can't post links until they have at least 3 posts on the board, to try to minimise on spam. Because you need to post a link to reference an image, the same applies to pictures.

Paul
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[OnThePike]

Thank you, Paul. Actually, I like the idea of having to contribute some before having the ability to post links. Gives the forum leaders an opportunity to be sure we are here for a legitimate reason. Good job!

Regarding the place to actually pull over and sleep, it was our choice to use our GPS navigation system to locate an I-40 rest area with facilities or any TA/Travelers, Pilot or Love's truck stop. Reason being, overnight parking is expected and you'll have ample restroom facilities as soon as you awake in the morning. If you include those points of interests as the final stage of your Route 66 day, you can simply leave the route for the night, retire somewhere safe which includes facilities then return to the road first thing in the morning.

If you plan to visit any of the museums along the way, a good idea (and one that worked for us) was to make it your last stop, find nearby overnight parking, retire for the night and make it your first stop in the morning, after washing up and having some breakfast. This way, you beat the crowds and still have the entire day ahead of you to do as you wish.

[Maid of Kent]

Have you thought of hiring a van? something the size of JND's but with-out the seeting? the sort used for small deliveries? They are called cargo vans in USA (thanx JND).

JND may be will be able to help with details of what you need to be looking for.
Uhaul is one company that springs to mind.
_________________
(\__/) Chinese Proverb - He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not remains a fool forever.
(=’.’=)
(‘)_(‘)

[OnThePike]

I did a little bit of thinking and a bit less research on cargo van rentals (mainly because the thread starter hasn't returned or replied yet), but it seems that these type of rentals are almost twice the cost of a normal family-car type rental. I checked Budget and AVis and they were between $850.00 and $1,100 USD for a round-trip rental hypothetically planned between March 1 and March 15 2007 out of Phoenix.

That's a hefty price tag for a rental car that's being used for pleasure and not for cargo or moving.

Another thing I noticed was the fine print. Some companies mandate you remain in the state of rental foir unlimited mileage. Traveling outside the state will incur additional mileage fees (that I did not investigate).

Something to think about I guess.

[2_little_kiwis]

Hello Peoples!

Have been away and unable to access the internet for the last wee while but this is superb to be getting back and getting all this great input.

We were hoping the minivans would have that stow-and-go system..which most american time mini vans seem to have...where the seats just disappear into the floor...hope it turns out like that too.

Great pics by the way, just love what people manage to do in such a small van!!! Keep it up!

THANKS HEAPS
Agnes