Convert your Minivan into a Mini RV Camper: How to convert a minivan into a comfortable minivan camper motorhome for under $200 Paperback – February 22, 2016

New to the RVing scene, my solution was to purchase a used diesel truck and new 35-foot travel trailer and burn the roads up in my retirement years. But I discovered that my "Get up and go" dream of traveling wasn't as trouble-free as I pictured. Accidents due to lack of experience in towing; lack of places to camp in a travel trailers in natural areas; and my ever growing desire to boondock led me to start thinking about downsizing my travel needs. I looked at vans, van conversions and kits, and still we were talking about spending between ten and twenty thousand dollars minimum.Then I found this book. The title seemed pretty simplistic and unbelievable, but for the price I decided to give it a read. Boy, does it deliver!The author's logic on purchasing a used minivan to travel is logical: minivans devalue rapidly, and there are many one can purchase for just a few thousand dollars. His "under $200" list of supplies to get is in the back of the book, and is rather bare-bones. The supplies he purchased and recommends probably come closer to $500. Still figuring the cost of supplies along with the minivan is a lot cheaper than high monthly payments on a truck and trailer combo.None of his recommendations involve making permanent changes to the vehicle, nor is their any remodeling or carpentry skills needed. You place your supplies inside, and when you get done with the minivan, simply remove them and sell the vehicle in the same condition you bought it in(although with a few more miles on it).He covers all the important things in this book: where to park, when to park. Toilet facilities. Heating and cooking.This type of camping suited best for solo campers, or couples. It might be viewed as closer to tent camping than RV camping by some, but the fact that you are up off the ground, have heat and air, and can leave in a moment's notice still makes it worlds apart from tent camping.Say one pays $3000 for a minivan and $500 for supplies. You want to go on an extended road trip, one longer than 2 weeks. Let's say you plan to travel about 9000 miles during your trip. At 15 miles a gallon, that's 600 gallons of gas. If gas everywhere was a high price of $4.00 you would spend $2400 on fuel. (Heck, you'd spend more than that staying at hotels). So far It's totaled $5900. My estimate on how much it would cost to take a 30-day road trip with my truck and trailer could easily equal that, and that's not counting the truck and trailer payments, or repair and maintenance on both.This book made such and impression I'm seriously considering this mode of travel for myself.

This author does a great job of sharing life-learned wisdom in converting your minivan to a mini-RV, and he does so with an eye on keeping things as affordable as possible. As a bonus, “mini-RV camping” tips and tricks are covered throughout the book. I also love that it’s short and to the point—no fluff here!

This is a quick read with a lot of information on product and setup. Some things are replaced with newer products and more recently available things, but this book will get you on the road quickly and easily. Like the author says, this is the minimalist version of setting up your minivan for camping! Now let’s get started!

This book does what it says: tells the reader how to convert a minivan into a camper.It's written for readers (like me) who want to travel in a minivan and use it for overnight shelter instead of paying for hotels every night. It's also for someone who enjoys camping; with the listed equipment you can stay in the great outdoors with your sleeping, eating, and other basic requirements provided for.it's not a "how to live full time in a minivan" guide. Just want to say that because I think some reviewers may have expected that. The author does give advice on safely and discreetly parking overnight, which applies to anyone sleeping overnight in a vehicle.I like the level of detail provided, and the specific product information, as well as the helpful photos showing the author's actual work in outfitting his minivan. I've looked at the photos of the fully equipped vehicle ready for use, and can see myself very happily nesting in that for nights on the road.And, for me the sweet part is that none of it requires carpentry, electrical wiring, costly gear, or permanent alterations to the minivan. You can come home, store the camping/travel gear, re-install the back seats - and you have your regular daily driver minivan again. I'll never look at minivans the same way again!EDITED later to add: After I wrote this review I talked to my insurance agent about adding a minivan to my auto policy. I was told that it's less expensive to insure a "regular" minivan, than one that's had permanent modifications installed. The insurance companies are likely to rate the modified vehicle at a higher value (and thus higher premiums). The beauty of this book's approach to equipping the vehicle for camping, is that nothing it recommends is a permanent change or modification or addition to the vehicle.