Surfstyle Camper Tops?

[WhatsSUP]

Been toying (more like daydreaming) with the idea of a vehicle than would serve as a board carrying camper to serve for weekend roadtrips/short get-aways.  Anyone have/use such a critter?

Here's my (day dream) parameters:

- Stand alone vehicle (nothing towed)
- Room for 1-2 to sleep
- Decent on gas
- I'd envision boards secure to top of vehicle (kanulocks or some such device).
- Safe/secure

Interested in pics of those who own something as well as other considerations/parameters worth considering.

 

[SlatchJim]

Budget?

It's always all about the money. 

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5503349216.html
to
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/5422361919.html

[Badger]

Sportsmobiles are awesome.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/

.

[WhatsSUP]

Damn.....that Mer. Sprinter is sweet!!!  But $95K....

Daydreaming budget...how bout $30-40K.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

Take a look at ursa minor  they make westfalia style pop tops for jeeps and flips for  stuf like toyota tacoma  4 wheel drives  go any where  not in the league of prius mileage  but way more comfortable and roomy  also look at at habitat

[WhatsSUP]

OUTSIDEWAVE:  Great idea....will have to giggle-search some pickup cap options for my Tundra...helluva lot cheaper no doubt. 

But I do like that Sprinter that Slatch linked......saaaaaaa-weeeeeet!

sportmobiles like kinda cool too!  Thx Badger.

[Wetstuff]

My wife is 'Star-struck' having had a number of their cars, but these camper mod guys really bend you forward and make you sleep where you fart.  For casual use, $10k will get you any of a variety of used U-Haul trucks. Find a trim carpenter if you're not handy. 

Jim

[cnski]

Here ya go:

[SUP Sports ®]

I have a Sprinter van, Ford F-250 4X4 with Lance...and, a couple of other Ford vans that we camp out of...not including wifey's rigs...

I would consider selling my E-350 diesel van...it's been getting little to no use...perfect setup...kept me from buying the Sprinter for a few years...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/ford-e-350-diesel-van

[JP4]

I like vans. I've had a few Econoline's and now have a high roof Transit. A new one would fit in your budget with a little wiggle room. I did my own basic conversion for a couple grand that includes a removable double bed, electric frig, and galley. I can get 14' downwind boards inside and still sleep 4. Mountain bikes fit under the bed. Pretty good mileage and super quiet. I like that none of my gear is ever sitting outside and I don't have to tie anything down on the roof.
JP

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[mr_proper]

The Pickup is my old Camper.
The Sprinter is my current. With 4x4, gear reduction and differential lock.

[supsurf-tw]

This is my F350 with pop up. Has shower, forced air heat sleeps 3. Awesome go anywhere surf vehicle. This was taken at the Ranch a few years ago

[surfcowboy]

Sweet rigs, one and all. I like the F350 with cap, I'll bet those aren't too hard to put together on a budget.

The Transit is right on, also love the Promasters. I agree, if you're handy, set one up yourself. Hell, you can buy an Astro van for under $5k and if you're just weekend driving to surf and old one will do ya fine I'll bet.

[JP4]

Yeah, don't discount a good minivan. My wife has a Sienna and the back seats pop out in a about 30 seconds. Sleeps two pretty comfortably and the roof is low enough to rack boards easily. All wheel drive and still gets 22mpg.
The older Honda Odyssey is pretty nice too and a little bigger inside. Covesurfer shuttles me all over Maui in his.
JP

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[surfercook]

Honda Element has been good to me the past few yrs. It'll sleep two inside if need be. The front and back seats marry to make beds but I removed the fourth one so there is only one full bed in mine. Not really a stand alone camper though. No galley or bathroom in it. There are two and four man dedicated Honda accessory tents available that look really nice. But I have two nice tents already so I didn't purchase either one.
I Googled "Honda Element tent option" and was really surprised at what I found. The first picture w/the two stand alone tents is mine though.