I work out of state, and unlike many that use their vehicles for travel, or use the vehicles for work, mine will be a place to stay while I am working. It is essentially a replacement for a 1989 Dodge Explorer Class B (which will be sold later this summer). I may use it occasionally to transport a few people or tailgate with a friend, so I want to have seating for 4. It will be my only vehicle in my work location (in the Northeast). I have been using the 1989 for 5 years while I work (mostly in the southeast where the climate was different). I typically fly in to work during the week and fly home on the weekend, only occasionally staying for the weekend. It saves me from having to rent a hotel or apartment (at least 700-800 a month), plus it also serves vehicle duty (avoiding at least insurance if not a payment on a vehicle or renting car every week)
The vehicle is a 2018 Promaster 3500 Extended, with cruise control and power folding heated mirrors and not much else other than a factory plastic floor.
A few design choices have been made based on my 5 years of living in an RV during the week.
1. I don't want propane, a second fuel seems to be a hassle (at least to me in my lifestyle)
2. I want a shower and toilet, I don't use campgrounds often, I just park and stay in parking lots, but prefer a port a potty over having a black tank, I removed the toilet and black tank in my 1989 and preferred it that way
3. I don't often cook in the vehicle, but want the option for a minimal meal (microwave with a hot plate)
4. Going with a lithium battery system (already purchases 600 AH, Victron Multiplus inverter, B2B charger, Victron 100/50 solar charge controller)
5. Ordered a Smartbed Evolution R for my second row seating / secondary bed
6. Decided on a Webasto 2000 STC gasoline heater after considering many options, ordered yesterday
7. Using a Isotherm Square slim 4 gallon water heater with 750W electric element and engine heat exchanger (I have a propane water heater with engine heat exchange in my 1989 and I loved having engine heated water!)
8. Had a permanent bed, will still have a permanent bed. Either twin or 3/4 full across the Promaster. It is just me in the bed.
I don't need massive amounts of storage as I can keep some things in my office and the majority of my goods are kept in my house in Texas.
So I am just getting started, but need the vehicle to be minimally ready by Mid July! I started with insulation last night and have all the ribs stuffed with Thinsulate as well as about 25% of the panels covered. My goal of for the rest of the weekend is to finish the insulation and install some speakers in the front doors (it is starting to storm so the window in the back door, roof vent, and roof rack are on hold)
The Smartbed is a holdup on some of the interior work as I don't want to interfere with its mounting, but I can still put on the heater, water system, bathroom, insulation, as well as install the two roof vents and finish the insulation. I plan to use a design where I put a wall at the back and use a window AC in the wall. I will have a roof vent directly above the AC to vent the hot air from the space.