If you follow OdysseyCamper on YouTube, then you know that I have a NEW campervan project.
My company provided me with a new, 2019 Nissan NV cargo van. Of course, I’ll outfit it with a bed and amenities to make traveling easier. I might even save them some lodging expenses along the way!
The 2013 Odyssey is not going anywhere, I just thought that this would be a great opportunity to work with a blank slate. To see why I think the NV200 will make a good platform for a camper conversion, check out the videos. I’ll add more videos here as the project progresses and rather than litter the website with them, I’ll put all videos on this page (hint: bookmark to follow).
Overview and First Impressions of the NV200:
This is a leased vehicle, so while I will be building inside of the van, everything has to either be reversible and “not affect the resale value”. I might, for example, use magnets to hold a panel in place, where you’d be free to use screws. I’ll also make use of the factory attachment points for the bed, window privacy panels, flooring, and other things. (Update: the comptroller said as long as I don’t drill holes or cut sheet metal, I’m good to go on any “value-added” additions). This guidance led me to my first modification: see my how-to reverse the passenger seat in an NV200 post.
Pre-build Thoughts on Windows and Beds:
The NV200 has a lot of advantages as the base of a camper van build:
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- It’s an empty box, without trim, carpet, seats, or really anything else that needs to be removed.
- The NV200 has a flat cargo floor. That means no sloped areas or weird sculpting like you have in most minivan floors, including the Odyssey.
- Because the little Nissan is designed for contractors, it has reinforced and threaded attachment points around the cargo box, along with D-ring tie-downs in the floor.
- A tiny engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission) should make it pretty economical to drive.
- Because it’s a Nissan “commercial vehicle” it carries a 100,000-mile warranty.
Insulating the Nissan NV200 for Sound and Heat Rejection:
Sticker Price of the Nissan NV200?
Here is the window sticker for my NV200. $25,685 including destination. I’m not sure if there is another minivan/cargo van in the US that can match that. This is the top of the line SV version, with windows and Nav. Although as you will see in the video, “top of the line” means something a little different when you are talking cargo vans vs say, a Honda Odyssey.
We got this through a fleet buyer, so the “out the door price” was about $23,500. I’ve found that the actual fuel mileage for the NV200 is as close to the EPA number as anything else I’ve driven. Although I have achieved 29 MPG on a trip, day-to-day mixed driving comes in around 25 (summer weather).
NV200 Campervan Sub-Floor Build and Install:
Note that I’ve mentioned on the OdysseyCamper Facebook Page I posted an early report that I was getting 31-33 MPG, but I have never been able to repeat that. I think the trip computer had not yet calibrated itself, but I wasn’t watching the calculated fuel mileage (miles/gallons) so I can’t verify that. 25 MPG in mixed, warm weather driving is what I usually get. 23.5 in the winter. Those numbers are solid and repeatable over the last 20,000 miles.
Bed Build and Power Station for the NV200 Van Build
Episode 6 has my favorite DIY project, a backlit illuminated ceiling!
An unexpected farewell to the NV200 and some info on what tires fit on the NV200!
Check out the videos to see if the NV200 could work for you. It’s the least expensive minivan at $23,000 and there are plenty of used ones out there. Note that the Chevy City Express is the same vehicle and is also slightly better looking. So anything shown in the videos will also apply to your City Express minivan camper. However, they are no longer selling new ones in the US, so the 2019/2020 NV200 is your only choice if you want something new.
–Darren at Odyssey Camper
