i am thinking of losing my truck and goosneck as i downsize.
We boat too and i am wondering if anyone can give me tips on a good conversion van or some such vehicle that worked well and is reliable? Brand, model etc!
I would still need to tow a three horse trailer.
Why not keep your truck and get a slide-in pop-up camper. They are fairly light weight, low profile while driving down the road and will give you decent amenities for camping without having to get a different vehicle. You can just put the camper on the truck when you need it and have a true truck for hauling hay, etc. If I were to go to a bumper pull again I would want to get one of these lighter weight campers.
You will also want a weight-distributing hitch with the anti-sway bars if you go to a 3-horse bumper pull trailer, van or truck.
Bonnie
that is an option, I have had a topper before, have never had a van and was just looking for input or opinions on a van. I would always have a truck for work, just dont want to deal with taking a topper on and off again!
We use a Ford E 350 van to pull our steel 3 horse slant load bumper pull. It pulls great, and we can sleep in the van. We can also use the van to haul saddles or anything we don’t want to put in the tack room with no worry about rain. We have upgraded to a motor home to pull with when we go on extended camping trips, but still use the van on day rides or shorter stays. Works great for us.
The van option is viable. Vans are better at some things than pickups (like as sleeping quarters) but not so good at others (like hauling bulky stuff such as hay, equipment, etc.)
Then there’s the old “bumper pull vs. gooseneck” discussion. 
A properly set up van should work well. So would adding a “slide in” to an existing truck.
One thing to consider: you know your current truck. A van will be new and, possibly, have a “learning curve” that will cost time and money. Consider this as you make your decision. 
G.
A friend of mine has one of the vans that is bascially an RV - it has a king sized bed in the back, fridge, microwave, sink, water tank, etc the shower though is kinda strange - its in the middle of the aileway and is pretty small. I also wonder if it could pull a 3H. They have a 2H Brenderup. If you need to sleep 3 people, it might be tough for that as well…
look at these. I was thinking something like THAT would be so much more practical for one person or a couple than a huge RV.
droooooolllllll : P
About 3 years ago I started a thread asking this same question and got positive feedback. You can search my posts if they go that far back…
Found it:
http://chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242782
I actually looked at a used C Class conversion fully tricked out and was dickering with a salesman re: price when I found my F250 & 2H GN.
For me that worked better as I was not thrilled with having to maintain the RV’s systems.
Wiping drool off mouth after seeing the sportsmobile. Thanks for the input and old thread link!
There is never a perfect trailer or truck is there?? Sigh. Just when I think I have it figured out, something changes.
[QUOTE=wendy;6471715]
http://sportsmobile.com/
look at these. I was thinking something like THAT would be so much more practical for one person or a couple than a huge RV.[/QUOTE]
I covet one of these: http://www.tigervehicles.com/
But it’s a total pipe dream…
[QUOTE=wendy;6471715]
http://sportsmobile.com/
look at these. I was thinking something like THAT would be so much more practical for one person or a couple than a huge RV.[/QUOTE]
OMG!! dh and i looked at these and want one SO BAD!
we’ll take a ford diesel 4x4 totally tricked out please!
lol, with an equally bad ass bumper pull too.
One thing you should seriously think about is the difference between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive.
One of my friends uses a 2 wheel drive van for towing and camping. She is notorious for getting her rig stuck in muddy fields. Sometimes she can get going again if she unloads the horses to lighten the load. Of course, this means she needs someone to walk behind her leading the horses until she can get onto a paved surface. Other times she gets so badly stuck that someone has to pull her out. Of course, this usually means they need to unhook from their own trailer, perform the rescue, and then hook back up. Good thing she has good friends!
Mindful of my friend’s mishaps, I looked at 4 wheel drive vans for camping a few years ago. I found the options pretty limited. The big issue is that the 4 wheel drive option tends to drop the weight capacity by several thousand pounds. Looking at the situation with brutal honesty, I wasn’t going to be able to stay under the safe maximum weight limit with two humans, two horses, a steel trailer, and all our gear.
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