Issues

The Ford Transit is the only van that is has an interior height (after insulation) sufficient for 6'4" (193cm), and fits in our driveway and a standard parking space. The Sprinter & H2 ProMaster are not tall enough, and the H3 ("Super High Roof") ProMaster only comes in extended length that would extended onto the sidewalk. 

The standard Ford Transit shifter restricts the manspread of a tall driver, leading to a sore right knee. This Transit was ordered with a right-side shifter, which fixes the knee impingement. The shifter is only available with a naturally aspirated engine.

My auto insurer, USAA, will insure the van, but won't insure a motor home. I asked if I could take the van camping and was told, "yes". Digging further, I couldn't install a water system but I could carry jerry cans. USAA sends motor home customers to Progressive, but Progressive requires a RVIA-certified conversion. Roamly will insure a DIY conversion used at most 6 months out of the year, but didn't offer coverage limits compatible with USAA. I gave up early on Roamly because I thought it would leave a gap, making my umbrella policy somewhat useless for the van. So one of the hallmarks of outfitting the van for its first year was that everything was "temporary".

I have friends that had a similar "We don't insure that (sandrails)" issue with USAA, so I contacted their State Farm agent to see if they'll let me insure something with more permanent changes. After documenting what I had done, their underwriting said yes. Getting back to USAA's umbrella division I discovered that the coverage limits only needed to be close enough (i.e. I probably could have gone with Roamly), but I'm staying with State Farm. I can now consider permanent changes.