When I started my online search for the perfect, affordable, micro camper, I randomly stumbled onto Mini-T advertised on Craigslist.com in several metropolitan cities throughout the United States. I saw a used Mini-T with low mileage that almost tempted me into purchasing it three years ago.
https://www.dlm-distribution.com/
490 Scott St, Lake Crystal, MN 56055
Dave and Candy Mellon established their camper van conversion business in Lake Crystal, Minnesota in 2006. Dave is a military veteran who offers a small discount to other veterans who order new Mini-T camper vans from him. I’m not sure if I would’ve received a military discount on a used Mini-T. By the time I decided to look at it in person, used Mini-T had sold quickly online. Since the Pandemic of 2020, I’ve only seen new Mini-T’s with low miles advertised on the DLM Distribution website.
Increasing prices
Prices of new & used vehicles have drastically increased to include bike racks & camping equipment! In fact, RV sales & rentals have jumped over 170% since the Pandemic began in 2020. The majority are first time buyers & renters. Source: https://www.wafb.com/2020/05/25/rv-sales-jump-during-coronavirus-pandemic-says-association/
Why I decided not to buy a Mini-T camper van in 2020
I needed a newer micro van, daily driver that could fit inside a standard 7’ garage. The van also needed to get fantastic gas mileage in town & during interstate driving (i.e. road trips). Yet the thought of hauling around a microwave and television inside a camper van seemed too Yuppie, economically privileged to me, unless I was downsizing to “tiny living” and it served as my only home on wheels! Since full-time van life was not my main objective, I hesitated on the Mini-T conversion. And decided to buy a new Promaster City cargo van in Portland Oregon. And let Cascade Campers convert it to a micro RV in California. I’m happy with my choice and so is my savings account.
I hope Baby Boomers & others living the Nomad van life out of financial necessity can one day sell their older camper vans and upgrade to something like a Ford Transit Connect Mini-T, equipped with a Dometic refrigerator, sink with electric pump, solar panels, microwave, large screen TV, DVD player, roof vent fan, 2000 watt inverter, trailer hitch, LED lighting, and other fabulous amenities. If “tiny van living” is your dream, take a close look 👀 at the Mini-T.
At an entry cost of $55K with available financing, Mini-T may be the current lap of luxury in a micro RV conversion package. Imagine watching “Outlander” or “The Chosen” off-grid with a low profile, RV antenna barely noticeable on the van’s roof top. Load up your favorite snacks and beverages by accessing a rear door or reaching for them inside the van. The bed is six feet long and 43” wide, almost identical to Cascade’s bed dimensions.
It has so many goodies I should list them below from the DLM-Distribution web page:
Ford Transit Connect Mini T’s are offered in many vibrant colors: https://youtu.be/87xPJsxc6-s
I like how the Mini-T has screened material with magnets to hold side window panels, (outside the van). Magnets will leave a grayish mark on white paint if there’s no protective material over the magnets. It happened to me with my 12 states & counting, magnet collection leaving marks on my van’s metallic interior.
This is the Titanium, top of the line Mini-T with heated leather seats, navigation, FOB, and remote starting: https://youtu.be/hMxkgTOGAvA
Note: Prices listed in this blog are date sensitive. I cannot predict future price increases after my posts are published.
Micro Van Life 