This is a very interesting thread. I am going to retire later this year and I'm looking for a way to travel on the cheap to preserve my paltry savings. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a Transit and try to live in it, say, 4 nights out of 5. I am a landscape photographer so some of the places I want to go are going to be sketchy for a one wheel drive low slung vehicle. I have thought of hauling a Honda Ruckus around but that is going to complicate things. No way this is ever going to be a competent off road vehicle, but I don't want a "spit on the pavement and get stuck driving over it" vehicle either.
Have you thought of using a separate battery/inverter setup?
I will be following your progress. Thanks for sharing.