2002 Chevy Express High Top Van

[highdesertranger]

AZ doesn't have inspections so I think you are safe with the chair. highdesertranger

 

[rvpopeye]

Here's a little generator fact to go with what has already been said....big ONAN =300# to 400# Honda 2000=45#.

 

[PatsyG]

Here's a little generator fact to go with what has already been said....big ONAN =300# to 400# Honda 2000=45#.

At 71, I couldn't even lift the 45#. But I guess I just have to get in the van. Maybe whoever sells one to me can do that.
Can you tell me the best place to buy one?

 

[highdesertranger]

but a Honda 2000 will not run that roof top AC. highdesertranger

 

[PatsyG]

but a Honda 2000 will not run that roof top AC. highdesertranger

I don't plan to stay in Phoenix. My allergies/sinus/asthma problems have been much worse here than they were in Texas. After I sell my apartment, I plan to travel the country, eventually stopping someplace I can breath. Would be nice if that place had people like y'all there too. Kind, knowledgeable, interesting.

 

[akrvbob]

I live in Phoenix, but would like to register in Quartzsite if possible.  No biggie if the desk chair doesn't work.  My cat likes it though.

Quartzite doesn't have a DMV so you'll want to go up to Parker to their DMV. IN this county there is no inspection so they won't look. If memory serves they do check the VIN so don't do anything until you register it.
Bob

 

[PatsyG]

Quartzite doesn't have a DMV so you'll want to go up to Parker to their DMV. IN this county there is no inspection so they won't look. If memory serves they do check the VIN so don't do anything until you register it.
Bob

OK right. Thanks for the info.

 

[Almost There]

Since the Honda 2000 is too heavy for you (it's too heavy for me too), you could always look at a pair of Honda 1000s and the coupler for them. I have a 1000 and it weighs in at something like 27 lbs. I chose it deliberately because I COULD throw it around...ok, not throw but definitely lift it in and out of the van. I'm only a few years younger than you and it's not at all difficult for me to deal with.

Unlike the Onan which is permanently mounted with external exhaust and pulls it's fuel from your gas tank, the Hondas are portable units that you take out, set on the ground and use.

The difference between them, aside from the weight, is the peace and quiet. A pair of Hondas won't be able to be heard at 40', the Onan, at a quarter mile in the desert.

I'm not sure of the resale price on the Onan, but I suspect that you could sell it, buy a pair of 1000s and still have cash left over.

 

[PatsyG]

Since the Honda 2000 is too heavy for you (it's too heavy for me too), you could always look at a pair of Honda 1000s and the coupler for them. I have a 1000 and it weighs in at something like 27 lbs. I chose it deliberately because I COULD throw it around...ok, not throw but definitely lift it in and out of the van. I'm only a few years younger than you and it's not at all difficult for me to deal with.

Unlike the Onan which is permanently mounted with external exhaust and pulls it's fuel from your gas tank, the Hondas are portable units that you take out, set on the ground and use.

The difference between them, aside from the weight, is the peace and quiet. A pair of Hondas won't be able to be heard at 40', the Onan, at a quarter mile in the desert.

Forty feet and easy to lift......what's to keep someone from stealing them? That would be my concern. Otherwise sounds very good, and I would have more control over my environment.

 

[Gideon33w]

I'd hate to drive that thing. Imagine the push and pull of wind or passing semi trucks. This is why I prefer regular top vans. Heck, you could spend half your budget on my Astro and the other half on adding whatever you want to it and I'd call that a better deal. But that's me. I like both my Astros. They just work so much better when you need long haul driving without a death grip on the steering wheel.

 

[Almost There]

Forty feet and easy to lift......what's to keep someone from stealing them?  That would be my concern.  Otherwise sounds very good, and I would have more control over my environment.

When in use you can chain them to something. Actually, when in use, you'd notice if someone took them, you'd have no power source...  a few feet of chain, a padlock solves that problem. I tie mine off to my trailer hitch.

When not in use, I store mine inside the van. As long as I remember to close the vent on the cap, there is absolutely no smell from the generator at all. The gas can will go on the hitch hauler as soon as it arrives, for now it travels in the step well of the side doors so it goes outside first thing upon reaching my destination.

 

[Almost There]

I'd hate to drive that thing. Imagine the push and pull of wind or passing semi trucks. This is why I prefer regular top vans. Heck, you could spend half your budget on my Astro and the other half on adding whatever you want to it and I'd call that a better deal. But that's me. I like both my Astros. They just work so much better when you need long haul driving without a death grip on the steering wheel.

I've lived out of an Astro, a full size van with no high top and a full size WITH high top.

You couldn't pay me enough to do either the Astro/Safari or no high top ever again.

A firm grip on the wheel is all that's necessary in a high wind along with some knowledge of how the vehicle reacts to different wind directions and speeds. If you've got a death grip on the wheel, you're overextending your muscles and need to learn to relax a bit - or get off the road for a while until the winds die down.

As a retired person, I can choose when and how far I drive each day. If today is not a good day, I can always go tomorrow! That's one of the first things I learned when I retired.

Once upon a time when I was young and agile, I too could have lived out of an Astro (note I said out of, not IN, there's a difference). Now that my body doesn't bend in places it once did, a high top that allows me to stand up to do up my pants and to do other important tasks is a vital necessity. It also provides an amazing amount of extra storage space.

 

[Gideon33w]

Fair enough. I have the debate with myself constantly as we look at other vans. I hate the lower mpgs and wind issues but my back would thank me. 

I actually spotted that van on Craigslist the moment it came up (I'm in Mesa) and showed the misses. 

Be sure to check bushings and hoses if you go for it. Vehicle that don't get driven much tend to dry out and eat the rubber here.

 

[Seadog729]

I've had 2 high tops (not an express) and I've always been so impressed with the mileage when I go back to a regular cargo van.  I don't know if that is an issue for you or not.  I also noted the fix it job where the high top meets the side of the van.  Is that a repair on a leaky roof?

 

[PatsyG]

I'd hate to drive that thing. Imagine the push and pull of wind or passing semi trucks. This is why I prefer regular top vans. Heck, you could spend half your budget on my Astro and the other half on adding whatever you want to it and I'd call that a better deal. But that's me. I like both my Astros. They just work so much better when you need long haul driving without a death grip on the steering wheel.

Being able to drive it is important to me, I've never driven anything larger than a car - '98 chevy lumina. I would like to know what others think about this, please.

 

[PatsyG]

As a retired person, I can choose when and how far I drive each day. If today is not a good day, I can always go tomorrow! That's one of the first things I learned when I retired.

Once upon a time when I was young and agile, I too could have lived out of an Astro (note I said out of, not IN, there's a difference). Now that my body doesn't bend in places it once did, a high top that allows me to stand up to do up my pants and to do other important tasks is a vital necessity. It also provides an amazing amount of extra storage space.

Right with you on these points. If it is too windy to drive, DON'T.
Not having a hightop is not an option for me. So if I couldn't drive one, I might as well give up this whole van dwelling/travelling idea.

 

[PatsyG]

Fair enough. I have the debate with myself constantly as we look at other vans. I hate the lower mpgs and wind issues but my back would thank me. 

I actually spotted that van on Craigslist the moment it came up (I'm in Mesa) and showed the misses. 

Be sure to check bushings and hoses if you go for it. Vehicle that don't get driven much tend to dry out and eat the rubber here.

OK

 

[PatsyG]

I've had 2 high tops (not an express) and I've always been so impressed with the mileage when I go back to a regular cargo van.  I don't know if that is an issue for you or not.  I also noted the fix it job where the high top meets the side of the van.  Is that a repair on a leaky roof?

I will find out. Tomorrow.

 

[Almost There]

Last time I checked my gas mileage I was getting a small hair under 15 mpg highway on my 2002 GMC Savana 2500 with the high top.

I have the 5.7L (350) engine.

Now that I have it fully loaded I guess I should test the mileage again!

 

[karenishere]

Being able to drive it is important to me,  I've never driven anything larger than a car - '98 chevy lumina.  I would like to know what others think about this, please.

Driving a high top or rv is definitely more work.  The two I have had just don't hold the road the same way a car does, it requires more concentration or things may drift, especially in wind.  That said, it's really not that big a deal on a day to day basis.  I used to be able to go close to 1000 miles / 13 hours in a car before I was so tired I had to stop, with the RV my max was closer to 500 miles.  YMMV, of course.