2002 Chevy Express High Top Van

[PatsyG]

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.

I don't intend to drive more than 3 - 4 hours per day and plan to stay still for a couple weeks at a time, so I should be OK.

 

[PatsyG]

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!

I would be happy with 15 mpg, but at any rate, I expect my traveling will be very slow. I am retired, after all.

 

[Almost There]

I would be happy with 15 mpg, but at any rate, I expect my traveling will be very slow.  I am retired, after all.

I try to travel slow and mostly succeed.

I was doing quite well at it until I hit the middle of Texas. I was grumpy, the campground I had planned on wasn't going to work out at all, the back roads weren't going where I wanted them to go, etc. Sooo, I hit the interstate - and kept going and going and going. Next thing I knew I was within a couple of hours of Ehrenberg, so I just kept going some more!

Glad I did though, I've met some really nice people, learned a lot about figuring out where to camp to keep me happy and had a great time of it.

 

[Gideon33w]

The van in question was reposted today. I spent a bit checking out the pictures again. 

While I need the lowered wind resistance and easier driving of a regular top the partition in the back did get me thinking. There is plenty of stuff I don't need on-hand access to so the idea might work for me.

Either way, while I would sell off that AC and geni and swap to a Honda2000 and window unit, I think that van is very much worth considering. Add some vortex generators to diminish the push/pull effect at highway speeds and it could be a sweet setup.

 

[PatsyG]

The van in question was reposted today. I spent a bit checking out the pictures again. 

While I need the lowered wind resistance and easier driving of a regular top the partition in the back did get me thinking. There is plenty of stuff I don't need on-hand access to so the idea might work for me.

Either way, while I would sell off that AC and geni and swap to a Honda2000 and window unit, I think that van is very much worth considering. Add some vortex generators to diminish the push/pull effect at highway speeds and it could be a sweet setup.

Vortex generators? I'll have to look that up.
Thanks for your comments.

 

[Gideon33w]

You will see a lot of back and forth debate on forums. Mostly because manufacturers make some pretty absurd claims. 

Into the reality of vortex generators, they are used on fleet vehicles and aircraft. Mpg returns will be such a small % it isn't worth factoring. The nice thing about them on vans and rvs is that it they change the way the low pressure area behind the van is filled. When a semi passes you and you feel the push/pull its because of the influence it is having on that low pressure area. Alter the dynamic of that air pressure and you can eliminate the effect.

Chrck out this video -https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Whd_KnsLKE

 

[Gideon33w]

Note: Don't buy vortex generators. Overpriced and improperly designed for our application. Build you own to maximize the effects (given vehicle size, air movement, and speed) and minimize cost.

 

[PatsyG]

Finally was able to see the guy about the van. He said I might have to replace some bushings and have some tie rod work work done. It pulls to the right when it is driven. Said it might cost $500 to fix. Not willing to go down much on price.

 

[Gideon33w]

It is such a niche market vehicle I'd probably give it some time to not sell and then come back with an offer. But that's me and I'm never in a rush to buy.

Dried out bushings as expected. No surprise there. The tie rods might just need adjustment as in a typical alignment.

 

[PatsyG]

It is such a niche market vehicle I'd probably give it some time to not sell and then come back with an offer. But that's me and I'm never in a rush to buy.

Dried out bushings as expected. No surprise there. The tie rods might just need adjustment as in a typical alignment.

Good idea, I think that's what I'll do if I don't find something else first. Even if I don't get this one, I have gained much knowledge from everyone that will help me evaluate the next one. Thanks.

I was picturing myself in this van at the RTR, comfortable with the little buddy heater. Now I picture myself in my car, cold, only being able to stay one day because of my cat. Oh well, I can do anything for a day or two.

 

[Gideon33w]

Hahaha, well in the long run it is certainly worth it to wait and make the right buy at the right price.

If you find something cheaper that needs work shoot me a message. I can fix and modify it to whatever your budget allows.

 

[Gideon33w]

Reposted at lower price http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5395940865.html

 

[Gideon33w]

It was just reposted at under $5000 !!!

 

[Goshawk]

Need to read this thread. What is wrong with this? That's a low priced van everywhere else in the country. What is wrong with it?

 

[Gideon33w]

Needs a bit of work but nothing crazy. It is mostly a question of the budget for our op I think.

Furthermore, people tend to overextend themselves right before tax returns so the market for the van is probably a bit smaller than the niche it already occupied.

 

[masterplumber]

Patsy ended up buying a Dodge conversion van posted in a different thread.

 

[Gideon33w]

Well, this sure is an interesting one for anyone in the Phoenix area. The misses likes it too. If we were willing to take the mpg dropoff and large solar array issues we would probably buy it.