Anyone 'dwelling in a shorty van?

[CottonTexas]

I'm considering a short wheelbase full-size van because it has a lot of features that I like, but I'm just not sure if there's enough room. I know there are people out there in minivans, but the vast majority are in comfortably living in extended vans. Any words of advice from someone that owns a short van?

Cotton

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Got Smart has a shorty (ready to roll) for sale.
Personally, I like more room.

 

[CottonTexas]

...Personally, I like more room.

For sure, I've heard folks in smaller vans wishing for a bigger one, but I've yet to hear of anybody living in a van that says, "I just wish I hadn't gotten the big one." Cotton

 

[mayble]

Everyone will try to justify their own choice no matter what it is, but the truth is there are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Obviously either will work - people are doing it every day.
I *think* I'd rather have a standard (non-extended) van for many reasons, but in my current life I spend much more time in the driver's seat than the rear.  If I were carrying all my worldly possessions and staying parked for weeks at a time, I might feel differently.
If you buy cheap and keep the build modular/removable, you can easily change the vehicle later if you find your first choice isn't what you need.

 

[steamjam1]

I'm considering a short wheelbase full-size van because it has a lot of features that I like, but I'm just not sure if there's enough room.  I know there are people out there in minivans, but the vast majority are in comfortably living in extended vans.  Any words of advice from someone that owns a short van?

Cotton

I started out in an '89 Dodge shorty. It wasn't too bad. It would have been better if it was a cargo van w/o windows, and if it had a hightop. But for what it was I had plenty of room in there just for me, my clothes, tools, cooking, etc etc etc. It was comfortable, easy to heat, and keep cool. If anything it was a great way to start and figure out what I was doing.

I'm in an extended Ford RV van now, and sometimes I miss the simplicity of being in a shorty van.

 

[akrvbob]

My 2001 extended Chevy is amazing! Best ride and room of any van I've been in. BUT!!!! It turns like an aircraft carrier!! I routinely do 6-point U-turns!

The only reason I would consider a shorty is if you do a lot of off-road. Then I'd put a locker on the rear and call it a true adventure rig!!
Bob

 

[moorejames]

My dog and I have been living in a 2002 Dodge Shorty conversion for the last week. It's cozy, but we have plenty of space.  I did add a stowaway2 hitch mounted cargo carrier to put some winter clothes and bulky things in.  

So far, I love it. The wheelbase on it is only a couple inches longer than the Honda Civic I used to drive. I also have the six cylinder version. It's a dog, but I got 16 mpg fully loaded in the NC mountains....

We've been staying in an RV park in Murphy, NC for a few days.  Heading to GA for a week and hopefully by then the weather will have settled down for when we head to FL. After that it's probably going to be the TX golf coast for winter. 

There's moments when I'd like to have something bigger, but we're getting by.   I'm 6'2" and 245 ish, btw. I'm sleeping on a cabelas lounge cot XL.  It takes up pretty much the entire drivers side of the back, but it's actually pretty comfy.

 

[BradKW]

Brian (AdventureVanMan) lives out of a Dodge shorty...he's got lot's of great videos on his channel, here's a link to a tour of his van:  Van Tour Stealth Camper Van

 

[Campor99]

I travel in a Astro Van for 4-6 weeks at a time. As a minimalist its great for me. I did a 18 mos trip in a Jimmy SUV (with a hitch carrier} loved every
minute. See You Tube of Adventurevanman in a short dodge and Mystery 13 in Astro, both full timers. They have some great things to share.

I attach a interior view of my Astro

Enjoy our beautiful country no matter your decision.

All the best.

 

[GotSmart]

The only problem with the short van is I have too many tools. It can make a u~turn easy.  

Just when I have it done right, life catches up to me.  Make me an offer.  

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Selling-the-short-van

 

[muddy]

Get back to me in a month and I will have a good answer for you.

I will say that, as a very nervous driver, I do appreciate the easier driving.

 

[CottonTexas]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I was asking because I'd found a specific van that I was considering because it had some rare features, and I didn't want to dismiss the option if it were at all feasible.  The one I was looking at had a slant-six with a 4-on-the-floor manual trans, A/C & cruise.  All these packaged together made it a bit of a rare bird, and all are things that I wouldn't mind having on my own van, except it was in a short wheelbase package, and while transplanting all that stuff into another van is technically feasible, it just wouldn't be likely accomplished sooner than later (if ever).  The van in consideration was sold to someone else today, but I'm still interested in hearing from the experienced folks in case I run across a similar deal, and I'm sure that it could help someone else on here in a similar dilemma.  Thanks again,  Cotton

 

[steamjam1]

Slant-6. What a great engine! It's slower then plate tectonics, but gets 18-19mpg. The later LA-V6 is also a great engine. My take on all this is: If your going to go 6-cyl, Go with a late-80's fuel injected Dodge V6, or a Ford with a 300 straight 6. The Fords with 6/4speed are alot easier to find then the Dodges. They get OK gas mileage and are bullet proof.

The main difference I noticed between living in my Shorty, (Still own it) and living in my Ford extended is that the Dodge is (was) much much easier to maneuver in parking lots, much better off road, weighs alot less, and is not as complicated equipment wise.

 

[BobBski]

Love my short Ford Transit, plenty of room for me. Then again, I lived in a sleeper cab driving cross country for 22 years

 

[eDJ_]

My first was a shortie hand me down.  It was a joy to drive with it's 3 spd 6 cylinder.   Dad and I had replaced the
144 ci with a 200 from a Ford Mustang and the later motor was more about rpm than low speed torque.  First gear would wind out in 10 ft and it was a quick running piece for sure.  (120 hp @ 4000 rpm,  where before 85 hp @ 4200 rpm)   But the 144 engine did 138 of Torque at 2000 rpm and we were rarely over 2500 rpm's with it just slogging along.   It also had a 4.00:1 rear axle and and with the 14 inch poly belted wide ovals Dad put on it I was discovering a whole new aspect of motoring life. 

I've been lucky to be able to say now that I've grown up with Vans and am far from a new comber to the many things that can be done with them and the practical merits of these things.   The modifications & improvements people make to these Vans never fails to amaze me. 

I like what I have now,  but if I had to go back to my old shortie I could probably do so.  But there would only be enough room for myself to live in or to take a guest out for an extended week end.  I would just hate having to
do everything in it while bent over or walking around on my knees again.  LOL

 

[Belinda2]

CottonTexas,
I have a minivan and have no problems with it. You can see my bio. history where I lived for years like this in a car part-time. When I went full-time:
I decided everything I would need to take with me to live full time.
I took all of these items and blocked off a section at my house for 3 months to figure if I could live long term in this amount of space.
Daily I would juggle items in and out of the space, finding the smallest, most light weight items I needed.
I then condensed everything down into crates to hold all of the items.
I then shopped for minivans with that square footage.
I had a "must need vs. want" list and I went and researched every vehicle to see which model most met my needs.
My minivan has a summer and a winter mode. Items are rotated around twice a year for easy accesss.
I GLADLY sold everything else<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<FREEDOM!!!!
I hope this helps,
Belinda2

 

[VanGrrl57]

I live in a 1988 Chevy Astro Van. It is a shorty and I am doing just fine. I am using a computer at work so I can't show pictures right now.

VanGrrl57 

 

[squatting dog2]

tried it couple of times... never could find the right setup. 
thought for sure the pop up would be the answer.  
Sorry... couldn't help myself.

 

[frater secessus]

I took all of these items and blocked off a section at my house for 3 months to figure if I could live long term in this amount of space.
Daily I would juggle items in and out of the space, finding the smallest, most light weight items I needed.

Just started this process last night.  There is blue painters tape on the floor marking out the cargo area of a standard Express van.  I can see how it could be doubly valuable for a shorty.

 

[BradKW]

Maybe use invisible fence instead of tape and wear a shock collar as a second phase of your training...