astro or e150/e250?

[Almost There]

that looks nice and i'd certainly look at it except AZ is not much use to me, that's half way through my trip. i wonder about salvage title too. savanna is just another name for an astro right? identical in every way?

i like the fact that econline vans are a bit bigger and i'm 6' tall so that's good for me

You're confusing the Safari with the Savana

Safari is the equivalent of the Astro

Savana is the full size van that's the equivalent of the Chevy Express

 

[gypsychic]

that looks nice and i'd certainly look at it except AZ is not much use to me, that's half way through my trip.

I'm not trying to be sarcastic but it's gonna sound that way. Just trying to understand. Your flying from Thailand. Does it really matter where to land and buy your vehicle, especially if it's along your trip route? Obviously you don't have to explain yourself. Just thought maybe you could shift things around a little.

 

[steveh2112]

i already booked the flights and i have family and friends in CA to crash with until i find a van. plus by the time i get there it will probably be sold. but it does look nice, and the savana seems like a nice size van. although in some ways i think i'd be more comfortable diving a 1/2 or 3/4 ton van, but i guess you'd get used to whatever your driving pretty quick.

i just went on a long road trip to north Thailand and my pickup was loaded to the max, getting ready for the big move. my mirrors were a bit obscured and i backed right into a brand new Isuzu pickup. i barely touched it but somehow managed to cave in his front end. anyhow, insurance took care of it but now i'm really paranoid about reversing.

 

[Almost There]

i already booked the flights and i have family and friends in CA to crash with until i find a van. plus by the time i get there it will probably be sold. but it does look nice, and the savana seems like a nice size van. although in some ways i think i'd be more comfortable driving a 1/2 or 3/4 ton van, but i guess you'd get used to whatever your driving pretty quick.

The Savana comes in 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton designations. They're labeled 1500, 2500, 3500 respectively.

Body is all the same size as is wheelbase unless you get into extended body styles. Suspension and payload vary.

 

[MikeRuth]

i already booked the flights and i have family and friends in CA to crash with until i find a van. plus by the time i get there it will probably be sold. but it does look nice, and the savana seems like a nice size van. although in some ways i think i'd be more comfortable diving a 1/2 or 3/4 ton van, but i guess you'd get used to whatever your driving pretty quick.

i just went on a long road trip to north Thailand and my pickup was loaded to the max, getting ready for the big move. my mirrors were a bit obscured and i backed right into a brand new Isuzu pickup. i barely touched it but somehow managed to cave in his front end. anyhow, insurance took care of it but now i'm really paranoid about reversing.

No need to be paranoid, be schooled in the mistake you made and it won't happen again. 

Good luck, BTW what part of California will you be coming into> 

Mike R

 

[steveh2112]

not sure about won't happen again, i backed into a coconut tree about 5 years ago too. seems like reversing is not my thing. so really long vans worry me a bit, and also because i read on another thread they are easier to ground the middle on a rough road.

i stay in palo alto and berkley (35 years as a programmer/project manager in silicon valley)

 

[steveh2112]

in another thread on this part of the forum , akrvbob posted 'I have an Express 3500 with a LWB and I have no problem with clearance because the 1 tons are a little taller. But the turning radius is terrible! That's what will get you in trouble in the backcountry, you can't make the switchbacks. You'll have to make cuts and sometimes that puts you over at an extreme angle which is risky. If I had it do over again, I would not get the LWB. I'd still get the extended van, just not the LWB.'

so that, along with my person belief than me and my wife can manage 4-5 months in something the size of an econoline, i think its likely i'd go with that.

 

[Canine]

A one ton has advantages, but the disadvantages are parts are more expensive. Unless you are towing or hauling a lot of weight, 3/4 would be more appropriate. You won't go wrong with a 1 ton, but I would give a nod to the 3/4 ton. The 1 ton will have the heavy duty transmission, but the 3/4 ton may or may not. 1 tons have the larger engines. The 5.3 is a dandy motor, but they may only come in the 1/2 ton standard wheel base version.

If you get a standard height van, you can put a Hi Top on it. Or not. Having a standard height van will really develop that Buffalo Hump if that's what you like.

The 5.4 had some problems for some years, but they took care of that quirky spark plug problem. Make sure you don't get one of those problem engines like has been mentioned. The 5.4 is a nice, smooth motor, but it is complicated compared the the Chevy. If a 5.4 needs internal work, it will take some labor to fix it.

I really like the ride of a half ton compared to the 3/4 ton, but that is comparing older vans. Newer vehicles ride nicer. Even 1 tons aren't necessarily so bad. If you have enough weight, the heavier vans will ride much better. A 1/2 ton loaded near its limit is a bummer to drive.

 

[steveh2112]

thanks a lot of info .

i've pretty much narrowed it down in my mind to either e150 1/2 ton or e250 3/4 ton.

on craigslist there are a lot every day in my area, 2002-2005, 150-200k miles, $4000-$5000

i guess the spark plug and ride problems you are referring to predate 2002?

i understand the only real difference between e150 and e250 is tougher suspension components right? i don't see any big difference in price so i assume e250 would be a smarter choice?

any thoughts about those two vans?

by the way, my plan is to hang a motorbike off the back, probably an xt225 so not too heavy, and no furniture inside, just airbed and some camping gear and personal stuff so the loading should be pretty minimum by cargo van standards.

thx

 

[Bdog1]

As you stated, not much of a premium for 250's or :350's. Hanging a 300# bike and mount on the hitch, I'd pick the HD 350.

 

[steveh2112]

this looks like a great deal
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/4931078889.html
e350 super duty, 2006, 127k miles, looks super clean and from a dealer, $4800. i wonder what the catch is?

 

[TucsonAZ]

They're often fairly low cost, they aren't hot sellers in many areas and the construction industry taking such a hit didn't help that. I would stay open to a Chevy Express also, I would rather have one personally and went in that direction versus the Ford only because I think the GM offers better motor options the only caveat being the 7.3 Powerstroke which is a very good motor. The ride of the Chevy will certainly be better and deals on them can be found.

 

[Canine]

Steve, you get larger brakes, too. Stopping is your friend! Lol.

Also, just because it says it is a 3/4 ton doesn't mean it is one. Look for 8 lug wheels. The rear end will have a hub stick out from the center; the rear wheel shouldn't be dished like the front wheels.

 

[highdesertranger]

with a bike off the back you will be happier with a 1 ton. highdesertranger

 

[steveh2112]

my xt225 is 238 lb (108 kg) (dry), plus the hitch and gas we are talking about maybe 300lbs. is that a big deal for any of the econoline vans hanging off the back?

 

[Canine]

If you have a completely empty van, you will feel the extra weight, especially in the steering, hanging off the back. Your front end will lighten up. That isn't a lot of weight, but since that weight is as back as far as it can go, I would consider it heavier than it actually is. It might seem like 200 kg or so. Make sure you have a good hitch and that would be easy peasy to haul.

You really should go with minimum 3/4 ton or preferably 1 ton. Not only the weight carrying capacity, but a taller van will keep your back end from dragging. You will be surprised at how easy that is to do when you have a long tail hanging out there.

 

[steveh2112]

i know what you are saying. i once transported 6 275kg barrels of apple juice concentrate in the back of my pickup. not only was it overload, but most of the weight was behind the back wheels. the front wheels were barely on the ground and driving it back to my brewery was a nightmare.