Can a Van Last for 40 Years?

[Minivanmotoman]

Found this article interesting and relevant.
400k miles on a Tesla taxi. But batteries had been replaced. Twice. Electronics and extreme temperatures aren't a great match.

But maybe things will improve in the future? Military technology?
And why wouldn't remove and replace work?
The history of hot rodding, hack it. The internet will help spread info, just like on this forum.
But of course, requires mechanical aptitude or married/related/ friends with one who does.
But probably not realistic for most of us.
This we are stuck with what we are given for now.

https://electrek.co/2018/07/17/tesla-model-s-holds-up-400000-miles-3-years/

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Pls delete

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

There have been a lot of great responses already, I'll keep my thoughts short....

Will you last 40 years?
Health issues can plague anyone, you might not be physically able or want to live in a van for 40 years.

Will you want to be driving a huge van and climbing in and out at 62? 72? 82?

You are still young, will van life still appeal to you in a few years? 10? 20?

It sounds like you have a long-term mindset but so much can change.

If I were you, I'd set a short-term goal of say trying van life for 5 years.
Maybe not go full-blown lifetime build, build an older van out simply and use it as you mobile lab, see what works and what doesn't.

Do it on a budget, with a good eye for deals and some clever ideas, you can sell it for what you put into it.

Then with a few years of van life under your belt and a really good idea of what you want in your "lifetime" build, go for it.
Or maybe you decide that Van life is fun occasionally but you want roots.

I would NOT sink a huge amount of money into a major lifestyle choice expecting plans and life situation to go unchanged. At 46 you aren't the person you were at 26 or even 36. What makes you think you won't change over 40 years?

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Well said and very true BDSD.
The only constant is change.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

One awesome inch has been living in his vans for several years now has tried a few different vans has done at least three builds, that I am aware of.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

There have been a lot of great responses already, I'll keep my thoughts short....

Will you last 40 years?
Health issues can plague anyone, you might not be physically able or want to live in a van for 40 years.

Will you want to be driving a huge van and climbing in and out at 62? 72? 82?

You are still young, will van life still appeal to you in a few years? 10? 20?

It sounds like you have a long-term mindset but so much can change.

If I were you, I'd set a short-term goal of say trying van life for 5 years.
Maybe not go full-blown lifetime build, build an older van out simply and use it as you mobile lab, see what works and what doesn't.

Do it on a budget, with a good eye for deals and some clever ideas, you can sell it for what you put into it.

Then with a few years of van life under your belt and a really good idea of what you want in your "lifetime" build, go for it.
Or maybe you decide that Van life is fun occasionally but you want roots.

I would NOT sink a huge amount of money into a major lifestyle choice expecting plans and life situation to go unchanged. At 46 you aren't the person you were at 26 or even 36. What makes you think you won't change over 40 years?

I've been full-time for 3 years +. The job I have will keep me in this very expensive city for at least 20 years. Physically I'm quite healthy. I'd be fine in a van at 66 but to achieve maximum comfort I'd want a high top. Things do change though...

 

[johnnyQamish]

I'm a regular watching of your channel.

Is it not feasible to add a high top to your current van? If not, I say buy a new van! A high top would be sweet!!! You deserve to be comfortable.

I would worried about the build quality of the ProMaster though...but they look cool

 

[Mattkcc]

When I first started looking for a van the "Euro style vans" seemed an obvious choice. However, after a little research I quickly decided against them. They are not designed for long term use much like about everything produced today. I found a Sprinter for sale on Craig's list and they kept detailed list of repairs and maintenance, it totaled $22,000. The cost of parts are 2-3 times higher then conventional vans and they are not easy to work on. With vehicles reliance on computers today I don't see any being driven 20 years from now anyone using a 20 year old computer? I think trying to keep these Euro vans running long term will be worse then trying to keep a 1970's VW van running.

 

[John61CT]

I don't see any being driven 20 years

But why make that a goal?

See my post #39 above.

 

[frater secessus]

I think trying to keep these Euro vans running long term will be worse then trying to keep a 1970's VW van running.

I'll take that bet.  I put my Eurovan up against whatever you buy.  After 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and 20 years we can compare their condition, usability, and total cost of ownership. I've already owned mine for a year so you get a head start.

jc

 

[John61CT]

I'll take that bet.  I put my Eurovan up against whatever you buy.  After 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and 20 years we can compare their condition, usability, and total cost of ownership. I've already owned mine for a year so you get a head start.

Those first two are pretty subjective.

Just "keeps running, able to travel as needed" vs cost per year and cost per mile are to me the only metrics relevant to this thread.

So someone able to do drivetrain swaps themselves, no labor costs, starting with a $4000 Chevy van is going to be hard to beat by someone who needs to pay a mechanic with 30+K already sunk.

Just gas vs diesel in the US would tip the scales within the first 300K miles.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

The challenge was implied to probably be open to any currently available US sold NEW van.
Got to compare apples to apples.
Would be interesting with the new diesel GM van.
Taking bets now with all of your hard earned cash.

It's all open and would be interesting to see in year 5, 10, 15, 20+. Get out your crystal ball.
Where are the big fleets putting their money?
Electric?

 

[John61CT]

No new vehicles will last 40 years of normal care and usage

 

[frater secessus]

Y'all realize it only takes one example to disprove the "no new vehicles" position, right?

 

[John61CT]

But the "normal" qualifier takes care of the exceptions that prove the rule.

The X¢ per mile / $Y p.a. costs would climb rather than drop once past 150-200K, which "normally" would be within the first what 15 years?

Past 25 years I bet a lot of parts would get to be an issue, company may not even be there anymore by then.

With the old Chevy you could actually afford to stockpile if you thought necessary.

___
Note this is an interesting thought experiment but personally I agree non-wrenchers like myself should buy more recent models.

But I would buy at 20-50K and sell well before 150K myself.

The 40-year Chevy idea **for me** only makes sense if I needed off-roading, or in an apocalypse scenario, and then I'd have to become a self-wrencher.

 

[bullfrog]

If you are over 40 years old and can use your historical facts do some research on vehicles you would have bought and see how many were sold and how many are on the road today and what a restored one costs. Bet a new one is cheaper to keep and maintain for the next ten years than one that will be 50 years old in ten years from now if driven daily.

 

[highdesertranger]

my 40 year old truck is going through it's 2nd rebuild since I owned it. the last rebuild was 18 years ago in 2000. I fully expect another 15 trouble free years out of it. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

My forty year old truck is on it's 3rd but because I live on National Park Property and are not allowed to have disabled vehicles nor do major repairs it is getting really expensive to pay for labor and new parts. To say the least the truck has not been treated with kindness. I have broken a few springs and blown up a shock, but that kind of damage would have destroyed a newer truck beyond repair again at a price. Worth every penny to me but smarter people than me have a lot more savings in the bank!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

If you look at history, vehicles have improved in every way as time has gone on, safety, warranties, engine miles, ease of diagnostic, fuel economy, environmental impact, comfort, drivability, so I don’t see why longevity hasn’t improved as well. On the down side they have also gotten more expensive to buy and maintain. So will a van last 40 years, some of them will, depending on what climate they live in, how they are driven and maintained.

 

[frater secessus]

I do appreciate simple, sturdy things. My kubota tractor is over 40yo and continues to pull like a mule.