Cargo Van vs. Passenger Van

[AmieW]

I want something with at least a couple of windows for natural light. I know that cargo vans have the advantage of having heavier duty suspensions and shocks, but passenger vans are generally longer and have more windows, which could be more of a minus than a plus (more places for leaks).

I'd like to have the extra couple of feet in the passenger van, but it isn't very stealth (if I had to be), and maybe the cargo van with the four side windows and two back windows would be enough light. Plus, I'd probably need to cover some of the passenger van windows anyway with storage units. Most of the cargo vans I saw had those steel cage doors across the front One one hand, I like the security that gives me at night, and the fact that a cop looking into the front would think it was likely a work van, but on the other hand, it's ugly and pretty useless.

I've been looking at used ones on Craigslist, and it seems I won't be able to afford anything with less than 100,000 miles, which sort of bothers me, especially if it is 100,000 city miles.

If you were an older lady traveling alone, and had a choice, which one would you choose, the longer one with more windows of the slightly shorter cargo van with fewer windows?

 

[Almost There]

They only look longer!

Some vans come in extended body models and some of the really old vans came in shorty size as well.

IMO, a cargo van wiith windows in the side doors and the rear cargo doors gives you the best of both worlds.

More important than the number of windows is the condition of the van and the mileage.

A 100,000 on a 2015 van means that it's been driven a lot, the same mileage on a van that's 20 years old means it hasn't.

That same mileage on a 6 cyl on a van is different then on a decent sized 8 cylinder...particularly if it's been used for towing.

I am that 'older' (well so they tell me) woman, living full-time in the van and if I had the choice between 2 equal vans I'd choose the longer one!

But then I have a full size GMC with the high top and wouldn't be without the extra height, despite the fact that I'm only 5' tall and can barely reach the ceiling....  

Shop for the best vehicle in the price range you can afford.

If it's missing windows, they can be added when you can afford it, if it's got too many, you can always cover some of them up.

 

[eDJ_]

Back in School Days a buddy of mine had an old VW Camper.   He would work at a resort in the summer operating he water ski boat and he used the Van so he didn't have to pay rent for small cabin.  His rig was
something like this.

His had a popup tent in the center for standing room and ventilation.  But what I always found interesting was the Jalousie Windows which would crank open and they had screen behind them.  There was a built in rain drip awning over each window.  Later models had longer versions of these.  But it may be possible to find these from salvage yard sources if you were to want windows that would open enough to really allow air to flow. 

We've discussed these here before and some who live in cooler areas say that they don't seal too well and are drafty if you are having to heat the vehicle to stay in it during cold weather. 

But at least this may be worth your looking into.  You could always place heavy plastic over the inside of the window in such bad weather and tape it to the inside to seal it. 

Here is an inside view of one with Curtains for privacy at night.

On my own Ford Van I use an expanding Shower Curtain rod (spring loaded with rubber feet) and use wire shower curtain pins to hold up a Beach Towel for a privacy curtain just behind the front seats.   I don't really need to cover the drivers area as I'm not using that space other than to drive.  If I did cover it I think it would draw more attention than I'd want.  

I once posted this red beach towel (for a red Van)  where the side facing the windshield was airbrushed to look like the empty inside of the Van.  At a glance it may just appear to be an empty parked Van to someone driving by where there are a lot of vehicles parked.

But it would only be a beach towel hung tightly across a shower curtain rod.

You may find someone with an air brush who could paint this for if you like it.  Pieces of Cardboard could be used for stencil patterns.   Just remember when standing outside of our Van as a distance...."if it looks right, ten it is right".  

 

[HoneyGayle]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the airbrushed towel. ROFL How clever. I am learning that, on this site, thinking outside the box is standard protocol. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[user 37446]

Maybe watch Bob Wells newer video channel on YouTube about why he chose the van he did. He explains the differences between choosing a window van vs a cargo van.  His blog (located near the top of the forums home page) about the choice says it there as well.  

I wont restate it all... He gives a concise summary. I'm not wanting to be excessively brief about the answer to your question, its just covered better there.

 

[reflex439]

I ended up in a class B, but at one point was designing a cargo van conversion. For the security door/cage behind the front seats, my plan was to leave it in place. But I was going to make the passenger side slide over behind the drivers seat to open up the interior along with a swivel for the passenger seat to face the rear. That way if I felt I needed privacy, security or stealth, I could slide the door closed and keep the passenger seat facing forward. If I didn't, I could slide it open and swivel the passenger seat facing rear opening up all that space. This would give me the best of both worlds without giving up the space. And I could decorate the rear side if it, while leaving a more 'commercial' feel from the outside.

 

[TrainChaser]

What are your plans for the winters? If you are likely to be staying in places where you would be in the van a lot, a van with windows might be easier to tolerate than the enclosed feel of a cargo van. Check out Bob's info and let it ferment a bit in your brain -- what's right for someone else may be different for you.

 

[jonyjoe303]

Go with cargo van, you don't need windows. I bought a small astrovan and first thing I did was cover up the windows with thick foam.
The cargo vans have no windows, you can easily hotglue foam insulation all over the inside of the van. Also some have a security cage behind the driver area, you can easily put foam on that area to keep heat out of the back of the van. Windows are the biggest area where you get heat into your van.

For ventilation I just cut two small rectangular holes in the rear side of van, thats where my swampcooler is connected. The cargo van will be more easy to insulate for the cold and hot weather. Once insulated and no windows, you can be in your van in the middle of the night with all your lights on,  and no one would know.

 

[WalkaboutTed]

We've done a lot of traveling in two vans, both with stealth parking in cities, including in California, Oregon and Colorado.  Our first van was a Nissan Quest and our second van was a 12 passenger Dodge van.

The minivan felt more secure for some reason, perhaps because it was so under the radar.  The big windowed van wasn't comfortable for us, we felt "exposed", even with curtains. This time we have the high top Nissan NV cargo van.   Yes, it was dark in there, but after putting in the Fantastic vent overhead fan and vent cover, two opening marine ports and a fixed glass window in the sliding door, there is plenty of light.  We installed our windows high up where no one can look in.  I've made blackout curtains for between the cab and cabin.

With our size, solar set-up, vent cover, the ladder and the bikes we'll be carrying, there's no way we'll be stealth now except for an unobservant, non-van dweller person. But our plans now are to be in cities a minimal amount of time. We'll wing it in town.

Since my husband and I are older, we've discussed the possibility of either of us dying out becoming ill to the point sheer only one of us could travel while on our journeys.  Part of why we set up the van as we did was so that I would feel comfortable as a woman alone.  That and a handgun and shotgun should do it.

Welcome aboard!
Ted

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Oh, as far as putting the windows in, the first time you stand there with a drill and angle grinder, ready to cut into sheet metal (especially with a brand new vehicle), it's pretty scary.  It got easier with each hole and window.  But anticipating cutting the biggest and last window (roughly 36"x 12") still gave my hubby the heebie-jeebies.  After he was done, he needed a shot of tequila -at 9:30 in the morning.

We also have two 4"floor vents.
Ted

 

[OutdoorFT]

If I had to pick one...Id go for Cargo. passenger has wayyyy too many windows. I like my privacy. you may like more. Up to you.

 

[B and C]

We have never had a full widow van that we camped in.  We had an Astro van but did not camp in it.
The two main vans we camped in were cargo vans with opening windows on the back doors.  This let in plenty of light and were easily covered when we slept.  We put a curtain up across the front behind the seats too which made it dark for easy sleeping.  When camped the side doors were usually open.

We now travel in a Roadtrek with a lot of windows.  We just use reflectix in them when camping.  We had a custom windshield "sun blocker" that fits the windshield well.  If we are really worried about prying eyes (through the small gaps at the windshield), there is a blackout curtain we hang behind the front seats.  The house side of this curtain is lined in white and reflects inside light well and the front passenger area is colored to match our interior.  When the curtain is closed, the space is smaller and easier to heat (or cool).  When doing a quick overnighter, we just pull the curtain closed.