Cargo Van vs. Prius

[Bster13]

Just listing out some Pros and Cons and thinking out loud.  If you have additional points to consider, I'd love to hear them!

Winter -> A wash? A prius is FWD so a positive there, but a cargo van is heavy with RWD.  Ground clearance doesn't play much into this as I can wait it out for big snowstorms. Not sure how low rolling resistance Prius tires do in the Winter.  I'd be in Winter conditions for a month or so while I visit family in the Northeast.

Ground Clearance -> Cargo Van wins here.  But I'm unsure how often the low ground clearance of the Prius will play a factor here.  I'd love to visit beautiful places like the Valley of the Gods, but unsure what ground clearance it takes to get there: http://bluffutah.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/votg.jpg

Storage -> Cargo Van.  I want to preserve MPG if I were to go with the Prius as well as stealth so a hitch or cargo carrier on top would not be optimal.

MPG -> Prius.  45-50mpg vs. 13mpg as I read reviews.

Reliability -> A wash? I know the Prius is very reliable, but I assume a cargo van is as well as they are workhorses for contractors and the like.

Serviceability -> A wash? Prius has smaller components that aren't as heavy to DIY, but has more complicated systems.  Cargo van is more simplistic, but will I feel like picking up new rotors or tires/rims for a cargo van and tossing them around when it's time to change them out?

Maintenance Costs -> Unsure.  Tires should cost more for a cargo van as they are larger, but unsure how the braking system on a Prius works and if those parts are very specific, thus have to buy them at a dealer.  Oil change will cost more for a Cargo Van.

Living space -> Cargo Van.  I know there are folks who fulltime (or near fulltime) in their Prius, but what happens on a rainy day?  Are you inside your Prius the whole time?  Do you just suck it up and put on your raincoat and venture out?  I'm an extrovert, but I wonder if there will be days where I just want to stay inside.  How does that work out in the Prius?

Stealth -> Cargo Van.  Less windows to black out.  "Deeper" space in the back of the van to do your thing while stealthing.  Both easily parked

Room for a friend -> Cargo Van.  If you happen to meet a friend to travel with along the way, or take a family member out for a road trip here and there....

Climate Control -> This is a big one.  Definite positive for the Prius to have the ability to run the A/C off battery and cycle the engine to recharge the battery a few minutes each hour, but is that really feasible to run while stealthing in a town/city?  Sure the engine is quiet and only comes on so often, but if someone happens to be around then, bad news, right?  Vs. a Cargo van with a roof fan.... While stealthing, are those fans so quiet that they can be run 24/7 and no one knows?  But they surely won't cool like A/C will....are you basically left to sweat it out on a hot summer day/night if you are stealthing?  Haha.

If I've forgotten any relevant categories or information, bring it on! Thanks!

 

[myke]

How you can you really compare these two? Complete and total opposite ends of the spectrum...

Reliability would be Toyota all the way over any cargo van...

 

[mayble]

One advantage of cargo vans is their availability.
I would think a used cargo van would be cheap enough to experiment with, whereas a used Prius is still a bit pricey.  For a few hundred dollars you could pick up a van and try it on for size, then trade up as you see fit.
I can easily make myself crazy trying to choose the perfect vehicle, but then I have to stop and remember that I won't know what works FOR ME until I try it.  I think it will ultimately come down to what I find when I have cash in hand.  My main criteria will be to buy something that won't lose value so I won't worry about losing money on a bad choice.  Something old enough to be fully depreciated but still functional.

 

[Bster13]

How you can you really compare these two? Complete and total opposite ends of the spectrum...

Reliability would be Toyota all the way over any cargo van...

To me opposite ends of the spectrum would be a Prius vs. a Class A and towed vehicle, but that's just me.  They're both well suited to stealth and solo travel as well as economical so that's why I'm mulling both of them over in my head.

 

[Bster13]

One advantage of cargo vans is their availability.
I would think a used cargo van would be cheap enough to experiment with, whereas a used Prius is still a bit pricey.  For a few hundred dollars you could pick up a van and try it on for size, then trade up as you see fit.
I can easily make myself crazy trying to choose the perfect vehicle, but then I have to stop and remember that I won't know what works FOR ME until I try it.  I think it will ultimately come down to what I find when I have cash in hand.  My main criteria will be to buy something that won't lose value so I won't worry about losing money on a bad choice.  Something old enough to be fully depreciated but still functional.

That's a really good point.  I guess the category would be "cost of experimenting."

I agree, a cargo van should have better availability.

That brings up another category.... "Modifications." -> This could go either way depending on how you look at it. A Prius should be cheaper to out fit as it's a smaller space and the potential modifications list is just shorter. A Cargo van will cost more to outfit with building a bed, storage, etc., but it has a lot more flexibility to lay it out how you like.

 

[Wanderer]

If I've forgotten any relevant categories or information, bring it on! Thanks!

Start watching it at 9:25

 

[mayble]

That's a really good point.  I guess the category would be "cost of experimenting."

I agree, a cargo van should have better availability.

That brings up another category.... "Modifications." -> This could go either way depending on how you look at it.  A Prius should be cheaper to out fit as it's a smaller space and the potential modifications list is just shorter.  A  Cargo van will cost more to outfit with building a bed, storage, etc., but it has a lot more flexibility to lay it out how you like.

You can put as much or as little into a cargo van as you like.  Someplace to sit, someplace to sleep, someplace to keep all your stuff.  Everything else is optional.  With the van, you simply have more options

 

[Suanne]

... unsure how the braking system on a Prius works and if those parts are very specific, thus have to buy them at a dealer...  

The brakes on a Prius are conventional; but, my Prius has over 210K miles on it and I've never replaced the brakes.  The reason is that the Prius doesn't utilize the conventional breaking system until about 19 MPH.  Before 19 MPH it's using the engine to brake and regenerate electricity to store in its high-voltage batteries.  I did have an electronic brake sensor fail a couple of years ago which was diagnosed and repaired at a dealership for about $300, if I remember correctly.

... Living space -> Cargo Van.  I know there are folks who fulltime (or near fulltime) in their Prius, but what happens on a rainy day?  Are you inside your Prius the whole time?  Do you just suck it up and put on your raincoat and venture out?  I'm an extrovert, but I wonder if there will be days where I just want to stay inside.  How does that work out in the Prius? ...

My observation is that all vehicle dwellers tend to spend most of their time in their vehicle during bad weather (rain, wind, extreme cold, etc.), including van and Prius dwellers.  And, when cabin fever gets too great all will venture outside with appropriate foul-weather gear.  And, for me, there are days that I just want to lounge in my Prius, even when the weather is pleasant.

... Room for a friend -> Cargo Van.  If you happen to meet a friend to travel with along the way, or take a family member out for a road trip here and there ...

No doubt that a van is easier to have a friend inside for a visit, especially during bad weather.  But, many have taken seats out of their vehicle so that it's not so comfortable to take a trip into town with a friend.  I have not taken any seats out of my Prius and, thus, can include another person on a drive.  Most recently a friend and her 2 dogs (1 large, 1 small) and I took a 40 mile trip to Walmart in my Prius where we came back with a load of groceries.  The most limiting factor of my '04 Prius is its 780 maximum payload.  I think the newer hatchback Prius has a little larger maximum payload.

 

[Wanderer]

Just listing out some Pros and Cons and thinking out loud.  If you have additional points to consider, I'd love to hear them!


If I've forgotten any relevant categories or information, bring it on! Thanks!

Thanks for this post. Gets people talking and not any of it bad.

I too was looking at Vans, RV's and cars (Lived out of a 1989 Buick station wagon for a few months) Thing is, we all have our "Choices' which are determined by factors in and out of our control.

Like in my case, love to get a RV so I can leave my shower cost behind, but if this is the ONLY reason, then the $37 a month I spend is NOT a good reason to buy.

The van was bought to avoid the $400+ monthly rent (Plus the $85 a month utilities) This is a GOOD reason to get a van.

 

[Bster13]

Does anyone have any thoughts on my Climate Control section? That one is most important to me. I think having built in A/C with the Prius is amazing! But if it's not really feasible when stealth camping in a city, it's something I need to factor in.

I don't want to be restricted by the weather, especially the heat. If there is a festival in Florida in July, I don't want the weather to dictate (too much) on whether I attend or not.

My goal in retirement is to enjoy it, not sacrifice too much (yes, I realize I could be going from a nice apartment to a car, haha)

Thanks for all the comments, I love the brainstorming!

 

[Bster13]

You mention MPG being important but don't say how many miles you expect to drive in a year so it is hard to determine relative costs.

I've never been under the hood of a Prius but I'm sure that it is MUCH more complicated than a standard vehicle. Getting work done in a dealership is expensive and that might be the only place that will be able to do some of the work that might be required on a Prius.

Guy

Well the more I travel in a year the more important it will become, but truth is I don't know what my pace will be like.  I'm sure I'll be like most retirees and do a million miles in the first few years seeing it all, but then I'll level out to a slower place of sorts in time, just don't know what that will be.  I guess the argument here is if I am only doing 5k miles a year, is the difference in $ spent on gas material at the cost of living space?  On the other hand, if I can be happy living in a Prius, no matter the miles, I'm still saving ~something~ that can be spent elsewhere.  And I agree, a dealership would be much more expensive to get work done, but I guess I'm banking on that Toyota reliability?  Or at least Toyota reliability for the parts of the car a dealer would have to service?

 

[akrvbob]

Having camped and traveled with Suanne, I have fallen in love with her Prius and now consider it an engineering marvel!

I think it's a very valid comparison but let me give you some other thoughts:

1) If your budget allows it, I'd think about a cargo van towing a Prius. I am actually seriously considering this for myself. My 1 ton van can easily tow a Prius, I'd live in it in the winter and drive the Prius as a daily driver. In the summer I'd put the van in storage ($25-$35 a month) and in the summer take the Prius to travel in. I can go a long ways on 45-50 MPG!!!

2) I'd give a LOT of thought to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Much better ground clearance, very similiar drive system, great reliability, comes in 4wd and MUCH more room inside!! But, I don't think the MPG is nearly as good, 28 MPG

3) No way a Prius us going to make it around the Valley of the Gods--nowhere near enough ground clearance. The Highlander yes, with 4wd it would be better than a van.
Bob

 

[myke]

2) I'd give a LOT of thought to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Much better ground clearance, very similiar drive system, great reliability, comes in 4wd and MUCH more room inside!! But, I don't think the MPG is nearly as good, 28 MPG

I was recently checking these out on the lot. Put all the seats down and climbed in to lie down while the sales guy looked on. They are great, but the hybrid version isn't worth it, It costs like 10-15k more than the gas version which gets low 20s.

I kept going back to the Sienna though, so much more room than any crossover/suv...

 

[Oberneldon]

Bster13

I also travel with my Prius and put on 19,500 miles and went to 36 states in 3.5 months getting 52 mpg.

I modified my Prius but nothing that affects putting it back to original condition if I want.

I was able to visit the valley of the gods this year entering from the Mexican Hat side. I did cross the wet wash as a check showed it was low enough to cross and camped the night. Not to be attempted with high water.

I have gone high tech and everything is small or special for space. This is a bit more costly when I switched from my class B.

It is not efficient to heat the Prius as it runs the engine. I didn't bother with A/C when not driving. I am set up to have shore power to run a small electric heater.

I am now making mods for my next 4 month trip starting Jan. I plan to be at the RTR in Quartzsite if you make it.

You can read about it at macaloney.blogspot.com 2015 travels

Good luck with your decision.

Brent

[email protected]

 

[Bster13]

akrvbobHaving camped and traveled with Suanne, I have fallen in love with her Prius and now consider it an engineering marvel!

I think it's a very valid comparison but let me give you some other thoughts:

1) If your budget allows it, I'd think about a cargo van towing a Prius. I am actually seriously considering this for myself. My 1 ton van can easily tow a Prius, I'd live in it in the winter and drive the Prius as a daily driver.  In the summer I'd put the van in storage ($25-$35 a month) and in the summer take the Prius to travel in.  I can go a long ways on 45-50 MPG!!!

2) I'd give a LOT of thought to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Much better ground clearance, very similiar drive system, great reliability, comes in 4wd and MUCH more room inside!! But, I don't think the MPG is nearly as good, 28 MPG

3) No way a Prius us going to make it around the Valley of the Gods--nowhere near enough ground clearance. The Highlander yes, with 4wd it would be better than a van.
Bob

1) So Basically you'd use the Cargo Van as mobile home that is stationary most of the time.  I guess if you weren't driving the van much, you could rock a used Class C as well there.  I'm not sure I want the added cost of storage or two drivetrains to service, but it's certainly a viable option.



2) 28MPG is good, but I agree with myke, that's a lot of up front cost to get 28mpg.  I figure I'd rock a Ford Connect at that point to get decent mileage and space. Though I'm unsure of their costs in the used market.  And I assume a used Cargo Van getting 13MPG is cheaper than the Ford connect... always a sliding scale of how much those miles cost you in gas vs. purchase price.  Haha.



3) Thanks for the feedback, but it looks like [size=medium][size=small]Oberneldon was able to make it in his Prius.  Maybe you ~can~ make it, but not advised?  What if it rains, you're stuck?  Maybe you can't access all of the area with a Prius?[/size][/size]

 

[Bster13]

Bster13

I also travel with my Prius and put on 19,500 miles and went to 36 states in 3.5 months getting 52 mpg.

I modified my Prius but nothing that affects putting it back to original condition if I want.

I was able to visit the valley of the gods this year entering from the Mexican Hat side.  I did cross the wet wash as a check showed it was low enough to cross and camped the night.  Not to be attempted with high water.

I have gone high tech and everything is small or special for space.  This is a bit more costly when I switched from my class B.

It is not efficient to heat the Prius as it runs the engine.  I didn't bother with A/C when not driving.  I am set up to have shore power to run a small electric heater.

I am now making mods for my next 4 month trip starting Jan.  I plan to be at the RTR in Quartzsite if you make it.

You can read about it at macaloney.blogspot.com 2015 travels

Good luck with your decision.  

Brent

[email protected]

Hi Brent,

I've been plowing through your blog (and Suanne's!) these past couple of days.  Thanks for keeping such great notes.  When are you going to fire up your own Youtube Channel? ;p

Anyway, as for not bothering with the A/C when stationary... are you just following great weather and don't need it?  Suanne has some screens to use on her windows, but that won't work in a stealth situation.  And I'm still unsure how well/how loud a vent fan is on a Cargo Van while stealth camping in town.

Question for your Brent... if you were fulltiming 24/7, 365 days a year, would you still opt for the Prius?  Would your pace slow down if you didn't have to complete your loops around the country in a certain amount of time?  Do you think you'd benefit from the increased room in a Cargo Van then?

Thanks!

 

[Oberneldon]

Bster13

About the valley of the gods. The road wasn't as bad as the BLM land in Ehrenburg where many stay, but all roads are subject to weather changing them and if need be I will opt for a casino or campground if there is any risk of getting stuck. I did opt for the off road chains for my Park City, UT meet up with son for possible snow and now I have them for an emergency on dirt roads.

Because of how rough the Federal roads are I got a forward facing curb sensor to look out for obstacles.

I wouldn't stealth with A/C on as the car will start randomly. I have a screen system that pops in the rear windows from the inside and with the rain guards I can leave the windows cracked. I use a USB fan to move air and it is quiet.

I do follow good weather but have stealthed in parking lots during daytime 80's temps. In AZ I stayed on BLM land in the 90's but just slept with windows open and no screens as there were no bugs.

I have not had stayed in 90's and high humidity yet. If I did I may opt for leaving the A/C on as the Prius is efficient with running electric like the A/C. I hope to swing through the southeast next spring to try out the warmer humid conditions before going home. I am one of those people that doesn't mind heat or humidity.

RE: 24/7, 365 - if I lived full time Vandwelling and didn't need to visit one son on the east coast and the other on the west coast and could be regional I would highly consider moving back to a van. What brought me to the Prius was the cost of driving my Class B across the country and back. I did this cost comparison in my blog for reference.

For now I still need to drive to the southwest to get away from the cold then visits to one son by the Bay Area then travel to visits the other son on the east coast then home on New England. My class B got 10 mpg and my Prius is 52 so when you drive the miles I do the cost is substantial. With my Class B I was weighing the cost to see things. With my Prius I just go and never think of gas costs.

Brent

[email protected]

 

[BigT]

If you have additional points to consider, I'd love to hear them!

Winter -> A wash? A prius is FWD so a positive there, but a cargo van is heavy with RWD. 

2) 28MPG is good, but I agree with myke, that's a lot of up front cost to get 28mpg.  I figure I'd rock a Ford Connect at that point to get decent mileage and space. Though I'm unsure of their costs in the used market.  And I assume a used Cargo Van getting 13MPG is cheaper than the Ford connect.

I was just going to suggest a minivan for the very reasons and advantages you need, but I see you've already considered the TC.  
FWD, great fuel economy, for a van, very reliable, and much roomier than the Toyota.  My TC gets 27.6mph on the highway, and low 20's in the city.  
I've been seeing them sold on car lots (more expensive than a private seller) for as low as $9,000.  And keep in mind this is the Bay Area where everything is more expensive. 

I think I'd go crazy if I tried living in a Prius.  In fact I know I would.  I gave my '97 Civic to my brother and bought the TC for that very reason!  

 

[highdesertranger]

another thought I was at the parts store today and notice that after market Pirus batteries are out now. which means that they are starting to fail. these batteries were north of 2k. 2k buys a lot of gas. highdesertranger

 

[29chico]

another thought I was at the parts store today and notice that after market Pirus batteries are out now.  which means that they are starting to fail.  these batteries were north of 2k.  2k buys a lot of gas.  highdesertranger

Good observation. 

The CVT transmission in the Prius is a far more spendy issue than the battery when it fails.  Yes, the CVT trannys are also starting to fail...