Full size vs Mini Cargo?

[Badtoneno]

Hi all! By way of introduction, I’m a newbie in PA retired and disabled from a horrific motorcycle accident. I simply can’t do the winters here with a 12 level spinal fusion anymore. I have an elderly mother who I just can’t leave yet so I’m not ready for full time just yet. So, I’m looking to do the snowbird thing for 2-3 months in the meantime, mainly AZ and other Southwest states.

I was almost settled on a nice 2001 GMC Savana with only 75,000 miles for around 8k when I started looking at the smaller Ford Transit Connects and NV200s due to the better mileage and some cool builds I saw. Although the extra space would be great, I’m not sure with all the driving I’ll be doing to get to where it’s warm if it’ll be worth it. 

Then again lower mileage mini cargos like the transit connects and NV200s are seeming to average around 10k around here. I’ve learned so much from you folks already so thanks in advance for any thoughts and insights you can give!

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Badtoneno to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

I hope you don't mind I moved your thread to the "Newcomers corner"

highdesertranger

 

[Badtoneno]

Thx highdesertranger- appreciate that. I almost posted that there but got over-focused on my van search! I’ve already learned much from your posts and the community!

 

[maki2]

You have my sympathy, I know what it is like to have a crap back. One help is to have a seat that fits you perfectly even if that means buying a whole new seat. There are a number of articles on the internet about which vehicles have seats that work for people with bad backs. So for you that might make a big difference in choosing the best vehicle to fit your needs.

I still miss my Chevy S 10, it and its counter part the Blazer which was a mini SUV had perfect fitting seats, I could do a 11 hour drive without pain. My mother used to also have a bad back so she always bought Caddys. But one year my Dad needed a new vehicle that fit his gold clubs so I told her about the great seats in my S-10. After my dad went into a nursing home she sold her Caddy and kept his Blazer because it was even more comfortable to drive than the Caddy.

 

[Badtoneno]

Thx so much maki2- you are so right- good seats are crucial for us. Fortunately my lower back is a little better than my upper so I can fix a not great seat with one of those little lumbar support things. Have one in my ancient Subaru Outback that helps a lot. Your suggestions remind me that I need a fairly long test drive to judge the seat in these.

After looking at a bunch of vans over the weekend I’m leaning toward an Express or Savana- the minis are cool but I think I’m gonna need the space.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I've had mini, standard and now Transit high roof.

The larger van will definitely more comfortable. I find now I'm spending way more time in my van whereas when I had a Connect 2 or 3 hours and I needed to get out.

 

[user 423]

....my lower back is a little better than my upper.

Crouching in a mini or even a standard height full-size van is hard on the lower back, so you may be OK.  Being able to stand fully would be nice if you're gonna spend much time inside but that's a lot more expense if you have to add a 24" top. One of the newer vans with a high roof sure would be a great way to go.

 

[ckelly78z]

Without the back problems you have, I couldn't do a standard roof van for very long without needing to get outside, and sometimes the weather just isn't cooperative for outdoor living. You will want to be able stand upright inside, or you will end up hating it in short order.

 

[maki2]

I have two disc out of my lower back and 3 bad vertabrae in my mid back and arthritis in my neck and shoulders. It does not matter what I am in but being able to stand upright versus having to be bent over is a big help. I have a small travel trailer that is low roofed but it has a popup roof section over the kitchen area. Where the bed and desk space are I would typically be sitting down anyway. The one issue in the lower roofed area that gives me pain is making the bed but that requires bending over no matter what the roof height is so no mercy for me there unless I do it while kneeling or sitting on my little rolling desk chair. Having a little rolling chair with adjustable back support is a big help. Having a small desk space where I can get my feet under it and do work or things like food prep while sitting is a big help.

I also have a popup canopy tent that I can setup in camp when the wind is not too strong. That gives the luxury of being able to stand up easily and have a folding table with adjustable height legs on it. It is great for a long stay boon docking site. But there are some like the "Clam" shelters that go up in just a few minutes time and also fold down just about as fast and are fairly stable in the wind. That is on my wish list.

 

[Badtoneno]

Thanks- some great suggestions that are much appreciated. I’ve done a fair amount of tent and hammock camping in the last 2 years and have been ok for the most part. I agree being able to stand up would be the better situation but I’m not finding any high tops close to my price range. After getting in a few of the minis they are not gonna do it for me. One Awesome Inch- I’ve watched a lot of your vids- thx!

I’m leaning toward the Savana or Express. I missed a high top Express near me but it was a 1500 which I know High Desert Ranger would have steered me away from?.

Maki2 I feel for ya- that’s a bad clinical picture you’ve got there. Even though I’m fused at 12 levels I’d wager you’re in more pain than I!

 

[One Awesome Inch]

A great way to make things easier on your back is to install a hard floor ad then use a chair with wheels to roll around.

 

[maki2]

I am not in pain unless I over do it or neglect to take the medication I use to keep arthritis inflammation under control. I tend to work on my build or other chores in 20 minute increments followed by a short lie down. That keeps things doable without over doing it.

 

[Badtoneno]

Thats almost exactly how I operate also! If I’m in warm dry weather, I can function half decent but give me the cold and constant barometric changes and I’m almost laid up. That’s why getting this process moving so I can get out to the Southwest is a major goal for me!