Hello

wanderlust70 · Oct 14, 2019

Hello from the Northern Arkansas Ozark mountains. I watched the documentary "Without Bounds" four years ago and knew at that moment, that my destiny is to be a nomad. For the last 4 years, I have had 8 surgeries due to staph infections in both knee replacement joints. I thought I would die and my dream would not happen. I am getting well after a 30 day water only fast and many life changes. My last surgery was mid-June and the surgeon said that no more knee rebuilds were possible; next infection would require amputations. Well, that increased my determination dramatically. I will become a nomad. I can't make the RTR as I already have a ticket to St. Croix to spend some time with my son but I am making plans and looking for a van. What do I have to lose? It is now or never.

Cajunwolf · Oct 14, 2019

Hola wanderlust70!

Welcome to the CRVL forums! Check out the tips & tricks thread at the top of this section.

There are many folks here with all kinds of mobility issues to deal with, and they're living the dream. I'm old with COPD traveling with a special needs daughter. If it gets down to a wheelchair, get an excellent custom made one for trail and such, a van or RV with a ramp and handicap controls and your set! Travel with others like me in the same boat to where we have help and support. Nothing is holding you back. Right? I have a new phrase ... because I can!

wanderlust70 · Oct 14, 2019

Thanks for the encouragement. I do have some mobility issues; I have spent months in wheelchairs and now use a cane but I'm back on my feel for now, and ready to roll! Nothing is holding me back but I need to sell my house. I have spent hours looking at vans -late model low mileage vans and I am stuck. Most of the Chevy Express and GMC Savanas' are 6 cylinder or 8 cylinder 6 liter. I almost bought a 6 cylinder and friends, family, and a couple of mechanics have told me I have to get an 8 cylinder if I want to travel some in the mountains. 8 cylinders will use more gas. A few years back they made a small 8 with a 4.8 but they are exceedingly rare, it seems. Do you have any idea where I can get info about the engine size I need to travel in the mountains in the summer?
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travelaround · Oct 14, 2019

You can travel in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in a 4 cylinder car. But for vandwelling, 6 cylinders would be better.

Welcome to the forum.

rvwandering · Oct 14, 2019

Welcome to the CRVL forums wanderlust70! Good luck with your van search! Keep us updated on your progress.

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.

Cajunwolf · Oct 14, 2019

It depends on the 6-cylinder and the weight of the vehicle. I had a 1977 Ford 3/4 ton with a tool bed that had a 300 ci in in-line 6, and I pulled a trailer day in and day out without a problem. It wasn't fast, but it was strong and reliable. That being said, your sometimes better off with a larger engine because it's not going to work as hard and a smaller one with the same load. By that, I mean you going to have your foot harder on the pedal on the less powerful engine to keep the same speed. Figure out how much you have to carry with you, how much does it all weigh, and chose the appropriate vehicle and engine size. With a 3/4 to 1-ton van, you want a V8. On a 1/2 ton down to a minivan, a 6-cylinder will do. Even as travelaround said, a 4-cylinder will do in a small van or car.