High Top Van versus Truck Camper?

[One Awesome Inch]

I am still not sure which direction should go.

They both have significant advantages.

The truck camper I am considering is the camplite 5.7. Fully aluminum with no wood to rot whatsoever and quite light at 1050LBS. Pricey though.

The van would be better in terms of stealth as jumping in and out of a truck camper wont look good when I am parked in my exwifes condo parking lot 3 nights a week. Aside from cost that is the biggest detractor for the truck camper option.

Then again with the truck camper I can get a truck which will have seating for me and my two kids to go short trips or long ones. That is huge. Right now if I want to take them anywhere we walk or take the bus.

Since I plan to be living mobile for the rest of my life the truck camper makes sense as its well built and if the truck bites it I can just replace it but still have my home. That is *very* appealing.

Words of wisdom?

 

[NeedAnEscape]

If you want seating for your kids, why not get an extended passenger van and take out all the rear seats except one row?

 

[LeeRevell]

Sounds like you have already convinced yourself on the truck camper.

 

[Willy]

A lot depends on what you envision yourself actually doing with the vehicle. The truck/camper is a more 'flexible' unit re. usage with more storage space. The van, on the other hand, is generally more convenient and lower key. Maybe a 4x4 van? ..Willy.

 

[nobodyG17]

How about a high top with a 3rd seat installed somewhere?  Lots of vans have a plate mounted to the body that has slots the back of the seat slide into then two quick disconnects on the front.  Lots of possibilities with that.  Maybe mount the seat backwards behind the driver so it does not take up much space.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

you should have a look at the rig bc bullet just posted at the repo joint in Vancouver. that looks like a good platform to do a conversion on with a bench seat with three seat belts.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Thanks for the tip FKM but that is way too much truck for my humble needs. I do wonder what the mpg would be.

As for the truck camper I have found that it is way out of my price range. Somehow $14000 usd turned into $26000 cdn and that is *before* 12% tax. Crazy... and a good reminder to stay away from dealerships.

I could look at other TC besides the camplite 5.7 but with all the rain we get in Vancouver... well it's just an investment I don't want to make. Most truck campers are poorly built.

The bright side is that it makes the decision easy... ht van it is.

 

[introverting]

A truck camper wouldn't be near as stealthy as a high top cargo van.

 

[AngryVanMan]

This is an older post, but he just bought a Transit Connect (the small mini-van size one) - it should be great in the city and for stealth!  He is doing a build thread and I'm following him on YouTube and he did a video on the new van, it looks great!

 

[jimindenver]

I was wondering with the recent purchase.