Hope to be a step van newb soon

[Kemper]

Hey everyone,

My name is Kemper. I finally made the decision to get a step van and do a build out for myself, I'm currently looking in earnest for a Freightliner MT-45. but I have been afflicted with the age old question of Gas or Diesel. One minute I'm drooling over a 5.9L Cummins BT-6, and the next, I think that I want a mild build Chev. small block. So that's me right now. Hope you all are well.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome 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. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Moxadox]

Hey Kemp, I have only known one other person named Kemper. His father's name was Fred. Fred was a painter, and he was my father's best friend in the world. Are you "that" Kemper?

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Cammalu]

My middle name is Kemper...

 

[Moxadox]

My middle name is Kemper...

Well there you go....[emoji1]

The Dire Wolfess

 

[7wanders]

there are pros/cons to both diesel and gas. I have the Cummins 6bt in my step van and love it and personally feel it is a better choice for me. my friend Andi has a chevy gas engine in his step van and loves it. he bought his specifically for ease of finding parts while exploring latin america (he intends to drive from Canada down into mexico this year).

diesel: pros: great for power needed for large loads, climbing mountains, and a more durable engine (good for around a million miles if used for a step van RV which is light use). cons: they are loud engines and parts are more expensive (but should last twice a long so miles of use per part may be same in cost)

gas: pros: usually lower cost of fuel but have less power so your MPG may be lower for the same weight, especially if hauling loads or in mountains. recommend a super light weight build of mostly aluminum components to keep weight down. quieter and easier to work on cons: poor MPG in mountains or with heavy loads. short engine life of 300k or less vs diesel with up to 1million miles. lower cost of mechanic parts and service

 

[travelaround]

Hello Kemper! Welcome to the forums. The step van is an awesome choice. I would have gone diesel for a longer lasting engine, but there are other considerations. Anyhow, I've decided on a van... sometime in the next six months. Until then, I'm traveling in a car.

 

[Smitty716]

Welcome to the forum
I hope you find one you like so you can get on your way to building it . I went the class c route but love watching videos on van builds. After a year in the c I may build a van. Who knows, right now I need the amenities it offers due to medical stuff . But everything will be better next year so might go to a van for mileage and stealth. Anyway good luck and hope you make it in time to be at RTR