Interesting van vs. class b

[vagari]

I just happened to see two 1999 Ford E350 vehicles for sale. It's interesting to compare them. They both have the same engines, transmissions, chassis, etc. They both have 95,000 miles. One is a Class B RV for $14,500 and the other is a high top wheelchair van for $3,900. That's a $10,600 difference. Granted the class B has holding tanks, toilet, shower, cabinets, bed, stove, fridge, microwave, furnace, A/C, a little taller inside, etc. and the van is just a shell. But for less than that $10,600 the van could be customized with solar, 12 volt fridge, more comfortable bed, desk/chair, stove, fan, heater, etc. Now the van would have plastic storage bins, no shower, bucket toilet but also higher ground clearance and more overall storage space. The van may not be as polished and nice looking as the class B but it may be a lot more functional. <br><br>Any thoughts? Am I looking at this wrong? Could it be as simple as one has an advantage in campgrounds and one has an advantage for boondocking?<br><br>Here's an interesting question, if you had $14,500 would you buy the class B as-is or the van and fix it up?

 

[offroad]

its a matter of time to invest.&nbsp; Do you want to buy and roll?&nbsp; Do you want to buy-fix and eventually roll?

 

[peacetara]

I went cargo van route myself, and am very happy with my decision.&nbsp; but YMMV.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[David]

That class B is WAY over priced IMO. It appears to be in good shape but I think they would need to find a sucker that would actually pay that much. I'd say closer to $10k would be more reasonable&nbsp;considering&nbsp;the year and the miles, but even that's quite a bit. If it were garage kept then that's a bonus, but still $14k is too much unless you are really really looking for that exact van.<br><br>I probably wouldn't pay $4k for that cargo van either TBH.. I've seen better deals than that and quite honestly I'd rather buy a slightly higher&nbsp;mileage&nbsp;"newer" van than a lower&nbsp;mileage&nbsp;older one. Age put miles are a&nbsp;vehicle as well it's not just driving..

 

[Scott_1776]

What are your intensions with the Van/Class B?&nbsp; Boondocking or city stealthing?&nbsp; The cargo will do both just fine, the Class B is harder on the city stealthing. The B will give you a quick ramp up and go.&nbsp; The cargo with a lower cost will keep you out there longer and more $$$ in your pocket is always nice.

 

[caseyc]

That's a nice looking Class B van. Only major thing I dislike is sleeping upstairs. I would never want to sleep upstairs or any elevated position. I still have bad memories of rolling over my bunk bed and dropping to the floor with a bloody nose as a kid!&nbsp; I like all the conveniences of a Class B van. Major downside of course is the higher price.&nbsp; Plus a factory Class B simply looks more like an "RV" versus a van.&nbsp; That in turn would give other people (eg: neighbors, residents) a different view of the van, whether good or bad.&nbsp; I prefer a Class B van myself, but the other van pictured looks nice too.&nbsp; Without really knowing the condition of the Class B van, it's hard to say if the $14k price tag is justified.&nbsp; I mean heck, is a brand new RoadTrek at $80,000+ justified??&nbsp; For the past 2 years, I've been constantly upgrading my conversion van so that it's more like a Class B van (almost, not quite).&nbsp; But in the process, I easily spent an additional $12k+ just for upgrades, and even more on repairs.&nbsp; So in the end, I probably could have done better buying a more expensive and well equipped van from the beginning.&nbsp; If I had to do it all over again in hindsight, I would have spent more on a fully equipped vehicle in order to do less upgrades later.&nbsp; But that's just me.&nbsp; Plus I can't stand seeing metal walls and floors, haha! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif"><img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">

 

[James AKA Lynx]

$$$$$ your choice, Do you want all of the things in the class B? $ 14000 can last you for 2 years voyaging. Is your style staying outside most of the time?<br><br>Most important, Do you have the extra $ 14000 to spend. Will it hurt your overall budget for the enxt 10 years? If so, buy the cheaper one and make the mods yourself. <br><br>James AKa Lynx

 

[grammahugababy]

Tara, I thought about getting a class B when I bought HULK. For anyone who hasn't seen my van (his name is HULK) Bob featured him in his blog on Feb. 2 2013.&nbsp; The post was titled Cheri's High-Top Conversion. &nbsp; We have several vandwellers with wonderful class B's.&nbsp; I love Jerry and Nelda's class B and Myrna has a gorgeous one that was a great buy and had been well cared for.&nbsp; I had spent 4 months traveling in a Dodge Caravan and the one thing I absolutely knew was if I was going to live this amazing lifestyle I needed to be able to stand up in my home.&nbsp; I also know that I am lazy and I have No fix-it abilities.&nbsp; If the water system had a problem I would have to have someone fix it for me.&nbsp; The same with the propane and the sewer and the heater etc.&nbsp; By choosing a big empty cargo van that was already insulated and putting in furniture from the thrift store and using some of the stuff I already had it was fast and easy and even after 4 years it is still a work in progress.&nbsp; If my water system has a problem I buy a new water jug.&nbsp; If my heater goes out I replace my 70 dollar propane catalytic heater, if my cook stove breaks I buy a new twenty dollar butane camp stove, if my sewer system starts to leak I replace it with a new $100 porta potty. It works for me! &nbsp; I will admit I was lucky to find exactly the right van for my lifestyle.&nbsp; I spent hours watching Craigs list and checking out used car lots.&nbsp;&nbsp; I fell in love with HULK the minute I saw him.&nbsp; Cheri and Tony<br><br><br><br>

 

[vagari]

I am looking to stay on BLM or NF land mostly. I work online so I can be anywhere provided I can find Internet every 3-5 days. I am 72.5" tall so most class B's dont have a long enough bed for me. That's why I've been thinking about a high top van with my own long 80" bed in it. Most high tops are only 69-70" tall so I could stand but would be tilting my head. I'd rather do that and sleep well then be able to stand and not sleep well. That Ford Coachmen was 76" tall inside and 77" long bed. So sleeping and standing - but 14k is a lot of traveling money and new solar panels in a van.

 

[coultergeist]

I went the route of building it myself.&nbsp; Part of it was financial.&nbsp; I certainly couldn't have come up with 10,000 dollars or more to buy one prebuilt.&nbsp; I have a former wheelchair equipped high top van that I am converting.&nbsp; Another part of it is in total agreement with grammahugababy.&nbsp; I wanted to be able to fix anything that could possibly pop up on the road.&nbsp;&nbsp;I am building it so that as many parts as possible are readily attainable on the road.&nbsp; I'm using as few specialized parts as I can.&nbsp; If it were a pre-built Class B, repairs on the road are iffy at best.&nbsp; Many parts are super hard to get to if they break or start leaking and parts usually have to be ordered which can take days or weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was just far simpler in my opinion to build it the way I wanted it and know that I can maintain it relatively easily as it needs it.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

When you turn the passenger chair around, there is a lot more room. With a regular length full size van you can put in a queen size bed. not much room for much else. I am 78" and sleep on a regular twin. Had to get used to it. I just could not spend the extra money for a few feet of head room. Just make do. Usually I am alone enough that it does not matter if I hope outside to put on something or just do it on the chair or bed.<br><br>Unspent money = time on the road <br><br>James Aka Lynx

 

[vagari]

I was thinking a twin XL bed (39"x80") down one of the sides. Maybe even a full XL bed (54"x80") but it wouldn't leave much room on other side but would have lots of storage underneath<br><br>

 

[James AKA Lynx]

The Twin XL sheets and blankets are easier to get as the college dorms use them. I have mine all the way across and crawl in and out. Mainly for storage reasons and safety.

 

[Terry]

I posted a great looking class B yesterday and it is only 6 something grand. About half what that one is .