MiniVans

[Ballenxj]

HWJ, I have a 2000 Astro panel minivan & I'm avg 22mpg in the 1500mi since I got it 2 months ago! Also my actual twin mattress does fit in it comfortably with creative use of space for everything else.

<br />Is that hiway, or all together? I'm going to have to do a road trip in my Safari before I decide to sell it in favor of my full sized van. Like I said elsewhere, I got 18 around town with it. <br />-Bruce

 

[Guest]

That is avg 22mpg city/hwy combined; my van came with a 3.23 rear axle as per RPO codes so that might account for the great fuel milage? (I'm downsizing from a 31' MH that had been getting 5mpg!!)

 

[Ballenxj]

(I'm downsizing from a 31' MH that had been getting 5mpg!!)

<br />31' motorhome? That's what I had. Those darned things hold a lot of stuff. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it all. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[Guest]

QUOTE:<br />Originally posted by <strong>Balleenxj</strong><br />"31' motorhome? That's what I had. Those darned things hold a lot of stuff. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it all.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" /> -Bruce"<br /><br />Same problem here - Ive got some stuff in a storage unit, some in a friend's basement &amp; attic too! <br />The back bdrm in the MH was becoming my "junk drawer space". <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" />&nbsp;You know the 31' MH is too big a space for you when you go camping in a 8x7 tent &amp; feel relaxed - like this is plenty of room for myself! &nbsp; <br /><br />FT'd in 31' for the last 6.5yrs (4 yrs of that was with my late Mom - she wanted the 'Canadian-winter-capable - condo - on - wheels' &amp; it worked great esp. in 2009 as she was in a wheelchair by then) but with the cost of upkeep/MH mtge/gas milage($480 in gas to go 500 miles/800km) <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" />&nbsp;just couldn't keep up with it anymore. <br />Now enjoying my Astro 'Cum-fe' as I convert it to my perfect Cdn winter-capable mini-MH. As it's a cargo mini panel van - I've started with a clean slate no hidden mould to worry about.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" />

 

[cedric]

for the propane tank you could use the little ones and store them in a cargo bag on the roof. or you could get a van with a hitch and put a small hitch basket on the back that has a metal box bolted to it. stick the 20lb tank in the box and lock it all up.

 

[Ballenxj]

or you could get a van with a hitch and put a small hitch basket on the back that has a metal box bolted to it. stick the 20lb tank in the box and lock it all up.

<br />Hmm, That's an interesting option. I think you would give up stealth that way though. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[nowhhs]

I was looking for the same thing about a year ago. My only considerations were that it was roomy enough to sleep 2 adults and got the best mileage possible. I settled on a first generation Honda Odyssey. I had to build a subfloor in order to get a flat sleeping surface, but on a 9300 mile trip through Canada and Alaska last summer, I averaged 29.6 mpg. It comes with a 4 cylinder as opposed to most minivans that have 6's, but even so, the mileage surprised me. I get about 23mpg just driving it around town. Certainly an Aerostar or Astro will have more room, I considered a Windstar for that reason, but I'm more than happy with the Honda, and would buy it again. I'm not sure if you would have enough space for year round living, but you could always tow a small trailer, like a 5x8 enclosed construction trailer and it would be more than enough for one person. That's my eventual plan when I go full time.<br />Norm

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, Norm! &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /></span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Only first gen Odesseys had 4 cyl, all the rest have sixes. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" />&nbsp;Why mess up a good thing, eh?</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span>

 

[Simran]

BRI,
I have the same sentiments!

Gus

D.G.,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I loved the Citroen Romahome ...got so jealous I couldn't watch the entire clip! Damn those European van dwellers! They have the coolest vehicles there....&lt;br /&gt;Bri