Stealth and mileage of step vans

[karen]

Hi.

I noticed this nice step van today online:
http://cars.oodle.com/detail/1999-gmc-step-van/3193777338-canoga-park-ca/ .

I wouldn't buy this van now because I'm not ready to pull the trigger, but I was wondering about the stealth capabilities of a step van. To my mind they would stand out a bit in residential areas etc. but otherwise I wonder how good they are for stealth.

This van has low miles and isn't too expensive.

Step vans must also take more fuel wouldn't they?

Does anyone have any thoughts on them - any good reason to not get one. I would love to be able to stand that's for sure!

Thanks!

 

[karen]

BTW, that van is a super sweet deal - it even has a generator that no doubt runs on diesel. Super convenient. 34k miles, 1999 year - $13k. Someone ought to nab it.

 

[Willy]

 If I didn't require a 4x4, I'd get a step van in a red-hot second. I'd actually have one that was on propane, but would settle for gas. I've had a couple, over the years, with the last one being a '56 Grumman. When it comes to fuel economy, well, nothing big enough to comfortably live in year-round will be good on gas. Thing with a step van is that it's tough as nails and is extremely easy to camperize. ..Willy.

 

[MK7]

Horrible stealth IMO. People will call the cops if they keep seeing it parked overnight in their residential neighborhood.

 

[Moby T]

Here's one for ya !<br><br>http://humboldt.craigslist.org/rvs/3638864832.html

 

[karen]

Hi Willy, thanks for your input. I know whatever I get will be a guzzler, but might as well minimize as much as a possible. Though to be able to stand - that would be sweet! I'm still considering getting one.

MK7: you're totally right - in a residential area they would be a bust I would guess. So with a step van camping choices would be more limiting. I would have to find semi-industrial/commercial areas to park in and definitely residential areas would be last resort I'm thinking. The think about regular cargo vans is you see them all around residential areas as many employers let their employees take them home. You rarely if ever see that with a step van - they get parking in the company yard. But to stand...hot damn that would be sweet.

Marco: that is one trippy rig! A little too big for me though!

 

[karen]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a high top too. That is a good compromise. I'm still open to the whole never get to stand up at home regular van though as well.

Good thoughts on the parking/driving aspect.

 

[user 423]

<p>Be aware that step vans, shuttlebuses, school buses,etc. are usually titled and tagged as commercial vehicles. If you buy one, some states will let you re-title it as a private vehicle or MH but others won't. If it has to remain titled as a commercial vehicle, <strong>your registration fees and insurance will be much higher</strong>. It could be that you would be subject to more frequent or more stringent DOT inspections, so do a lot of research before you buy!</p>

 

[karen]

Good tips, thanks! I will keep this in mind.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Here in B.C. a commercial vehicle can have CHEAPER insurance. My truck is listed as commercial and here the insurance is based off he GVW. With commercial, one claims a certain GVW and that's it. With regular plates the insurance is based off the MAXIMUM GVW. So, if one is driving a rig that's rated for 15000lbs GVW, but it's only running at 8000lbs, getting it insured for 8500lbs, let's say, can save quite a bit of cash. This is how it was explained to me at the insurance place, and it might very well be different in other areas. ..Willy.&nbsp;

 

[thin air]

&nbsp;If I didn't require a 4x4,

<br><br>who needs stealth when you got four wheel drive <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> It's a requirement for me too and I am in a major metropolitan area.<br><br>with a step van you would have to park it with other rigs to be stealthy imo... there are always areas around where the local roach coaches park and such, it's four mile run here. You could park a step van there no problem but unless that spot is right next to your job and you have to drive to get there then why not just have 4x4 and hit a trail. The adrenalin infusion about getting stuck is much preferred to the rush of getting busted by the man.<br><br>nice van though... I just can't see myself limited to the pavement.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;If I HAD to live in an urban area, a step van would be the way to go. Thing is, I HATE the city and being an ornery kinda old fart means that I don't like crowds. Therefor, the great outdoors it is. Truth of the matter, most of the areas I go could easily be accessible with a step van.. just that small percentage that isn't which causes a problem. A step van can also handily carry an amazing amount of stuff, so a person could easily do the 'base camp' thing. A small motorcycle/scooter or mountain bike could then be used. <br>&nbsp;Luckily, here in B.C., the back country is basically wide open, with many thousands of miles of logging roads. Some have been decommisioned, but are still drivable.. but often water-barred and that nixes most 2WD vehicles.. thus a 4x4.<br>&nbsp;That brings up another point.. accessibility. The harder it is to get to, the fewer pilgrims and crackheads coming around camp. ..Willy.&nbsp;

 

[Scoundrel]

How high is the ceiling on a step van?&nbsp; I'm thinking, if it's high enough, you could raise the floor for extra storage underneath.

 

[Scoundrel]

Sorry, double post.

 

[MrNoodly]

I've been considering step vans as an alternative to a box van. With the passenger seat removed, the passenger door is like the side door on a van. There's easy walk through to the back. Most step vans have dualie wheels and rollup rear doors, but there are versions with 11 ft cargo areas, single wheels and swinging rear doors. I like the swinging doors because I wouldn't need to allow overhead clearance inside for the rollup. The 11 footers are no longer than regular vans, but the straight sides and extra headroom make the length more usable. But there's the trade off of them being so non-aerodynamic and unstealthy.<br><br>Here's one available locally. It's out of my price range, but it's clean and straight.&nbsp;<br>http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3671606963.html

 

[karen]

BTW, if there is anyone here with a step van who urban stealth camps, I'd really like to get an idea of where you park, how common are knocks late at night etc..

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I always liked the areas zoned for lite industrial/commercial use. Less in the way of young punks wandering around too, as opposed to residential. ..Willy.

 

[karen]

Good thought.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I have a similar one to the first photo in this thread,&nbsp;only mine has single rear wheels, 10 ft box,6ft plus inside,&nbsp;with swinging doors&nbsp;like the second photo.&nbsp;It is a 292 6 cyl GMC engine and chasis, it is a 1 ton. It fits in regular parking spots the same size as a full size&nbsp;pick up truck, maybe a little wider.I get 16 miles per gallon, imperial. I am trying to improve on that, I have installed fender skirts, and a rear camback which did not improve much but I am in the process of installing a belly pan, side&nbsp;skirts<br>&nbsp;and a front air dam which combined,&nbsp;I think will improve a little. I am hoping for 18mpg at 80kph&nbsp;and think I can do it. If you check out my album you will see some pics. I often stay in it, in the city when visiting my mum and park in the&nbsp;visitor area of her apartment building and have never been bothered. It is very comfortable and standing room is a must in my mind. I can string a hamock inside.&nbsp;

 

[wagoneer]

many step vans later (kurbmasters included ) San Francisco is not step van friendly Highway driving you are moving a lot of air driving with a wall of aluminum and glass older kurbmasters had a rounder front and if you can find a 4 cly cummins 4 speed jump on it. Last you a lifetime and they are very cute.