What are the advantages and disadvantages are for buying, converting, maintaining, and living full time in a gas step va

[magentawave]

Hey guys,<br /><br />I've been looking for the right full size extended cargo van to convert to a full time live aboard vehicle but as I've been looking I'm seeing quite a few decent looking used step vans and box vans/cube vans on Craigslist going for cheap prices. So I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for buying, converting, maintaining, and living full time in a gas step van or box van / cube van?<br /><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>UPDATE:</strong></span> <strong><em>I added <span style="text-decoration: underline;">box van</span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;">cube van</span> to this thread. In fact, I'm leaning more towards a box van / cube van than a step van now.</em></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Advantages</span></strong><br /><br />-Very roomy inside.<br />-Big flat easy to work with surfaces.<br />-Very affordable.<br />-Some have aluminum bodies (no rust!).<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Disadvantages</strong></span><br /><br />-Lousy gas mileage. (An assumption)<br />-Poor handling. (Again, an assumption based more on step vans than box vans)<br /><br /><br />What would you add to the list of advantages and disadvantages?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Steve

 

[stude53]

PRO<br />- Standup walkaround heighth.<br />- good platform for solar panels.<br />- open path from drivers seat to living quarters.<br />- bed, shelves can hinge and fold flat against wall if hauling room is needed.<br /><br />CON<br />- probably need to add stabilizer and/or air bag shocks to improve handling and highway shear wind stability.<br />- unknown gas mileage, suspect not too good.<br /><br />

 

[Rollin]

-Poor handling. (Again, an assumption)

<br /><br />I will just comment on this. I used a&nbsp;Chevy&nbsp;step van for 2 or 3 years at work. I thought the van handled fine and most the the driving was in the city. The hardest part was getting used to the seating&nbsp;arrangement. It's&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;no&nbsp;Porsche&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[magentawave]

And what was it about the seating arrangement that you didn't like? Was it because the seats were almost like stools and too uncomfortable?<br /><br /><br />

-Poor handling. (Again, an assumption)

<br /><br />I will just comment on this. I used a&nbsp;Chevy&nbsp;step van for 2 or 3 years at work. I thought the van handled fine and most the the driving was in the city. The hardest part was getting used to the seating&nbsp;arrangement. It's&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;no&nbsp;Porsche&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[magentawave]

Any idea how much labor and materials are for stabilizers and/or airbag shocks?<br /><br /><br /><br />

PRO<br />- Standup walkaround heighth.<br />- good platform for solar panels.<br />- open path from drivers seat to living quarters.<br />- bed, shelves can hinge and fold flat against wall if hauling room is needed.<br /><br />CON<br />- probably need to add stabilizer and/or air bag shocks to improve handling and highway shear wind stability.<br />- unknown gas mileage, suspect not too good.<br /><br />

 

[Rollin]

Was it because the seats were almost like stools and too uncomfortable?

<br /><br />Exactly like driving from a stool. I don't thing it's all that&nbsp;uncomfortable&nbsp;though. But I was never driving for more than a hour strait.&nbsp;

 

[karl]

I have owned/driven four step vans over the years, I currently own two- one converted to living space.<br /><br />Some are better than others for handling and ride..... gvw makes a big difference, as do seats...I have air ride seats in "Thirsty" (gives some idea of gas mileage, eh?) It rides good, even @ weighing 8k dry. "most" are geared for city driving and struggle at highway speeds (there are certainly exceptions)<br /><br />I find single rear wheels and lighter gvw= more body roll<br />Good HD shocks are a must<br />Sway bars are good, two are better<br />Easy to build out with flat walls<br />driver compartment is hard to heat with all the glass and the gaps around sliding doors<br />Flat glass takes getting used to the odd reflections <br />Rollup rear doors suck<br />Lots of room- both above and below the floor<br />seating can be vastly improved with non stock seats and mountings, especially if the vehicle has a tilt wheel<br />Parts can be difficult at times- often the same year model s are assembled with different heaters, parking brake cables, brake components( wider shoes/drums)...odd stuff<br />Both that I currently run have 16" wheels- used to own one with 19"...pretty sure 19" are lined with gold....<br /><br />I am planning on swapping the 5.7 gas to a cummins diesel in Thirsty (10,000 lb gross, dual wheel, 12' behind the seat, auto, real roll up windows)Hopefully to at least double the fuel mileage from an average of 8 mpg<br />"Fed up"- (ex Fed-x) is my tool hauler with hopes to become retired and converted- It will retain the v6, auto....it is 9 feet behind the seats, single wheel, obviously lighter duty but a blast to drive as trucks go.<br /><br />That's all for the moment...

 

[magentawave]

Hey guys,<br /><br />I just edited this thread and added <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Box Vans</strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cube Vans</strong></span> to it. I did that because I'm thinking that box vans or cube vans (same thing as far as I can tell) with the van style front probably handle a lot better than the old step vans and the seats would be a lot more comfortable. <br /><br />Any thoughts, advantages/disadvantages on converting a box van into a motorhome, and also maintaining/repairing one as a full time live aboard vehicle as compared to doing the same with a regular full size extended cargo van?

 

[Guest]

Hi guy....I think there is no comparison between rvs and trucks or buses. <br /><br />Whatever you use you can build it to suit your needs. Unless you are unhandy or just don't want the hassle or put out the effort. You will probably never get your money out of something you build...but it will be exactly what you want.<br /><br />Evidenced by the fact that most people who drive a vehicle around the world, if they don't have it built custom for them, build their own on truck chassis....<br /><br />I lived in a small Metro van one year and it fit me nicely....had a girlfriend at the time who lived in her own stepvan...lol<br /><br />My favorite truck for a conversion if I had the money would be a Mitsubishi Fuso FG....but that is just a fantasy...<br /><br />Pics: first, me in 1979 with my Metro, second, Rubbertramp camp at a friends ivory jewelry workshop in Eugene, OR 1979 (my girlfriend lived in the big blue van on the left with Tom's son Jasper sitting on the back.)<br />Third, is a pic of a Swiss owned M.A.N. conversion and the fourth, an American owned rig on a big Ford 4wd diesel chassis and the last is a German owned rig on a Fiat diesel chassis...<br />Bri

 

[magentawave]

I was a cabinet maker and finish carpenter for years so I can do all this stuff myself. I'm out of the business but the cool thing is that a good friend who owns a cabinet shop has offered to let me use his shop to do whatever I need to the vehicle and crash there for free as long as it takes me. So as soon as I find the right vehicle then I can give my 30 day notice to get out of here. I have already started selling and getting rid of stuff.<br /><br />My thinking has evolved as I've considered full size extended cargo vans, step vans, box vans, Class B's, Class C's. (Its amazing the killer deals out there on decent used Class C's!) Its essential I have room to carry my surfboards, SUP, and mountain bike inside the vehicle, and since this is going to be a full time thing, I don't want my toys dominating the inside where I have to step over them. I don't want to carry that stuff outside because of possible theft, deterioration from the elements, hassles accessing it, and roof racks blocking solar panels. So I have concluded that the vehicle I buy must be something I can do a simple, efficient, custom installation of an interior that totally suits my needs. That means a full size extended cargo van, step van, or box van.<br /><br />If I was just camping once in a while then I wouldn't care about throwing my stuff in a van and bailing, but since this will be my home I know myself well enough to know that I'd go insane if I had stuff hanging from the ceiling and plastic bins all over the place (so not feng shui). So&nbsp;I created a really cool but simple floor plan that can do this with a full size extended cargo van with a high top.&nbsp;My plan is very simple and boat-like where there is a place for everything and everything in its place without all that ticky tacky nonsense clutter seen on most motorhomes.<br /><br />So now my thought process has evolved into considering a box van to do all of this as I'd have more room (no longer than 21' though), wouldn't have the added expense and labor to buy/install a high top, and all the interior surfaces are flat which means a lot easier to work with. Any thoughts on a box van verses a cargo van for living and traveling in?

 

[Guest]

Hey Steve, Maybe a good idea would be to PM Nemo...another Steve who actually lives in a box truck. He could give you the reality check with that...<br />Bri

 

[Wild_E]

Howdy Steve,<br />I live in my box truck in Canada.&nbsp;<br />7.3 ltr Diesel Ford F350 Box van<br />roll up door = SUCKETH<br />I am thinking or rolling it up&nbsp;permanently&nbsp;and fitting in a wall with two doors in the back like other box trucks with rear doors. Much easier to keep out the wind and cold that way.<br /><br />Rides great,&nbsp;handles&nbsp;nicely has power steering. Seats are comfy enough, lots of room especially compared to a small car!&nbsp;<br /><br />Good to very good ground clearance so going into off road situations is not that bad either.<br /><br />Check out my thread in this topic forum, I live in Canada and am moving up another 12hrs North to the Timmins area.&nbsp;<br /><br />Once there, I will be adding in my woods stove, heating it with wood and used oil, propane will be a back up with a 100lb tank on the outside back with lines leading inside.&nbsp;

 

[Mortisha]

Hey Bri... I would love that metro that is really too kool looking!! Maybe I can find one to rework!

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274587279">Hey Bri... I would love that metro that is really too kool looking!! Maybe I can find one to rework!</span>

<br /><br />Best if you don't have to drive it much...it was an old milk truck and 55 was a dream when you drove it...hahaha...I mostly hung around Eugene, OR when I had it....in fact I didn't drive it very much...too poor.<br /><br />It is now a sauna and on blocks on a hillside at an old friends farm in Crow, OR.<br /><br />Bri

 

[Nemo]

this sounds almost&nbsp;familiar&nbsp;&lt;grin&gt;<br /><br />have a E450, 7.3L diesel, with Barn doors (they open out to each side like a normal door)<br /><br />ride is fine, Milage is terrible.. about 10mpg, but I've been told that it will stay that way even if I decide to later pull a trailer.. and those engines are supposed to be very reliable.<br /><br />Im happy with it, with the large flat roof, I mounted Solar panels up there, with the strength of the suspension, I dont have to worry about overloading it for my battery bank and the motorcycle I carry in there.<br /><br /><br />

Howdy Steve,<br />I live in my box truck in Canada.&nbsp;<br />7.3 ltr Diesel Ford F350 Box van<br />roll up door = SUCKETH<br />I am thinking or rolling it up&nbsp;permanently&nbsp;and fitting in a wall with two doors in the back like other box trucks with rear doors. Much easier to keep out the wind and cold that way.<br /><br />Rides great,&nbsp;handles&nbsp;nicely has power steering. Seats are comfy enough, lots of room especially compared to a small car!&nbsp;<br /><br />Good to very good ground clearance so going into off road situations is not that bad either.<br /><br />Check out my thread in this topic forum, I live in Canada and am moving up another 12hrs North to the Timmins area.&nbsp;<br /><br />Once there, I will be adding in my woods stove, heating it with wood and used oil, propane will be a back up with a 100lb tank on the outside back with lines leading inside.&nbsp;

 

[magentawave]

Hey!&nbsp;<br /><br />This guy http://brotherscott.org/stepvan4.htm did a nice job of replacing a roll-up door with a wall. I would do the same except I'd probably have hinged door there to get in or out...or I'd put the hinged door on the passenger side.<br /><br />Yes I will check out your thread and thanks for mentioning it.<br /><br />Do you see any disadvantages in converting, driving, maintaining/repairing, and living in a box van over a regular full size extended cargo van?<br /><br />Do all box vans have dual rear wheels?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Steve<br /><br /><br /><br />

Howdy Steve,<br />I live in my box truck in Canada.&nbsp;<br />7.3 ltr Diesel Ford F350 Box van<br />roll up door = SUCKETH<br />I am thinking or rolling it up&nbsp;permanently&nbsp;and fitting in a wall with two doors in the back like other box trucks with rear doors. Much easier to keep out the wind and cold that way.<br /><br />Rides great,&nbsp;handles&nbsp;nicely has power steering. Seats are comfy enough, lots of room especially compared to a small car!&nbsp;<br /><br />Good to very good ground clearance so going into off road situations is not that bad either.<br /><br />Check out my thread in this topic forum, I live in Canada and am moving up another 12hrs North to the Timmins area.&nbsp;<br /><br />Once there, I will be adding in my woods stove, heating it with wood and used oil, propane will be a back up with a 100lb tank on the outside back with lines leading inside.&nbsp;

 

[magentawave]

So I'm assuming the disadvantages for a box van verses a regular cargo van are: much lower mpg, more windage when driving, and 2 more tires because of the dual rear wheels. Right?<br /><br /><br /><br />

this sounds almost&nbsp;familiar&nbsp;&lt;grin&gt;<br /><br />have a E450, 7.3L diesel, with Barn doors (they open out to each side like a normal door)<br /><br />ride is fine, Milage is terrible.. about 10mpg, but I've been told that it will stay that way even if I decide to later pull a trailer.. and those engines are supposed to be very reliable.<br /><br />Im happy with it, with the large flat roof, I mounted Solar panels up there, with the strength of the suspension, I dont have to worry about overloading it for my battery bank and the motorcycle I carry in there.<br /><br />

 

[Wild_E]

I get better fuel&nbsp;mileage&nbsp;than Nemo does, not sure why, but mine is an 88 so less&nbsp;pollution&nbsp;control possibly.<br /><br />Tires more expensive<br />7.3 ltr is very dependable and bullet proof if you do normal maintenance, most diesel school busses are 7.3 ltr diesels that means loads of parts in most areas.<br /><br />Could &nbsp;be more stealthy, does not drive as fast, mine gets between 14-16 mpg, though that was almost all flat driving. Soon I will be taking it up to Timmins about an 11 hr drive North from where I am, up and down loads of hills. So will see what the&nbsp;mileage&nbsp;is then.&nbsp;<br /><br />If you plan on doing tons of driving, then an extra large Cargo Van would be better I would think. If your more centrally located, do a lot of parking in place or minimal moving, then the Box Van is great. If you want to go off road well then most Box Vans have better ground clearance so less chance of ripping of parts on rough roads.

 

[Wild_E]

Decided to make a new post for the link.<br /><br />I like the idea of renovating the back, but and a big but, this vehicle now only has one way exit/entrance.<br /><br />Big No NO.. fire, storms anything, can not get out!&nbsp;<br /><br />He had the barn doors I wanted! personally I would have kept them, I am thinking on making temporary barn doors, insulating them, sealing them, but keeping the rollups for future work issues. If you remove the back doors, you need to put in a side door, safety ease of entry etc.<br /><br />Why not a School bus? they can be made to look great, if you go that route email and I will tell you a little secret I worked out and tested on the one I had. It is long, has lots of storage room in the back, curved ceiling / walls is more of a challenge but doable, with a template. Has great ground clearance as well.&nbsp;<br /><br />Since you live in the US, the propane is loads cheaper there, would work great unless you live in the mountains then the propane is not up to snuff, so gas or diesel is better then.&nbsp;

 

[magentawave]

Ooops, I'm a little fuzzy today due to a wedding I went to last night and the late night to not notice he replaced the big hinged doors with a solid wall...<em>even though I looked at the image of the hinged door he removed!</em>&nbsp;Yes, I agree with you 100% that not having another door somewhere near the back is a bad idea in the event of fire.