What kind of van/suv am I looking for?

[kayell]

Hello, I'm a new member of the forum, getting ready to go vandwelling in about a year, and looking for suggestions for a suitable vehicle. I'd like something that has either at least 5 1/2 feet interior width or at least 7 feet from back of front seats to rear door. (I've had trouble finding interior dimensions other than looking vehicle by vehicle. Anyone know of a database?)

Height not a huge issue - I'll spend most time outside. The vehicle is for sleeping, storage, bad weather and moving from place to place.
Other preferences - decent gas mileage, ability to go off road as I expect to boondock a lot, easy to take out or fold down seats into floor. Stealthiness for in city not a big deal. Reliability and modest repair needs very important. I'm fine with shift or automatic.

On the smaller side ok even desirable, within the length/width options I need for bed/storage. I'd like to do it on the cheaper side. For ease of driving and lower price I'm willing to go smaller and use a hammock.

I asked this on another group and a new full size van was suggested. Honestly, many of them look lovely, but I'm not comfortable driving huge vehicles and the $$$$ were horrifying to me. I've never bought a brand new vehicle.

Suggestions for type, make, model, year, any one of the above? Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[wagoneer]

It's a crap shoot at best stay away from the obvious bad motor rep models. Get something way under budget and just go, have some skills and or knowledge of the internal combustion engine. Be ready to spend some more money. Transmissions are important and a quick drain of money, early 2000
Ford E150 lots of bones around to pick from Dodge Chevy, stay in the big 3 for now, Older vans will have chassis issues front end issues. change fluids,
lower miles fleet maintained . Government auctions on and on, welcome by the way

 

[RVTravel]

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Van-Dimensions-Sticky

 

[drysailor]

Hello, I'm a new member of the forum, getting ready to go vandwelling in about a year, and looking for suggestions for a suitable vehicle. I'd like something that has either at least 5 1/2 feet interior width or at least 7 feet from back of front seats to rear door. (I've had trouble finding interior dimensions other than looking vehicle by vehicle. Anyone know of a database?)
I asked this on another group and a new full size van was suggested. Honestly, many of them look lovely, but I'm not comfortable driving huge vehicles and the $$$$ were horrifying to me. I've never bought a brand new vehicle.
Suggestions for type, make, model, year, any one of the above? Thanks for any help you can give.

Hey Kayell - I think the dimensions you listed sound like a 'Minivan' aka Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, etc. Take a tape measure with you to a good used car dealer. Sit inside & try to visualize yourself getting up in the morning inside one of them, see if there's room for what you want to do.

 

[DannyB1954]

A buddy of mine had an Chevy Astro van that he converted to a camper. It worked well for him. Pretty reliable 4.3 engine, good gas mileage, (high teens low 20's).

This guy goes through a complete build in his videos. .

Before I retired, I was a mobile mechanic for transport refrigeration, (Carrier, Thermo-King, Mitsubishi, etc). For several years with my last employer I had the use of an Astro Van. I am certain with all my tools and parts it was overloaded. Never had a problem with it. I didn't keep track of mileage, (I had a company credit card and just filled it up when it was empty).

 

[cortttt]

Hello, I'm a new member of the forum, getting ready to go vandwelling in about a year, and looking for suggestions for a suitable vehicle. I'd like something that has either at least 5 1/2 feet interior width or at least 7 feet from back of front seats to rear door. (I've had trouble finding interior dimensions other than looking vehicle by vehicle. Anyone know of a database?)

Height not a huge issue - I'll spend most time outside. The vehicle is for sleeping, storage, bad weather and moving from place to place.
Other preferences - decent gas mileage, ability to go off road as I expect to boondock a lot, easy to take out or fold down seats into floor. Stealthiness for in city not a big deal. Reliability and modest repair needs very important. I'm fine with shift or automatic.

On the smaller side ok even desirable, within the length/width options I need for bed/storage. I'd like to do it on the cheaper side. For ease of driving and lower price I'm willing to go smaller and use a hammock.

I asked this on another group and a new full size van was suggested. Honestly, many of them look lovely, but I'm not comfortable driving huge vehicles and the $$$$ were horrifying to me. I've never bought a brand new vehicle.

Suggestions for type, make, model, year, any one of the above? Thanks for any help you can give.

You might be able to get 7 ft from the front seat to the rear end and its wide enough. You won't get the clearance of a full size van although I think most of the time you'll be fine regarding clearance but you will be more limited. You'll have smaller tires - less traction..but I imagine that you would be OK most of the time.....It really depends on where you're going I guess. I don't know how well the suspension would hold up (???). Good gas mileage, though! 

Here's some dimensions for the Sienna

WIDTH

6 ft. 6.1 in. (78.1 in.)​

HEIGHT​

5 ft. 8.9 in. (68.9 in.)​

LENGTH​

16 ft. 8.2 in. (200.2 in.)​

GROUND CLEARANCE​

0 ft. 6.5 in. (6.5 in.)​

I was able to get dimensions on full size vans by searching for dimensions and the type of the van but it might be harder on the minivans.

How about a full-size pickup with a nice sized bed that you put a camper shell on? You'll lose some gas mileage but you'll have really good clearance and good off road capability and a robust suspension...

Or go for the big old van - I imagine you would get used to driving them...You might try renting one for a couple of days and see how it goes.

 

[RVTravel]

I think interior dimensions are what people are looking for.

 

[CindyinOR]

Hi Kayell,
I was wondering if you've made a decision/purchase yet, and if so, what you went with. I'm just curious - I'm in the midst of doing research and hope to have made a decision/purchase within the next 6 months.
Cindy

 

[CityWoman]

I'd love to know, too!

 

[acfdexpo]

My vote goes to a used Toyota Sienna with AWD.

 

[akrvbob]

If smaller is desirable, then a Transit Connect or Toyota Prius.