What's the right van for me?

[shannonekj]

I'm looking to convert and live in a van for a year to rock climb around America and I'm wondering what can will be the best fit for me. I'd like it to have a bit of clearance for gravel/dirt roads but also be manuverable and get relatively good gas mileage. Does anyone have any suggestions for what make and models might fit what I'm looking for? Cheers, Shannon *edit: I posted this on my phone I meant for the headline to read "what's the right van for me" hah

 

[peacetara]

Hi Shannon.&nbsp;<br /><br /> In the 'classified' section I just wrote about my brand new(for me) van, in the subject 'a bus??!?', there are pictures at the top of the conversation.&nbsp; Anyways, I got a 1999 Ford E-350 Extended diesel van.&nbsp; I pick it up Monday, so I don't have any experience with it, but I did some research on it.&nbsp; <br /><br />The cargo area is about 12 feet long (140.4") x 6 feet wide (72.4" at the wall), and has 8.10" ground clearance (according to the book that came with the van).&nbsp; I would imagine it will go most anywhere I would want to go.&nbsp; It's 2WD not 4WD.&nbsp; It's pretty heavy, so I wouldn't want to get into sand, but anything hard I bet I could drive over with little issue.<br /><br />It's not really that cute, but it will be really stealth for pretty much anywhere in a city I want to park it, and will be great out in the boonies too.<br /><br />As for gas mileage it's 13MPG city and 17MPG highway, which is pretty good for anything that big.&nbsp; Not the most maneuverable,&nbsp; compared to my minivan, but a LOT more room!<br /><br />I imagine most any 'cargo van' would do you pretty good, tho the older ones in my price range (&lt; $5,000) get like 10-15mpg highway at the most.&nbsp; <br /><br />For comparison my Toyota Sienna minivan gets around 22 MPG highway, and I've taken it off on dirt roads and gravel roads without issues. The 'cargo' area is just over 6 feet long, and about 4 feet wide. It's more maneuverable, and has 5.3" ground clearance (according to google).<br /><br />I'm new here, I've been fulltiming in my minivan for about a month now, but am having my friend join me as a part-timer for now, so we upgraded to a bigger van.<br /><br />I'm sure there are lots of guys around here that are WAY smarter about all these things than me, that will have specific recommendations, but I thought I'd share my little knowledge and say hello in the process!<br /><br />Anyways, it's nice to meet you!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[hitekhomeless]

On the Chevy/GM side are also some nice options. Astro/Safari's get pretty good mileage and are small enough to be really manueverable.<br /><br />We just picked up a Savana (same as Express) in the fullsize category that gets as good a mileage as the Astros. (I got 18.5 for 1200+ miles in 'get cross country as fast as possible' mode).<br /><br />You can get the mini's and fullsizes in all wheel drive and clearance is 'good' from the factory.<br /><br />I have not done a ton of research on ford's e350 w/ a diesel, but I can tell you our F-350 diesel had the world's most ridiculous turning radius. The new van can do a u-turn in 2-3 lanes whereas the truck took 5-6 lanes! It makes a big difference both in daily driving and manuevering through the tight spots offroad.

 

[sl1966]

I corrected the title for you. Mostly because each time I saw your thread I had the strangest urge to reply here with the word "Progresso".<br /><br />

 

[akrvbob]

What are your priorities? Is comfort most important? If so buy a high top conversion van. Is mpg most important? If so buy a minivan like AWD (All Wheel Drive) Astro/Safari. Decent mileage, better traction and you can put a lift kit on them. The Chevy Express/Savanah is available with AWD. It's a full-size van that should get 17 mpg on the freeway with the 5.3 V8 They are a little hard to find but they are out there. &nbsp; It's probably your best choice.<br /><br />I'm also a big fan of the dodge vans with the 318 V8. It's a great engine that gets great mpg.

 

[PYSCHOWard]

I would do some research on the terrain of the sites you plan to Rock climb at, and see what type vehicle would suit you best. While it would be Great to have a monster 4x4, a 2wd with a winch or some type of pulling device might provide all the help needed in a rough area. There ARE many choices and options for every need. Have Fun, but i think this type of exploration would be more enjoyable with a friend.

 

[blkjak]

i went 2wd for gas usage and easier to repair ....<br /><br />i added a 2 inch receiver front and rear to take a wench as needed if stuck off road .... <br /><br />blkjak ....<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[PYSCHOWard]

Never hurts to be prepared, especially when going offroad.

 

[Les H]

Shannon, I've been on some pretty rough bulldozer tracks with my bus. It's basically a 1 ton gmc savana van, with the bus conversion factory added. It has 2 wd , and I have Goodyear wrangler pro E series tires on back. 4-5" of snow, or unlaced dirt track, traction as well as technique are everything. It has the basic Gm 350, and gets 13.5 on the highway.

 

[shannonekj]

Hey Everyone!<br />Thanks for the advice and the welcome to the forum <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> &nbsp;I think the Astro of Savana is going to be the right choice for me. Still debating 2wd or 4wd... I'll have to shop around and see.<br />Super excited to see where the van world takes me!

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have gotten my 2wd Van into and out of places that few 2wd vehicles would try.<br /><br />My Differential is not a limited slip, nor have a locker.<br /><br />Driving technique, conservation of momentum, proper tires and tire pressure, &nbsp;ample weight over the drive wheels, knowing where the wheels will go, and terrain scouting are all extremely important in getting the vehicle where you want it.<br /><br />Knowing where you should not try to go is even more important.<br /><br />Many with 4wd place too much faith in them, and wind up getting miserably stuck in a place far deeper and more difficult to extract than a 2wd would ever try.<br /><br />Most Vans have ample ground clearance as long as they are not too overloaded. &nbsp;No full size van can be considered very&nbsp;<em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">manuverable. </em>&nbsp;Most Extended vans have too much overhang behind the rear wheels which greatly limits departure angle, and can get one stuck in a most undesirable location with the wheels dangling off the ground<br /><br /><br />MiniVans perhaps. &nbsp;Some High top Astros exist, &nbsp;probably fewer all wheel drive models.<br /><br />Everything is a trade off. &nbsp;What you can find in your area for the price you are willing to spend will dictate what you ultimately get, and then making it work for your intents is part of the fun, and frustration, depending on your OCD level.&nbsp;

 

[steveh2112]

I would do some research on the terrain of the sites you plan to Rock climb at, and see what type vehicle would suit you best. While it would be Great to have a monster 4x4, a 2wd with a winch or some type of pulling device might provide all the help needed in a rough area. There ARE many choices and options for every need. Have Fun, but i think this type of exploration would be more enjoyable with a friend.

that's a great idea for the winch, save money buying a 2WD van and use a winch if you get into trouble