Why a van and not something else?

[Every Road Leads Home]

I'd only buy a van with side doors not a slider. Being in construction for most my adult life and growing up with a dad in the trades i've been around a lot of vans and a lot of vans with sliding doors that didn't work anymore. They just seem more prone to issues.

 

[Almost There]

I hate sliders, been caught out by one too many, those suckers hurt when they unexpectedly decide not to latch open
LOL

I still have the indentations in my upper arm from a slider closing rapidly on me while my arm was in the door opening and that was 30 years ago now.

They either refuse to stay open or closed depending on the direction of the slope the vehicle is parked on. They also cannot be left partially open for weather control or privacy.

Sliding doors on a van were designed by someone who never had to live with them.... :dodgy:

Gadget, keep in mind that if you find the right vehicle and it doesn't have windows, they can be added. Same as the high top.

 

[arctic cat]

Well You're not going to get everything in your list, that is for sure.  You can either pay for your showers or you can carry your own water.  Here may be your solution, but you're not going to get 15 MPG :idea:   Modify it like you wanted and have the all wheel drive capability and pull a lot of water, since that seen to be your major issued.

 

[Wanderer]

I still can't decide between a van, a truck camper, or a class C. 

I'm 6' and 220. I like being outdoors but I also like creature comforts like a nice hot long shower (more than two gallons) once in a while. I want to live for 3-4 days at a time on BLM land. I don't like cities very much. My work will be online, seasonal, part-time, and bartering type jobs. I'll be chasing 70 degrees. I have kind of a weak back so easy access to and from bed is ideal. I love cooking and have tons of hobbies. Storage might be a problem in the future.

Maybe too much info but...

Where I am now is that:

1. I want to be able to stand up and stretch when I'm stuck in a rainstorm.
2. I want to have the option of towing a cargo trailer one day.
3. I want mobility; to be able to drive a bit farther into back roads sometimes.
4. I want to be able to park in town and blend in as much as possible so as not to attract attention.
5. I want the vehicle to be easy to work on and maintain. Reliable.
6. I want higher than 15mpg.
7. I want something that isn't going to be a challenge to drive in windy conditions.
8. I want it all to cost less than $8,000. 

#1 Seems to be my biggest problem. And long showers. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

#1 Camper Truck or high top van
#2 Van or Truck
#3 Truck (4 X 4)
#4 Van...4 X 4 doesn't "Blend" well
#5 Truck
#6 Diesel
#7 Don't get a  trailer then
#8 Mmmmm...Yeah, possible, but I once gave rein to my desires and it would have cost $14K...just for the TRUCK alone....Everything else was additional...Damn it.

 

[mikEXpat]

Currently looking for a Chevy Express 3/4 or 1 ton, High top, Extended 135", White of course. Priced around 10 grand, not too old, not too high mileage, 120k-150k.  I've found a couple, but not just right, I'll keep looking.
The bathroom thing is no prob. Same with the portable shower, no biggie. I want high top, but will sacrifice the height, if I find the right extended van at the right price.
Kind of on the fence about side slider or dbl doors, and windows or no windows. I'm sure when the time is right, the one I need will jump out at me!!

That's exactly what I'm thinking. It's either that or a class C. I think it'll depend on the moment I have the cash and am ready to buy. How long will I be able to shop? That's the question.

 

[mikEXpat]

Well You're not going to get everything in your list, that is for sure.  You can either pay for your showers or you can carry your own water.  Here may be your solution, but you're not going to get 15 MPG :idea:   Modify it like you wanted and have the all wheel drive capability and pull a lot of water, since that seen to be your major issued.

LOL. Maybe you missed the $8,000 budget thing. Otherwise...DEFINITELY!

 

[NoLimit]

Sounds like you're dreaming. No offense. lol I had that dream once as well and settled on a converting a cargo van that I'm happy with. if I want to stretch out I lay on my bed and stretch out. lol I take warm showers from the back of the van outside but not long showers as I only have a 7 gal water container. of water. I average 15 mpg, 17 mpg highway. Small Class C's based on a van chasis are nice but ridiculously expensive, good luck getting anything decent one with low miles for less than 30k.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

A hightop van is the closest to meeting your criteria. My .02

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

I still can't decide between a van, a truck camper, or a class C. 

Your wish list looks a lot like mine. Having been in several vans over the last few weeks and pricing them out on Craigslist I'm pretty well settled on a extended body and preferably a hi-top. I've looked at a few 15 passenger school vans and they seem pretty ideal.  Now to find one in decent shape for a price I can afford.
I'm tall and will need to run a bed along the side wall. Hinged and strapped properly it could even lift partly out of the way.  I like the idea of being able to take a few steps front to back if I'm trapped due to bad weather.
If I can't find the exact hi-top I want I'll probably buy a low top and save for the after market hi-top. I don't think it will be a deal breaker. The short bed vans are simply too small for me all around.
A sprinter is a possibility as well.
Pre-built RV's were not built for me and people of my size to use.

 

[29chico]

Currently looking for a Chevy Express 3/4 or 1 ton, High top, Extended 135", White of course. Priced around 10 grand, not too old, not too high mileage, 120k-150k.  I've found a couple, but not just right, I'll keep looking.
The bathroom thing is no prob. Same with the portable shower, no biggie. I want high top, but will sacrifice the height, if I find the right extended van at the right price.
Kind of on the fence about side slider or dbl doors, and windows or no windows. I'm sure when the time is right, the one I need will jump out at me!!

The extended version of those vans is 155" wheelbase.  I have a GMC g3500 one ton extended version of what you are looking for.

For a bit more than 10k you should be able to get a GMC g2500 extended Savana van that is 2010 or up from Penske.  Same van with a better looking grill.  It will come equipped with the 4.8L L20 v8 gas engine and the 6 speed HD automatic trans.  Most of the six speed equipped vans also have manual mode shifting via a rocker switch on the shift lever.  Very nice. 

I'll bet that you are pleasantly surprised with the performance and fuel economy if you buy one of the vans that I am suggesting you consider.  Yes, some of them come in white.  You are actually a little better off with a white one as they are vans that were leased out and maintained by Penske, not rented out.  Mine is white.

 

[Vagabound]

I was smiling at the OP.  He sounds like one of my friends who was describing her dream man when we were in our early twenties.  After her second divorce, she was perfectly willing to settle for a guy who was employed and loved her.

When I was a very young man, someone told me the most depressing parable I'd ever heard.  He said there was a man who became a policeman because he wanted to change the world for the better.  A few years go by, more experience, and the policeman decides that he'll just improve his city.  A few more years, well, maybe my neighborhood.  Then just my beat.  By the time he was within a few years of retirement, his only aspiration was to keep his police car clean.

At that time, such resignation was unfathomable to me.  Many years later, I now understand.

 

[mikEXpat]

@Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz
Yes indeed. We are in the same spot. I plan to be in some rain since I'll be heading into the trees in the Pacific Northwest. I see three-day stints when I'll want to stand to stretch and do my dailies. A high top conversion is pretty expensive, at least for me. Something like $4,000. With an $8,000 budget that would make it pretty tough to get set up.

I'm now convinced that I will go with barn doors. I've had a slide hit me in the shoulder before. Don't park downhill and expect it to stay open.

Yeah. The post is a dream. Ask for everything, 'cause you have a good chance of getting something. I was really happy with the responses. So helpful.