Edit: got the van. Update on page 5 
Hello everyone, new here and new to vans as well. So much so, I don't even have one yet, but the more I think about the uses, the more I want one. For the past few weeks I have been looking through threads here and elsewhere trying to figure out what I want, but still having trouble deciding. I was hoping you guys could offer some advice and steer me in the right direction. I would like to stay <$5000 for the initial purchase (of a well running vehicle) and would like to stay light in terms of mods.
I intend to use the van mostly for weekend (2-3 days) trips, although an occasional week-long adventure could also be in the cards. I live in the Phoenix, AZ area, and would like to be able to spend my weekends in the cooler Flagstaff during the summer, in large part as altitude training (road cycling). While conventional tent camping is an option, I think being able to sleep in a van would be much more convenient.
Travelling elsewhere, I don't see myself venturing way off the beaten path, but some light trails and fire roads should be in the mix. I tend to avoid snow in general, but an occasional trip to the beach is possible as well.
I anticipate most of my trips to be solo. The camping/sleeping inside is most likely to be solo, too.
For the interior of the van, I would like to have (at least) a twin size bed (I'm 6'3"), some storage for personal items (could be under the bed), and a space to keep 1-2 bikes. I don't think I need a fridge at this point, but maybe I'm missing out on the advantages it can provide. I can usually cook something non-perishable at home and bring it along for 2 days. Plus, when staying near a town, I should have access to restaurants and grocery stores. I have a camp stove that I could use to cook stuff outside the van. Running water would be nice to have, of course, but I think I can manage with some water jugs - no sink needed.
I have not yet decided whether I want an AWD or a 2WD van. This can significantly increase/decrease the number of available options.
When I first got the idea of sleeping in a van, I was thinking traditional minivans, like a 2nd gen Honda Odyssey. But having driven one, I'm not so sure anymore. While the driving dynamics is great for such a large vehicle, there isn't that much space behind the front row. I can fit lengthwise, but there's not much room left for anything else. I'm sure I could make it work, but do I want to?
Then (in large part thanks to this forum) I started looking at Astro/Safari vans. I think the size is just about right for what I want, they're readily available, affordable and parts are easy to find. They also offer the AWD option, but the lower MPG and some anecdotal reliability reports have me on the fence about these. Also, the AWD models offer the potential to swap to a non-permanent 4x4 via the S-10 T-case (correct me if I'm wrong here). However, given my intended uses, I wonder if I would even be using the AWD all that much. Then again, having AWD and a small lift could open up some interesting new places to explore.
I'm not new to working on cars, and don't mind getting my hands dirty, but would rather prefer to drive it than to wrench on it (so VWs are off the list...I've had a few in the past). If you've owned an Astro, at what mileage do these things start to require attention beyond scheduled maintenance?
Going beyond Astro, there are the larger vans like Chevy Express/Savana, E150/250/350 and the Ram Vans. Plenty of these for sale, especially in the cargo guise, but most with higher miles. Stock, these are RWD only, and I'm not sure if the larger size warrants poorer fuel economy. But any arguments for these larger vans are welcome.
Sorry for the long winded post, but hopefully that provides enough info. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, advice and words of caution. And of course, every thread is better with photos
Hello everyone, new here and new to vans as well. So much so, I don't even have one yet, but the more I think about the uses, the more I want one. For the past few weeks I have been looking through threads here and elsewhere trying to figure out what I want, but still having trouble deciding. I was hoping you guys could offer some advice and steer me in the right direction. I would like to stay <$5000 for the initial purchase (of a well running vehicle) and would like to stay light in terms of mods.
I intend to use the van mostly for weekend (2-3 days) trips, although an occasional week-long adventure could also be in the cards. I live in the Phoenix, AZ area, and would like to be able to spend my weekends in the cooler Flagstaff during the summer, in large part as altitude training (road cycling). While conventional tent camping is an option, I think being able to sleep in a van would be much more convenient.
Travelling elsewhere, I don't see myself venturing way off the beaten path, but some light trails and fire roads should be in the mix. I tend to avoid snow in general, but an occasional trip to the beach is possible as well.
I anticipate most of my trips to be solo. The camping/sleeping inside is most likely to be solo, too.
For the interior of the van, I would like to have (at least) a twin size bed (I'm 6'3"), some storage for personal items (could be under the bed), and a space to keep 1-2 bikes. I don't think I need a fridge at this point, but maybe I'm missing out on the advantages it can provide. I can usually cook something non-perishable at home and bring it along for 2 days. Plus, when staying near a town, I should have access to restaurants and grocery stores. I have a camp stove that I could use to cook stuff outside the van. Running water would be nice to have, of course, but I think I can manage with some water jugs - no sink needed.
I have not yet decided whether I want an AWD or a 2WD van. This can significantly increase/decrease the number of available options.
When I first got the idea of sleeping in a van, I was thinking traditional minivans, like a 2nd gen Honda Odyssey. But having driven one, I'm not so sure anymore. While the driving dynamics is great for such a large vehicle, there isn't that much space behind the front row. I can fit lengthwise, but there's not much room left for anything else. I'm sure I could make it work, but do I want to?
Then (in large part thanks to this forum) I started looking at Astro/Safari vans. I think the size is just about right for what I want, they're readily available, affordable and parts are easy to find. They also offer the AWD option, but the lower MPG and some anecdotal reliability reports have me on the fence about these. Also, the AWD models offer the potential to swap to a non-permanent 4x4 via the S-10 T-case (correct me if I'm wrong here). However, given my intended uses, I wonder if I would even be using the AWD all that much. Then again, having AWD and a small lift could open up some interesting new places to explore.
I'm not new to working on cars, and don't mind getting my hands dirty, but would rather prefer to drive it than to wrench on it (so VWs are off the list...I've had a few in the past
). If you've owned an Astro, at what mileage do these things start to require attention beyond scheduled maintenance?Going beyond Astro, there are the larger vans like Chevy Express/Savana, E150/250/350 and the Ram Vans. Plenty of these for sale, especially in the cargo guise, but most with higher miles. Stock, these are RWD only, and I'm not sure if the larger size warrants poorer fuel economy. But any arguments for these larger vans are welcome.
Sorry for the long winded post, but hopefully that provides enough info. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, advice and words of caution. And of course, every thread is better with photos
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