Thinking about getting a van. Any advice?

[Blacktail Sniper]

For down by the river?🤣

 

[2MANY]

Just don't.
See a life coach.

[HntnFsh]

We had so much trouble with the sprinters that fleet wont buy them anymore. And they used to buy a lot of them.

[Sandberm]

This is my favorite(and only) vanlife channel i subscribe to on Youtube.

Forestyforest drives a 2015 Chevy 2500 Express van. Modified to be 4wd.

[bustedoldman]

A Deisel 4x4 Van is actually my next project.........Overlander!

[Macs B]

You can't beat the E350 Fords, and if you could find a unicorn FWD one that would be ideal. 

I have had a HD Mercedes sprinter van, with dual wheels/turbo that we used to pull to livestock shows and events.  I know some people don't like them, but I love that thing.  It is incredibly comfortable to travel in, has towing capacity for a good sized stock trailer(24 foot) and can be configured into a nice weekender.  I think they are used and abused in fleets and just don't hold up well.  As a p[rivate vehicle I've never had a issue with it in the 8 years I've owned it. 

[LDennis24]

I own a 2022 Ford Transit high top long box, quadratic jet triple turbo 800hp with a zipydipy torque converter.... no it's just a 2022 transit hightop long box van I splice fiber out of. It's a great vehicle and I have driven the Ford Transit vans daily for the last 7 yrs. I have never been stranded and the newest one I have is AWD and I love it more than the old ones! I put almost 40,000 miles a year on them responding to emergencies and drive them like I stole them and am trying to get to a hospital to see my wife have our first baby. I seriously treat them like *censored*. And they still run every day. Be consistent with oil changes and they just keep going. I have Falken all season tires on my AWD and it goes almost anywhere a basic 4x4 pickup with standard clearance will go. Mine just has a long tail so it can get hung up sometimes. I have a custom setup in the back of mine but as for powering equipment I just use a 3500 watt, I think, inverter from Harbor Freight and dual deep cycle RV batteries in the back right behind the drivers seat, as the van battery is under the drivers seat. I tapped into that with a one way solenoid to keep the van battery from draining and a 20amp breaker switch for surges. Using Harbor Freight inverters allows me to run into any major town and swap it with my warranty if it goes belly up on me and I can get back to work. My brother has a Nissan NV3500 high roof with a Quigley 4x4 in it for the same purpose and he has had several breakdowns for dumb stuff like airflow sensors and exhaust recycle crap and emission issues. That Savana van with the 4x4 I posted would be a great option if you want a standard height van though. Good luck!

[CP]

Here ya go!

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/mukilteo-2007-ford-60-e350-diesel/7771201218.html

I actually looked at that one.  It was parked at business park near my house.  Cool van but $62K seems a bit steep, like way too steep.

[2MANY]

"We had so much trouble with the sprinters that fleet wont buy them anymore. And they used to buy a lot of them."
Seen this over and over.

I've also watched people try to make them worthy.

Ford van.........maybe.

[Feathernfurr]

Vans are nifty, but I’d be just as inclined to find an older diesel excursion or larger suv. I have a newer Bronco, bought some memory foam custom fit mattresses. I’ve loaded it down with all of my hunting gear, a 110 & 65 yeti cooler and plenty of place to sleep. Functions in a similar fashion, maybe just a bit less cozy. Definitely feels more capable for getting me off the beaten path and away from crowds. Tows my duck boat well too.

[LDennis24]

I have a 7.3l Excursion and I was thinking about getting one of those over the luggage rack tent setups or one for out the back cargo area. That's an option for a large SUV also.

[pianoman9701]

For down by the river?🤣

[2MANY]

Damn he was funny!!!

[Rob]

I always thought a converted ambulance would be handy.

https://helena.craigslist.org/cto/d/helena-2000-ford-350-4x4-powerstroke/7770516293.html

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/elk-ambulance-73-international-4700/7771846340.html

[LDennis24]

I know somebody who has a few ambulances! With onboard air compressors so you never get stuck with a flat! They have been sitting for 10yrs probably but they would be cheap!