TooSteep
Observer
Some recent good fortune has put me in a position to buy the van of my dreams. I'm just not certain what exactly that is 
It will be for 2-person travel, 6-8 weeks at a time, driving from Vancouver, B.C. to Arizona and Utah with a lot of mountain biking.
Wants:
Compact overall length. We like to go out to meals in small town restaurants as much as possible. We don't ever want to be dissuaded because our van is too much hassle to maneuver or park. This is why I lean towards a van over a truck. I also want to make use of the 2 seats by using swivels for both and having them be part of our lounging area.
Ventilation. We like a lot of fresh air and as much breeze as possible. Lots of windows and a couple of 12V fans at a minimum, as well as dual overhead fans.
Really, really comfortable bed. 6 week trips are not fun if the bed is uncomfortable. In the past we have used a quality mattress, with a sheepskin wool topper and a full down duvet. Randomly organized lumpy cushions will not cut it.
Storage for 2 mountain bikes and gear. As well as golf clubs and some clothes.
Won't be used for rock crawling, but I don't want to get stuck on rutted muddy roads and soaked, pot-holed grass fields. Want it to hold up when we go deep into FSRs.
On-demand hot water for outdoor showers with a pop-up shower enclosure. When mountain biking and living in a van, daily hot showers are a must.
Easy to cook outdoors 90% of the time.
Lots of battery storage, in case we ever get eBikes. Want to really optimize charging the batteries while driving, along with solar.
Apart from the batteries (LiIon), bed and the water, I'd like to keep the interior build as lightweight as possible. I'm partial towards soft storage over cabinets as much as possible.
Since the Ford e-series vans are no longer (I'd be happy to get a cutaway with an total composites box, and and aftermarket 4x4 conversion, but I do not have the skills to undertake such a thing myself. The example of these on here look fantastic.), I've been wondering about the GMC vans?
There is a single 2.8l Duramax Savana 2500 cargo van at a dealer here, and I was wondering if it is enough engine to support a Tufport van top (https://tufport.com/van-tops/) and a Sportsman/Clydesdale 4x4 conversion (https://www.clydesdalevans.com/chev-2500-3500-4wd-conversions)?
The idea of excellent fuel economy appeals to me, as our trips south are a least 5,000 miles each, but I'm not stuck on it. The scarcity of the 2.8l diesels scares me a bit.
Back of the napkin would put one of these around $90,000 CDN ($52,000 for the van. $12,000 for the Tufport, and $26,000 for the 4x4 conversion with wheels and tires) + interior buildout. Is there a better way to spend $90,000?
It will be for 2-person travel, 6-8 weeks at a time, driving from Vancouver, B.C. to Arizona and Utah with a lot of mountain biking.
Wants:
Compact overall length. We like to go out to meals in small town restaurants as much as possible. We don't ever want to be dissuaded because our van is too much hassle to maneuver or park. This is why I lean towards a van over a truck. I also want to make use of the 2 seats by using swivels for both and having them be part of our lounging area.
Ventilation. We like a lot of fresh air and as much breeze as possible. Lots of windows and a couple of 12V fans at a minimum, as well as dual overhead fans.
Really, really comfortable bed. 6 week trips are not fun if the bed is uncomfortable. In the past we have used a quality mattress, with a sheepskin wool topper and a full down duvet. Randomly organized lumpy cushions will not cut it.
Storage for 2 mountain bikes and gear. As well as golf clubs and some clothes.
Won't be used for rock crawling, but I don't want to get stuck on rutted muddy roads and soaked, pot-holed grass fields. Want it to hold up when we go deep into FSRs.
On-demand hot water for outdoor showers with a pop-up shower enclosure. When mountain biking and living in a van, daily hot showers are a must.
Easy to cook outdoors 90% of the time.
Lots of battery storage, in case we ever get eBikes. Want to really optimize charging the batteries while driving, along with solar.
Apart from the batteries (LiIon), bed and the water, I'd like to keep the interior build as lightweight as possible. I'm partial towards soft storage over cabinets as much as possible.
Since the Ford e-series vans are no longer (I'd be happy to get a cutaway with an total composites box, and and aftermarket 4x4 conversion, but I do not have the skills to undertake such a thing myself. The example of these on here look fantastic.), I've been wondering about the GMC vans?
There is a single 2.8l Duramax Savana 2500 cargo van at a dealer here, and I was wondering if it is enough engine to support a Tufport van top (https://tufport.com/van-tops/) and a Sportsman/Clydesdale 4x4 conversion (https://www.clydesdalevans.com/chev-2500-3500-4wd-conversions)?
The idea of excellent fuel economy appeals to me, as our trips south are a least 5,000 miles each, but I'm not stuck on it. The scarcity of the 2.8l diesels scares me a bit.
Back of the napkin would put one of these around $90,000 CDN ($52,000 for the van. $12,000 for the Tufport, and $26,000 for the 4x4 conversion with wheels and tires) + interior buildout. Is there a better way to spend $90,000?
