Boxtruck or Van - Soft RTW trip

[R1200GSA]

Howdy

I am three years out from heading off on a soft RTW trip from Australia. So Aus, Sth Korea, Japan over to Vlad, Mongolia, the Stan's and Europe then eventually over to North America / Canada. By soft I mean nothing that would require 4WD / really remote.

I cant work out whether a box truck (pantech in Aus) or a Van (sprinter/crafter) makes more sense to build out. I can fabricate and have built expedition trailers in the past so the fab work doesn't phase me just which one is a better platform for such a trip.

Edit - added this. The van would be the LWB Crafter or Sprinter and the box truck under 3 tonne with the box section around 2200mm Wide by 4200mm long and 1950 high. Roughly 7ft x 14ft x 6 1/4 ft.

They seem to both have pros and cons. The van is one unit so you dont have to get out when stopped o/n and I guess more car like to drive. The truck body appears to have more usable space and you can add water tanks/batteries underneath.

What are your thoughts?

cheers
GSA

 

[sg1]

Having been on the road since 2010 in some of these places I suggest you first think about what you really need. How big you want your bed,dinette, kitchen, shower (trust me you want one) to be, what range you think you need (500 miles minimum) etc. The you will get your cabin size and payload. Once you have that take the smallest truck which meets your requirements because in 3rd world countries size does matter. The last step is to select the most common and boring vehicle in the target group because they are the easiest to find and to fix. Not sexy but it works.

 

[R1200GSA]

Thanks for the input - I will amend my post to elaborate a bit more.

The van would be the LWB Crafter or Sprinter and the box truck under 3 tonne with the box section around 2200mm Wide by 4200mm long and 1950 high. Roughly 7ft x 14ft x 6 1/4 ft.

This is a popular size for deliveries and self house moves here in oz so the market is flooded with them.

So I the question is if those two which makes more sense.






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[luthj]

It depends on your space needs. Are you solo? A short WB box truck with good turning radius has some advantages. While a LWB van would be easier to deal with. Most box trucks are near 3m tall, while a high roof van is around 2.4-2.5 meters. That is a pretty big difference. Some awnings at fuel stations aren't 3m! That being said you can park in most parking garages at 2.4m anyways.

A Van has more usable space than you might think, especially with swivel(s) on the front seat(s). A box truck would be easier to insulate well. Also easier/cheaper to build out. Mostly due to square dimensions, as opposed to the van which is curved everywhere. A box truck could be insulated well enough to cool with an solar powered AC unit, which has unique advantages for some locations. 75mm of rigid foam would do the trick.

Some of the forums here have expedition campers based on box units bolted to unimog/truck chassis. Those builds can give you some idea whats possible.

The van is going to ride MUCH better than most trucks (FUSO etc). It will also be much better on fuel. 12L/100 or so?

 

[R1200GSA]

Hi luthj

That makes sense

Cheers


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[Mwilliamshs]

Van is more comfortable to drive, easier to park, easier to get serviced, cheaper to ferry, less likely to get stuck in low traction situations like wet grass or ice, gets better fuel mileage, has no need for a passthrough and is less conspicuous.

Box truck is roomier, easier to build-out, and can haul more weight. I would not want one without a pass-through from cab to box.

 

[luthj]

Good advice. I would argue a basic white box truck can really blend in some areas, where a converted van can be pretty obvious. Though in residential areas the van would blend in more.

Honestly, for an around-the-world trip, you are always going to stand out, both due to foreign plates, but also due to Right Hand Drive.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

My Sportsmobile has no exterior graphics but does have camper windows and a penthouse top. Even people who have ridden in it didn't notice the bed up above. Nobody ever pays it any attention from the outside. It's 30 years old and the only time I've ever had anyone comment anything ever other than kidnapper jokes is when I've washed and waxed it and strangers compliment its looks vs age.

A box truck with a window in its wall is noticeable. A box truck with a bicycle rack or AC unit stands out.

Box trucks are far more conspicuous than vans when it comes to law enforcement, especially highway patrols, weigh stations, and toll booths.

 

[R1200GSA]

Thank you all.


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