Camper vs 4x4 Van

[rebar]

Iv been searching for a 4x4 van with enough power to pull my 8000 lb TT up mountain passes. I have a 4x4 gmc truck with 6.2 n/a diesel but it didn't have the power I need to keep up with traffic. 15 mph up the passes. Also want something I can take deeper into the sticks than a 24' TT will allow and leave it as a base camp. I don't need a bathroom since I will return to the TT when I need a shower.

After a few months of searching craigslist for a 4x4 van I'm just about ready to throw in the towel.

Not easy though.. I don't like the idea of having to exit the truck and walk around to get into the camper. I also don't have room to remove the camper to use the truck bed. The city is already "on me" about my 24' TT in the back yard and I doubt my neighbors would over look another eye sore. Leaks/maintenance etc..

Can anyone give me some advantages of a camper over a Van for someone traveling alone? Maybe two people..

 

[bob91yj]

It's a matter of increments IMO. The biggest advantage to a camper is you can stand up in it. If you find a pop top van it becomes a matter of proportions, a little more of everything in the camper.

 

[rebar]

Thanks Bob.

Standing up isn't much of a issue for me since Id rather be outside having fun and hanging out around the fire. I only need it for sleeping and when the weather gets bad if I'm away from my toy-hauler.

I would have figured other camper owners would have added more advantages. Guess I better keep looking for that Van. Thing is.. Most people think since its a quigley, its some rare gem.

 

[familyvan]

If your are looking at the van route check out ujoints conversion kit for vans. ujointoffroad.com You could then do the conversion yourself or have someone do it for you. I have been going back and forth on slide in camper vs van for my family of five. They each have strong points but for me in the in end I perfer truck plus slid in as you can always take off the camper and still have a truck. Once I converted the van to sleep five it would loose some of the tuck like abilities. Until I can have dedicated rigs I think this will be the route I go. Good lick on the search. In the 4x4 camper van section there is a thread on vans for sale.
good luck!

 

[Ozarker]

Let's think about this! How much time does anyone spend standing up in an RV, MH, tent or anythig else? Not much. We don't stand te eat brearkfast or eat dinner if it's really cold or raining cats and dogs outside. It's nice to stand to prepare food, like at home, but you really don't need to if everything is handy.....have a seat! Why is it so nice to stand in the shower? Because that's what we usually do at home, but you can sit down. During a storm at home I rarely stand at the window and watch the storm, why shouldI do that while camping?

Usually, the engress and egress to any camper is limited time, usually less than a minute, walk in and what do you do.....sit down!

The space you actually take up is very limited, it's the same regardless of your vehicle or living environment. It is nice to walk upright a few feet from the dinnette to the toilet, maybe to stand in the head, but for the minutes you are doing that, what is the price, the cost of doing that? It's alot more in a motorhome than a van where you stoop over or from a pickup camper top where you crawl out.

Like everything else in life, it boils down to money in the end, what are you willing to compromise for the difference in money? It's an economic opportunity cost every time. in everthing you choose and do.

A tt or a van? each have pros a cons, define what you need and what you want and look at the values offered,IMO. Are`you usually moving after a night or staying a few days? Is mpg important or does it matter much? I'd say that if you don't know your style of camping or being on the road, you need to get out and experience it more as that will answer most of your questions as to what is best, a TT or a van or a motorhome, maybe a tent on a trailer.

 

[rebar]

you need to get out and experience it more as that will answer most of your questions as to what is best, a TT or a van or a motorhome, maybe a tent on a trailer.

Iv taken a solo two week trip into Colorado pitkin area with my new toyhauler which I loved. But my truck didn't perform well enough. I also noticed that the 30' length of my TH limited me greatly on dispersed camping sites. So thats why I need more power and another bed when I decide to explore deeper/higher and leave the TH behind.

 

[wirenut]

4 x 4 vans are very cool. I've thought about one myself. But, I can't make myself see it as an improvement over a truck and truck camper.
Trucks are plentiful in 4 x 4 configuration with just about any trans and engine you want: auto, manual, diesel, gas, etc. If you think finding a 4 x 4 van is hard try finding a diesel van with a manual some time. Camper can be removed if you'd like, left on if you don't. If you don't have room at your house you could rent space at a storage lot or a friends house. You can replace a truck or camper independently of each other. If the truck wears out but the camper hasn't, replace just the truck; and vice versa. Trucks can be had with seating for up to 6 people. Trucks, if optioned properly, can have extremely large tow ratings; much higher than most vans.
I do like to be able to stand up in my camper. It's much easier to shower that way. It's much easier to get dressed that way. Moving around in general is just easier. This becomes more important the older you get.
If you want a vehicle between a van and a TC, try a Tiger motor home. They are built on 4 x 4 truck chassis.

 

[deserteagle56]

I have owned a 4x4 van since 1976. And for a few years I had a camper also, on my F350. I gave it up because I like to camp in really out-of-the-way places that are hard to get to where I don't have to put with with crowds. There is no way you can take a pickup/camper combination - unless it's a really small pop-up - where you can take that 4x4 van.

There is always a dirt bike or a quad in the van when I go out. When I get to where I want to camp, outside goes the toy and camp is set up inside the van. It serves as basecamp for my explorations.

 

[Ozarker]

Hope you didn't think I was being snide or a SA, it's really a delima and one that I haven't solved either...entirely. :coffeedrink:

Wow, a 30' TH! That would/could be a great base camp and explore with a toy.

Take a look at Astro vans, Astro off road, they can be incredible with a few mods. They are also small enough to get back in the boonies. They have pop tops and check out the RTTs used. Good MPG, plenty of room for 2 minimalist types with TV (lol). They can also tow!

I don't know about you, but I'd be doing outings on a budget and MPG is the biggest expense at times, then food and beer of course. A 1/2, 3/4 ton truck with a V8 won't be really cheap to run IMO, a V6 is not much different hardly worth the difference in the loss of power when needed. My F-150 has 74K on the clock and gets about 12-14 mpg empty!

I get in the woods and overhead clearence can be a problem for me. So I'm leary of going higher than the cab with any camper. WIthout knowing where you want to go, most of the time, it's a real toss up. Good luck in nailing it down.

 

[billy bee]

I have run through variety of camping vehicle options, from a VW Eurovan to Sportsmobile and full-size Chevy/camper to truck and travel trailer. So, I feel your pain. I have landed at what is a perfect solutions for me (for now). But what I think might interest you most is a Sportsmobile van. Mine was self-contained and perfect for one person. Two is tight. Problem is cost and availability. To find one, you may have to travel, and you will certainly spend big money.

That said, I now have a CHevy with a FlipPac camper shell. It absolutely rocks. I leave the shell on almost all of the time, but can remove it if necessary. While I rarely drove the van except for camping, I drive my Chevy every day.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Heloflyboy]

I have a ford TTB 4x4 van. It only has 31" tires but goes everywhere I would want to take it. My wife loves it especially since we have a 16 month old, it makes camping a lot easier on me. We drive it almost daily and is very easy to live with.
The problem with the 4x4 vans are, they are hard to find and when you do people usually want top dollar.

Good Luck

 

[Truck Camper Porn]

I personally would go the truck camper route, there just seems to be so much more versatility.

 

[Capt Eddie]

What ever vehicle you get, the Motor and transmission gearing is what will allow is to tow the TT. Not being a van or truck. A truck camper with the right combo will tow anything that you need to haul.

 

[rebar]

Iv now realized I wont EVER find exactly what I want. But I did find a 4x4 cargo van with 351/4speed manual.

Envisioning a PSD or 6BT swap with MT.