pickup truck w/cap VS a Van ? i am undecided

[nosnerd]

first off...hello to everyone here..i have been lurking for about a year.ex speedshop owner (sold my part after my partners dirty divorce) now director of service operations at a 10 bay national shop (canucks know it as Canadian Tire )

i have a 88 chevy 2500 rclb..recent 350cid/th400 and 3.42 gears..second repaint..no bondo or rust..i have owned four gm trucks over the last 20 years and an 86 suburban.i love this truck-even if its a strippo model,(but i REALLY miss the AC and cruise)

with the loss of jacob (stillborn at 37 weeks may 9th) my wife and i really are liking taking roadtrips and exploring..so my nova has taken a back seat this year..

i really want to upgrade and improve on the comforts of my truck,,it is very practical (as we all know),,but i really want a van...but $$ wise i am still on the fence.i really love not having payments...lol

so pickup with cap vs van.

90% on the road in my case..


regards to all


alan, josy and Jacob

 

[Herbie]

Do you want to camp "in" the vehicle or "around" the vehicle?

With a Van (depending on model), you at least have a chance to be able to stand up inside. Pop-top or hi-top is probably a must here unless you're short. With a truck/cap, unless it's an opened flip-pac, you won't be standing inside.

I went "Van" specifically for the ability to have some living space inside. Swivel the front passenger seat so it faces aft and move a couple the fridge to the middle as a table and we have a nice little "booth" with the back bench . We can play cards out of the rain, etc.

 

[nosnerd]

correct..i am really leaning towards another van..back in 99.i owned a 91 GMC Safari..loaded..had it for 7 years..the longest i have ever owned a DD...

(but i really have a hard on for a ford e350 15 passenger van....)

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Well, you already own the truck, know its history, and it has a new motor.... Either sleep in the camper shell, pitch a tent.. or pull a affordable camper behind you.

 

[ujoint]

Both have +'s & minuses! I personally prefer a van

 

[ihatemybike]

AWD Astros are pretty nice, can be found for cheap, and will get better mileage than your truck. I've taken Grumpy to the east coast, gulf coast, west coast and Moab, UT, sleeping in the back with minimal problems.

However, you already have a decent vehicle you trust. Try a few local camping weekends with it to determine what you really need/want to change.

 

[Hilldweller]

Both have +'s & minuses! I personally prefer a van

I prefer your van too, Chris... :drool:

 

[truck mechanic]

Ive always made due with a pick up, but a van is on my wants list. I think they are the perfict travel vec.
Paul

 

[dwh]

Pickup with cap is great for weekend camping, and as a base from which to go hiking (as in, leave the truck and hike into the bush for a week, then come back to the truck and go home).

For extended trips...not so great.

The main problem for me is constant - often daily - packing/unpacking, setup/takedown. On a trip of a few days, no biggie, but after a couple of weeks it gets to be a bloody hassle, and hassles can quickly take all the fun out a trip.

So I prefer a van.

Also, it's a lot easier and more secure to grab some shuteye in a van than in the back of a pickup. When some stranger (generally a uniformed authority figure - though not always) knocks on the door at 3am (and sooner or later, that's gonna happen), it's nice to be able to put your boots on and get prepared (and take a quick look outside) before you open the door.

And, as Herbie mentioned - there is the weather to consider. Personally, I'm a weather nut...I love storms and high winds and all the force of mother nature. But when you have to get out into the rain and the mud to walk around the back of the truck, and then climb in - soaking wet with boots covered in mud - it can get a little messy and be a little uncomfortable. Actually, it can be really miserable.

Too much misery and you start to want the trip to just be over. Misery can also make the significant other less likely to want to do it again.

 

[Owyhee H]

Why not a slide in camper? Your PU is perfect for hauling a popup or hardside slide in and you will have more amenities than either a shell or van. I understand they are more expensive but you can get a used model. Plus if you want you can take the bugger out and still have your PU.

Food for Thought

H

 

[Hilldweller]

In addition to the van, truck with topper, truck with Flip-Pak, truck with slide-in, how about a truck with trailer? That's what I do for now.
Fast set-up, just park it and hop in for some shut-eye.
Or deploy everything for a glamper's base camp.

 

[mkitchen]

Truck with shell or truck and trailer

It is cheaper to build up a more effective 4X4 truck than a van and the 4X4 does open up a lot more opportunity for overland travel. As Hilldweller stated, a trailer is a very good choice as well. Easy to set up for a few days without having to break down, where using a van or pick up/van would require breaking down camp every day. Breaking camp can become a pain after a while as has been stated.

The best choice, I think, is the one that you can afford and that will get you out the most. Best of luck on you decision.
Mikey

 

[TwinCruiser]

I prefer your van too, Chris... :drool:

That's an amazing van. Thx for posting the clip.

 

[mac66]

Van

 

[bfdiesel]

Suburban Half van. Half truck. All awesome.

Seriously think about what you really want to get out of it and let that guide you.