I’d like to ask about your favourite setup that is 1) 4x4 or AWD, 2) High-top, and 3) moderately priced (about $50k).
In order to do some long-term remote work in the north of Canada, I’m trying to find a new camper. I need 4x4 or AWD to access the fieldsites, and I’m really hoping to find something with a high-top (although maybe I’m being overly ‘grandiose’ by wanting to stand up, 🧐 hahha).
Hightop Van: This would be ideal, but the Ford Transits and Sprinters with 4x4 or AWD are over $60’000 bare and without any camper modifications. The ones I’ve seen that are actually camperized go for well over $100+.
Delica: Delicas are a cool niche vehicle if I’m willing to sacrifice the high-top roof. Even so, I’ve heard their problematic with parts and labour. This is an especially big concern if I’m in remote areas in the North. At this point, if I’m sacrificing the high-top, there are probably options like a new AWD minivan that are more reliable.
There’s a 1996 Mitsubishi Delica JB500 4x4 (with only 35k kilometres on it) for sale nearby that looks intriguing. The low mileage makes me feel good, but I’m worried that if I’m out in the north and something goes haywire, I’ll be strapped for fixing it. Does anyone have advice on this particular model?
Truck-Camper Combo: A truck-camper combo seems the most reasonable to me. A relatively new truck and camper aren’t that expensive. However, I’ve had a truck-camper set up before, and I liked the idea of a single-unit (as in a high-top van like a Sprinter or that Delica JB500) rather than two separate pieces so that there’s no need to take the camper on/off, you can walk into the camper when you’re in the truck, things like this. Maybe I should just put up with those minor inconveniences!😅
Pop-Tops: Then there’s a pop-top (either on a low-roof van or a truck-camper). I had a pop-top camper, and I’m hoping to go with something that’s a hardtop. Maybe it’s just that I’ve been burnt because the pop-top I had was pretty cheap, old, and crappy. It gave me lots of headaches trying to raise and lower and problem-solve when it broke, or having to lift and lower it while it's raining, water getting in, etc. Also, I’ll be working through the winter, and I don’t imagine a pop-top's insulation is as good as a hardshell/hardtop.
Tow a Trailer: There’s the idea of towing a small trailer. I need to bring lots of gear, so this feels like a good option because I can stuff the truck full of field gear while I use the trailer as a dedicated home. Again, it’s a separate unit from the truck, which I’d like to avoid. More so, I imagine it’s a lot of extra consideration when you start towing a 20-ft trailer behind you, in that you have to think about where you can park, etc. Not to mention it could limit the ability to access some moderately-rugged fieldsites.
Does anyone here have a favourite choice for something with 4x4/AWD that has a high roof and isn’t prohibitively expensive? I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts!
In order to do some long-term remote work in the north of Canada, I’m trying to find a new camper. I need 4x4 or AWD to access the fieldsites, and I’m really hoping to find something with a high-top (although maybe I’m being overly ‘grandiose’ by wanting to stand up, 🧐 hahha).
Hightop Van: This would be ideal, but the Ford Transits and Sprinters with 4x4 or AWD are over $60’000 bare and without any camper modifications. The ones I’ve seen that are actually camperized go for well over $100+.
Delica: Delicas are a cool niche vehicle if I’m willing to sacrifice the high-top roof. Even so, I’ve heard their problematic with parts and labour. This is an especially big concern if I’m in remote areas in the North. At this point, if I’m sacrificing the high-top, there are probably options like a new AWD minivan that are more reliable.
There’s a 1996 Mitsubishi Delica JB500 4x4 (with only 35k kilometres on it) for sale nearby that looks intriguing. The low mileage makes me feel good, but I’m worried that if I’m out in the north and something goes haywire, I’ll be strapped for fixing it. Does anyone have advice on this particular model?
Truck-Camper Combo: A truck-camper combo seems the most reasonable to me. A relatively new truck and camper aren’t that expensive. However, I’ve had a truck-camper set up before, and I liked the idea of a single-unit (as in a high-top van like a Sprinter or that Delica JB500) rather than two separate pieces so that there’s no need to take the camper on/off, you can walk into the camper when you’re in the truck, things like this. Maybe I should just put up with those minor inconveniences!😅
Pop-Tops: Then there’s a pop-top (either on a low-roof van or a truck-camper). I had a pop-top camper, and I’m hoping to go with something that’s a hardtop. Maybe it’s just that I’ve been burnt because the pop-top I had was pretty cheap, old, and crappy. It gave me lots of headaches trying to raise and lower and problem-solve when it broke, or having to lift and lower it while it's raining, water getting in, etc. Also, I’ll be working through the winter, and I don’t imagine a pop-top's insulation is as good as a hardshell/hardtop.
Tow a Trailer: There’s the idea of towing a small trailer. I need to bring lots of gear, so this feels like a good option because I can stuff the truck full of field gear while I use the trailer as a dedicated home. Again, it’s a separate unit from the truck, which I’d like to avoid. More so, I imagine it’s a lot of extra consideration when you start towing a 20-ft trailer behind you, in that you have to think about where you can park, etc. Not to mention it could limit the ability to access some moderately-rugged fieldsites.
Does anyone here have a favourite choice for something with 4x4/AWD that has a high roof and isn’t prohibitively expensive? I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts!
word and northern Canada plans lead me to believe you are already in Canada and I have no idea about these things up there, importing/pricing and such.
