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ruppell
climber
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Van. You can crawl from the front to the back without ever going outside. A really nice thing if the weather sucks.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Jesus Christ - this topic is covered in dozens of enthusiast and manufacturer specific websites filled with terabytes of photos, how-to's and trip reports, countless forums, countless past threads in these climber forums - and now once more? It's been another week already? Did you get your answer here yet? Are you f*#king retarded, lazy - what?
you mad, bro?
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Flip Flop
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
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It's okay buddy, let it out. There there. You feel better now?
Some of us are dilettantes here and we just don't have the navigation skills to the vast wealth of knowledge available here like some long time hard men. Permit us our casual trespasses of ignorance as we search for current communion of information and technology.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Bri,
6cyl, auto.
No regrets when merging, passing and going up TH grade.
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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If youre going to go Tacoma, wait till next year, the 2016 looks real nice, new platform. Current one is good, but a bit older in the design tooth.
More than likely, youre gonna be doing nothing but wishing you had a 6 cylinder. 4 cylinder mpg goes to crap when you have to keep your foot on the floor. Nothing gets worse mpg than an underpowered car. Nothing feels worse than chugging around in your brand new ride that you spent dollarbucks on and feeling like youre in a 65 bus.
Those connects are OK, but soo tiny, do you think you could wait out some bad weather without going nuts in there?
Nissan just needs to offer a non V8 in their van, its agood product with a not so great engine. Basically a nissan 350ci V8. Might as well get a powerstroke instead.
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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Pop up campers are really awesome, but hard to find new. Diesel pickaups are god and are out there, but be scrutinous. They earlier 7.3L ford for example, better engine, but older and harder to find, likely to have miles and need a few$.
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briham89
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 8, 2015 - 09:08pm PT
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Those connects are OK, but soo tiny, do you think you could wait out some bad weather without going nuts in there?
That is indeed the biggest question in my mind right now... The way I would like to build it would include a couch that folds out into a bed so you would have a space to hang, but again it is small. The high mpg is just really nice for road trips.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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I got a 99 F350 7.3 diesel 4x4 Crew cab with 197k from an older gentleman that was super well maintained. It looked better than other rigs I looked at with 135k. New tranny at about 150k. $12,500
I got a 98 Lance 9.6 foot camper also in amazing condition with solar panel, full bathroom, queen bed, 3 way fridge, cold weather package etc for $4200.
For 1 person you could comfortably live out of it forever. For two people you could travel comfortably for months. For the four of us we could probably do a week or two before we started going nuts.
The full size truck camper is great for the 4 of us. And we do some winter camping, but a popup would be better for mpg and off roading if we didn't need the space and warmth. But my rig will still go probably anywhere I'll neeed it to. I would have neede to spend much more money for a comparable 4x4 camper van. I haven't done the mpg with the camper on it yet but without it at 65 mph highway I got 19 mpg. Probably around 15 with the camper.
It took me a few months of looking to find the deals I was looking for. The main thing I look for is stuff very well maintained in excellent condition. Plus I got good prices on them.
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briham89
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 8, 2015 - 09:34pm PT
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Cool thanks for the info Fet!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Bri,
Just ask yourself how you will use it 80% of the time? 80/20 rule it.
If you will use it daily, then get something you want to drive and PARK daily. Longer vans are harder to park. The reason to go van is so that you have tons of room to hang out INSIDE of at night or during inclement weather.
If doing a multi month road trip, then Van. no question. Easy of getting to the driver seat is crit sit.
But if primarily as a weekend warrior, then bivying a few nights in a row will be typical usage. Then sliding in the back isn't a big deal with a hiliner type shell, especially if you have an extra cab for regular storage of cooler etc. Note that the double cab's wheel base is excessively long for much forest service road turn around action.
Last, think about storage. Where will you put bikes in both cases? Snowboards? Bondage Gear? Kitchen kit? Chainsaw? Double Rack of #6 cams?
Above statements are pretty right in mind about going with the new taco trucks. New tech, better suspension. And yeah, if you jump off the lights hot with a 4cyl you'll be wishing you had a 6cyl. How do you drive that blue baby of yours? Going to change? No, there ya go.
what's the real draw for the van besides long road trips?
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thebravecowboy
climber
just banana-jam it
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^Munge hits a point I want to emphasize. I finally bought a truck for all them sh#t-ass backroads, but all it really does is enable heavier consequences, and damn, it sucks to drive it every other day. Go with a capable van or wagon. My 2c.
And yeah, JLP is right. You have disturbed the sanctity of the interweb with your less-than-original question. So that sucks.
EDIT: ze Fet is right about those early 2000s full-size Fords. they suck gas but they are actually pretty capable and do indeed hang on if taken care of.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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I think you have to think of multiple options then do the math to see what the real costs are and what's the best value.
Like I said I was looking at a van as a combo daily driver and adventure mobile. But then I did the math. It would cost me $1200 a year more in gas if I drove a full size van daily. And only $600 a year for insurance and registration on an older truck. So I kept my car, which is much more fun and convenient to drive than a truck/van anyway. I have a Subaru Impreza. And I bought a truck that I'll put about 3-5k miles on a year.
Also compare a newer vehicle vs. mpg. If you spend $30,000 on a Transit Connect or a used Sprinter to save fuel cost, vs. $15 or $20K on a used rig, think how many much fuel that $10-$15K more you spend will buy. Plus more expensive insurance, registration, and depreciation.
I do trips to the snow and on the beach at Pismo so I need 4WD. But a 2WD full size van/truck will get you to a lot of places with better mpg and handling.
I used to have a Toyota pickup with a shell, and then a 4runner, they were great all around vehicles when I was young and single.
I'd rather have the super comfortable big space of the camper, full bathroom, full queen bed that is always ready to use, full kitchen, etc. and have to walk around the back to get in vs. a van where it's a little more convenient to go from the driver's seat to the back. But I know some people value that.
I'd rather have the hard side camper ready to go than to have to pop it up to use it, and give up some mpg and maneuverability, but I know some would value that more, especially if it was for just 1 or 2 people. There's a lot of subjective decisions to be made.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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enable heavier consequences, and damn, it sucks to drive it every other day
heavier consequences? well, sure I'm using the big boy Coleman's now, not the shizen Igloos. :)
Yes, definitely sucks... wtf?
WHAT IN THE FUK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? LOL :)
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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I think he means that if you have a tendency to push it too far.. a 4x4 just allows you to get stuck further from help.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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huh, ok. Seems pretty ninny. Maybe I'm not going far enough! :)
Boards
Come Along
Chainsaw
Jack
Fixaflat cans.
Shovel
Batter charger
oh, and you get to drive on snow without chaining up.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Psilocyborg
climber
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If you are like me and routinely bivy in illegal spots you might want to consider a vehicle that is low key. Minivans, suv, trucks with camper shells are a better choice for this in my opinion. Sprinters and tricked out vans attract attention from rangers/police/curious citizens.
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Nissan offers a 4.0 six cylinder in a full size van, some one on this site way tricked one out, and called it magic ? They had a great video accompanying it.
Chrysler also has a six cylinder cargo van.
If you don't need 4wd get a van!
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Yo B,
I have the regular cab Prerunner 4 cyl with a lift.
Fully built with a ARE high topper.
The only reason I ever wished to have a 6 cyl is when I was using a joe hauler for my dirt bike. Underpowered for sure with a load like that.
Otherwise, I get very good MPG with a long weekend load.
If you know how to drive a manual, the 4cyl will be just fine. OF note, I have 165k on my tacoma, and just recently did the first minor repair...Front brake pads.
Find me a van that will have that type of service record?
Now, having said the above, I would get a van if you are thinking of full on living out of it. Kev got a converted econoline van for $9k and built it out nice, he gets 13mpg but man is it choice.
Whatever you do, make sure you run lots of power to the back so you can have a dvd player, fan, fridge etc. All the comforts of home.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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I love liveing in vans. problem is i work too much to get the chance to spend much time on the road..
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