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Old5Ten
Trad climber
Berkeley, CA
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Apr 16, 2014 - 04:01pm PT
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david_kreindler
climber
Montpelier, VT
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Apr 16, 2014 - 04:15pm PT
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360 lbs total cargo capacity (including passengers), no possibility of sleeping inside it, but 70+ miles on a gallon of gasoline
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jnmtmn
climber
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Apr 16, 2014 - 06:18pm PT
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eagle
Trad climber
new paltz, ny
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Apr 16, 2014 - 09:49pm PT
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HERE IN THE GUNKS ITS A PIECE OF CAKE JUST PASS THE STEEL BRIDGE AND USE YOUR THUMB AT THE HITCHING POST
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N8
Trad climber
B.B.C, CA
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Apr 16, 2014 - 10:53pm PT
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Michelle
Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
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Apr 17, 2014 - 12:30am PT
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Having driven a hmvee ambulance, I determined that would an awesome rig.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Apr 17, 2014 - 01:35am PT
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^^ Best use of a coffin in a car since Grandpa Munster's Drag-u-la!
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Grae
Sport climber
Bonney Lake, WA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 01:55am PT
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Hehe! Thanks... Oh, and on single day trips I roll in the Saabaru... 1 part saab, 99parts subie. So I fully endorse the subaru buyings... When the wifes volvo wagon gives up the ghost, well get into a legacy wagon.
Also, +1 on the syncros, sportsmobile and sprinters... All amazing in thier own ways...but if I was going with a smaller van, it would have to be a Delica... 4wd turbo diesel FTW. But agreed, all forms of hedonistic van fetish. Lol.
http://imganuncios.mitula.net/rush_2004_mitsubishi_delica_4x4_super_exceed_96635402876557437.jpg
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Eric Rendler
Gym climber
San Jose, CA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 01:56am PT
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Chevy Astro Van or GMC Safari vans are great little camping rigs.
Just install rear sleeping platform sideways on the drivers side in place of rear bench seat. There is also room inside for your Mt bikes without taking the wheels off, try that in a Subaru.
The Astro/Safaris were made from about 1987 to 2005. From 2003 to 2005 they have 4 wheel disc brakes and 16 inch wheels. An AWD version is also available. The engine is 4.3 liter V6 very reliable. Mileage 17 city for 2WD and maybe 20 mpg highway. AWD drops mileage by about 1 or 2 mpg depending on tires, and axle ratio.
A $200 bolt on kit is available from Overland Vans to install a 2 inch lift kit for more clearance.
See www.Astrosafarivans.org for great users group.
GM should bring back the rugged Astro type van to compete with Ford Transit Connect, Dodge Promaster, and others.
Eric
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Grae
Sport climber
Bonney Lake, WA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 02:02am PT
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Agreed, very reliable and useful vans-- I would have went with the Astro or safari, but I wanted the tow power, and length for my longboards ( sick to death of strapping boards to the top)
If i had the coin, id get a sportsmobile in a minute tho... mmm
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Eric Rendler
Gym climber
San Jose, CA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 03:11am PT
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Yes, I may get the AWD Chevy Express also. I do like the extra space. The new 6 speed transmission is nice and the 5.3 liter V8 is sweet.
For years I had a 1994 G20 Chevy full size van which was awesome too.
Eric
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Eric Rendler
Gym climber
San Jose, CA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 03:17am PT
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Another cool idea is the Vika workbench from OSH or Lowes. It is a well made folding scaffold that makes a quick sleeping platform for van interior.
$129. or so
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John M
climber
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Apr 17, 2014 - 05:02am PT
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I don't really understand the advantage of a roof top tent. Why not just put it on the ground?
disadvantages to me
you have to fold it up every time you want to drive somewhere.
Its just not simple to get in and out of
you have to climb a ladder to get into it. So you better have everything out of the car that you need
my knees are old and my bladder is weak. pissing in a bottle is only for bad weather or cliff side bivys.
so what are the advantages. A couple of people here swear by them, so they must have something good.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Apr 17, 2014 - 09:20am PT
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Sprinter Van outfitted by Sportsmobile, enough room for wife, gear and the beasts. We had a Euro Van for years with the full camper set up. The SV gets better gas mileage and you don't bump your head, you just need the cheese to pay for it.
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Mikep_
climber
San Francisco
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Apr 17, 2014 - 03:31pm PT
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In the early '70s Galen Rowell wrote about his car he named El Bravo. It was a 60s Chevy that was retrofitted with a posi-traction rear end. It could cruise the freeways at 80 and take dirt roads like a jeep. He claimed it had a soul. Sorry no photo
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1261259
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enjoimx
Trad climber
SLO
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Apr 17, 2014 - 04:16pm PT
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I don't get the rooftop tents either. They look cool, but seem to be less functional than regular tents. Less convenient. There is no point.
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Alpamayo
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 04:20pm PT
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Are you kidding? WIth a rooftop tent in my van, I can pull up, pop the top and sleep. No getting out in the cold to set up a tent. Plus it makes it so I can stand up in the van while cooking. The pop-top in the van is the single best thing about a camper-van.
The only downside is when I rarely end up in a place where I can't camp in my vehicle (i.e. Camp 4)
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Grae
Sport climber
Bonney Lake, WA
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Apr 17, 2014 - 10:59pm PT
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I think he meant the aftermarket rooftop tents that are separate from the vehicle.
Gawd id love a pop-top for my Express
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