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Best cargo van?

Original Post
K R · · CA · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 50

Anyone from the #vanlife crew know much about vans? I'm looking for a van with really large capacity, decent mpg, the ability to tow a good amount of weight, good cargo capacity, and reliable. So far the 2007 or newer dodge/Mercedes/freightliner sprinter 3500 170" wheelbase looks good. But is it really as good as it looks? Are there other options?

erik wellborn · · manitou springs · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 355

As a painting contractor and climbing bum, Ive had full size Ford, Chevy, and Dodge Vans at some point in my life. No statistics to back up my claims, but Ford seems to have a slight edge reliability wise. Dodge tends to have transmission issues. I really like the AWD Chevy vans with the 5.3 motor. Goes anywhere and decent mpg for such a large vehicle.

Another great option which I currently drive is a 4x4 Ford E350 with the 7.3 diesel. It can tow anything, has tolerable mileage, 15-17mpg. The diesel is loud though, and requires a bit more maitainence.

Don't have any experience with Sprinter Vans. The people I know that have them rave about the roominess, but have complaints about the durability, mostly transmission- drivetrain issues.

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

I've done quite a bit of research and am picking up a new 2500 159" wheelbase Promaster today. They are wider than the Sprinter or Transit, allowing me (6'2") to sleep accross the width saving room.

Available in gas or diesel and average 17-19 or 20-26mpg. In three different wheelbase and four lengths. Hope to document the conversion and how it works out.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
climbing coastie wrote:I've done quite a bit of research and am picking up a new 2500 159" wheelbase Promaster today.
I've had the 1500 136" WB model for 6 months (so far just built out the floor and prototype bed). No complaints so far. It handles far better than my Element even fully loaded; I used it to move my crap from CO to NV, cargo space full and towing a small U-Haul trailer. They're based on the Fiat Ducato, a popular Euro cargo/conversion van.

The other nice thing is they're FWD. If you are considering one of the new 4WD Sprinters be prepared to get on wait list and/or have very little price negotiation.

my Promaster on Tioga Pass

Climbing Coastie, not sure if you saw this couple's Promaster build-out blog and this one's Ducato conversion blog, but I have found them useful for ideas.
Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Fossana - nice wheels! This is Wally from Colorado - met you when Greg and I climbed by you on Ant Hill Direct a few years ago - and then Cindy and I ran into you at the Bridger Jacks a year or two ago.

Questions regarding your Promaster if you don't mind.

- why didn't you get a tall version, for more room, and so you can stand up?

- I have never purchased a vehicle new that came from Detroit. If Toyota made a cargo van that would be it for me, no questions asked. What do you know about the Promaster's reliability? Reliable? Better than a Sprinter? Maybe if Dodge didn't muck with the Fiat design the vehicle might be reliable?

- What are your future plans for the Promaster? Cabinets, water, stove, refrigeration, solar, insulation, flooring, ceiling fan, etc.?

- Sounds like you are very happy with your Promaster. Any concerns or regrets?

Not sure when my next upgrade will happen, but Promaster and Sprinter, along with the Nissan cargo van, are at the top of my list.

Safe travels and happy climbing, Fosanna.

Wally

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

Hi Wally,

Nice to hear from you (of course I remember). I hope you and Cindy are well.

Roof height: I'm only 5'6" and was able to stand up fully before I put the floor in; now I have to slouch a tiny bit. The gas mileage tradeoff wasn't worth it to avoid having to scrunch down an inch or two once in a while.

Reliability: I went mainly by what I read about the Fiat Ducato given that the Promaster has been only available for a few years in the States. So far no complaints from me.

v Sprinter: To me it wasn't worth it to shell out the extra $ for a Sprinter with RWD. I called about the 4WD Sprinter, but there was a wait list and no room to negotiate price. The Promaster has FWD. I can always do a conversion later if I feel like I need 4WD. I will say the Sprinter has more clearance with the Promaster rear axle clearance being similar to an Element. The Promaster is also super boxy and fairly easy to build out.

I do wish Toyota would resurrect their vans.

Build out: Right now with full-time job my trips are relatively short and for anything longish that entails working I just rent a place with internet. Consequently, I haven't seen much need for a fridge, sink, etc. I have a portable solar panel and battery setup I can use if I need power. If my trips get longer and as I figure out my ideal config for the bed/seating/storage arrangement I may reconsider more built-ins.

Hope to run into you in S UT or Eldo again sometime.

Michelle

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Fossana,

Thanks for the links! I've seen several others, but don't think I've seen those before.

Started working on the bed platform yesterday. Windows and roof vents will be next. It will be a work in progress for some time that's for sure.

If you see a 159" high top with AK plates on this fall in Toulumne it it's probably me. Stop by and say hey.

taipan jam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 30

Those promasters look real sharp, coastie keep up updated if you build out.

WAGbag · · Denver, CO · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 1,088

Here's a few things to think about:

The first decision to make is whether you need higher clearance and/or 4wd/awd. That will narrow your decision space. Then decide if you want a full build out. In my opinion, if you don't need high clearance or 4wd, but want a full build just go buy an RV or trailer. It's significantly cheaper, better and more reliable.

If you want 4wd/awd your choices are Syncro (disontinued), Chevy Astro (discontinued 2005), Chevy Express (Savanna)(Discontinued 2014), Sprinter (I have one) or getting a Quigley conversion on a Ford.

Promaster - good space but bad clearance. fwd. Cheap.
Transit - knockoff of Sprinter. 2wd. Cheaper than sprinter.
Sprinter 4x4, great clearance, low range. Expensive
RV - there's so many out there for dirt cheap. Bad clearance. 2wd (unless you find a Tiger).
Earth Roamer. Not a van but 4x4, great clearance. Ultra expensive.

Hope that helps.

Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Great comments Fossana and WAGbag.

Fossana - I am sure our path's will cross again, one way or the other. Yeah, I recall you weren't super tall :) - I was wondering if that was part of the deal.

Climbing Coastie - good luck on your build out. Share details down the road if you want - would be great to see what you come up with!

WAGbag - I know you put a lot of research into your purchase. My biggest concern with the Sprinter is reliability and cost of maintenance. Your mini-comparison of different options is great - but leaves out one of the most important considerations - reliability. I have read a fair amount of negative sht about Sprinters, from a reliability and maintenance expense point of view. Your thoughts on this subject if you wish to share would be great. Thank you!

And WAGbag part 2 - I am not sure if I agree with you that an RV is cheaper and more reliable than a ProMaster or Sprinter build out. I don't want a trailer - so that is out. Most Class B (vans) RVs I am looking at are too big, expensive, get crappy gas mileage, and are built on a Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily) or other notoriously unreliable platform.

I am not yet seriously looking. Just starting to accumulate ideas.

Wally

MikeI · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 5

I bought a 2015 Mercedes Sprinter 6 months ago and really enjoy it. Very roomy (I have the 140" wheelbase), excellent milage (24-29 mpg), lots of clearance, comfortable to drive and goes loads of places. I even took it up to Notch Peak in western Utah. Slow going, but made it in there. Western Hardman is a great route, by the way. I'm slowly building it up, 'fridge, cabinetry, solar. Been a fun project and nice to do exactly what you want. Good luck.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

Looking forward to seeing your buildout, climbing coastie. I'll keep an eye out for you next time I'm in Tuolumne.

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Shameless plug but I just started a blog about my van conversion. You can find it at climbingcoastie.wordpress.com

BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340

CC your blog link isn't working....

Jon Sullivan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Just bought a "used" ( it drove off the lot, gained 20 miles and the guy had some serious buyer's remorse) 4x4 MB Sprinter. Actually flying to DC today to pick it up. My wife and I are moving into it once I get some floors and a lofted bed in it. It will be our second stint in a vehicle. Our first year of living like this was in our pop up camper on our Tacoma, this was killer. Excited to see how the van life goes. We sold the truck and such to make this step. We have done a lot of homework and I think that our 144 MB 4x4 Sprinter will be quite the vehicle. 25-28 mpg , 6'4 ceiling clearance and plenty of floor room with a couch/bed lofted. All in a vehicle with hi and lo 4x4.

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90
Bryan Manning wrote:CC your blog link isn't working....
Fixed!
climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95
Jon Sullivan wrote: I think that our 144 MB 4x4 Sprinter will be quite the vehicle. 25-28 mpg , 6'4 ceiling clearance and plenty of floor room with a couch/bed lofted. All in a vehicle with hi and lo 4x4.
Jon, I hope you get those MPG's! Everything I've read is that those numbers are for the 4 cylinder. Unfortunatly the 4x4 option is only avalible with the 6 cylinder so I'm guessing you'll probably be more around 18-20mpg or less. I hope that's not the case, but it's one reason why I opted out of the 4x4 sprinter. That and the price tag.
Jeremy K · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0
climbing coastie wrote: Jon, I hope you get those MPG's! Everything I've read is that those numbers are for the 4 cylinder. Unfortunatly the 4x4 option is only avalible with the 6 cylinder so I'm guessing you'll probably be more around 18-20mpg or less. I hope that's not the case, but it's one reason why I opted out of the 4x4 sprinter. That and the price tag.
Agreed. A friend of mine has a 4x4 Sprinter and he reported 14-15mpg on some long highway trips (75-80mph). That seems consistent with other online reports.

In my 144 4cyl, I get 21-22mpg driving around the west @ 75-80mph. If I keep it at 65mph (never happens) I can get 25mpg.
Jon Sullivan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

yup. you guys are right, I had a tuner installed in it for my arrival and drive home which grants me high 20's mpg. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Now you're making me question my promaster. :-/

Jeremy K · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0

Tuner? Got a link?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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