Best cargo van?
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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? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Hi Wally, |
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Fossana, |
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Those promasters look real sharp, coastie keep up updated if you build out. |
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Here's a few things to think about: |
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Great comments Fossana and WAGbag. |
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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. |
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Looking forward to seeing your buildout, climbing coastie. I'll keep an eye out for you next time I'm in Tuolumne. |
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Shameless plug but I just started a blog about my van conversion. You can find it at climbingcoastie.wordpress.com |
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CC your blog link isn't working.... |
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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. |
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Bryan Manning wrote:CC your blog link isn't working....Fixed! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Now you're making me question my promaster. :-/ |
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Tuner? Got a link? |