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Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
#8144138
01/26/21 05:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780
Blue Moon
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780 |
Pickups will likely always be the most popular vehicles for the local hunting and fishing tribe but I tend to venture far and wide so personally, I never seem to have enough indoor dry cargo space, especially when I’m traveling overland on extended overnight road trips. In my case, besides fishing gear, I’m also usually hauling photography and often sensitive astronomy gear that ride better, or at least with more peace of mind, in the back of a Suburban; a vehicle that transforms from family wagon to gear hauler with the rear seats folded flat. With the seats down flat, the Suburban provides long bed pickup size floorspace capable of hauling a ton of gear. If you want to avoid borrowing trouble, it helps to eliminate things you worry about. I’ve found leaving things you care about in the bed of a truck or on an open trailer provides a chance to worry every time you stop and leave your vehicle. It only worsens on overnight adventures and I’d rather get a good nights sleep if I’m on a road trip. Overall the Suburban has been a great daily driver. As time nears to think about a new vehicle, I try to honestly evaluate my needs. Besides optics, I’m often hauling motorcycles, mountain bikes, kayaks and a ton of other gear including heavy tools required for endless DIY building projects. Rarely a week passes without the need to tow something but rather than extreme heavy duty loads where a pickup is usually the best or only option, the majority of my towing needs are common outdoorsman; hauling a vintage Airstream, fishing boats and utility trailers down the road. Recently as the year came to a close, and voodoo tax math came into play, I started looking for a new vehicle and went through the pros and cons of a truck vs SUV. Somehow in this sensible process that usually starts with me wanting, but eliminating a pickup and choosing a large SUV, I decided it would be a good time to build out a multipurpose cargo van to serve as my toy, tool and vintage Airstream hauler. Here are some videos that feature vans built for various purposes. TouRig Bruce Banner Sprinter Build Dingy Toy Hauler Good Toy Hauler video but turn off the lame music. Inside configurations start about a minute in.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144184
01/26/21 06:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149
glens
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149 |
Heck just buy my camper for less than a new 1 ton and call it good.
Last edited by glens; 01/26/21 06:32 PM.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8144210
01/26/21 06:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149
glens
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149 |
" A well equipped LTi will generally come out to a final price in the $650,000 – $700,000 range." " The price of an EarthRoamer HD is $1,700,000 plus options" .
Last edited by glens; 01/26/21 06:38 PM.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: glens]
#8144220
01/26/21 06:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,541
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,541 |
" A well equipped LTi will generally come out to a final price in the $650,000 – $700,000 range." " The price of an EarthRoamer HD is $1,700,000 plus options" . I’d go used..... but a Grizzly is a Grizzly
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: glens]
#8144244
01/26/21 07:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780
Blue Moon
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780 |
Heck just buy my camper for less than a new 1 ton and call it good. That's a sweet looking Prevost. Going to be a bear. Be a grizzly The EarthRoamers and similar store bought offroad rigs are great if you need that much capability and don't mind spending the cash. I'm more of a DIY guy and enjoy the building process.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144247
01/26/21 07:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149
glens
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149 |
Heck just buy my camper for less than a new 1 ton and call it good. That's a sweet looking Prevost. Going to be a bear. Be a grizzly The EarthRoamers and similar store bought offroad rigs are great if you need that much capability and don't mind spending the cash. I'm more of a DIY guy and enjoy the building process. Yeah, I've owned it for 10 years and counting. . Time for something else.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144248
01/26/21 07:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 91,416 |
Do you guys have to pay property taxes on those things?
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: bill oxner]
#8144262
01/26/21 07:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149
glens
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,149 |
Do you guys have to pay property taxes on those things? No but the vehicle registration fees were a killer 10 years ago. Seems like well over $10,000 when I bought. At 40,000 lbs. Yearly Texas Tag moola is a pita also.
Last edited by glens; 01/26/21 07:24 PM.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144358
01/26/21 08:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,861
The Dude Abides
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,861 |
Van life fo sho... Bring A Trailer
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144376
01/26/21 08:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,357
Blank
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,357 |
We park our home where we want to, in a central location, and then use the UTV for running around everywhere!!
Beer and whiskey, 'cause you can't drink bacon!!
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8144389
01/26/21 09:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Hey, to each his own. Vans are the “it” things right now. Like most everything, advantages but also disadvantages. Me, I just can’t roll with a van.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#8144434
01/26/21 09:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,660
Dustnsand
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,660 |
Hey, to each his own. Vans are the “it” things right now. Like most everything, advantages but also disadvantages. Me, I just can’t roll with a van. I saw a post on reddit yesterday about people overlanding in a prius. That makes even a van look cool
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Dustnsand]
#8144448
01/26/21 09:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Hey, to each his own. Vans are the “it” things right now. Like most everything, advantages but also disadvantages. Me, I just can’t roll with a van. I saw a post on reddit yesterday about people overlanding in a prius. That makes even a van look cool As my Momma would say, “Well that’s just silly.”
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#8144492
01/26/21 10:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,997
fadetoblack64
giddyup
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giddyup
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,997 |
Get a boat...........sail or house.......and anchor out. If youre going to stay in the USA........
MAn a good place is the Fort Myers Yacht Basin...........on the Caloosahatchee river.........you can anchor out.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: The Dude Abides]
#8147157
01/28/21 08:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780
Blue Moon
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780 |
TXGUNNER308 - In my youth I started with a cheap truck and sleeping bag but after experiencing a few overnight storms and having gear stolen from the bed of the truck, I traded it for a cargo van I used as a moto-hauler for race weekends. The van wasn't nearly as cool as the truck but it was great when it was raining and I had company... For a short time after I stopped racing bikes, I had a VW camper. Loved it but it was slow, hot and really couldn't tow anything so I sold it and yes, I wish I still had it... We park our home where we want to, in a central location, and then use the UTV for running around everywhere!! Blank - Sweet view. Lot to be said for living with the freedom to roam... Get a boat...........sail or house.......and anchor out. If you’re going to stay in the USA........Man - a good place is the Fort Myers Yacht Basin...........on the Caloosahatchee river.........you can anchor out. Stealtherest64 - Agree that's a cool life - One of my business partners has a cat on the other side of the state. Makes for the ultimate office with a view...
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8147179
01/28/21 08:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,541
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,541 |
Heck just buy my camper for less than a new 1 ton and call it good. That's a sweet looking Prevost. Going to be a bear. Be a grizzly The EarthRoamers and similar store bought offroad rigs are great if you need that much capability and don't mind spending the cash. I'm more of a DIY guy and enjoy the building process. I get it, I’m an f250 guy with camper shell and a MSR reactor stove. With that said as I get older the creature comforts begin to call. I’ve looked at some of AT overland shells like the summitt, and similar style brands. I just can’t see a van being more off road worthy then a truck. Lots of base model option for camper shells like the hawk that you could also finish out.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8147304
01/28/21 10:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780
Blue Moon
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780 |
Heck just buy my camper for less than a new 1 ton and call it good. That's a sweet looking Prevost. Going to be a bear. Be a grizzly The EarthRoamers and similar store bought offroad rigs are great if you need that much capability and don't mind spending the cash. I'm more of a DIY guy and enjoy the building process. I get it, I’m an f250 guy with camper shell and a MSR reactor stove. With that said as I get older the creature comforts begin to call. I’ve looked at some of AT overland shells like the summitt, and similar style brands. I just can’t see a van being more off road worthy then a truck. Lots of base model option for camper shells like the hawk that you could also finish out. The Adventure Trailer Toppers you mentioned look awesome. Regarding off road capabilities comparing a van to a truck, it comes down to how much capability do you really need. Likewise, you have to seriously evaluated how much towing capacity you need. If you do need off road capability, the good news is you can now buy either the Sprinter and Ford Transit in 4x4 or at least AWD versions directly from the factory without having to do expensive conversions. That said, I purchased the Sprinter over the F-250 or Suburban specifically because I needed more indoor cargo space than either provided. When I evaluated my personal needs, tall interior space for hauling motorcycles and big tools cross country was more important than serious off-road capability.
On the downside, driving the cargo Sprinter compared to a truck or SUV in big city traffic is likely going to take awhile to get used to. That’s because you can only visually see forward at best 180 degrees as everything in the rear 180 degrees is a giant dark blind spot. Frankly it feels more like flying IFR because you can’t see anything coming up besides or behind you without using instruments. Thankfully the technology is really impressive. Radar sensors alert you so you know if someone is in your blind spot, plus it has lane assist, collision avoidance, blind spot assist, traffic sign assist, adaptive cruise control and 360 degree cameras, but - and this is a big but, you just might need an IRF rating or have lots of Pitts flight time to be comfortable driving one. Also, Lord help you if the technology fails… At this point until I get more accustom to it or at least until I put in a rear side window, I think I’d be inclined to call a flatbed to come get me if the tech failed. Before Red Bull made it fashionable for aerobatic pilots to fly monoplanes, I often had to explain to non-aerobatic pilots why I switched from a biplane to a monoplane. My standard answer was to explain landing a Pitts was like driving down the freeway 90 miles per hour at night with the hood open… The cargo van is a very similar experience… You can add windows but lose some of the stealth factor so it’s a trade off.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: glens]
#8147472
01/29/21 12:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,443
Poppa
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,443 |
" A well equipped LTi will generally come out to a final price in the $650,000 – $700,000 range." " The price of an EarthRoamer HD is $1,700,000 plus options" . and its still a ford, correct?
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8147479
01/29/21 12:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,443
Poppa
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,443 |
" A well equipped LTi will generally come out to a final price in the $650,000 – $700,000 range." " The price of an EarthRoamer HD is $1,700,000 plus options" . and its still a ford, correct? a short work and play trailer behind the suburban sounds good
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8147494
01/29/21 01:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
Paid my property taxes today.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Blue Moon]
#8147551
01/29/21 01:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,530
PappawRock
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,530 |
I have a Transit 3/4 ton and a Frontier pickup and I always take the van anywhere I go unless there's a need to tote something taller than the roof of the van...no comparison on comfort, roomy cabin, and ease of functioning, camping, hunt/fish/joyride + toting lengths to 12' (with some jockeying) behind lock and key (fob) in the cargo area as opposed to the pickup's bed which sucks to even climb up in if you're me or the like......it also sits up a good bit higher, handles better (to me anyways), and has a way greater view...
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: bill oxner]
#8147643
01/29/21 03:21 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,189
Bee'z
The Beedazzler
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The Beedazzler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,189 |
Paid my property taxes today. How does this apply to the OP??? I mean really, it is just PC for christ sakes.
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Bee'z]
#8147649
01/29/21 03:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,660
Dustnsand
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,660 |
Paid my property taxes today. How does this apply to the OP??? I mean really, it is just PC for christ sakes. Squirrel!
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Re: Pickup, SUV or Time For Van Life?
[Re: Poppa]
#8147714
01/29/21 04:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780
Blue Moon
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 780 |
...a short work and play trailer behind the suburban sounds good I've been doing the trailer thing with the Suburban for years. It's worked great, especially around this region. I never really had an issue until I had to start going cross country several times a year. Pulling the Airstream and still wanting to bring motorcycles and other tools and toys that I didn't want to leave in the bed of a pickup on overnight trips or exposed to the weather were the main reasons I started looking at a van. That said, I'm really glad I got one while I could. No telling how much longer the voodoo tax breaks are going to be around.
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