One of the most exciting moments of a dirtbaggers life is buying their future home to live and travel in.  Most of us are too poor to be picky, but its fun to imagine the possibilities.  One of my rest day hobbies is to check out craigslist for vans for sale and then I go and test drive them.  It’s a good way to try out all the different vehicles out there and its fun, but you can’t let the owner know that you really aren’t serious.  You must bargain, point out defects and play the role as a buyer.  Once you presume the role of a buyer, its crucial to remain in character throughout the whole process.

Lets look at some van options.

1. Full size vans: Ford Econoline or Chevy Express.

You be the decider of whether you want a Chevy or a Ford, but for our purposes here, we are going to group these into one category.  Now, these are the ultimate vans to live out of.  They are big, spacious and full of possibilities.  You can convert either a cargo van or a passenger van. I like the passenger vans because I love to lollygag, looking out the windows at the beautiful scenery around me or at the people walking around.  But, be sure to buy a van with tinted windows.  You don’t want people to be able to look inside your van too easily.  Cargo vans are nice because they have better insulation and can be easier to convert since you don’t have to worry about designing around the windows.  The major drawback about this category of vans is the crappy miles per gallon.  These babies are EXPENSIVE to fill up!  I’d look for a diesel, but you still wont get that good of mileage out of the gas tank.  So, this is a good option for those who don’t plan on driving across the country multiple times, keep it regional.

2. Volkswagen Bus

The Westfalia is my favorite VW van.  They are cute, most have a pop top and come already with a kitchen and a bed. They are perfect, except for the fact they break down… all the time!  One of my bestest friend lives and travels in one.   Every time we run into each other, her van doesn’t work. For her, this isn’t a big deal, more or less.  She drives her van long distances and then parks it for long periods of time (from a month to six months at a destination).  She never has to worry about having to be the driver to the crag, and can easily accommodate visitors at the bivy site. Fixing a van is often cheaper than rent… Another perk includes, not having to spend time and money designing the van, it’s already done for you.  Which, if you are like me with limited building and designing experience, this option could be looking pretty attractive, except for the breaking down part….

3. Toyota Vans

Cute vans, kinda resembles a VW but could be considered better since they are more dependable and easier to fix. But, they are hard to come by, especially one with low mileage and aren’t very roomie.  Another friend swears by these vans.  In order to make the best of the limited space, she puts a space booster on top.  She can keep her climbing gear and clothes up there. A futon set up is a good option for these vans because you can choose to lay the bed out or have a seat, depending on the situation.

4. Toyota Previa

This was the first van I ever lived out of.  They are roomie enough to build a decent sized bed and big enough to cook inside, if you must.  They are also a blast to drive because you feel like you are in a space bubble.  The miles per gallon is better than most vans because of the size.  There are also a lot of these out in the market, so you’ll be able to find one for a decent price.  This is a great option for the solo dirtbagger.

5. Honda Odyssey

Just like all other Hondas, this van has some really awesome features to it.  The best part is the storage options.  There are two compartments in the floor of the van which can be used to save space. Once compartment is technically for the spare tire.  They are pretty roomie inside, for a minivan. This vehicle gets some of the best miles per gas.   Get the double sliding door and you’ve got a pretty spacious set up.  These vans are being made in today’s age, so you can find a dependable one at a decent price.

6. Chevy Astro Van

Now this is a rad van.  I test drove one last month and it was a joy to drive.  You are nearly the size of a full size van but it drives like a minivan.  They are big, really big.  Lots of fun options.  You can easily find a passenger van with windows and as long as you take care of the van, it should last quite awhile before retirement.  These vans also come in All Wheel Drive but have low clearance.  This can be a major downfall if you are living out west where there are a lot of bumpy and rocky dirt roads.  Gas mileage is kinda an issue also but it’s really not that bad, not as bad as a full size van.

There is no such thing as a perfect van.  You either have to choose space or gas efficiency.  You will have pretty poor clearance with all options (except for the full size van) and will be limited on where you can take your vehicle.

After discussing these options with some of my friends the other day, we concluded that a third wheel is a valid option to van life.  You can pull it with a Subaru or Jeep and when you get to your destination, unhook your home and you can go anywhere!  You wont be able to do inconspicuous bivies though.  The option of pulling into a parking lot or rest area to sleep is out.  But, you could manage this in several different ways.

Another good option is the Truck Bivy.  Its more manly than a van, higher clearance, four-wheel drive, etc.  This is good for the weekend warrior who doesn’t have to live inside the vehicle for long periods of time.  Major draw back, you can’t sit up, hang out or cook inside these.  Sure, you can get an extra tall top, but it still doesn’t measure up.