Van or Truck Camper?

[Sehc]

On 2/25/2018 at 3:57 PM, sandsys said:

Maybe it would help you decide if you read some blogs of single women pulling trailers. Here's a couple to get you started.

http://rvsueandcrew.net

http://www.interstellarorchard.com

Linda Sand

Here you go JimK. I was responding to this post. You are letting your choice of TC to be the only choice for everyone. Why don't YOU find a blog about TC camping instead of trashing me?

[Kirk W]

Hey MountainGal, it seems we have just about beaten this one to death! Hope we don't turn you off with our bickering but everyone does mean well. Please do join in with any questions or comments you may have as we can usually help. We do sometimes seem to believe that the RV that we like best should be best for everyone but don't let that deter you from becoming an active part of the forums. Start as many new threads as suits you and we will do our best to help!    

[JimK]

It seems my post was not clear.  I did not intend to push a TC as a better choice than a van.  Typically a TC would be bigger and more comfortable.  Much of that will mean little for the OP since she plans to travel alone.  A van is going to get better mileage, cost much less and can go places that would be difficult for a heavy TC. 

When making a decision I would look at self sufficiency....water and solar.  For me a decent toilet and shower are also important.  That could be entirely different for someone else.

[sandsys]

20 hours ago, Yarome said:

Facts are... most conversion van's won't have 60gal's worth of holding tanks. Most conversions also won't have showers or flush toilets. A wet shower isn't entirely uncommon, but a flusher is going to be rare.

Wrong again. Facts are: the most popular conversion van is a RoadTrek. And the two most popular RoadTreks both have showers and flush toilets. And both have combined tanks of at least 60 gallons.

http://www.roadtrek.com/models/210-popular/

http://www.roadtrek.com/models/190-popular/

Linda Sand

[sandsys]

21 hours ago, Yarome said:

I'm fairly tall so being able to stand upright and walk about the cabin without having to contort myself is important to me. 

My husband is 6'2" tall and he could walk upright in my Sprinter-based van. I'll admit, though, that his hair would move when he walked under the air conditioner. I doubt, however, that the OP is that tall since few women are. Even our daughter is only 6' tall.

Linda

[sandsys]

I'm trying to stop bickering but when statements are presented as facts when I know otherwise I hate for a newbie to go away thinking they are true. How can she make an informed decision as to what is best for HER with "facts" that are wrong?

Linda Sand

[Darryl&Rita]

Thanks, Linda.

[Yarome]

2 hours ago, sandsys said:

I'm trying to stop bickering but when statements are presented as facts when I know otherwise

Showing only "upper end" van conversions doesn't really make the case in general terms. I never said there weren't any with larger tanks or wet showers. I fact... I said, "Not that there are van's that don't".

That's kind of like saying Class A's all cost more than 1/2mil... because mine did and so do the most popular class A's.

Or TC's can't be on/off loaded at will... because I know a guy that has one and he can't do it without professional help.

There is also a big difference, for us taller folks, between being able to walk the "majority" of the center line of the vehicle upright and being free to move anywhere about the cabin with no fear of banging our noodles. Or wearing a hat and have it drag the ceiling. I didn't say it applied to the OP or to anyone else. It was an example of some of the things I personally considered when making "my" choice for full-time solo travel.

I was very clear that my factors of consideration may not be the same as others... including the OP. The point being made was that focusing on only 1 or 2 issues, that in the end run, may not be as "critical" as first though in light of other considerations that might mean the difference between the RV experience being something you learn to bear rather than truly enjoy.

It seems you are highly defensive of your choice for a van converstion and offended if others feel a different type of a rig is better suited... for them. No one is telling you your choice was wrong or that what some may consider bigger "pros" in a different type of rig somehow make your choice any less valid... for "you".

Exceptions to the rule exist, but exceptions don't "bust" all rules. To be truly unbias... go to an RV lot with both new and used. Count how many van conversions have wet showers and/or flushers. Count how many have 60gal tank capacities... then we'll talk. 

[taylor90]

Truck camper. Hear me now, believe me later.. if you wanna get out into the backwoods, a 4x4 truck camper is the way to go. Sure, you can get some 4x4 (most likely AWD) vans, but they're generally NOT made to handle rough terrain, unless it's a specialty unit. Also, the truck camper will generally give you more room/storage capacity. Get at least a 3/4 ton truck, else you might end up a sorry puppy. 
 When it comes to fuel economy, my 1990 F-250 (upgraded to, essentially, an F-350) w. a 302 5spd gets around 20 mpg unladen. My heavyass wind pushin' camper drops that down to 12-14 mpg.Not bad considering all the stuff I'm carrying. ..Willy.