Crazy-talk! Thinking about buying a cargo van.

I mountain bike a lot.  I bring my bike into hotel rooms etc.  now, I kayak fish. Somehow, my crazy wife thinks a cargo van is the ticket.  Home Depot runs will never be the same.

I can pull up to,....say Clearlake, go to sleep wake up at dawn and go fishing.  Sleep in the van.

I also bow hunt and hunt-hunt.  Birds, big game, etc.  it wouldn’t suck.

I have a loyal 4x4 Toyota Tacoma I adore.  I’d keep it.

Any van pilots here? 

I wish my wife was that crazy minded.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=14071.0

Dang Spiff...I went through the whole thread looking at history of yakportation...some OG's there...hats off to Mooch and saw a quote from Antonio.  Tough stuff and good stuff...see ya' when it's time...

Hell yeah! I got a 2007 Ford E350 superduty and I built it out for camping. The way I designed it I can fit my 13 ft prowler into the center and when I want to camp I pull the kayak out, insert a board and I have a bed. I can take pictures tomorrow if you’re interested.

Great engine with plenty of power and I take it all over.

I wish my wife was that crazy minded.

You just want a creeper van bro. Admit it. lol

I wish my wife was that crazy minded.

You just want a creeper van bro. Admit it. lol

This'll do

Hell yeah! I got a 2007 Ford E350 superduty and I built it out for camping. The way I designed it I can fit my 13 ft prowler into the center and when I want to camp I pull the kayak out, insert a board and I have a bed. I can take pictures tomorrow if you’re interested.

Great engine with plenty of power and I take it all over.

Sounds interesting. Please post some pics. Thanks

Everyone needs a beater full size cargo "work" van, or needs to know someone that has one.

I'm a carpenter, but these days what can you leave in the back of a pickup and not sweat blood about it being stolen every second its not watched, so I have a big van.   Van is of course also weather proof and you know "all the little parts are still there, in the van".

Used to have an old '68 Dodge with popup camper roof.  Rarely if ever popped the top. 

What I did do was install a longitudinal Murphy Bed of plywood and 2x3 rim along the left (driver's) side with folding support out of 1.5" PVC.   It was XL Twin and just high enough off floor to allow to folded mostly flat against wall if desired.  Worked great.  Nice big bed off the floor but folds out of way to allow van to haul big or even dirty objects like dirt bikes.  Could also tie just mattress up against wall and have two tier loading or work table.

I mostly like long boats so not going to be carrying boats inside the van, and need ladder to carry on roof.

Even fairly new used full size vans will have sturdy rain gutters which allow easy positioning of good strong old school Thule etc rack towers, or use of extra sets of towers on same roof.

I very much prefer Window Vans over "cargo" for daylight, less blind-spots, etc.  However, most Window(ex-passenger) vans will have Seat Rails on the floor that are real PIA to remove and don't give up without a fight.

Even big full size USA van will be PIA to work on motor, but not too bad compared to most newer cars.

Best feature of big van is can be your own personal curb-side storage unit on the street!    Its like an auxiliary garage.  You can "put it in the garage" straight from regular car before opening any house doors.  If you got a Big Van (or two ) that can be "the garage" and turn your house garage into more house.

Having GTO Big Work Van is #1 Prepper item IMO.  Will save you money and effort in million and one ways.  See a screaming deal on nice couch or motorcycle.  Grab it with the van and no sweat if you need to leave it "on ice" in the van for few weeks or transport few hundred miles later.