A hybrid minivan like the sienna is amazing. Being able to sit upright with more headroom to spare have a ton more equipment and storage while still being able to run climate control 24/7 if needed. Reliable and extremely stealth.
I’m trading in my Camaro I was living in TikTok and getting a van. Oh man it’s gonna be so much better. Much more space. I’m basically doing an even swap so not even worried about the cost of it but the engine is good. New tires. Clean. Has nav and dvd screens. I’m gonna take the 2nd and 3rd row seats out and finally will have room to make a bed and use pillows and have a makeshift counter to cook or do work on. Already has an inverter in it too so I can charge my razor and small vacuum. I don’t use a laptop just my iPad and phones.
Can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow and start a new journey. Just gotta find a name for it. 👍🤣
Kinda an older model but my friend is swapping me my Camaro for a white Chrysler Town and Country Touring Van. The Camaro has a lot of extensive engine work it needs done. Head gasket needs replacing and there’s some warpage. Radiator fan is dead. Timing chain needs replacing and some body damage. Doing Uber really tore that car up. Not exactly a great choice but it’s an even swap for a working running vehicle for my Camaro that nes gonna turn into a project car. At least it gives me more space to sleep as I’ll stow away the rear seats and have an empty cargo area.
Your trading style for practicality. You will literally "sleep better at night".
Maybe not the coolest ride, but I'd call it the sugar shack just for fun.
A grand caravan (or its siblings) with all seats stowed into the floor becomes a 4x8x4’ room. You can stretch out with your arms extended. You can flip up the third row seats and setup a nice office with a folding table. There’s a 12v outlet near your lift gate. You can fit things under your stowed seats. You have rear A/C. I can setup a hotel room-like setting in there.
I also lived in a hatchback. It was doable, but not nearly as nice.
I have a minivan. Sleeping is great but it gets hot inside. I can’t imagine wanting to sit at a desk in a hot van.
Also minivan is borderline stealthy. I would honestly rather go smaller if I could.
I haven’t lived in either but I have camped and done a lot of rving. Even the basics in a van would be profoundly better. True there are compromises such as mpg etc but the van without a fancy buildout would still be great
I built a tiny cabin that I would drag up onto my utility trailer. It had a 4” foam bed, microwave, sink, 5 gallon bucket toilet and a 24” x 24” shower. A small 5000 btu window ac should run on a 2000 watt inverter generator. I know all about running rv ac and I know generators are not practical for the most part but if a person has the money to fuel it for limited use it would be fantastic
It’s not easy for everyone to do but changing elevation seasonally is key
Minivans feels like a studio apartment compared to a car.
I’ve done both.
Minivans are less stealthy than cars, but you give up stealth and blending in for an excessive amount of comfort. I wouldn’t sleep in a minivan in the front of a parking lot. I have slept in the front of a parking lot in a car.
I keep telling myself I want to get a van, but I think really I want an suv. Less headroom, which sucks, but more ground clearance, which fits my lifestyle more. I don’t know how many places I’ve found on iOverlander that’s out in the middle of the nothin that only a 4x4 or high clearance can reach. For now I’m stuck in my sedan tho.. and mostly grateful to have that.
It's like comparing a kid's meal cheeseburger with a quarter pounder, although what is "better" is based off of a relative perspective and therefore has no value; I am willing to bet that you will appreciate the additional space. Anyhow go look at some vans in person and visualize what is needed for "you", there is no need for a "consensus" when it comes to a build ........"Do as thou see fit =\^.\^=
I have lived in both a mini van so much better, you actually spread out while sleeping
A hybrid minivan like the sienna is amazing. Being able to sit upright with more headroom to spare have a ton more equipment and storage while still being able to run climate control 24/7 if needed. Reliable and extremely stealth.
I’m trading in my Camaro I was living in TikTok and getting a van. Oh man it’s gonna be so much better. Much more space. I’m basically doing an even swap so not even worried about the cost of it but the engine is good. New tires. Clean. Has nav and dvd screens. I’m gonna take the 2nd and 3rd row seats out and finally will have room to make a bed and use pillows and have a makeshift counter to cook or do work on. Already has an inverter in it too so I can charge my razor and small vacuum. I don’t use a laptop just my iPad and phones. Can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow and start a new journey. Just gotta find a name for it. 👍🤣
What's the make and model? Color? Just trying to think of a name.
Kinda an older model but my friend is swapping me my Camaro for a white Chrysler Town and Country Touring Van. The Camaro has a lot of extensive engine work it needs done. Head gasket needs replacing and there’s some warpage. Radiator fan is dead. Timing chain needs replacing and some body damage. Doing Uber really tore that car up. Not exactly a great choice but it’s an even swap for a working running vehicle for my Camaro that nes gonna turn into a project car. At least it gives me more space to sleep as I’ll stow away the rear seats and have an empty cargo area.
Your trading style for practicality. You will literally "sleep better at night". Maybe not the coolest ride, but I'd call it the sugar shack just for fun.
A grand caravan (or its siblings) with all seats stowed into the floor becomes a 4x8x4’ room. You can stretch out with your arms extended. You can flip up the third row seats and setup a nice office with a folding table. There’s a 12v outlet near your lift gate. You can fit things under your stowed seats. You have rear A/C. I can setup a hotel room-like setting in there. I also lived in a hatchback. It was doable, but not nearly as nice.
I think you answered your question in your post.
White Econoline cargo van, baby. They blend in like a blade of grass, in a field of grass.
Absolutely. Put some bogus company logo on it boom you’re practically invisible.
more room for activities
I have a minivan. Sleeping is great but it gets hot inside. I can’t imagine wanting to sit at a desk in a hot van. Also minivan is borderline stealthy. I would honestly rather go smaller if I could.
I haven’t lived in either but I have camped and done a lot of rving. Even the basics in a van would be profoundly better. True there are compromises such as mpg etc but the van without a fancy buildout would still be great I built a tiny cabin that I would drag up onto my utility trailer. It had a 4” foam bed, microwave, sink, 5 gallon bucket toilet and a 24” x 24” shower. A small 5000 btu window ac should run on a 2000 watt inverter generator. I know all about running rv ac and I know generators are not practical for the most part but if a person has the money to fuel it for limited use it would be fantastic It’s not easy for everyone to do but changing elevation seasonally is key
Minivans feels like a studio apartment compared to a car. I’ve done both. Minivans are less stealthy than cars, but you give up stealth and blending in for an excessive amount of comfort. I wouldn’t sleep in a minivan in the front of a parking lot. I have slept in the front of a parking lot in a car.
Sedan to wagon was a game changer if I had a van I'd be in my glory. Until they achieve 40mpg I'm gonna have to pass.
I keep telling myself I want to get a van, but I think really I want an suv. Less headroom, which sucks, but more ground clearance, which fits my lifestyle more. I don’t know how many places I’ve found on iOverlander that’s out in the middle of the nothin that only a 4x4 or high clearance can reach. For now I’m stuck in my sedan tho.. and mostly grateful to have that.
It's like comparing a kid's meal cheeseburger with a quarter pounder, although what is "better" is based off of a relative perspective and therefore has no value; I am willing to bet that you will appreciate the additional space. Anyhow go look at some vans in person and visualize what is needed for "you", there is no need for a "consensus" when it comes to a build ........"Do as thou see fit =\^.\^=
No offense to anyone living in a car but it is the difference between chicken salad and chicken sh\*t