Vandwelling 101 - Let's Talk About Kinds Of Vans

Ever since the days of flower children and vw vans, there has been a mystical draw toward that life.

You're looking at van advertisements. There are all these terms and types of van. Your head starts spinning as you try to find your dream van.

So let's define a few of the terms for you.

Vans come in two heights (standard and high top), and in two lengths (standard and extended) and two types of fuel (gasoline and diesel)

There are 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and one ton (standard or dually).

There are passenger vans, cargo vans, conversion vans, and camper vans.

Are your eyes crossing yet? Let's take some of the mystery out of van shopping.

If you plan on towing, I'd suggest at least a 3/4 ton van. Ford e250 or Chevy g20 or Dodge 3500.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it's enough to take the mystery out of van shopping.

Half ton vans: Ford e150, Chevy g10, Dodge 2500, tows about 4000 usually.
3/4 ton van: Ford e250, Chevy g20, Dodge 3500, tows about 6000 pounds usually
1 ton van: Ford e350, good tow vehicle. Chevy g30

Passenger van: 3 sets of seats (front, middle, and usually a rear bench seat)

Cargo van: driver's seat, front passenger seat, rear space empty. May or may not come with cage behind front seats.

Conversion van: rear seat turns into a bed. I've had both Ford and Chevy conversion vans. The Chevy folds into a bigger more comfortable bed.

Camper van: has bed, stove, dinette (usually makes into a bed), sink, potty, shower, fresh water tank. Not all will have all of these, but they have at least 3 of the above list to be considered a camper van.

Prices from low to high (generally)
Passenger, cargo, extended passenger, extended cargo, conversion, high top passenger, high top cargo, camper, high top camper.

This is by no means the definitive van reference guide, but it will take a lot of the confusion away when van shopping.

Thanks to Ky for correcting me on the Chevy van sizes.

See ya on the road
Lou

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