Which Van to Buy–PART 2

Which Van to Buy–PART 2

In today’s video, we look at which DIY rig would work best for you. We consider the Dodge, Sprinter, Transit and Ram Promaster vans. We also consider the merits of mini-vans, and Transit Connect. Finally, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a 4×4 pickup with a camper or pop-up camper.
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50 Comments

  1. Frank Yeetermann on August 14, 2022 at 3:18 am

    I’m not sure about the big Promasters, but the little Promaster City burns oil when it’s new!

  2. starmaster191 on August 14, 2022 at 3:19 am

    Still come back to watch these to soak in the information.
    Yesterday we drove an hour and half to look at a 2017 gmc savana 2500 with the 4.8 (last year they put the 4.8 in these vans) at a dealer, it was an Arizona rental when new. Doesn’t have a factory backup camera or too hitch (but has tow button, weird) other than that despite those things (back up cameras became required by law in 2018) the windshield may need to be replaced and there was some bumper damage on the left rear bumper and front bumper (right) . I was gonna say, pass on it and wait/look for something better, but after thinking about it, may not be such a bad deal. 29k miles..

  3. Yodaismycopilot on August 14, 2022 at 3:19 am

    At 1:04 while discussing the V10 you mention that the spark plug issue is there from 1999 to 2008. Does this mean we can buy a Ford from 2009 or newer? There’s a used E3500 available locally that’s a 2009. Thanks!

  4. Ed Hollingsworth on August 14, 2022 at 3:20 am

    God bless you for a concise and honest report.

  5. Michael Ross on August 14, 2022 at 3:22 am

    love this guy, the passion and caring.

  6. Ron B. on August 14, 2022 at 3:28 am

    Some interesting ,important tid bits. Chevy rear doors aren’t tall enuf to load dirt bikes—even with a high top. Neither are Ford’s. Newer vans don’t have a removable engine cover inside the van to make the engine easier to work on. Can you stand up in a 16” bubble top? I can;t. The 24" bubble tops are WAY ugly and less aerodynamic meaning worse gas mileage than a 16" bubble top. You can’t go thru most drive thru burger joints with many high tops. Any mechanic will tell you that a Chevy engine is easier and cheaper to work on than Ford’s. The LS chev engine and the older small blocks are great and can be worked on by most any shop. If you break down on the road good luck getting a Sprinter repaired. And they will stick it to you if they’ll even work on it! The Ford Twin I beam front suspension drives terribly in my opinion—you gotta pay attention or you’ll wander out of your lane. Chev has way better handling due to proper double A-arm suspension .I prefer barn side doors on vans cuz you can pull over on the highway and take a leak .The doors block the view of passing motorists. These doors make possible clothes changes out of the sight of others in the corners of parking lots, etc. Just some things to think about…

    "

  7. A Mechealle on August 14, 2022 at 3:28 am

    For the mini vans, what about a Toyota Sienna?

  8. Q on August 14, 2022 at 3:28 am

    Do you, or anyone in the comments, have any thoughts about the Nissan vans?

  9. Stephen Diamond on August 14, 2022 at 3:29 am

    I don’t blame you fiat when they bought Dodge a lot of people are questioning the ability to get parts is almost impossible

  10. John Taylor on August 14, 2022 at 3:30 am

    what I have seen with full size vans ford of chevy is at around 150,000miles their front suspension will need rebuilding. The rubber bushings and ball joints will be worn out and you will not be able to get it and keep its front end aligned.

  11. TheSailingwoodworker on August 14, 2022 at 3:31 am

    I would like to comment on the Ford van scare after watching both videos. The 2 valve per cylinder engines spark plug blow out thing has its easy(ish) repairs and they don’t cost that much to repair. If they are are not blown out then they can be replaced and be over torqued. Ford recommends 13 ft lbs and they should be 22-25 and they won’t blow out. If one is blown out then there are ways to repair the threads without pulling the cylinder heads. The Chevy/GMC engines are much older technology and therefore simpler. I still agree that the Chevys are probably a better choice but not with the amount of passion that this guy has against the 2V Ford modular motors. Both brands have their different issues and are closer than you think in reliability. I have a 2004 E250 4.6 2V and ever so slightly wished I bought a Chevy.

  12. John Hevey on August 14, 2022 at 3:31 am

    Good info. Thanks Bob.

  13. pete Milec milec on August 14, 2022 at 3:31 am

    You mentioned caravan as an option..in case of considering a minivan the Astro or safari are much greater idea.

  14. justme on August 14, 2022 at 3:31 am

    This video really is a help. I appreciate your honesty along with details of which van to choose when I can.

  15. LISTEN on August 14, 2022 at 3:34 am

    I bought a 1987 dodge b350 for 600 96,xxx I love it but need a 4×4

  16. Mike Fester on August 14, 2022 at 3:35 am

    Can you do a review on the Ford Transit. Thx

  17. Michael Chiesa on August 14, 2022 at 3:36 am

    Interesting advice thanks Bob… Noticed you didn’t mention any Toyota options, though what’s available in the USA compared to here in Australia could be the reason… The Toyota campervan/motorhome has a very good reputation for reliability here and are available in 2 and 4 wheel drive, petrol and diesel options… I’m currently going "stir crazy" waiting for my recently purchased second hand Mazda Bravo motorhome, to be sorted/roadworthy certified by the professional campervan/motorhome pimps I bought it from… Then time to hit the road and reaquaint myself with my home state of Queensland… Happy safe travels people…

  18. Taz Mac on August 14, 2022 at 3:36 am

    So what do you think of the 15 passenger chevy or gmc vans

  19. Igor Brazuschi on August 14, 2022 at 3:37 am

    Hi Bob , I will to do delivery like Amazon wich one is better on gas Savana or Transit ??

  20. Nikki Page on August 14, 2022 at 3:38 am

    I have taken your recent video advice and am going through all your free information videos rather than paying for the course. Even though I have watched all the older women in cars Van’s and RV’s, I am still unsure what I will do. I have a 2018 toyota corolla IM. I have extended warranties. But I doubt I would be content living in it. I like the idea of mobility, gas mileage, stealth and affordability. I will only have 800 a month when my husband passes. I’m not sure when that will be. He has been sick four and a half years. I know that I need to keep.it simple and affordable. If anyone sees this I’d appreciate any feedback. I am 62 and female. Arthritis and fibromyalgia. Im really weirded out by solar. Researched it a lot. Not sure what to get. Also, worried about being too hot. I need 72 degrees to sleep, low humidity. Not sure if I should stay in east or go west. Thanks. Happy trails!

  21. Malou Salas on August 14, 2022 at 3:40 am

    This is the most honest review on vans!!! Thank you very much!!!

  22. Pappy56 on August 14, 2022 at 3:44 am

    You didn’t mention a VW bus at all.

  23. Jenny Montague on August 14, 2022 at 3:45 am

    Wonder why Toyota doesn’t build a van. Their trucks have been so reliable. I’ve owned 3 of them, my all time favorite a 2003 Tundra 4.7 V8 with a 6′ bed. That was a good engine; they don’t build that one anymore. : (

  24. Tai x on August 14, 2022 at 3:45 am

    Fix It Again Tony

  25. Deborah on August 14, 2022 at 3:45 am

    Hello, I appreciate your honesty. How about a 2000 Dodge Caravan? I’m going to look at one next week 10/2000. It is under 3000. It got good ratings. Anything to look for? I appreciate your response. I will have a mechanic look at it, but I’m just at the intial shopping point now

  26. Pappy56 on August 14, 2022 at 3:47 am

    So what is your opinion of a 2000 GMC Savannah Santa Fe Conversion. Just to begin on part time trips for now to get started

  27. Troy Chenier on August 14, 2022 at 3:51 am

    Great info! thanks.

  28. Mary Macfarlane on August 14, 2022 at 3:52 am

    GREAT information. TY

  29. Gerald4Nomads, I’m Nomadic on August 14, 2022 at 3:56 am

    What’s your opinion on the Nissan NV 3500 ?

  30. Keith Jordan on August 14, 2022 at 3:57 am

    2008 thru 2012 fords tested. Bought 2010 Chevy 2500. 4.8l v8.

  31. Kash Fike on August 14, 2022 at 3:58 am

    I have a 2006 F-250 with a 5.4 and it’s the most reliable vehicle I’ve owned and it’s run through anything

  32. Billy Graham on August 14, 2022 at 3:58 am

    What about vans that go over 200K miles? Is that a good thing to buy? Or are you just buying problems coming up soon?

  33. Andrew Towle on August 14, 2022 at 3:58 am

    Why does the ground clearance matter? Could you explain? Thanks 🙂

  34. G S on August 14, 2022 at 3:59 am

    Thank you so much for laying out this path to the many many people who are so interested. I’d like to learn more about ground clearance and why it’s important and maybe you’ve covered in other videos. I would guess because it allows you to traverse rough unpaved and uneven road?

  35. Stephen Boyd on August 14, 2022 at 3:59 am

    I’m looking at 2 express vans. A 2500 and 3500. Will I lose anything getting one or the other if I don’t need to tow anything? Thanks for your content!

  36. Williams on August 14, 2022 at 4:00 am

    You are wrong and you didn’t even said anything about the 4.2 v6 ford I have had all gm and ford’s, and toyota are a very reliable and dependable vehicle.

  37. Gina Morse on August 14, 2022 at 4:04 am

    How about a pontiac montana 2005

  38. Rita Garand on August 14, 2022 at 4:05 am

    Thx for the video.
    So you still can’t recommend the high top Ford Transit or the high top Dodge Promaster? I want a van I can stand up in. Do you still recommend putting a high top on a Chevy over a premade high top?

  39. Jedadiah Smith on August 14, 2022 at 4:05 am

    Do an updated video please on the ford transit and promaster.

  40. Rand Zopyr on August 14, 2022 at 4:05 am

    Way late, but Dodge Chrysler continues to have the same issues in their minivans that they’ve had for around two decades. They’re fine little family cars for toting kids around for a half-dozen years with ok miles, but the minute they get out of warranty they continue to break, transmission, suspension, and electrical issues.

  41. Off Road Astro & Other Vans. on August 14, 2022 at 4:06 am

    What about 99 chevy express with the 5.7

  42. Dominic O'Flaherty on August 14, 2022 at 4:07 am

    This gentleman is totally trustworthy. It’s refreshing to listen to his real life experiences.

  43. Vladimir Oboukhov on August 14, 2022 at 4:07 am

    When’s the next meetup?!

  44. Drivin Fool on August 14, 2022 at 4:08 am

    Love you Bob!

  45. Josh Gilstrap on August 14, 2022 at 4:11 am

    Chevy LS motor can’t be beat. I bought a used 2000 Chevy Express 3500 extended van in 2011. It had 165,000 miles on it and the owner had put new radiator, plugs, and wires and I paid 4700. I used it for a hauling business and drove it all over the U.S. and Canada. Best vehicle I ever had it rode smooth, most comfortable seats, and very reliable. I took it to 266,000 miles before getting rid of it because I didn’t need anymore. Would love to have another one

  46. kevin stonerock on August 14, 2022 at 4:11 am

    While I agree with you about the ford 5.4 L , I’d ask you to look at the 4.6 L vans. The engine also came in the explorer and the grand Marquis and there are many evaluations that report getting an engine life around 450k. The only reason I personally might get less than that is because I had to do DoorDash leading up to early retirement. When you are forced to deliver in busy markets I found I had to constantly do hard acceleration to merge with traffic. This shortened the valve train life so barring this type of use I think I could have gotten the same longevity. I agree with you about the engines with 3 valve per cylinder. I’ll go so far as to say avoid any gasoline engine with turbochargers.
    Once I get a Jeep commander paid off I’m looking to sell it off and find a van I can begin to live in. I had hoped to have the Jeep last longer but the 3.7 and 3.8L engines which were shared with the caravans were one of the worst designs in production from Chrysler/dodge. As a result I got a used grand Marquis and I get better gas mileage than the caravans and the Jeep as long as I’m not dashing. I’m trying to avoid any DoorDash if possible. I’m hoping by fall to be living out of a van if all goes well. Love your information about all the facets of remote rv living.

  47. Harold Cale on August 14, 2022 at 4:12 am

    high top or regular van ? v6

  48. Campervan Mark Motorway Runner on August 14, 2022 at 4:14 am

    I love my 1984 chevy 350 conversion ( PICTURED) I call it ORWELL ! UGGH

  49. Frank Yeetermann on August 14, 2022 at 4:16 am

    The thing about those Chevy and GMC vans is that they haven’t been redesigned in 25 years(some minor additions here and there however). But it’s also a positive, since they would be a lot easier to work on.

  50. Steven Schmidt on August 14, 2022 at 4:17 am

    I’ve got an 87 Dodge B250 and as soon as I got it the steering was wandering just like you said. I replaced the center link bar in the steering and it took care of some of the looseness. In the steering gear there is an adjustment bolt/nut that can be tightened up to take some of the play out of the steering box and that fixed the rest of the wander.

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