Small Vans for Long Distance to the Mtn?

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Newb

Now this might sound odd, but here it goes. I live in the Texas Panhandle, it's ~5 hours to Wolf Creek Co. Last season I got 10 days in which is just enough to justify a season pass. I'm still in HS, and I can take most Fridays off for a weekend skiing. Since I can't get lodging up at Wolf, would a good option be to get a city van like a Transit Connect with AWD and 30mpg to convert to a place to sleep in the overnight lot? Obviously gas mileage is a large factor for something like this as an 800 mile round trip at 12 mpg wouldn't make much sense financially. I've been running a lawn business over the summer, and I have around 5k to spend on the wintertime if I want to. I can get into one of these vans for around $2000-2500 plus a little work on my part.

Sep 7 2023 11:48PM

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No-Skill-Phil

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Wannabe

I drove a VW caddy (2wd) every weekend + some extra missions for two seasons in Australia. 5 hour drive to the hill one way, two people sleeping in the van, no problems. 2l turbo diesel with a manual box.

**This post was edited on Sep 8th 2023 at 1:14:59am

Sep 8 2023 1:14AM

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disappointmett

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I have a GMC safari that i've thrown a bed and propane heater and I survive in the -30s we see here in Alberta

Sep 8 2023 1:38PM

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Wrist

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Wannabe

Why Wolf Creek? I feel like the NM ski areas gotta be closer.

Sep 8 2023 3:34PM

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teamdummy

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Insane

Transit connects aren’t awd. Or 2500 bucks. Your plan has merit. But it’s a tough go, sleeping in the car. In the mountains, in winter can be brutal cold. Overnight parking in a ski town is tricky as well. It’s not impossible though if you’re a resourceful , independent type of person. There’s lots of info out there about car camping, how to be stealth, how to stay warm etc. Dig into all that before you spend any money or make big plans.

Sep 8 2023 3:48PM

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verynormalguy

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Ridiculous

Pretty much any full size van you get for cheap is going to get trash fuel economy. It might not be exactly what you want, and definitely isn’t “cool”, but it sounds like a mini van would serve you well. There are several options that would get you 20+ MPG and FWD for decently cheap. Put on a good set of snow tires and install one of those Chinese diesel heaters and you got yourself a solid rig for getting to the mountain safely and not freezing to death in Colorado winter

Sep 8 2023 5:22PM

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SupremeChairlift

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verynormalguyPretty much any full size van you get for cheap is going to get trash fuel economy. It might not be exactly what you want, and definitely isn’t “cool”, but it sounds like a mini van would serve you well. There are several options that would get you 20+ MPG and FWD for decently cheap. Put on a good set of snow tires and install one of those Chinese diesel heaters and you got yourself a solid rig for getting to the mountain safely and not freezing to death in Colorado winter

Get yourself an AWD Toyota Sienna with some winter tires, you can even get a lift kit for it lol

Sep 8 2023 6:12PM

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seanahue.

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former owner of an awd astro, 4x4 e350, and previa alltrac (x2) here.

pretty much anything american is gonna kill you at the pump, unless its a newer hybrid or diesel - which, doesn't sound as though its in the budget either.

if you're looking for fuel economy, would look for an older mazda mpv, or any of the awd toyota minivans - partial to previa alltrac because of mid-engine, legendary durability, but they’re also tough to fix / find parts in a pinch. awd siennas fuck hard in the snow too, and are generally easier to work on.

wouldn't call any of these "good" fuel economy, but japanese will likely be the best you can find on a budget, with all four wheels for traction.

@rig.spect and @smalltruckcampers on IG are great follows for the similar minded - get a 0 degree bag from army surplus, sleep in layers (heaters are scary imo), don't EVER fall asleep while idling, and have fun :)

Sep 8 2023 6:16PM

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verynormalguy

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Didn’t realize you could get the previa in AWD. How are those in the snow?

seanahue.former owner of an awd astro, 4x4 e350, and previa alltrac (x2) here.

pretty much anything american is gonna kill you at the pump, unless its a newer hybrid or diesel - which, doesn't sound as though its in the budget either.

if you're looking for fuel economy, would look for an older mazda mpv, or any of the awd toyota minivans - partial to previa alltrac because of mid-engine, legendary durability, but they’re also tough to fix / find parts in a pinch. awd siennas fuck hard in the snow too, and are generally easier to work on.

wouldn't call any of these "good" fuel economy, but japanese will likely be the best you can find on a budget, with all four wheels for traction.

@rig.spect and @smalltruckcampers on IG are great follows for the similar minded - get a 0 degree bag from army surplus, sleep in layers (heaters are scary imo), don't EVER fall asleep while idling, and have fun :)

Sep 8 2023 7:05PM

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thewayshego3s

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I converted a 2010 Ford e 350 and have been using it as my daily driver/whip to get to the mountain (Mt. Hood). It's two-wheel drive but it does well in the elements with snow tires and some weight in the back. It's not the most fuel-efficient rig but it's definitely on the cheaper side. Mad props commuting across state lines to go skiing. Hope you get out of Texas when you can to a place that is closer to the mountains.

Sep 8 2023 7:05PM

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seanahue.

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verynormalguyDidn’t realize you could get the previa in AWD. How are those in the snow?

weight distribution of mid-engine between axels + snow tires is best possible traction setup for paved winter roads imo.

tradeoff is that parts are hard / sometimes impossible to find, and to access engine, you need to remove front seat, have access to a lift, or both.

i think delicas are also mid vans too? can’t confirm engine setup, but been seeing lots of import right handers being offloaded recently, since they pass as a vintage for less import tax.

Sep 8 2023 7:35PM

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Static

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Crazy Fool

there is no reason to get a van for just a few nights of solo car sleeping; you can sleep in an suv, wagon, hatchback, even some sedans will work. either way, a $2k vehicle is gonna be a piece of shit.

Sep 9 2023 12:22AM

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LKW-Muttern

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