Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > General Efficiency Discussion
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-07-2020, 04:49 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 36
Thanks: 1
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Any 30 mpg vans you can recommend for camping?

Hello all,

I'm looking to put together a van that can be used for 1-2 people and used for camping. I'd really would like to put something together myself. So it would be gutted more than likely.

My main requirement is that it can get 30 mpg going ~65 mph. I don't need anything new and shiny. Just something dependable that has been taken care of.

Have a budget of 5-6k for the van itself.

Some advice on what to shoot for would be greatly appreciated. If any threads or groups I could "feed" off of would be great too.

Thanks,


Last edited by User1; 11-07-2020 at 10:45 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 11-07-2020, 05:10 PM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,561
Thanks: 7,736
Thanked 8,554 Times in 7,041 Posts


23-window Type II. You'd never regret it. My panel van with 1600cc boxer with dual Solex 40 carbs and an extractor exhaust got 30mpg (at 55mph during break-in. Never went that slow again). Substitute a TDI four and you'd see ~40mpg.



Plan B: a Westfalia Vanagon.
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2020, 07:58 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 2,652

Dark Egg - '12 VW Touraeg
Thanks: 300
Thanked 1,176 Times in 806 Posts
The 2011 up Dodge and Chrysler would be close (30 mpg at 55, but probably more like 28 at 65), and there are already stripped cargo version under the Ram name. The 2011 up Honda with the 6 speed (only on Touring and above or standard as of 2014), would probably hit 30 mpg at 65, but it will set you back and then require gutting a nice interiored van. The 3.0 diesel vans will do pretty good but I bet wouldn't hit that 30 going that fast, especially if you also then spring for a high roof.

I think the 2011 up Grand Caravan C/V is you best bet. They sold those as cheap as $17,000 new, maybe less to big fleets like the Post Office.

Here is one with a rare factory tow package asking $5k. The tow package would be nice because you could also build an aerodynamic kitchen/extra gear trailer and just use the van for sleeping.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2020, 10:57 PM   #4 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 36
Thanks: 1
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
@freebeard, yeah I'm passing on the VW route. I did do it a few years back. Got a '71 Westfalia with the German floor plan. It had a bench seat, 2 way frig, and could sleep 4 adults and two kids. The kids spot was over the front instrument council. I even had the tent that was a VW part. In great shape and man do I wish I had it today!

Oh yeah, I never got anything better than 20 mpg, with a 1600 dual port and a header installed.

@Hersbird, I'm a bit suspect that Dodge could get 30 mpg in their vans, regardless of the year. I never heard that there's diesel powered vans in the US, but I would like to learn about them.

I forgot to put up my budget, but I'm working with about 5-6k. Also I was kinda leaning towards a Toyota or Honda van. Pretty much something that had the interior worked over but mileage ain't bad and maintenance was done.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2020, 11:58 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Stubby79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,747

Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

Little Boy Blue - '05 Toyota Echo
90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 576 Times in 426 Posts
Honda Odyssey rated at whopping 28mpg on the highway.

My wife's SUV has the same 3.5l engine/trans in it...and gets worse gas mileage, despite being lighter. Would have expected both to do better, since the engine is only running at 1800rpm at 60mph. The trans is the only weak point. Well, that and the typical Honda interference engine/timing belt.

Don't know squat about newer ones. Toyota does a PHEV van, but they're newish and wont be had for 5-6k.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 12:03 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,561
Thanks: 7,736
Thanked 8,554 Times in 7,041 Posts
Quote:
I even had the tent that was a VW part. In great shape and man do I wish I had it today!

Oh yeah, I never got anything better than 20 mpg, with a 1600 dual port and a header installed.
So.... You know whereof I speak.

I'd suggested a TDI (instead of Subaru) transplant for better mileage, but frankly today an EV conversion with a full-length roof rack full of solar panel would be best.


Quote:
...I'm working with about 5-6k
Never mind.
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 04:25 AM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
GreenTDI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Belgium
Posts: 228

GreenTDI - '11 Skoda Fabia Estate R3 1.2 CRTDI
TEAM VW AUDI Group
Diesel
90 day: 65.02 mpg (US)
Thanks: 54
Thanked 93 Times in 69 Posts
When I was a kid my dad had a great van/8seater that was getting 30 - 35 MPG all the time, and where the two rear seats could easily be folded into a double bed. It was a Nissan Serena C23 diesel, Japanese design, incredible slow but extremely reliable and versatile. They were sold in Asia, Europe and Australia, but never in the US I think. It's a shame because it would do well in the eco-modding community ... If import wasn't that difficult you would have something special over there!

__________________
Skoda Fabia Estate R3 1.2 CRTDI
See my thread: https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...mpg-38318.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 05:13 AM   #8 (permalink)
マット
 
M_a_t_t's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 718

The Van - '95 Chevy Astro Cl V8 Swapped
Team Chevy
90 day: 7.84 mpg (US)

The new bike - '17 Kawasaki Versys X 300 abs
Motorcycle
90 day: 71.94 mpg (US)

The Mercury - '95 Mercury Tracer Trio
Team Ford
90 day: 34.35 mpg (US)

Toyota - '22 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
90 day: 40.11 mpg (US)
Thanks: 131
Thanked 258 Times in 188 Posts
Cars older than 25 years are easier to import. They don't have to conform to emissions standards after they pass 25 years.

(I think) There is a requirement that any imported car must have documentation that the engine passes the requirements for that year. If the car was never sold in the U.S. it doesn't come with that certification automatically. You have to either get it from the manufacturer or get it certified yourself. Both a big hassle at least, if not impossible. Once they pass 25 years they don't have to adhere to this rule and you just have to ship it and fill out some paperwork. Again, I've never done it so this may not be 100% accurate.
__________________
1973 Fiat 124 Special
1975 Honda Civic CVCC 4spd
1981 Kawasaki KZ750E
1981 Kawasaki KZ650 CSR
1983 Kawasaki KZ1100-A3
1986 Nissan 300zx Turbo 5 spd
1995 Chevy Astro RWD (current project)
1995 Mercury Tracer
2017 Kawasaki VersysX 300
2022 Corolla Hatchback 6MT

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6s...LulDUQ8HMj5VKA
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 11:12 AM   #9 (permalink)
Somewhat crazed
 
Piotrsko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: 1826 miles WSW of Normal
Posts: 4,043
Thanks: 462
Thanked 1,103 Times in 973 Posts
The above may not work in Cali apcd areas. I had a squareback imported from Europe that I couldn't register because it had carbs instead of FI. NO amount of documentation, including the build sheet from VW would convince them the carbs were original.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 02:17 PM   #10 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by User1 View Post
I never heard that there's diesel powered vans in the US, but I would like to learn about them.
AFAIK it was only for export, yet some sources claimed cargo versions of the Dodge Caravan had such option. AFAIK the only RAM van factory-fitted with a Diesel for the USDM was the ProMaster, yet it had the AMT.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com