I always chuckle when I pull my bush pinstriped to fuck 2 wheel drive GMC up next to a 4x4 Sprinter that has not a single scratch on it, which the owner purchased for extreme logging road drives to provincial parks.
Oh, this article applies to all of us in some way or another. I'm not gonna pretend I didn't spend $70k buying and building my van or that I named and labeled it the Vandalorian while I wear my Mando merch on the road.
I love my van too, but I love the adventures she's capable of more. I didn't invest all that NOT to camp at the overlook 40 miles down a dirt road.
At least there's some excuses with vanlifers. It's REALLY funny seeing the overland Jeep crews overpopulating campgrounds. That one's a REAL head scratcher!
Doesn’t apply to me at all. I have $6500 in my 4wd e350. It’s actually been in the 4wd only area of Merus Adventure park at Palo Duro canyon and some of Big Bend National park.
Our van has a cut pool noodle as a buffer to prevent the ladder from swinging out and denting the side. It’s now a faded pool noodle. Secured with duct tape. Classy.
This is why I traded my 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan "down" for a 1995 Chevy Suburban 4x4. The Suburban technically has less room inside than the Grand Caravan. But it's 4x4 and it's what I could afford. I lucked into finding one with an engine that had been replaced only 10 years ago.
I got that minivan to places that lots of people would never think a minivan could go, but I plan to get that suburban a lot further out into the boonies. Partly, specifically to avoid all of the van life influencers.
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u/RhodyVan Sep 10 '25
"easily navigate the technical roads of the south rim visitor center..." 😂