I’m considering trading my 2020 GMC 4x4 for a 2023 Transit. Back in 2015, I had a Promaster City, but it was too small for hauling my lawn tractor and other stuff.
I’m thinking my truck, with 40,000 miles, will have decent trade value since it’s pretty easy to sell compared to a van that’s been sitting on the lot for a while. As I get older, I’m finding the lower lift height of a van appealing. Getting in and out of the truck bed is becoming less convenient.
What does everyone think about cargo vans versus trucks? I know this is a cargo van forum, but I’d love to hear any thoughts or insights you all might have.
I built out my high roof EcoBoost Transit for vanlife, but I kept it simple. I tell all the truck guys that I can fit 16 ft pieces of trim and full sheets of plywood/sheetrock, and take it out camping without any trouble.
I also get 19 MPG, and it drives great. I will never go back to a pickup.
Ty said: @Chris
We have an extended high roof EcoBoost and use it as our daily driver (my daughter uses a wheelchair). Just put a full sheet of plywood in it yesterday and laughed at how much space it has.
+1! We love our '19 EL HR DRW 350HD.
When her friends ask her, ‘Why did you let him get THAT thing?’ my wife just smiles and replies, ‘I thought every guy needed a two-seat, twin-turbo sports coupe.’
We have a high roof 148 AWD EcoBoost. For me, it feels too big in our town and doesn’t get good enough MPG compared to my V6 Tacoma to be my daily driver. My wife has a smaller 4-cylinder stick shift car, which is much more fun to drive and uses half the fuel of the Tacoma. So, our van is basically our RV for travel only. We drive it 2-3 times the miles of the other vehicles, and it’s really comfortable and reliable. It fits big stuff out of sight, so we use it for Costco runs, bike outings, lumberyard trips, etc. So, yeah, compared to a full-size pickup, I think a 130 would be fine as a daily driver, especially if it’s not a high roof, which has its own issues with clearance.
I drive my 2017 Transit 350 15-passenger low roof long (148) every day. I can fit more inside than a truck, and it’s secure from the weather. I can add or remove seats, trading off passenger space for cargo space. Lots of utility here. I can haul 12-foot-long things and still close the doors. 16-foot gutters are no problem with the doors open.
I have a 2016 130" MR. I love my van, and if I needed something for daily driving, it would be perfect. It’s no more difficult to park or maneuver than a truck.
I own a '22 130” low roof EB AWD crew. I bought it new, trading my '20 F150 for it. I love it. Almost 70,000 miles later, it’s been great. My kid plays hockey, and we snowboard a lot, so it fits our needs perfectly. The only downside is that my kid’s hockey bag stinks, but that’s a small price to pay in my opinion.
I daily drive my '22 148 low roof AWD. Most of my friends have pickups. They’re always surprised by how much I fit inside my van, and I love keeping my cargo out of the weather. The downside is I don’t even get 16 MPG.
I drive a 2WD 2018 Transit 350 medium room extended wheelbase every day. I live in Vermont and have managed so far. I like that my cargo is protected inside the van instead of a truck. I even take it into NYC and park it on the street, which is a bit tricky because of the length, but it’s fine since it doesn’t happen often. Just be mindful of low overhangs and avoid parking garages, depending on your roof height.
I had a 21 Transit 130” low roof non-turbo. I just gave it to the new guy and now have a 23 250 EcoBoost 148” mid roof, and it’s so much better to drive.
I have a 23 130wb mid roof Transit 150. I’ve built it out as a simple camper that can still haul 4x8 sheet goods. The only downside so far is that it’s too tall for parking garages.
I have both a 2024 Silverado crew cab and a 2023 Transit. I prefer driving the Transit. It’s way better for work, offers better visibility while driving, and oddly enough, I like that the Transit is a lot slower than my truck.