The Great Adventure Rig Debate: Van Versus Truck
Is a four-wheel-drive van as capable as a pickup truck when the pavement ends? It’s a question that sparks plenty of debate among outdoor enthusiasts. With an expert panel, let’s delve into the pros and cons of each vehicle type for off-the-grid exploration.
To keep our comparison focused, we’ll be considering stock four-wheel-drive pickups and vans that come with factory-installed four- or all-wheel-drive systems. The core question is: “Which makes the more capable adventure rig?”
The Truck Guy’s Perspective
Bryan Rogala, the author of the original article and a self-proclaimed “truck guy,” initially held reservations about a van’s off-road prowess. He recently tested a new all-wheel-drive Mercedes Sprinter van with an Adventure Wagon interior. While impressed with the build’s features, the van experience didn’t shift his perspective.
Rogala found the van noisy on unpaved roads, difficult to maneuver on rough terrain, and unnerving on off-camber trails due to the tall height. He recounts an instance where he couldn’t get as far down a dirt road as he previously had with a full-size pickup towing a trailer, highlighting the limitations of the van in certain situations. His experience with other vans had also been negative, citing noise, bulk, and a harsh ride.
Seeking Expert Opinions
To bring balance to the debate, Rogala consulted with experienced adventurers Aaron Gulley and Jen Judge, who have spent years camping and living full-time out of various adventure rigs. He also reached out to Chris Cordes, Trail Guide Manager at onX Off Road and former Editor at Overland Journal/Expedition Portal, for his seasoned insights. Cordes’ diverse collection of vehicles have provided in-depth experience with capability and build-outs.
Gulley and Judge have relied on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with a 2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB since 2016, and have since incorporated a 2016, 4×4 low-roof 144” Mercedes Sprinter into their travels.
Cordes possesses extensive off-road driving expertise. He’s owned a variety of rigs, including a Storyteller Overland build on a 4×4 Sprinter and a 2000 Ford Excursion with a 7.3L diesel engine.
Q&A: Van vs. Truck in Depth
Bryan Rogala: You all have extensive experience taking trucks and vans into some serious off-road locations. What is your overall assessment of a 4×4 van versus a truck?
Chris Cordes: The answer depends heavily on the specific vehicles being compared. For example, a four-wheel-drive van of recent build will likely not match the off-road performance of a full-size 4×4 truck. The vans’ articulation, high center of gravity, gearing, and unibody construction limit them. It can take considerable skill and stress to bring these vehicles through tough terrain you’d easily traverse in a 4×4 truck.
Aaron Gulley: We’re pleased with our van’s capabilities. However, I feel more apprehensive tackling the same terrain I’d confidently take with our truck. Because of the higher center of gravity in the van, you notice it more on off-camber trails. Not that the truck is cheap, but I think the truck is more built for the punishment.
Bryan Rogala: Are there any scenarios in which you didn’t drive the van, but would have taken a truck?
Aaron Gulley: We used the truck recently on a very steep and rugged road while hunting. I do not believe I would have taken the van up or down that road, although it may have been able to do it. I would have been much less comfortable doing so.
Chris Cordes: We tried to use the van in situations where we would take the truck. We regularly found its limitations, especially in mountains where elevation reduced power and the gearing made controlled negotiation of technical terrain difficult. Often, we had to use momentum to get over obstacles, and a failed attempt could be precarious. After a successful, but nerve-racking ascent up Clear Lake with the van and a failed attempt at Ophir Pass on a separate trip, we decided not to use the van in mountain passes.
Ride Height and Clearance
Bryan Rogala: Talk about the differences in ride height, clearance, etc. Have you found either to perform better in tight spots?
Chris Cordes: Ride height and clearance vary by model. A 4×4 Sprinter offers impressive ground clearance, with a respectable approach and departure angle. Compared to certain trucks, this is actually an advantage.
Aaron Gulley: The seat height in the van is 51 inches from the ground, compared to 41 inches in the truck. Both rigs have 9 inches of clearance to the rear differential, but the side of the van sits 15 inches off the ground, while the truck’s sheet metal is 20 inches off the ground. The van is better in tight spots because it’s narrower. The downside is that it’s easy to get punched around from side to side in the big troughs on dirt roads.
Ride Quality on Rough Terrain
Bryan Rogala: How does the ride on rough terrain compare for, say, a stock three-quarter-ton pickup and a 4×4 Sprinter?
Chris Cordes: A Sprinter has a lot of side-to-side sway because of its high center of gravity and limited articulation. This can be a significant issue on uneven terrain. While a truck will also sway, the degree is less unless it has a tall camper in the bed.
Aaron Gulley: We’re glad we have a low roof. Where we are in New Mexico and there’s a lot of wind, it’s nice, and we still feel like it’s a wind magnet. We don’t feel pushed around by wind in the truck as often.
Jen Judge: The van has less storage and less space, which means things tend to move around more. Things inside get worn more on rougher roads.
Performance in Snow
Bryan Rogala: Any noticeable differences between the two on snow-covered roads?
Aaron Gulley: The van performs poorly unless in 4-high, where it does fairly well.
Jen Judge: Our van does not have a shift-on-the-fly system. You have to stop to shift it into neutral.
Chris Cordes: Both platforms performed predictably in the snow. My experience is limited however because I tend to chase sunny climates.
The Verdict
Bryan Rogala: If you had to pick between a truck with a camper and a van, which would you choose?
Chris Cordes: The van is more spacious and comfortable for living in. However, I would choose the 4×4 truck if I plan to regularly leave the pavement and need that capability for safety and reliability.
Jen Judge: The van has an advantage. Capability-wise, for our level of comfort, the van is a better choice for driving around town every day.
Aaron Gulley: The truck is great if you like being outdoors in the elements. If you prefer comfort, then the van is great. It’s not going to be as capable as a truck, but most people are not going to be so adventurous in their driving that it’s going to make a difference. The potential scenarios that require the truck may be few and far between.
