Am I off my rocker here?
I'm thinking of getting a couple 1 ton work vans for BOV's.
They are heavy duty to begin with and parts are available.(I would stock up with a couple donor vans and spare parts as well)
I would upgrade to a locking diff in the rear. And a portable winch that I can mount on the front or rear.
Carrying capacity.Ability to travel some fairly bad roads.
Forgot that I will also be getting some small removeable yellow lightbars and some magnetic signs saying "Utillity Service"
These would compliment my dodge 4X4 SUV, RV with Chevy P-30 chassis, and motorcycle.

Then I'll be investing in 2 diesel pickups.

About the only down side to your idea is if you do your own service. Vans, especially newer ones, are notorious for their poor access to the engine.

If you're planning on getting additional vehicles, why not plan ahead and get models similar to your planned pickup trucks?

Thats what I was kind of thinking. Nothing new. Going old tech if at all possible.

You also may want to take into account what kind of terrain you'll be dealing with, up here they would be all but useless. You gotta have lots of ground clearance and 4WD. If you go ahead with it something to consider is putting in C track for tie downs in the back, think about all your preps turning into missiles in a high speed E&E maneuver or if something happened and you rolled it you could easily destroy everything in it and possibly flatten yourself. I've been whacked in the head by a cooler that wasn't tied down 4wheeling and it isn't a pleasant experience. I would also look into one of those steel mesh grates that divides the cab from cargo area, when I was in mobile service just about every van had one and they were all dented up pretty good which told me the missiles had flown in that van.

Point well taken. Most cargo van i've been looking at have the steel mesh divider betwen the two front seats and the rear. Some also have steel mesh over all the windows which I like alot.

4 wheel drive should be a must in a BOV, even if you think you do not need it.
YOU will


Ever try to go off the side of the highway? Ever been stuck in traffic (multiply that by a gazillion) thats what you would be facing.

Vans are GREAT you can set them up pretty nice but like a77 says if it rolls everything could be toast. They do make 4 wheel drive vans too!

Here' a link for E Track, I personally don't like how E Track works but everyone's different.
http://www.easternmarine.com/E-Track-Strips-Straps-Parts/?OVRAW=E%20track&OVKEY=e%20track&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=9004285522&OVKWID=74983475022&OVCAMPGID=144897022&OVADGRPID=4333212410&OVNDID=ND2

Here a link for C Track or as Mac's calls it VersaTrac, This is what I use along with their straps.
http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/category/VersaTie

Depending upon how familiar with fabrication and auto mechanics you are, I've seen a number of vans converted to 4WD with 100% junkyard parts but it's a pretty big job putting the front axle in since you have to weld in the mounts and they have to be perfect in relation to the rear or you'll dog track.

OK. In response to my own ititial thread I would like to restate and clarify my position.
A. I agree that a Bug Out Vehicle SHOULD be 4X4.
B. My original post about a van I feel would serve well as an all around good vehicle to have in the aftermath of SHTF.
C. A 1 ton van with proper tires, a locking rear diff, a movable winch still make a formidable off-the-normal-highway vehicle.
D. The comment about gear coming loose in a van is duly noted and valid. It is also valid for ANY vehicle. (Mayby somebody should post tips on how best to chalk out a load and how to secure it for transport.::hint hint::)
E. An off-road capable vehicle is not automatically born just becasue it has 4X4. A proper 4X4 should have reinforced components to handle extra abuse of constant off-road use. Just compare an avid off-roaders rig to a daily driver "off-road" rig. While not mandatory the following should be considered:
1. Base vehicle. What attributes does it already posses and how easily is it modified
2. Ground clearance. How high the vehicle is;how tall of an obsticle can it go over.
3. Suspension flex. Aftermarket suspensions usually provide added flex to keep the tires in contact with the terrain.
4. Locking diffs front and rear. Fully engage both left and right wheels to spin at the same time.The axle is "locked".
5. WInch.Ability to pull yourself or someone else out of being stuck or rolled over.
6. Carrying portable air to inflate and deflate tires or spares.


WIth that said there are trade-offs. With added flex and drivetrain clearance USUALLY come at the expense of stability and load carrying capacity. Now, keeping in mind that if it is for a BOV then you probably won't be carrying that much to where you would be at the vehicles load limits. And the added capabilities are worth it to be able to get away from whatever.


After further thought I think what I intended was that a 1 ton cargo van has much going for it in an SHTF scenario.Bugging out at the onset of SHTF or anytime during being excluded. At all times your terrain should match your capabilities as a driver and your vehicle.

Just my 50cents worth.

This is at the point where you need to take a critical look at where you'll be using it and do the necessary mods and tweaks to make it work for you. I personally have a big 4x4 diesel pickup, 4x4 ATV, dirtbike and snowmobile. There are alot of folks who would have no use for the sled, I do because the snow at 9K' can get quite heavy at times and without any plows running it would be my only way out. Others couldn't get out of town with a 23' pickup much less towing a trailer with an ATV on it if/when their life depended upon it. My wife drives a Wrangler, it's very maneuverable, the little 6cyl is a bit thirsty and lacks some HP but she can drive that thing like it's a NASCAR (she doesn't have keys to my truck because she can't deal with the length). My truck gets better MPG than her Wrangler, has a huge turning radius, gets 500Hp to the ground, has lots of ground clearance, and I can outrun just about anything with 3/4T+ in the back so it works quite well for me. In my environment a van would be a crutch, I doubt you could even get one to my house. UPS & FedEx have to use 4WD trucks to do their deliveries and they only deliver May-Oct, they won't even attempt The Hill when it's snowy Nov-April and that's with 4WD. So my suggestion to you other than making sure everything is secure is to make sure it will do the majority of what you want it to without being a hindrance and if so then go for it.