Van or Truck - Which is Best and Why?

I'm going to need some input from you guys on how to setup my new van. It will be for mx and road racing.

There's plenty of trucks in Italy. Generally speaking the risk of getting something stolen at the track is pretty low here so at the end it's just a matter of comfort.

Just start tanking some measurements and then start drawing up some ideas.There are enough cool setups pictured in several van threads here on vital that you will get some good ideas. That one has a low box so loading a road racer will be much easier. I am jealous because I have built several vans and its a lot of fun and you will feel some real pride when you have it finished .

Here is the back of my 87 Vandura when it was about 90% complete.Still needed to install the trim at all the seems and the spare tire cover.



Room to sleep behind the seat.


Changing the color from blue to black.

Bringing this one back to life. Thanks TWMX! Bigger fan of McElrath now...



He could have cleaned it up a bit and put a bike in there, however.

Only thing I can write about is a car (wagon) + trailer combo. It works really well especially if your tracks are pretty far away. You can get there fast (as opposed to trucks and vans), safely, mpg's don't change much, you still have all the comfort of your daily car, and you don't have to deal with all the expenses to keep another car running and insured.

The only time a truck wins is say if you can't afford a dedicated moto van and don't want to daily drive a van. If you can only afford one vehicle a truck is generally nicer/easier to drive day to day and will still do the job just fine for the large majority of weekend warriors. If you have the money/space to have a dedicated van for moto then it's a no brainer that's the way to go. That or hook up a travel trailer to your pick up truck.

Just bought this ol girl...can't wait to get started on it and start another, another van thread!

High top sprinter van all the way. I'm 5'11" and can stand up in it. 170" wheel base gets you a bed and room for multiple bikes. And....
-Privacy
-Shelter
-Security
-Camper

I used to have a Van and used it or a road bike as my daily driver when I lived in Ireland. 2.5 turbo Diesel, 180bhp, 30mpg room for 3 people, 3 bikes, water, pressure washer and all of our gear. Did multiple trips to England loaded like that minus the water.
No stickers or giveaways, so never targeted for theft. Bikes would stay in it all weekend, and some times from one weekend to the next at home. You always have your petrol/gas, tools, spares, goggles, tear offs etc with you as they don't get unloaded, so it makes it easy not to forget anything and everything had its own place.
Lastly on the model I had, when the back door was open, you could stand under it and get shade from the sun, or most often in Ireland, sit out of the rain! That would be perfect here in Pacific Northwest too.





Then I moved to the US, and got a truck, because Merica. Its a nice daily driver, more quiet and comfortable than my VW van, and it's got more cool factor and can comfortably seat 5 adults. We also wanted to get a boat in the future, so I needed something that could pull 2.5 ish tons/6000 lbs.



However, having had a moto van, the truck is a PITA as nothing can stay in it, you can't park at night, or even for long enough to eat without worrying about your bikes. I can't bring water and washer with me, so bike comes home dirty, you've got no shelter from the elements and the truck gets 14mpg most of the time.

Currently close to moving house, when that happens, the truck will be getting the boot, and I'll most likely get a cheap moto van, that can also pull a boat if that ever happens, and a car as a daily driver.