So, if I understand correctly, you are using a commercial grade van that seems like it has been further upgraded as your TV?? (The van is the same model that is the basis for my Class C.)
A month or 2 on the road is well beyond what we need to prepare for or would most likely be "towing" - and even what we anticipate needing if we ever get to retire. I confess I'd also be concerned about carrying that much fuel around, given the careless drivers I have been encountering lately just getting DD to school. I can see that it could be practical, especially when there are/have been fuel shortages let alone the roller coaster that is the benchmark barrel price. Just not sure we'd ever be likely in the same kind of circumstances. Although the idea of a van is intriguing, I get the impression that it might not be practical for more than 2 people - it seems as though you have removed the seats in order to pack the van so completely?
Several points:
1. The Van is a cargo van and considered commercial, but except for the interior trim behind the A-pillar and windows it's basically the same as a passenger van. When I ordered it I had every option you could get on a passenger van except the seats, windows (I only opted for the rear and sliding door). The only option for the passenger vans that I could not get was the CD/tape player. The only two passenger van option I choose not to get were the rear heater/AC along with the aluminum wheels. Also, on my Van going the way I did I got real tow mirrors like you see on a lot of ambulances which are stainless and swing out when towing. I finished it off my self to my needs for under $1500. Back in 2001 the total cost after just the mods to the van itself was less than $33,000 and that including taxes, tags, delivery fees etc.
2. Doing what I did is probably not a first time DIY type thing, but I had owned a Van since 1979 similar to this one and knew what it takes and knew exactly what I wanted. You can see the Van mods if you go to my main webshots page in my signature.
3. My van is a single RWD and most Class C's are dualies and the frame is different than what I have.
4. As far as the fuel your concern is somewhat well founded, but diesel is pretty safe and not like gas. I would never think to carry 20gal of gas inside my van when traveling. Also, it's now just the two of us, no kids so the DW and I have assume this extra risk and if something happens I'm more concerned about that 8,000 lb thing behind us running us over, over a little diesel here or there that probably won't ignite for like a day or two of traveling. I do the extra fuel just to beat the higher prices for a short time and extend my range when on a longer trip. With 60gal of fuel I'm good towing for well over 600 miles which is nice.
5. As far as persons my Van is exactly setup like my 1978 which we made multiple trips across country with our two sons from when they were born until they went to college. We had and still have the same sofa bed in the rear and when they were growing up, it was made into a large double bed and they two of them along with one or two of our dogs road back there. There were no seatbelts and back in the 1970's and early 1980's the use of seatbelts is not like it is today.
6. A full sized Van in the 1T variety in the passenger flavor is probably the most capable and spacious TV you can find. Even in the non extended version it even puts the monsterous Ford Excursion to shame in the people and cargo carrying capacity.
7. On down side is that they're not cool looking
Larry
But I usually make a Wally World run once I get to the Fort for beer, water, wine coolers and sodas.
