October 13, 2021 | Andy Lilienthal

Minivans are full of juxtapositions. It may be the most stigmatized and least popular model in the United States, but it may be the most versatile and practical model on the market.

Mumbling the word "minivan", the image of the football mom, the appearance of fake wood grain and the ordinary road trip will come to mind.

For most people, minivans are not ideal. However, in a strange turn, full-size "adventure vans" like Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit or some off-road vans modified to provide instant starting point credibility, and gave rise to #vanlife and the fantasy of freedom. At the same time, their younger cousins ​​still have a few steps in the necessary gauges.

Having said that, maybe people need to look at minivans from a different perspective.

After all, adventures can come in all shapes and sizes. Modern minivans (and even old minivans) can provide a lot of versatility, value and practicality for those who wish to camp, travel or explore. I would even say that minivans are actually the most overlooked and underestimated vehicle platform.

Here are five reasons why minivans are the ultimate adventure gear.

Eliminate your preconceived minivan concept, and you will find these vehicles have extraordinary practicality and versatility. They are spacious and have configurable interiors at the factory, providing almost all the options you want.

Take the new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid I recently drove as an example. The rear seats are folded to the floor, and the two captain's chairs in the middle can be removed. This allows one megaton of space.

To check my reality, I even took out my double Big Agnes sleeping bag and put it in it. The bag is easy to fit between the wheel wells.

There are a few feet in front of me to put equipment, a 12V refrigerator, and/or a storage bag. Oops, this might be a camper's hell! The gasoline of the hybrid version can reach 82 MPGe or 30 mpg.

To be honest, this is the longest time I have spent in a Chrysler minivan since I drove from Minnesota to Mexico City in the towns and villages of Chrysler when I was a teenager in 1994. I am a little fascinated by Pacifica and I have been thinking about how it will become a cool camper.

Regardless of the brand, part of the minivan’s personality is this inherent practicality and versatility. Potential travelers and adventurers should not ignore these characteristics.

Sometimes bigger is better, but not always. Of course, a larger truck allows you to stand up and walk around. More space to sleep and stretch. You can have a separate kitchen. Oops, you can have a kitchen.

But minivans will be more flexible (especially in urban environments). They are also suitable for more compact places and spaces. We have all been to overcrowded trails or narrow country roads-this is where small can be big.

Of course, owning a smaller vehicle requires you to pay more attention to the equipment you carry. Driving smaller will eventually make you more concise, but this may be beneficial when traveling. Therefore, before buying, please consider your needs and whether a smaller truck is suitable for you.

You may be surprised that the space required for your adventure car is so small—in fact, you may find that the smaller the better.

Minivans have been around for decades, so there are multiple platforms to choose from. Whether you are buying a brand new modern minivan worth more than $50,000 or choosing something much cheaper, such as the old Chevrolet Astro from the 1990s, there is a minivan that fits the budget of every adventure seeker.

The money you save on buying an old truck can also be used to build the interior of the truck the way you need it. Remember that older vehicles require more maintenance.

If you choose something unique—such as an imported Japanese domestic market van (perhaps a Mitsubishi Delica or Toyota Hiace)—you may find it difficult to source parts. But you can also get things like turbo diesel engines and real 4WD systems to improve off-road capabilities.

Older trucks may have extraordinary value. When you buy an old car, please understand how you feel, especially if it is a weird right-hand drive van from Japan. Consider the availability of the part, your ability to handle it, or look for a mechanic who can inspect it before buying.

Even if you choose the most expensive new minivan-a loaded Chrysler Pacifica, a beautifully decorated Toyota Sienna or a Mercedes-Benz Metris in a campervan-your cost is usually lower than a brand new full-size Ford Transit or Mercedes Des-Benz Sprinter, especially if you choose the 4WD route.

Let's face it: most minivans are not popular among the public. But this has its advantages.

If you keep your adventure-themed minivan low-key, it will reduce the focus on those who might want to wander around. In addition, for those who might do some hidden camping—the art of blending into the surrounding environment while sleeping/traveling—the minivan will not invite a large group of onlookers.

Although your Instagram credibility may not be that high, your ability to integrate into it may be a great virtue.

Certain truck platforms, such as Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City or Nissan NV2000, are also often used as work trucks. They can have no windows, no back seats, and no such gorgeous wheels.

They are ordinary simple vans that can remain nonsense on the outside, but are completely customized to your internal needs. By skipping the side windows, you can provide more security for yourself and your equipment.

One of the most underrated features of a minivan is its comfort. You can get all the advantages and efficiency of a car, but get the space of a van.

Minivans usually have above-average highway driving and many material comforts to keep passengers happy during road trips. In fact, minivans are usually manufactured for long-distance travel. Whether it is a large number of USB sockets and cup holders, or a comfortable captain's chair and comfortable suspension, minivans began to erode the base camp of station wagons in the 1980s and became members of the royal family of road trips.

Remember the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid I talked about? That van has many leather heated seats, a TV screen on the headrest, about 75 USB ports, a glass roof for stargazing, a great stereo system, and an efficient hybrid drive system. It is very relaxing and makes me want to go on the road.

Although minivans usually don’t drive on the sidewalk like 4WD SUVs or even many crossovers, there are many models that can drive all four wheels, which means easier access to trails, favorite kayak installations, or mountain bikes Tao-not to mention the excellent bad weather ability.

There are even some after-sales companies that provide lift kits for certain minivans. For example, Journeys Off Road provides lift kits for certain car models. This includes the 2.75-inch elevator for the Chrysler Pacifica, as well as the elevator for the 2WD and 4WD Toyota Siennas.

These lifts will provide greater ground clearance for rutted roads, snowy streets or rocky routes. They also allow you to equip trucks with slightly larger, more aggressive tires, in case you need them.

The attractiveness of minivans for both comfort and functionality means that these often overlooked vehicles may actually be one of the best and most underrated adventure platforms on the road.

Andy Lilienthal is a lifelong car enthusiast. Since the early 2000s, he has written for several publications and has worked in the automotive aftermarket for more than ten years. He likes to work in cars and trucks, he likes weird four-wheel drive vehicles and small cars, and he likes to travel and camp. Andy lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Mercedes Lilienthal. Follow Andy's adventures on Facebook and Instagram (@crankshaftculture) and Twitter (@crankshaftcult).

No matter what the activity is, keep it warm and dry. From the choice of ultra-warm woolen underwear to the lightweight and environmentally friendly choice, we have found the best foundation layer and thermal underwear for women.

Win a Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge or Firefall/2 jacket and bib! Shop men's jackets shop men's overalls shop women's jackets shop women's overalls

© Copyright 2021 GearJunkie, all rights reserved

Win a Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge or Firefall/2 jacket and bib! Shop men's jackets shop men's overalls shop women's jackets shop women's overalls