[aigel]

Thanks guys! It doesn't sound like the van is unreliable per se. But I hear you on all the other points. What drew me to the Revel was the large rear "garage" which is possible because the bed pulls up to the ceiling. It'd make it a reasonable vehicle to have for around town as well.

I agree that modern diesels are not desirable any longer. They cost more initially, cost more to maintain and there are just so many systems on them now to control emissions that they are much more complicated than a gas engine. You need forced induction, direct injection, EGR (with a cooler), DEF, DPF etc. etc. - I am soured on diesels altogether. I will look for gas engines in the future and hopefully still will be able to find normally aspirated versions of them.

More video watching and reading about the Revel, reveals (no pun intended) that it is not really an off road vehicle. It has running boards hanging low, with lights and what not in them, the heater and exhaust are mounted low and even the exhaust pipe comes out right where the first boulder would hit it off-road. This is a ski van at bests, where the 4x4 will be useful to get to the snow. It may also help with a muddy dirt road but that's about it.
It also has dismal solar, not a boon docking setup. And some genius decided it would be all electric, no propane, including the stove.

I do want some comfort for myself but also my wife who is more likely to join me if it is a nice setup. Currently my camper is a bare bones "Four Wheel Camper" with no heat, no fridge and no independent electric system. My plan for now is to buy a 3/4 ton gas truck and a new Four Wheel Camper. Even buying that all new, I'll come in at 2/3 or less and I still have a truck that can be used as a truck. Also, when staying in one location for longer periods, the truck camper can be unloaded and left individually.

ILL keep you posted or continue to ask stupid questions as we go. Now, of course, buying a new truck or a new camper is next to impossible currently, so we will see.

G