The Astro van gets a lot of love around here, and it’s understandable. While it didn’t make such a great genuine minivan, it sure made a terrific mid-sized van, a segment that’s now under served. And to prove how versatile it was, here’s two Astro RVs I spotted recently, with quite different approaches to the living quarters.
This Allegro motorhome is surprisingly large; sort of a domestic alternative to those Toyota 1 ton chassis motorhomes that were once so popular. I’m guessing the construction in the back had an emphasis on keeping the weight down, and it does not have a cab-over sleeper, so performance is probably not that bad. Just exactly how they lengthened the chassis is another question, as I assumed they were of at least semi-unitized construction. But that didn’t stop the Dodge cutaway van from being lengthened considerably; stay tuned.
This is actually a pretty nice rig. Not too big; not too small.
Oops; it’s actually a GMC Safari. Same difference.
I didn’t check the grille on this one so who knows; it might be a Safari too. But it’s a lot more compact, with a pop top. More like an update on the old Toyota Chinook concept.
I like the idea of pop-up roofs, but not the reality, as being that I’m tall, the idea of having to walk back there when the roof’s not up is a turn off. But this makes a cute little camper.
There’s a guy on Reddit who has made something quite nice out of his Astro with “Tiger” camper. I’m very drawn to these types of vehicles that can still fit in a standard parking space, possibly even a garage.
Credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/4×4/comments/f5d2py/posed_her_up_on_a_rock_to_make_sure_she_clears/
The GMC Safari Allegro looks nice as well as roomy and I’m even digging the tape stripes paint combo. Looks like there might be a hull breach above the windshield, wonder if it’s caused by body flexing?
Any weight savings gained by using an Astro/Safari seem like they’d be mitigated by that platform’s limited capacity vs. a full-size van.
Structurally, these were a miniature version of the full-size Chevy/GMC vans of their day, with stamped “frame rails” that upon close examination are actually part of the unibody structure, with a subframe in the front.
I was really surprised when one time I learned that most of these RVs are indeed made of plywood, coated with plastic “skin”. Methinks that is a little bit dangerous. Maybe it is much safer to use a trailer (also plywood) instead.
Yes these are unibody, so I’d love to see what they did to stretch that one. It is not the same as the Dodge based motor homes, they offered the long wheelbase cutaway from the factory. Yes some were extended behind the rear axle, but not between them. GM never offered a cutaway of the Astro, nor a wheelbase that long.
Whoof. I shudder to imagine long hours at the wheel of one of these. The driver’s compartment is a highly disagreeable penalty box with approximately negative-zero room for your left foot/leg. And that’s if you’re perfectly average in height and leg-length.
Daniel’s definitely correct about the lack of left foot room in these. It’s so bad, I could never understand how GM could actually let these get into production (and for a very long time). There’s, literally, nowhere else to put your left foot except underneath the brake pedal.
The ALLEGRO RV looks very much like the one I saw a few years back for sale on my work route. You could consider it to be its badge-engineered twin–one being a Safari & the other an actual Astro. There are some other minor differences also (wheels, mirrors, etc.) but the bodywork is almost identical.
The left foot room issue in the Astro hasn’t been a problem for me in my ’05 yet, but maybe I haven’t driven it on a long enough trip to be bothered by it. I’m a bit younger than most of y’all on this site too (I’ll be 26 at the end of this month), so that’s probably another factor to consider.
Wow, I don’t believe I have ever seen an Astro made into an RV. And I live in a part of the country where both RVs and Astros were popular.
@JPC: I would agree. I think you and l live on opposite ends of the Indiana RV “belt” and I have never seen an Astro or Safari conversion.
Now that I’ve seen one, I would really like one.
I ran my 1986 GMC Safari for 318,000 miles at which time it spun a bearing and I relegated it to ignominy. Great vehicle. Roomy despite its overall length. Seating for eight which allowed us to place our three children at distance from one another. The two bench seats were removeable and at that time I could easily lift those 100-pound seats out of the Safari. I loved the visibility. Plaudits for this vehicle.
I’m not speaking on the GMC rv”s, because I never owned one..But as for as the GMC or Astro vans…MAN!!!! WHAT A VAN GMC/CHEVY ASTRO V6 PRODUCED….I STILL OWN ONE AND LOVE IT…..
I Bought my 1998 Chevy Astro Van @ Mark Christopher Chevrolet,when my Daughter was Born,there’s no way anything relating to new Born,car seats, stroller,Baby Bags,would ever fir in Honda Accord,u sold it out right,to this day I can still drive my Van anywhere I want to go,
I can still drive my 1998 Chevy Astro Van ,I Bought Brand New @ Mark Christopher Chevrolet,no way our 1992 Honda Accord could handle a New Born Baby Girl Luggage,Best Vehicle I have Ever Owned,
How much
I have a 1986 Astro Aero–am 6’2″ and am perfectly comfortable driving it–plenty of room for my left foot.
I only have 2 feet–do you have an extra one?
I got a 87 Astro Allegro 20 ft or whatever length I forgot you can park in a parking spot. Has 7,800 Mi on it with a zero in front. Want to sell it but don’t know now after reading about it thing has air ride shocks aftermarket rims Cooper Tires inside done up a little bit with wood trying to figure out what it’s worth with this low mileage 650-921-5066 text thx
Do you still have the Allegro for sale and how much do you want for it. Are you in the San Francisco Bay area?