Transportation for my build?

[MushCreek]

The time is drawing near to start my build, and I am hammering out some of the logistics. I'm thinking about a vehicle upgrade, since my short bed pick-up doesn't carry all that much. Here's some of the particulars:

The build site is 640 miles away. My wife will stay here and maintain the income stream (and health insurance!) while I head off to SC to build our future. I have a lot of stuff to haul, especially tools at first.

I'll be running back to FL periodically, but only when I can take a full load of stuff up to SC. It's much cheaper to fly, otherwise. I plan to have everything delivered to the job site, but there will always be the odd trip to the lumberyard. I'll have very little need to drive much in between FL trips.

I have a full-size short-bed pick-up with a cap, and I'm working on a 7 X 12 enclosed trailer.

My thought is to get a big van in decent shape to haul stuff with the trailer, OR, buy a hi-cube box van, and probably ditch the trailer. Vans and box vans are pretty cheap around here, at least to get one I can get a couple years out of. My experience is that a full size van will get about 15 mpg empty on the highway. I believe the box vans are more like 10 mpg (Unless I find a diesel, which are pricey). Obviously, I can haul a lot more with the box van, more so even than a van and trailer combo. With enough trips, it would even eliminate renting a truck for the final move. I wonder what the difference in fuel mileage, if any, would be between a regular van with a trailer versus a box van? Enclosed trailers are like gold around here, so I'm planning to enclose a crummy little trailer I already have with a plywood box. At the end of the build, the van and/or trailer will be sold, since I won't have much use for either. I'd much rather have a pick-up and an open trailer for the homestead. The good news is that if the equipment is still functional when I'm done, odds are it will be worth close to what I paid for it, so whatever I spend should come back to me.

A couple other observations: There are no tolls along my route, and no restrictions on commercial-type vehicles. There's nothing whatsoever 'cool' about a box van. Nothing. But they are big inside! I've looked at step-vans, but they seem scarce in good shape.

Any thoughts, recommendations, ideas?

[Windpower]

Is the road/driveway in good shape to the build site

trying to pull a trailer up a rough and/or slippery drive could really be a problem

For all around practicality I would go for a full sized pick up (FWD optional)

I went with 2WD on mine --- now if I could just get the transmisssion to stop pouring ATF out and stop making those nasty noises in reverse....

(update I found a local shop to replace the broken case and rebuild it with a beefed up torque converter for 1500 cheaper than the Ford dealer )

[MushCreek]

The road is paved, and the driveway (gravel) will be in by the time I get there, or at least before I start working. Right now, you could drive a truck or van to the site easily, unless there was a lot of rain. The ground is pretty firm.

[Windpower]

I have owned several vans over the years (full size Ford 150, 5 or 6 company mini vans) -- a pick up is way more practical for hauling over sized construction stuff -- even my old short bed Toyota hauled alot of stuff for the new garage and remodeling project a few years back

[MushCreek]

I prefer a pick-up, but I need covered, waterproof, secure, storage for hauling stuff up there. It's an 11 hour drive, and I can't afford to wait for a cloudless day to make the trip each time. A long-bed pick-up with a cap is almost as roomy as a van, but not as secure, and a lot harder to get stuff in and out of. Plus, with a cap on it, I loose the oversize capability unless I remove the cap, no small task to do alone. I suppose I could pick up an open trailer and keep it up there for hauling bulky stuff. I have a friend nearby who would let me use his trailer, too.

I'm just trying to decide if I want a box van or not.