But, being extremely cost conscious and budget limited, you're going to end up with more like the first picture than the second one.
Then think about day to day parts and repairs. Big parts = big $ and big tools to fix vs being able to do a great deal of work to a pickup and small trailer with the tools you can carry in one small tool chest. Can get most parts for a pickup at any parts store at 8:59pm on a Sat night vs dealing with the big truck shops and commercial Napa stores. Most of which are only found in larger cities.
Again, if your goal is to have a "unique" project that you can say you put some innovation into, by all means go buy a clapped out skool bus and take the demo saw to it.
If your goal is to have the most economic and functional setup that supports your adventure then don't try to re invent the wheel.
