I was re-reading Friends of the Dragon and was momentarily stumped by the idea of a wandering Action Family set in 69 or 1850 AD. There are, obviously, no vans in those time periods. So what would take the place of a van?

However, a few things came to mind, like a cart or a boat.

Looking at my copy of the (out of print and out of date) book "Everyday Life in Early Imperial China", there are drawings of a river boat with living quarters - a long affair with what look like several covered sections on it, steered with a single steering oar. The covered sections actually look like they are connected, the simplest being an open compartment with a curved roof. However there's a part that looks like it's actually a round room with a shuttered window, and at the back, a peaked roof area for the steersman. Stone anchor hanging off the front.

"Merchants' vessels may have been pioneering in Malayan waters, and when typhoons allowed, China's eastern coast may have seen peaceful traders as well as some pirates at work."

(Ok, that's probably far more information than anyone needs...)

There's also a picture of a covered goods wagon with a single large wheel on each side, pulled by one horse or donkey. Also the emperor had luxurious coaches, and some travelling musicians and actors had a "show-car". (Which sounds like a western's snake-oil salesman's cart/mini-stage) Also there were larger four-wheel carts.

So there are some ideas for travelling action family's "home bases" before the modern era.

In fact, a boat would be a nifty "van" in a modern campaign, too...