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Mini Van And Truck Questions


rob214
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i'm in the market for a new vehicle. i'm wanting a truck but would love a van for security. anyone put their bike in a mini van? i was looking at a dodge caravan. i need to bring my wife and daughter along as well as doing the typical day to day daddy stuff. van is more practical but truck is what i really want. with regards to a full size pickup anyone use a camper/shell type thing for security? can you put an alarm on the camper shell?

any ideas.

thanks

rob

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I am in the same market, or a bout this and here is my thinking... Ford E-150 / 350. wagon.... Before you shut me out, here is my thinking...

I am in the market for a van for several reasons,

1. security... bikes, gear, ez-up, tents, tools, spares, everything but gas can get inside one of these big buggers.

2. flat load floor.... In the cargo van, or the pass/wagon, flat floors. if you use say a standard body E-150 van, you pull all but the second row of seats, that gives you seating and belts for five, need more? leave another row in. The little bikes we are looking at will tie down on the seat base adaptors and can stay in the truck full time. Add a small cargo rack to the front or rear and you carry the smelly stuff in a secured box. Gas, oil, things like this. Even the little compressor we always seem to need for everyone els's machine....

3. up to 20 MPG loaded! I rented a E-350 about 3 months ago and hauled every bit of 1500 LBs inside it and made 19 MPG. I was not being nice, i had no time to be nice. I even decided to run the Texas highway that allows 90 in places and i let that sucker strut.. Places pushing nearly a smooth dollar.

4. I can sleep in it... I fully intend to drive from Mid Texas to places more than a day's drive from home. With a few adds to the truck i will be able to be at least reasonably comfortable for say a three or four night stay. I will have to make allowances for food and the like, but most campgrounds will provide the potty and showers i will need and for pennies a night compared to a hotel.

5. Alarm systems can be extended to camper shells and even to bikes being locked to the truck on the outside. Think a product alarm system at say Best Buy.

6. The caravan might be a good people van, but it IS NOT a off road capable veichle. It is and always will be biased on a car platform and FWD. The E/van is a truck, and the biggest selling commercial delivery truck in the world. Sorry, Chrysler just can't compete.

7. OH !!!! E-vans re-sell better, insure cheeper, are more crash worthy and will take a lot more abuse than the Chrysler.

Just a few of my thoughts, and there are plenty more.. Still only worth about 2 cents.

Enjoy the ride Amigo.

Blip...

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Blip on the rader is correct for most things. A caravan is great for a one person plan. The full size vans are far more rewarding for a good trip. (Especially if women are involved.) Alarms do not do *****. Lock the bike or bikes in securely. (Not just a cheap padlock.) The chair pedestals offer a secure mounting point(or make one) and have a way to disable the ignition system too. You start taking three people and bikes out for a day or two and you will appreciate a full size van. Good luck.

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I work on Dodge(ram) vans for a living. With the minivan I am not sure you could get the bike(s) in the rear without at least lowering the bars. Two bikes would fit easily with gear and two people up front.

They drive like a car and are nice on the highway, yet not built for offroad any more than a full sized ford or chevy which do drive like a truck, because they are!

I have seen pro riders yank the fork tubes out with wheel, pull the real wheel and slide a bike into the luggage compartment under a motorcoach like a banana! Takes a few minutes each way going in and back, but no big deal.

And BTW, I like the new Ram Promaster for a big van! Stand up room like a Sprinter and run great on V6 gas! If I had a business use for one(dual purpose) I would have one quick!

For now I will keep my truck!

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I have had the 3 being discussed(Ford fullsize van, caravan, and truck). The full size would be the way to go. Get a long wheelbase and you could build a wall between the cargo space and people space. The caravans are nice, but wont seat 3. I had one with the stow-n-go seating, and I had to load the bike through the side door as the back wasn't tall enough. We have used many pickups with and without topper shells. I never felt secure leaving my stuff in the back. Depending on the topper height, you may have to roll the bars or take a front wheel off. They all have advantages and disadvantages. I would love to have a full size van if traveling.

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I miss my van-tastic. I could fit a full size cot, my GasGas and any stuff I needed. I put a third chair in the back. Mine was older with the 300 straight 6 but it still did the job.

The Caravans need a bike entered from the side doors. They won't fit a bike directly through the rear hatch.

The Honda's will allow the bike to go right in and you can fit two no problem.

I have fit two bikes in the transit connect no problem and those get 25mpg but its four banger revs to the moon.

Currently after a trip to NC for thanks giving and not liking the salt on my cases I have been taking the front and rear wheels off along with forks and transporting it in the back of my passat wagon. If needed i could put two people and bikes in there with out issue.

2015 Ford is delivering the full size transit over here with an awesome 5cyl diesel, na 6cyl or Ecoboost. GET SOME!

--Biff

Van4.jpgvan1.jpg

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At 48k , I'm still in love with my Nissan NV 1500 ...

Camper/ Transporter/ And still economical enough to be my daily driver too ...

And I have yet to pimp it out like Biff's van , But it's outfitted to fit my basic needs at this point .

Glenn

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cope, do you use a shell or camper top on the truck. i really miss my truck and love trucks but i want the security of out of site out of mind as well.

No, but typically I may dump the bike with others who may be camping at the site, or back the truck up just outside a motel door!

I keep a 9mm chain on things if you know what I mean!

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Biff mentioned new diesels here

2015 Ford is delivering the full size transit over here with an awesome 5cyl diesel, na 6cyl or Ecoboost. GET SOME!

I drive Cummins diesel, and I have waited a long time for highly efficient euro diesel tech to arrive here.

I am also well trained in the newer US emissions systems and other garb that goes on them, and quite frankly, with the added cost and complexity, the 20% higher cost of fuel, and add the DEF(if you do not know what that is look it up) I would not have one or recommend one as compared to current gas motors.

If you need a heavy hauler, you have no choice, but for lesser tasks, the costs and maintenance issues are no longer worth it as the EPA has ruined the small diesel market along with much higher fuel costs than gas.

They are a techno nightmare when things go wrong, trust me!

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Biff mentioned new diesels here

2015 Ford is delivering the full size transit over here with an awesome 5cyl diesel, na 6cyl or Ecoboost. GET SOME!

I drive Cummins diesel, and I have waited a long time for highly efficient euro diesel tech to arrive here.

I am also well trained in the newer US emissions systems and other garb that goes on them, and quite frankly, with the added cost and complexity, the 20% higher cost of fuel, and add the DEF(if you do not know what that is look it up) I would not have one or recommend one as compared to current gas motors.

If you need a heavy hauler, you have no choice, but for lesser tasks, the costs and maintenance issues are no longer worth it as the EPA has ruined the small diesel market along with much higher fuel costs than gas.

They are a techno nightmare when things go wrong, trust me!

I concour with Cope. I am also trained on Diesels for the blue oval and with the cost of fuel and all of the things that come with the diesel maintenance you will have to drive a long long way to get your money back as compared to a gasser. That is if none of the ornaments that make it tree hugger friendly dont give out.

--Biff

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