Considering a van

[firecracker22]

It'd be convenient, lockable, and probably a little lower to the ground (easier to load for lil' ol' me). It seems they can be found for pretty cheap. I'm partial to Fords. What should I look for? I've never shopped for anything like that before. If it's bare inside, what do you other van owners (if any) have in them? Can you make cabinets/workbenches/whatever else? I don't know anything about setting up a van. Do the V6s get around halfway decent? Do they drive like crap, considering all the dirt roads up to our riding areas? What else might I want to know about driving/hauling/camping in one?

Then I can buy a Jeep or a little sports car, that would kill my insurance.

 

[Patman]

I know a few guys that have them. TexKDX has a sweet Ford diesel plain white cargo van that is perfect for him to keep his stuff in, haul his stuff in and sleep in when he has hauled his stuff to where he rides. He has some custom storage built in and the interior is finished in a low maintenance motif. Another buddy has one with a cot that folds down from the side that doesn't have a door and a Rhino Liner floor. I wouldn't touch one unless it was a cargo van (no windows) and at least a 3/4 ton chassis. I think I'd spend some time working out all the details of storage and maximum bike capacity then LineX the floor and bottom 12" of the sidewalls. The fold down cot is cool, I think some netting for storing things on the walls or ceiling would give the most flexibility and then some way to secure a nice parts & tools box.

 

[firecracker22]

So why a 3/4 over a 1/2 ton? I won't be towing anything significant, and I'd like to keep things a little cheaper if possible. Of course no windows, i've heard of handlebars going through glass on bumpy roads.

 

[dirt bike dave]

There are bargains on used vans out there, especially as gas prices are going way up. IMO, its a great alternative to a pick up.

FWIW, the Ford 4.2 V6 in the E150 doesn't have much low end power and the mileage is probably no better than the 4.6 V8. I think the 4.2 was only offered for a few years in the van. It's not a great 'truck' engine, but can be greatly improved with some minor bolt ons (not sure if you can get a Superchip for it, though). You can probably get a V6 very cheap and the rest of the van would be the same as a V8 E150. In the F150 pick up, the '97 and very early '98 4.2's had leaky intake manifold gaskets that could fill a cylinder with coolant and cause hydro lock, bent rods, etc... Many were fixed under warranty with a new gaskets. Not sure if the vans suffered the same problem, but I would investigate if you are considering a '97 or '98 V6 and make sure the van has the 'safe' gaskets.

The bigger vans like the E250 and E350 get bigger brakes, heavier suspension, etc... Great vans. My buddy bought an E350 with V10 at a good price, and he's very happy with it. But even though the big vans have low resale prices, they are going to be much more pricey than a V6 E150.

 

[Tony Eeds]

FC:

I used a van for many years to haul my bikes around. To tone down the beercan effect, put carpeting on the walls. I screwed 3/8 inch plywood to the ribs of my van and left the floor metal. A couple of old front seats from the wrecking yard was placed on top of a plywood box that had storage underneith. The box also acted as the stop for my front tires.

BTW - My van was a long wheelbase Dodge with a 318 V8 and 3 on the tree. Great van, sold it at 120,000 miles and saw it 2 years later still going strong.

I would stick with a V8 in case you decide to tow a small trailer. Two bikes inside, three on a trailer and people/gear will tax a 6.

 

[Wolf]

I use a Dodge V8. Mine is actually a conversion van. Lots of carpeting on the wall, which keeps the noise down nicely. I fit a bike in there or tow a trailer, depending on how many of us. My seat bench folds down into a bed, which comes in handy.
Right now 150,000 miles on it and "barely broke in" :)

 

[bushpilot]

I have a van and have used it for over 200,000 miles. I used a pickup converted to a flatbed prior to that for over 200,000 miles. They both got lousy gas mileage. They both rode rough. They both had heavy duty suspension, the P/U ¾ ton and the van 1 ton.

The van is the most versatile. My van is not a cargo van. It has three rows of removable seats behind the driver. It has rugs, air and power everything. You can take several people on trips if you like. It has one way windows all round, except for the windshield and drivers doors. Anybody who has driven a cargo van will tell you that you can’t see out very well. I have a bench I put in when I travel that I use for a bed.

Mine is a 350 V-8 and has plenty of power, but the gas mileage sucks. I rarely get more than 14 on the road and 10 in the city. The P/U was no better. Most pickups will haul three bikes with no trouble. I won’t put more than two in my van. Heavy duty suspension will raise the height of the entry into the van. Loading a van is a much harder job than a pickup. You can crack your head on the roof when you are stepping in while trying to hold the bike upright. You must be very careful tying down bikes in a van. They could run up your back if they come loose. If you tiedown correctly you won’t break any windows. The same goes for your gear. Gas cans present two problems, the obvious fire danger and the smell.

It takes a full size van. The mini vans just aren’t tall enough. I don’t know if the V-6 vans have enough power. I have been in some V-6 pickups and they seem to have plenty of poop. Stay away from the older Fords, the much touted twin I-beam front suspension was awful. As they get older you can’t keep them in the road.

I use my van for everyday transportation. I would guess that less than 10% of my driving is loaded with bikes. So for 90% of the time I have to deal with the terrible ride. If you were to get a ½ ton van I believe that you could use air shocks or overload springs to compensate for the extra weight of the bikes.

To specifics: Any late model full size van is probably OK. Dodge vans with the fuel injected 318 engine are reputed to get very good mileage. Cargo vans are cheaper than passenger vans, but can be plenty “used”. Your choice of short or long depends on what you haul. Half ton passenger vans usually get better mileage than cargo vans because of the gearing.

Do you need a van? What is wrong with an enclosed trailer pulled by your present vehicle?

Wayne

 

[Enduro_Nut]

I think it's a great idea. My preferance would be an extended version and wall up the portion directly behind the seats(no fumes/noise). I noticed a van like that a few years ago and it looked perfect. :thumb:

 

[VintageDirt]

You know what the biggest problem with vans is doncha? Well, when you pick up your date, her/his (what ever your preference is) parents are not gonna trust you. Well not that I could get a date. And if I did get one there's no way her parents would still be among the living but you know what I mean.

Also, you should remember not to lean over the handlebars when you release the tie downs on your bike. You'll get pinned to the ceiling when the forks unload on you and then when you yank your head out to save you life (slow and painful suffocation is not pleasant) and your ears will end up looking like spoiled liver for the next three weeks. Just ask Super Hunky if you don't believe me.

And also, I remember this one time when Flapper Valve tried to ride his Indy 650 (that’s a snow blower if you don’t know) up a ramp and into the back of his van. Well I think he would have made it in spite of the snow less and dry parking lot out in front of George’s shop. But he got to going way to fast due to that hot rod clutch work he did with the grinder that day. Then he didn’t duck far enough and he scalped himself when the top of the door knock him off the sled. The out-of-control snowsmubeel folded both front seats in half and pushed them out the windshield. Funniest damn thing we ever saw up until then. Ol’ flap need a bunch of stitches to sew his scalp back on so he wasn’t laughing.

I don’t know if I’d own me a van or not. But if I got me one I’d definitely go with the shag carpet on the walls and a nekkid lady mural on the outside. But that’s just me.

 

[dklink2000]

We have a 2000 Dodge 1/2 ton Cargo van at work. The kind with only back windowes and two seats. For hauling stuff and working out of it can't be beat, but I don't know if I could live with it as a daily driver. It's very loud and has a lousy ride. It gets ok mileage with the 318 though.

 

[mkdirt]

They take along time to warm up in the cold! Short trips in the winter are cold....I loved mine (98 ford e350 with a 460 and a automatic), just didn't like the cold and noise! If you get one and learn to live with a few things they are great. Bikes and tools are secure and dry. I would get one with a v-8 so when you wedge 4 bikes in it will still pull 4th of july pass or at least be able to be in overdrive at 70 on the freewaay! Trust me on the 4 bike thing they will fit! I have had a 1-125 3-250 and an 80 stuffed in my old 350 extended cargo (it was very tight and took some planning to load!

 

[firecracker22]

Do you need a van? What is wrong with an enclosed trailer pulled by your present vehicle?

First, i couldn't afford a truck big enough to tow a trailer--my current ride is a Toyota 4x4 pickup with a 4 cyl. It's not towing ANYTHING. On the way to Reno, with 500 lbs worth of bikes and however much more for gas cans, ramp, riding gear, luggage, skis and snowboards, and 2 people in the cab, I had to hit 3rd gear to climb some of the hills. Pathetic. I could get a full size pickup with a V-8, but as a daily driver, it'd be a lot more expensive to drive, plus I couldn't afford one new enough that I wouldn't be working on it all the time. The van wouldn't be a daily driver. I could either keep the Toyota, or get a little sports car (used) or a Jeep like I used to have for a daily driver, and just park the van except for riding trips.

Also, I am young, single and poor so I have to pay for a storage unit--if I had a van, I could leave it in the van overnight instead of worrying about making it to the storage unit in time. Plus it's lockable. Plus I could camp in it. Plus I have never towed/backed up/parked a trailer, and I can imagine it getting ugly based on my parallel parking *skills*.

And as far as how "nice" it drives--remember what I am comparing it to. My 75 CJ-5 with the bent frame and zero carpeting, my 77 F150 with oversize tires and wore out tie rods and ball joints, and my Toyota tin can with the bent frame. The van would probably feel like a Cadillac in comparison.

Thanks for all the ideas you guys. I've never been inside of a van to look around--is there room to build a small workbench with tool drawers underneath? Cheap, made out of plywood? Maybe up against the dividing wall between front and back?

 

[super rat]

I have an E250 with the 5.4 and I love it. Two things I wish I would have got, the extended van and the limited slip dif. A one wheel drive van in snow country can be a little frustrating at times.

 

[rickyd]

Also, you should remember not to lean over the handlebars when you release the tie downs on your bike. You'll get pinned to the ceiling when the forks unload on you and then when you yank your head out to save you life (slow and painful suffocation is not pleasant) and your ears will end up looking like spoiled liver for the next three weeks. Just ask Super Hunky if you don't believe me.

.

.

A freind of mine has a van, too cure this, he ran a tie down from the handle bars, sown too the bottom of the forks..It would compress just enough too fit in his mini van..

Be careful leaving your bike in a van or anything for that matter overnight, thieves look for this kinda stuff..
Rick

 

[Patman]

FC my reasoning on the +3/4 ton is that everything is beefier and thus more prone to give long service life as well as hold up to the "less traveled" roads (i.e. rutted dirt or worse) I use to get to riding areas. It will also tow a trailer if I need it to and can be loaded to the roof with lots of "stuff". This is just based on learned experience with pickups. I had a Dakota regular cab and wished for a full size truck so I bought a V10 F250 which was great except I needed more interior room so I got a Powerstroke extended cab but now I wish I had opted for a crewcab. So next time I will get more than I think I need and not wish I had.

 

[PABLO 300]

I like vans

I like the vans for the same reasons.security and a place to sleep if needed. I have a 97 Ford E150 with the v6. I bought it with a blown engine so I got it cheap and pulled in my favors from friends to replace it with a rebuilt jasper engine. I was looking to travel with it so a new engine is nice. I would recomend Michelin tires for a smooth quiet ride. The back can be made liviable with rubber-foam interlocking squares and some carpeting cut to fit as one piece. That was in fine minutes you can remove the carpet and unhook the rubber squares for your bike. Pablo 300

 

[70 marlin]

I feel the same FC22 I'm looking hard for an extra long 3/4 ton panel van with a V-8. My V-6 truck mileage total sucks and it has no performance! Check on E-bay there's a bunch and they have some killer prices on stuff out in the PNW. The #1 reason I want a van is if my bike was stored it. I could play hooky from work and my wife would never know. Except for the unwipeble smile I'd be sporting.

 

[Old_CA_IT_Rider]

More space than an SUV, More protected than a Pick-up.

I have a 98 Ford E150 (1/2 ton) with the 4.6 V8 (15mpg city-17 hwy). It is our family all-purpose vehicle with windows, carpet, padded ceiling and walls. Four of us lived out of it for 6 weeks while touring the USA. The 2 rear bench seats are mounted so that they can be repositioned and/or removed in about 10 minutes. To carry 2 dirtbikes I remove the backseat, put a plastic tarp over the carpet(to keep the wife happy) and they fit perfectly. I've added bolt-in D-rings any place that I want to tie off to. I also still have room for 5 passengers an icechest, 6 jazz jugs and riding gear without using my roof racks. I've hauled a weeks worth of food for 16 people, an inflatable boat, 2 bicycles, camping gear and a tent trailer up to Loon Lake and that slowed it down a little but otherwise it does great. Other times it hauls 9 people (in seatbelts)with camping gear.

If you get a cargo van then you can build-in all kinds of great stuff, just screw into the steel supports in the ceiling and walls with self drilling sheet metal or dry-wall screws. I recommend insulating the ceiling, walls and floor to quiet the ride and to make heating and air conditioning more effective. My seats also fold into bed(s) and I've slept in it overnight while skiing many times.

The Idea of closing off at least some of the back area is a good one-the gas fumes are a little hazardous when everything is closed up tight. As far as rough roads, the clearance is great and the bigger the load the smoother the ride. I took mine into Anza Borrego and had no problems.

Get a limited-slip axel if possible, it really makes a difference in mud and snow.

Offer to be a rolling billboard for some business and have them pay for the whole thing!

 

[ScottS]

I have a GMC Safari - All wheel drive, seats 8, pulls my trailer just fine, has a 4.3 liter 6, comfortable for long trips but not too big to drive around as a daily driver either- I have 100k miles on it and it runs great- the steering and driveshafts need attention, but it is a cool vehicle- does a lot of different things well. Not too small, not too big.

You do have to compress the front suspension to get a full size modern bike , but i just read on here about using the holeshot devices to hold them down while loading

Dont know if you can get any more than 2 bikes in there , and if you haul a bike you are limited to 3 seats.
A long full size van is the hot ticket, but you have to suffer with it the 99% of the time you are not hauling bikes.

I like the Safari with a trailer. Plus its nice to sleep in the van.

 

[mx547]

interesting, i remember when everybody that raced either had a van or wanted one. now virtually everyone at the mx track either uses a pickup or an enclosed trailer (including me, best purchase i've ever made). saturday nite, we went racing. they have a small oval track there and were running races on it too. it was weird seeing a dozen vans lined up. the flat trackers still use them.