Van or Truck - Which is Best and Why?

Travis_Towery 8/14/2012 8:46pm
8/14/2012 8:46pm
Well I will tell you I have both and I love the van for moto. Pick up a used one a build it like you want. I just use the van for moto and the truck is the daily driver. It gives piece of mind for security and it makes life easier at the track. I know it's expensive or both but there are used cargo vans for sale everywhere. Find a good one and cash talks. If you already have a truck you don't have to have the van but the guy selling it usually needs to get rid of it. So a quick cash offer will get a better price. I shopped around for a few months before I found the one that worked for me then about another month to build it. Just do your homework and you will find what works best for you
lostboy819 8/14/2012 9:32pm
8/14/2012 9:32pm
Vans by a landslide. my V8 van gets 18-20 mpg and my Pickup gets 10-12 mpg. Vans are a no brainer for moto and like others have said when you get done riding you dont even have to unload when you get home and if its raining your stuff stays dry and you can sit inside out of the rain, try that in a pickup.
tmauto769 8/15/2012 4:34am
8/15/2012 4:34am
Truck with an enclosed trailer, best of both worlds. Unless you can't back a trailer up, which apparently some fucksticks can't do.

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Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 8/15/2012 7:01am
8/15/2012 7:01am
I've had my 98 E150 for a little over 2 years, is my moto rig and my DD. Gets 18mpg on the high way (Wont set any land speed records 4.6 V8). When I lived at school I kept my bike in there for up to 3 months at a time because I didn't have a garage, and I did whatever I had to do to ride.

I've driven it to MA, OH, MD, FL, no real complaints. Except that if I did it again, I would have gotten an extended 350 7.3L Turbo. But hey, I only paid $1400 for my van so I cant complain.
thatdad
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thatdad 8/15/2012 7:45am
8/15/2012 7:45am
My 16 year old kid is now driving my mx van and loves it for all the right reasons.

I also bought a small aluminum landscaping trailer around 15 years ago and the 6 cylinder van pulls it like it is not there.

He is headed to the track now with my younger son and two buddies.

Simple moto, just like when I was a kid.
MXEditor
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MXEditor 8/15/2012 9:11am
8/15/2012 9:11am
G-man wrote:
Yep I've done it a few times. Got this 99 off e-bay for 6 K with 64,000 miles 7 yrs ago. It's my ROAD TRIPPER. [img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1mpdH1YuRD0/TBa7xSpiWPI/AAAAAAAABnM/6rAXKPuTs8c/s800/Hotel%2520Chevy.jpg[/img]...
Yep I've done it a few times.

Got this 99 off e-bay for 6 K with 64,000 miles 7 yrs ago. It's my ROAD TRIPPER.



My 1990 has 200,000 on it.
What kinda van is dat?
kevin204
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kevin204 8/15/2012 10:26am
8/15/2012 10:26am
Chevy Astro
pete24
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pete24 8/15/2012 10:32am
8/15/2012 10:32am




extended van
WEBB918
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WEBB918 10/9/2014 11:33am
10/9/2014 11:33am
I say truck just because of how mine is setup you don't have much that is in the trailer besides bikes and gas cans. Also I can fit 5 bikes in my 10' trailer.





stillwelding
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stillwelding 10/9/2014 11:40am
10/9/2014 11:40am Edited Date/Time 10/9/2014 11:42am
MXEditor wrote:
Hello All, I am doing a story on MX trucks vs. vans and wanted to know if you folks can provide some plus and minus points...
Hello All,

I am doing a story on MX trucks vs. vans and wanted to know if you folks can provide some plus and minus points for each?

TIA - Sean
Vans, You can go inside somewhere, and it leaves the casual thief outta the picture. No moto stickers or stuff like that either, might as well put a sticker that says "Steal my Stuff"
Luke_Himler
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Luke_Himler 10/9/2014 12:59pm
10/9/2014 12:59pm
Van is so much better esp for the days crappy weather strikes at the track! I got a passenger gmc savanna that I made into a moto van. Here are some pics sorry its a bit messy!







Spagina767
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Spagina767 10/9/2014 1:21pm
10/9/2014 1:21pm
dizzy8085 wrote:
If my daily driver has to be my moto transportation I choose truck. I wouldn't want to drive a Van every day. Now to add a...
If my daily driver has to be my moto transportation I choose truck. I wouldn't want to drive a Van every day.
Now to add a second vehicle just to ride motocross. A van is the way to go.
This^.

Vans are the way to go. Stuff stays dry, and doesn't get stolen (as easy). Long drive home, park as close to garage as possible, go in and sleep.

I have a 2004 chevy 250" 5.3 . When driven conservatively I get 19.5 MPG.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/9/2014 1:25pm
10/9/2014 1:25pm
Pick up with an enclosed trailer for me.
LowPsi
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LowPsi 10/9/2014 2:53pm
10/9/2014 2:53pm
tmauto769 wrote:
Truck with an enclosed trailer, best of both worlds. Unless you can't back a trailer up, which apparently some fucksticks can't do.
I can parallel park my truck and trailer.
ricko
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ricko 10/9/2014 3:20pm
10/9/2014 3:20pm
Van all the way. I leave a lot of moto related stuff in there. I have a truck as well and van wins hands down. Just got into an 04 Express 1500 AWD, used to have 01 Savana RWD 2500. Great fuel milage, anyone who says bad fuel milage/handling must have an older van or a ford. I also have a trailer 16x7 enclosed, trailer I take if my gf and daughter come and it's a weekend event, but average weekend race van wins. Don't gotta unload at night before work the next day or anything. I get no fumes or anything and I have never had a wall in either van.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 10/9/2014 3:21pm
10/9/2014 3:21pm Edited Date/Time 10/9/2014 3:23pm
I personally need 4x4 truck for winter time. I found these guys in So cal who make shells in any size you want. So I can keep things enclosed and safe in the summer then pull it off when I don't need it.



mxdude105
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mxdude105 10/9/2014 4:11pm
10/9/2014 4:11pm
I say truck, especially if you can only afford one or the other. So much more practical for non-moto purposes...hauling mulch/stone/soil, etc; higher tow ratings; 4wd. For camping, you can throw a cap on there and an air mattress in the bed.

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Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 10/9/2014 4:14pm
10/9/2014 4:14pm
pete24 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/15/100_2580_332222.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/15/100_2578_634792.jpg[/img] extended van




extended van
Hey Pete you actually sleep on that coffin with your hip?
FWYT
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FWYT 10/9/2014 5:55pm
10/9/2014 5:55pm Edited Date/Time 10/9/2014 5:55pm
This post reminds me that when I win the lottery, one of the things I'm going to do is build
a trick as hell, auto-crossing, early '70s Ford Econoline moto van.

This one belongs to a friend and we borrowed it for a photo session. Bad Co.





Sheriff245 10/9/2014 6:35pm
10/9/2014 6:35pm
It depends on each rider's personal situation. If you have room for only one vehicle in the driveway and you don't drive much, a truck makes sense, especially if you live in an area where there's a real winter. 4WD vans are rare, expensive and usually only available in the 1500. Adding an enclosed trailer makes for a nice moto setup. If you drive a lot for work, it can be cheaper to have a more fuel efficient car for commuting/traveling and a dedicated vehicle for moto. In this case, the van makes more sense to me, for the reasons already stated by other posters.

Another advantage to having a van is that you can add a travel trailer for race weekends, and use just the van for ride days or week night practice. It can be done with a truck, but you either have to fork out some serious cash for a cargo trailer, or your stuff stays outside at night. And if you have an enclosed trailer, you're screwed. Saying the truck is more practical isn't necessarily true. I've owned vans since 2009 and never once have I faced a situation where I thought I would have been better off with a truck. If you need to haul gravel you can always get a utility trailer.

So in short, if you have room for just one vehicle, live in a place where there's snow and ice, and don't travel much, get a truck. For everything else, a van makes more sense.
endurox
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endurox 10/9/2014 7:49pm
10/9/2014 7:49pm Edited Date/Time 10/9/2014 7:55pm

The new Ram Promaster with the 3.0 diesel has just a 21 inch high floor.
dirtbikemike 10/9/2014 7:53pm
10/9/2014 7:53pm
I haven't been without a van since my first VW Bus in 1970. Most of my racing has been long hauls. Crashing in the bunk while someone else drives is the shit. It's hard to lay down in a pickup truck.

Vet World 2009, Glen Helen back to Arkansas, only 1600 miles to go. Glad I wasn't in a pickup truck.



gharmon
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gharmon 10/9/2014 8:16pm
10/9/2014 8:16pm
Vans seem cool but we never take less that three bikes and mostly it's 4-6 depending on who's going. You just cant do that with a van. I admire you guys talents with converting them into custom haulers.
Pembroke36
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Pembroke36 10/9/2014 8:27pm
10/9/2014 8:27pm
I work for Mercedes. A LWB Sprinter is a perfect vehicle and a AWD version will be in here soon. But the price is high and usually the killer for a dedicated MX hauler. By time it is converted you could get something else that has some living space as well as bike/work space.
G-man
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G-man 10/9/2014 9:22pm
10/9/2014 9:22pm
Chip,
That's a cool idea I had one like this, wish I still had her.

I'm like dirtbikemike, had one since the 70's, on #5 and currently have 2.
Once you own one a pickup won't fit the bill, for my preferences anyway.



jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/9/2014 9:31pm
10/9/2014 9:31pm
For me.....A van is the way to go. Living in the NW we deal with a lot of rain. It's nice to have a little cabin at the track. I have a power converter hooked up with dual batteries in my Chevy express. Can hook up a heater , microwave , whatever I need and feel comfy. Being the extended version......man I'll tell ya what , she's about all I'll ever need for hauling my bikes. I feel more secure having everything inside as well. The back of a truck leaves everything really vulnerable. I have definitely had to put some money into her ( as i knew i would have too ) but I got a really good deal on it and she's an awesome rig.





jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/9/2014 9:34pm
10/9/2014 9:34pm
G-man wrote:
Chip, That's a cool idea I had one like this, wish I still had her. I'm like dirtbikemike, had one since the 70's, on #5 and...
Chip,
That's a cool idea I had one like this, wish I still had her.

I'm like dirtbikemike, had one since the 70's, on #5 and currently have 2.
Once you own one a pickup won't fit the bill, for my preferences anyway.



G-man....you would simply love my buddies van! It's an even older ford with a pop-up canopy ( all original ) which he shows in a few hot-rod shows around the NW. That thing is his pride and joy! I'll find out what year and have him send me some pics and post them here.
endurox
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endurox 10/9/2014 9:36pm
10/9/2014 9:36pm


Some guys over in Oregon make these graphics

jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/9/2014 9:53pm
10/9/2014 9:53pm
endurox wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/10/09/67243/s1200_IMAG1038_4.jpg[/img] Some guys over in Oregon make these graphics


Some guys over in Oregon make these graphics

Holy shit that is a cool van!! Where did you find that pic?

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