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For those that say it can't be a daily driver...it's got a shorter wheelbase than a crew cab pick-up (which makes it easier to maneuver in parking lots).
And it tows just fine.
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38mpg FTW
Van:
Box Van:
Box truck???
I'm thinking a box van is better than a box truck.
I have a 2005 MB sprinter van,medium wheelbase with the tall roof. I love it,
I just picked this up at the local junk yard for $50 it folds out into a bed, just need to clean and install
I also have a power inverter installed and outlets ran in the back, a 2 gallon air compressor and a separate battery to run it, I just need to finish it up.
Here is when I first brought it and painted the floor and walls. No cabinets or shelves YET.
Bike on the back of the truck for local practice.
I put a hitch on the back of my tractor so I can drop the trailer out front of my house and jockey it into a tight parking spot out of the way with ease.
Pit Row
but needed new seats as standard where crap
https://www.denniskirk.com/ancra/tie-down-anchor.p4039.prd/4039.sku
Love my van.
The down side is the need to for extra insurance on the trailer, extra wheel bearings and brakes to maintain, you have to continuously clean it, the pains of getting in and out of certain fuel stations and even getting through some towns, extra tires to buy and maintain, just for a few. And of course, if you have living quarters in it, it's tough to use one for a week without something important breaking. Then up north the need for winter preparation. You need to either get a nice diesel (with that expense and potential complications - we chose Duramax) or work a gas motor to death through the mountains and hills. If your tow vehicle breaks your friends can come hitch up to the trailer, which is nice, however, you'll probably pay an extra fee to have both truck and trailer towed to repair shop, which wasn't so nice for us in Arkansa five years ago.
My racer and his mechanic recently talked me into a van purchase. We purchased a Ford Transport mid height roof with long wheelbase. After installing a wall we have room for three 250f bikes, a pressure washer, some tires gear bags and fuel. We had cabinets installed so we have several feet of spare part storage right above the bike's front wheels. We put a 60 gallon aluminum water tank under a rear seat in front of the partition wall. The van drinks regular gas, gets 19 mpg on the highway and zips through traffic like a car. Parking isn't an issue. Going through a drive through is easy. Creature comforts like refrigerator and toilet aren't present. Most vans are helpless in the mud, or even wet grass on a slight grade. Going to a hotel at night for a nice long hot shower can be priceless. Meals out can seem so. If your van breaks your bikes are securely in it, but you have to have a buddy with empty space to get them to the track.
There's only one insurance payment. The tires are less expensive than a Duramax and we aren't working them that hard.
So, as with most important decisions there isn't a right or wrong answer, just advantages and trade offs that seem more or less important depending on circumstances like weather, temperature, distance travelled, traffic, etc. In the end, for us, we were keeping a truck/trailer for one week at LLs, one at the Mini Os, maybe two more at the spring nationals, and then dragging it all over for qualifiers and regionals. In the end, even with need to pay for hotels, etc., the van will actually be more economical for use throughout the year. And since we paid for an extra warranty, anything that happens in the five years is covered, so no more worrying about when and if a ten year old diesel gives out. Either choice will work. Having done both, I think that for most people (with one or two racers), most of the time, the van is the better choice.
What I'd be left with is a crew cab diesel box van that will serve as a camper/tow rig for my jeep when we go Rock Crawling and a motovan big enough for 4 bikes and 4 riders when we go to races.
First picture is of my truck. Other two are for reference of what the box configuration will be like. I thought I had a E450 box van located but they won't sell the box with the truck. So the hunt goes on... this is my winter project after I heal from my shoulder surgery.
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