Van or Truck - Which is Best and Why?

jonesaustin
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Austin, TX, USA
2/20/2016 2:00pm
Sprinter van with Euro cool.
G-man
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Mesa, AZ, USA
2/20/2016 2:10pm
Ha that's not of minivan. Laughing

Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis.

I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put one in a minivan.

It's more of a mid size van and I still have ol whitey she has 210000 miles on it and still rollin.

I'm a van guy I've had five.
Never owned a pickup. Had one in the 70's on the SoCal motocross scene when vans were cool to own I don't care that they went out of style to SUVs an SUV is a wagon to me serves me no purpose.

A van is a very practical vehicle to own it's like you're taking your little room with you everywhere you go great for camping and taking my dog places etc.


mnomis484
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L, AT
2/20/2016 2:13pm
Fiat scudo, 180.000 miles, 2,0litre turbo diesel, 110hp, around 40mpg, can get two bikes in there and it is pretty cheap actually.

ChubbyCat113
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Wheelersburg, OH, USA
2/21/2016 4:51am


I had other needs for a truck than just MX so I got the trailer for cheap and set it up for 4 bikes!

The Shop

Uncle Tony
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New York, NY, USA
2/21/2016 5:53am
G-man wrote:
Ha that's not of minivan. :laugh: Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis. I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put...
Ha that's not of minivan. Laughing

Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis.

I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put one in a minivan.

It's more of a mid size van and I still have ol whitey she has 210000 miles on it and still rollin.

I'm a van guy I've had five.
Never owned a pickup. Had one in the 70's on the SoCal motocross scene when vans were cool to own I don't care that they went out of style to SUVs an SUV is a wagon to me serves me no purpose.

A van is a very practical vehicle to own it's like you're taking your little room with you everywhere you go great for camping and taking my dog places etc.


Was only breaking um G lol
2/21/2016 6:08am Edited Date/Time 2/21/2016 6:18am
If buying used, you can get a lot more van for your money vs a truck. Trucks tend to hold their value and bring more money. Nobody really wants an old cargo van except contractors or mx racers Smile

Edited to add example:

2005 Express van 2500 series - 5k
2005 Silverado 2500 series - 8k

3k more for the same chassis with a bed.
NATEP231
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Waterloo, IA, USA
2/21/2016 9:42am
Thinking about pulling the trigger on this one but my question is, how/what is the top secret for the ceiling and walls on the passenger vans in the "garage part"? Cut it all out and start over or???? I am a big fan of the slider side door and really want the passenger van simply for the windows on the left side for the rear seat.


Bressler11
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Lock Haven, PA, USA
2/22/2016 8:47am
Van All the way





Josh422
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Joshougal, WA, USA
2/22/2016 10:00am


Van!
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
2/22/2016 10:05am
I've been working on this 2006 Dodge sprinter. It's the short diesel version. Getting a kitchen area with sink, solar power and wood panels.




DE262
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The bar, OR, USA
2/22/2016 10:13am
That thing is coming along nicely Joe! The hardwoods really tie the room together!
DE262
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2/22/2016 12:04pm
Good to know Jeffro- My express is a '99 as well. Looking to put some "new" take-offs on it from a newer Tahoe... mine is a 2500 six lug.
JB 19
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Marion, OH, USA
2/22/2016 12:24pm
NATEP231 wrote:
Thinking about pulling the trigger on this one but my question is, how/what is the top secret for the ceiling and walls on the passenger vans...
Thinking about pulling the trigger on this one but my question is, how/what is the top secret for the ceiling and walls on the passenger vans in the "garage part"? Cut it all out and start over or???? I am a big fan of the slider side door and really want the passenger van simply for the windows on the left side for the rear seat.


I have an extended passenger gm van. I gutted the plastic and ceiling in the rear, but left the rear heater/ac. Once you own an extended version it would tough to go back to a standard wheel base. I left one seat in the rear for my kids so it has factory seat belts.
DE262
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The bar, OR, USA
2/22/2016 12:29pm
I completely gutted mine. Fold up bed is nice- I dig having all of the open floor space. No kids for me...
My pics are on page 5.
jeffro503
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St Helens, OR, USA
2/22/2016 1:17pm
I had thought about doing the divider wall and making a sleeper / motovan out of mine , but I'm leaving it open because of other things I'm interested in , take up more room than the bikes. I need all the space I can get.
DE262
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The bar, OR, USA
2/22/2016 2:09pm
I hear that- mine is a standard wheelbase. Surfboards told me I can't section it off! I like having the extra room for sure.
Only 2 seats also cuts down on unwanted passengers- hauls 2 bikes plus gear just right. Anyone else is riding the cooler in the middle!
tobz
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Adelaide, AU
2/23/2016 6:38am Edited Date/Time 2/23/2016 6:39am
Funny this thread pops up. I'm having serious issues deciding between one of these



And one of these



I like being able to lock everything up. But I don't think I ride enough these days to warrant a van, and would enjoy the versatility and comfortability of the ute.... decisions decisions...
FWYT
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San Diego, CA, USA
2/23/2016 7:23am
G-man wrote:
Ha that's not of minivan. :laugh: Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis. I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put...
Ha that's not of minivan. Laughing

Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis.

I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put one in a minivan.

It's more of a mid size van and I still have ol whitey she has 210000 miles on it and still rollin.

I'm a van guy I've had five.
Never owned a pickup. Had one in the 70's on the SoCal motocross scene when vans were cool to own I don't care that they went out of style to SUVs an SUV is a wagon to me serves me no purpose.

A van is a very practical vehicle to own it's like you're taking your little room with you everywhere you go great for camping and taking my dog places etc.


Hey G-Man,
I currently have a little Toyota truck, which is great, but looking ahead to when it finally passes away, I keep thinking about an Astro Cargo. You have had good luck with yours? What about mileage? I hear people claim all over from 17mpg up to 25mpg. I was thinking about a basic late 90's era.

I actually am also considering (looking ahead) a mid 90's Toyota Rav4 and fabricating a good, compact rack
for the bike on the back. That way I could still keep all my stuff inside and the bike securely locked to the back.

All this talk about getting something else is probably hurting the feelings of my Mighty Toyota
so I should give it props. Still runs and looks frigging awesome at 400k miles.


G-man
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Mesa, AZ, USA
2/23/2016 8:26am
Chip,
I still own two Astros, this 1990 I consider as my beater with 210,000 miles. It's not worth it to me to sell as it has a salvaged title when I got T-boned on the way to Loretta Lynn's two miles from my home back in 2005. What a freaking nightmare that was. LOL

It has gone through a waterpump and alternator. City/hwy mpg is 18.

In a panic move as I no longer had a way to the track I bought this 99 a week later with 65,000 miles off eBay for $6,000. I use her for road trips. Silver has the vortec engine with more ponies but only get 17mpg. It now has 79,000 miles. It also has gone through an alternator.

I like the passenger vans as it has rear air conditioning which is a must out here in Arizona the two bench seats I remove and keep in the garage.

The rear air conditioner does make it tricky to load a bike you have to compress the forks going in with a tie strap and then you can release once the bike is inside.

Hope this helps.

I also have a car that I use for commuting.

That's an awesome Toyota with 400000 miles I'm actually thinking of getting a used one but damn people want a lot of money for those!

Jeffro, that's a cool van you got there.






Markee
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Suffolk, VA, USA
2/23/2016 8:41am
Want to keep this thread alive. I have a truck, but recently purchased a 2005 sprinter van. Love it and for moto its awesome.

Just finished out my garage in the rig, still some details to complete but the Sunday ride try out worked great.



Next is the sleeper area behind that partition. Plan is a futon, gear storage, battery bank, inverter and a TV.



Markee
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Suffolk, VA, USA
2/23/2016 8:50am
I've been working on this 2006 Dodge sprinter. It's the short diesel version. Getting a kitchen area with sink, solar power and wood panels. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/22/125029/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/22/125031/s1200_image.jpg[/img]...
I've been working on this 2006 Dodge sprinter. It's the short diesel version. Getting a kitchen area with sink, solar power and wood panels.




You my kind of people, fasthouse, troy lee, KTM, sprinter! How that fantastic fan working out, just ordered one for my project
ob
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Location
Cardiff, CA, USA
2/23/2016 10:35am Edited Date/Time 2/23/2016 10:37am
DE262 wrote:
I loved my truck. But after getting used to the van, I can't imagine going back. Especially while traveling. Van wins.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/26/106347/s1200_140916_001TaJ_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/26/106348/s1200_150819_002.jpg[/img] Everything has it's place...
I loved my truck. But after getting used to the van, I can't imagine going back. Especially while traveling. Van wins.


Everything has it's place in the van- I never leave shit at home anymore!

Bla bla bla lol!!!! Fuck yeah vans rule, if you didn't know now you know! They are the best if you live somewhere that lets you get some playtime In on a work day. Throw your crap in the van and head to work. Lots better than waiting for a day off. Also it sucks leaving your bike in a truck at the beach while you are getting In some surf after moto!
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
2/23/2016 12:06pm
I've been working on this 2006 Dodge sprinter. It's the short diesel version. Getting a kitchen area with sink, solar power and wood panels. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/22/125029/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/22/125031/s1200_image.jpg[/img]...
I've been working on this 2006 Dodge sprinter. It's the short diesel version. Getting a kitchen area with sink, solar power and wood panels.




Markee wrote:
You my kind of people, fasthouse, troy lee, KTM, sprinter! How that fantastic fan working out, just ordered one for my project
Hey Mark, the fan is awesome. I wired it to my solar batteries and it runs strong. I'm a bit confused because I thought it was a power up and down vent but mine doesn't seem to work? Maybe I bought the wrong one? Other than that, you can run it with flow in or out of the van.



Markee
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3658
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Suffolk, VA, USA
2/25/2016 11:19am
I just ordered the Fan-Tastic fan, that has zero options, just a hand crank.

I'm at the insulation part up front. Doing a battery bank with no solar at the moment, because my power needs will be only on weekend trips for a few hours at night.
Trig331
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186
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Location
Denver, CO, USA
3/31/2016 5:37am
Reese, that looks real nice. Have any other pics with bikes in the back? What kind of mileage have you been getting?
3/31/2016 7:49am
If you have the money for a dedicated moto vehicle buy a Box van ..

If you want to be able to secure your stuff inside but still have a vehicle to drive around town get a Cargo Van

If you want a vehicle to haul your bike without the "creeper van" look get a Pick up...

3/31/2016 9:39am
Over here in Europe nobody has a truck for MX. I think the most popular vehicles are Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter.
3/31/2016 9:41am
I personally like small 14ft Box trucks, they offer a heavy chassis, lots of room, pretty cheap and easily customization.
I still have some shelving that needs to be installed and window blinds, but I'm almost finished and ready for some Vintage MX (Just need to buy a bike)






jeffro503
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Location
St Helens, OR, USA
3/31/2016 10:13am
G-man wrote:
Ha that's not of minivan. :laugh: Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis. I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put...
Ha that's not of minivan. Laughing

Astros are great vans they still have a truck chassis.

I can fit a bike in mine, you can't put one in a minivan.

It's more of a mid size van and I still have ol whitey she has 210000 miles on it and still rollin.

I'm a van guy I've had five.
Never owned a pickup. Had one in the 70's on the SoCal motocross scene when vans were cool to own I don't care that they went out of style to SUVs an SUV is a wagon to me serves me no purpose.

A van is a very practical vehicle to own it's like you're taking your little room with you everywhere you go great for camping and taking my dog places etc.


FWYT wrote:
Hey G-Man, I currently have a little Toyota truck, which is great, but looking ahead to when it finally passes away, I keep thinking about an...
Hey G-Man,
I currently have a little Toyota truck, which is great, but looking ahead to when it finally passes away, I keep thinking about an Astro Cargo. You have had good luck with yours? What about mileage? I hear people claim all over from 17mpg up to 25mpg. I was thinking about a basic late 90's era.

I actually am also considering (looking ahead) a mid 90's Toyota Rav4 and fabricating a good, compact rack
for the bike on the back. That way I could still keep all my stuff inside and the bike securely locked to the back.

All this talk about getting something else is probably hurting the feelings of my Mighty Toyota
so I should give it props. Still runs and looks frigging awesome at 400k miles.


Oh man Chip....back in the day I hauled my bikes around in the back of a little Toyota and a Mazda B2200.....and they did the job just perfect. Loading them into a truck like yours is so hassle free compared to a damned van. I love my van....but gawd I miss my little trucks too. That's a good looking little truck you have there!
toot47
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7
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11/12/2015
Location
kansas city, MO, USA
4/11/2016 9:11pm
lostboy819 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/14/DSC00961_46797.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/14/DSC00986_772083.jpg[/img]


Sweet!

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