Thinking of buying a van

Pgd09yz450
Edited Date/Time 2/28/2019 9:14pm
I currently have a 16 tacoma crew cab short bed, doesn't have much bed room, thinking of getting a van for riding, racing, dump runs maby camping, alot of the tracks are 2hrs away, my concern is the reliability of say a 04 or 06 van does it turn into a pain in the ass having a older van obviously you get what you pay for, but any tips would be appreciated
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 11/18/2018 11:31am
11/18/2018 11:31am
I’d say get a cargo trailer. Can buy a brand new enclosed 5x8 or 6x10 for between $1800-$3000 and they have a ton of uses. More cargo room, hardly any maintenance, cheap reg and insurance compared to a vehicle and it can double as storage at the house.
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 11/18/2018 12:08pm
11/18/2018 12:08pm
Van life is good! I sold a current Tundra for an older van, it was great but did run into reliability issues after 3 years and high mileage. I sold it and financed a new van. Love it and won’t go back to a pick up.
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OffRoadBro 11/18/2018 12:15pm
11/18/2018 12:15pm
Yep do it, went from a fairly new Duel Cab with not much tray room to an older Van and I don’t miss it one bit. Makes life so much easier.
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Markee
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Markee 11/18/2018 2:27pm
11/18/2018 2:27pm Edited Date/Time 11/18/2018 2:27pm
Do it. Love my Moto van
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The Shop

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walent215
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walent215 11/18/2018 3:36pm
11/18/2018 3:36pm
We had a 98 gmc savanna 3500 extended. Bought it with 180k plus miles...we put about 25k miles on it and sold it for close to what we paid for it. We loved it. It had a fold down RV seat/ bed so we could sleep at the track. Never broke down on us although I did do alot of little fixes . I'd do it all over again and imo the 40k Van's are overkill unless you are traveling all over the US ....
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lostboy819
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lostboy819 11/18/2018 3:41pm
11/18/2018 3:41pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2018 12:44am
A van is the only way to roll. Cool I have owned vans since 1980 .
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craigathan404 11/18/2018 3:48pm
11/18/2018 3:48pm
I have a ford van with 190k miles on it. So far, no reliability issues since I bought it (a year ago) but as far as riding and versatility, it’s hard to beat. You can fit several bikes inside with your riding gear and tools no problem. I have a TV in mine, compresser, power inverter, lights, and a new floor.

It’s awesome. It might look weird or funny to everyone, but who gives a shit. It’ll pay for itself the first time you go riding. You’ll love it.
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user760a
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user760a 11/18/2018 5:04pm
11/18/2018 5:04pm
I have an 05 E150. Love it. I will never haul with a pickup truck again
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 11/18/2018 5:27pm
11/18/2018 5:27pm
I just saw a commercial on tv today for the new sprinter and looks like they are finally offering a gas version. That was my biggest hang up on the Mercedes was diesel only option. I think a new sprinter crew version 4x4 with a gas engine is probably the ultimate Moto hauler.
sandman768
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sandman768 11/18/2018 6:01pm
11/18/2018 6:01pm
once you own a van you will never go back to anything else....I keep all my gear , spare parts & nesseary tools in the van at all times, I can be loaded & on the road in 5 minutes...I have a pickup for Dailey driving, driving a rear wheel drive van around in the winter time can be a PITA...
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crt32
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crt32 11/18/2018 8:19pm
11/18/2018 8:19pm
Elected to go the van route a year ago and do not regret the decision one bit. Makes traveling to the track easier and less worry. Plus I've found the van to be extremely useful with everyday tasks like hauling groceries and items from the hardware store.
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Pgd09yz450 11/19/2018 4:03am
11/19/2018 4:03am
Thanks for the input guys!! Gonna be looking for a clean van with under around 110k on it, leaning towards a ford
ob
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ob 11/19/2018 7:43am
11/19/2018 7:43am
I usually have more than one car, but my van is always my favorite and the only one I won't go without. Good luck. you will see there are tons to pick from. Let's see it after its yours. ?
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motomike894
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motomike894 11/19/2018 7:54am
11/19/2018 7:54am
Van life is the only way to go, I can haul 5 people easy, I have couple seat belts on my back fold out bench seat in case needed for kids, built a insulated wall, my van is smoother and less noisy than my wifes ford escape, and my vans a 2006 e250.
sesker15
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sesker15 11/19/2018 8:14am
11/19/2018 8:14am
Do it! I have a 2008 express van, V6. It has 207k miles on it and runs like a champ! I put a bench seat in it with some seat belts to take the family to the track. My wife loves the van because we can stop at places on the way from riding and the bikes are good. Use to have a f150. I would never get a pick up again for Moto. Once you get a van you will never go back.
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 11/19/2018 2:37pm
11/19/2018 2:37pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2018 2:37pm
I concur with just about everyone above. Van's + Moto just go together. Especially if the weather ain't the best or if you need to keep things locked up at like a motel or something. Trucks = leaving your stuff exposed and just asking to get robbed. I'll never be without a Moto van for as long as I ride.
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JB 19
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JB 19 11/19/2018 5:52pm
11/19/2018 5:52pm
Owning a van is like being in a club that only other like minded people understand.
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155hk
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155hk 11/21/2018 6:53am
11/21/2018 6:53am Edited Date/Time 11/21/2018 7:02am
Bought a 2006 Ford E-250 earlier this year with 87k on it, for $7400. Was 18 at the time and took a loan out to get it. If you ride any kind of bikes, its prolly the best choice you'll ever make. Not having to worry about people seeing your bikes or getting stolen, gear stays out of the weather, and just super convenient to keep gear in. Cons are usually poor gas mileage and eventually rust you'll have to take care of. But you will not regret getting one, JB 19 couldn't be more correct.
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madmaxperformance 11/21/2018 7:04am
11/21/2018 7:04am
Yep. Just bought a new 2018 Chevy express. It’s going to be my daily driver as well. It has the new 2.8 duramax in it. They are supposed to be great on fuel as well so we will see.
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TSCHAM101
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TSCHAM101 11/21/2018 8:21am
11/21/2018 8:21am
im thinking of picking up an old school bus! i think that would be Badass
Dirty Points 11/21/2018 9:58am
11/21/2018 9:58am
TSCHAM101 wrote:
im thinking of picking up an old school bus! i think that would be Badass
Short bus could be okay I guess, but probably less ok than other box van configurations.
Blue bird would just be terrible without tons of modification. And loading into that floor height?
cr12500
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cr12500 11/21/2018 10:46am
11/21/2018 10:46am
sesker15 wrote:
Do it! I have a 2008 express van, V6. It has 207k miles on it and runs like a champ! I put a bench seat in...
Do it! I have a 2008 express van, V6. It has 207k miles on it and runs like a champ! I put a bench seat in it with some seat belts to take the family to the track. My wife loves the van because we can stop at places on the way from riding and the bikes are good. Use to have a f150. I would never get a pick up again for Moto. Once you get a van you will never go back.
How'd you install the seat? I need to do that in the future for a car seat.
kage173
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kage173 11/22/2018 8:20am
11/22/2018 8:20am
The correct title should have been - I'm Buying A Van; Make Me Feel Better About Spending Even More Money On This Sport

lol. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I hope I get one some day.
sesker15
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sesker15 11/22/2018 8:36am
11/22/2018 8:36am
cr12500 wrote:
How'd you install the seat? I need to do that in the future for a car seat.





Pgd09yz450 11/22/2018 1:50pm
11/22/2018 1:50pm
kage173 wrote:
The correct title should have been - I'm Buying A Van; Make Me Feel Better About Spending Even More Money On This Sport lol. I'm sure...
The correct title should have been - I'm Buying A Van; Make Me Feel Better About Spending Even More Money On This Sport

lol. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I hope I get one some day.
Lol justifying it by saying oh yea it'll be easier to get stuff from the home depot also...
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oceantrav
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oceantrav 11/22/2018 4:16pm
11/22/2018 4:16pm
sesker15 wrote:
Do it! I have a 2008 express van, V6. It has 207k miles on it and runs like a champ! I put a bench seat in...
Do it! I have a 2008 express van, V6. It has 207k miles on it and runs like a champ! I put a bench seat in it with some seat belts to take the family to the track. My wife loves the van because we can stop at places on the way from riding and the bikes are good. Use to have a f150. I would never get a pick up again for Moto. Once you get a van you will never go back.
cr12500 wrote:
How'd you install the seat? I need to do that in the future for a car seat.
Ive had like 5 or so moto vans over the years. Last two I put a 3 person seat from a newer ford transit in it, they look sharp. Trying to buy another van tomorrow, already scored a transit seat for $100 a few days ago. Simply drill some holes for the mounts, then use some grade 8 bolts from home depot, and some backing plates so in a accident its less likely they'll pull threw.
three9zero
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three9zero 11/22/2018 4:18pm
11/22/2018 4:18pm
Actually just got rid of my 2015 Tacoma, 4 door, 4X4, and bought this 2014 Express AWD for all the reasons everybody else is stating. Mine is the passenger version which has its advantages and disadvantages. It came with 2 rows of bench seats, I instantly removed the 2nd row for the summer, and can fit(squeeze) 2 bikes in the back. I actually use it for BMX racing and mtn biking. I built a 4 bike rack in the back of it and can fit 4 full sized DH bikes, all of our gear, plus seating for 5 adults. The mileage is pretty much the same as the Taco as well. NO REGRETS. I also ski 50 days a year and have 2 sets of wheels with summer/offroad tires on one set, and winter/snow tires on the other, you can fit 275/70/17's on the Van without rubbing. I'm now looking into upgrading to an ass kicking stereo system to pump the family up while cruising to the hill/trails/track.



lostboy819
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lostboy819 11/22/2018 4:22pm
11/22/2018 4:22pm
I still have my 87 Vandura and doubt I will ever sell it.







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G-man
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G-man 11/22/2018 11:32pm
11/22/2018 11:32pm
lostboy819 wrote:
A van is the only way to roll. Cool I have owned vans since 1980 .
Yep on Van#6 since 1974, for Moto/Camping only vehicle that makes sense to me.
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