Non-Race question: Used Full Size vans

[6PAK72]

Our company van has died, we need to replace it.

We're looking for a full-size cargo van, used, with medium towing capacity - a 250 or 350 will do it fine.

Anyone in the COM world have feedback on the plusses and minusses of RAAM vs. E250 vs C30 once the vehicle gets up to around 100k?

Thanks!

[SEISAN]

Hi Jeff,

I worked at a Chevy dealership for 3 1/2 years selling cars and trucks, and vans so i had to study the differences when customers were looking to buy. Personally I would not buy a ford or dodge van. The main reasons: All of there vans are built on the same platform and the wheelbase ist he same whether they are 1/2, 3/4 or full ton regular body or extended. Chevy/GMC has a wheelbase of 135 to 155 to balance out the load. They also have the tow haul mode which changes the shift patten ( shifts at a higher rpm ) in the transmission. Less stress on the trainie. And Third, How many owners of ford vans are always complaining of replacing the front brakes. If you get a chevy van it has the rear brake proportioning system. What does this do. It applys equal pressure to all 4 brakes and the van stops evenly instead of nose diving, saving the fronts from taking all the weight. you will not have to replace the fronts all the time. And if you want to add a 4th, check out the side supports inside and compare them. Chevy has more and they are stronger. Ford does have one benefit. Its cheaper and now you know why, thats why a lot of people buy them. But you get what you pay for.


Anyway, Now you know why i would buy chevy over the others.

good luck,

Brooksie

[962porsche]

when i was looking into vans i wanted a conversion van as i also wanted a place to sleep whan at the races . i like the ford vans the best . i ended up with a dodge 2500 with low miles because of that and the price . what i did like about the ford was the seating and a very small dog house on the inside so the access to the back with out getting out of the van was a plus . i did not like the turning circle thow .and checking on parts prices the ford parts cost the most out of all 3 makes of vans . the 4 GMC vans i test drove were just out for me . there was no good place to put maps ,cell phone and so on . i also do not like the size of the A-pillers . the drivers side one was right in my sight line when in a left turn . also the wheel house was sticking in the way of were my left foot would rest and it was just to uncomfortable to stretch my leg out . so like i said i got a dodge van . the dodge has a good turning circle the seating to me is real good for a person of six foot two . the parts prices are cheap and because its a 318 motor that has been around for god knows how long you can get any thing with out the parts store tell you its in the werehouse and you will get it tomarrow . i don't like american cars and trucks as a rule so when i was looking i did not care what brand it really was i just wanted a conversion van . it tows great being a 2500 the load rating on the tires could be higher but with load distribtion bar from the trailer to the van you don't have the ass end sagging . it has rear ABS brakes so when you have to brake hard it does stop . i have had the same brakes on it for the past 2 1/2 years i have owned it .i only use it to tow with many trips being 10 to 14 hour just to get there . like 4 times to VIR , 3 trips to canada . 7 to beaverun and so on . i got it with 60k on it and i'm now at about 130k . i like the way the 3 speed overdrive trans works thow i do have a out put shaft seal leak now .i don't like the arm rest on the left door after 2 or 3 hours driving it makes my arm sore . i put a peice of roll bar padding on it . fuel mileage is ok when towing at about 10 miles to the gal. it also had the biggest fuel tank out of the 3 with a 38 gal capacity . i also like that they have a real truck frame some other vans use a smaller frame on there lighter model vans were the dodge has a 3/16 thick ladder frame . i hauled a ford f250 truck down to NJ with ease . with a non bias opinion i would buy an other dodge van .

[breakaway500]

Buy a Ford. There you go,three different answers. All three are just as good as the other. It all really comes down to condition,condition,condition when you are looking at used vehicles. If you were happy with the old one,buy another of the same brand.If not,you have narrowed it down to two choices. Condition is paramount.

[6PAK72]

Wow, thanks you guys for the great detail. I'm looking at a Chevy and a Dodge this weekend, and I'll bring the list with me.

Our WindstarXL was great until the subframe rotted...Ford bought it back for nearly 7k on a recall, so we have a good start on a replacement.

We liked the Windstar because 1. it accepts a 4x8 sheet flat - barely, and 2. the women in the office felt comfortable driving it vs. our old Chevy box truck that drove like, well, a truck, and 3. great gas mileage, and 4. with the tow package and severe service package, we regularly towed very heavy things - like 40-foot spider lifts.

[CP]

Can you still get vans with a diesel engine? I've never towed with gas, but I know it's alot easier with an oil burner. I get 15-16mpg at highway speeds with the Miata on an open trailer...up and down I88 to the Glen. I waited for a while to find a 6 speed manual trans and believe it or not, I get 21mpg around town with the thing jammed into 6th gear at anything over 40mph.

[breakaway500]

Yes,you can find Ford vans with Powerstrokes...but no manual trannys. I believe you about your mileage claims,because I get 14-16mpg while towing my 20' 6k.lb. enclosed trailer,with a 2400lb camper in the back of my Cummins Dodge..(it has a a six speed stick) and get mid 20's around town,unloaded.. ) Diesels are the only way to go for towing,in my eyes. The torque is amazing!!

[6PAK72]

Well, thanks to all who chimed in. We've done the deed, we found a very clean Chevy Super-Tradesman, 158" wheelbase with a 1-ton and already installed towing package. It's a 5.7 petrol engine, so I suspect it will drink like a whale, though it does have the extended range 44 gallon tank.

It has rear windows and a side window, but someone we all know already stuck a decal on it that read "Free Candy"

[CP]

Look into spending the $400 for a Hypertech or other power programmer. You'll get mileage and power. Intake kit or K&N replacement stock air filter will help too. I've had good luck with the Hawk LTS pads on my truck.

[StephanAlfa]

Hi Jeff:
We chatted about my Van. Note Jack used to tow his Cobra with a Montana van (but he braced the frame to handle it).
I am test driving a new car next week for the missus and would use the van as trade-in. Be happy to offer it to you given the dealer will probably "insult me" with the offer.
1999 Pontiac Montana Extended Van
Alloy Wheels
Rear A/C
7 passenger seating
Privacy Glass
K&N filter
Dual sliding doors (not powered)
Fog lights
Mileage is about 102K

[eastcoastbumps]

I can't really offer a comparison, but my father has owned a '97 Chevy 2500 van for the past 10 years or so. Its up around 170k and had about 30k when he bought it. He's an electrician and prefers the passenger van since its not a striped down sardine can. Its what you'd expect for a Chevy van. The thing keeps running, but has had a few minor leaks and it needed a water pump or two. The interior is showing its age. I'm sure the vinyl seats of a cargo van would have held up better. Paddy and I have used it to tow all over the place for the last few years and its been great for that too. That's probably not a very informative review, just my 2 cents. He was planning on replacing it with a diesel Sprinter, but after chatting with someone with a Sprinter at a hillclimb this summer hes changed his mind. The Sprinter is probably an all around better vehicle, but it won't cut it towing. Its not worth the premium.