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| | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 carpal tunnel | carpal tunnel Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 | I've posted this before but here is a pic of a van I almost bought once. It was heavy duty E350 with eight (new) captains chairs and all the good stuff. Professionally engineered/designed tag axle with independent braking system and air bag suspension. I backed up because it was a diesel.... | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 carpal tunnel | carpal tunnel Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 | Our friends at Volunteer Vans own this Ford. And it is exceedingly cool!!! | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 carpal tunnel | carpal tunnel Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,855 Likes: 234 |
If the 5 adults and their luggage is the only real reason, then consider towing a modest sized enclosed trailer. They are pretty light and will likely not affect gas mileage that much carrying that weight anyway.
I agree. My old Ford and trailer: | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Those are some awesome vans! I wouldn't need a trailer that big. It really is about 5-8 suitcases. Maybe I just need to find some smaller seats and a smaller bench seat...
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 |
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,338 vantooner | vantooner Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,338 | That white tandem is sweet!
Jason ..."the van may be the toughest-looking vehicle ever created" Flying Cloud | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9,854 Likes: 8 Festerus Vannimus | Festerus Vannimus Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9,854 Likes: 8 | If you decide to try this, I recommend a dually conversion too. I can not find it right now, but there is a great video showing the difference between a single wheel and dually extended van in emergency "J" turn. . . very convincing stuff.
I have to say, I think making a van bodied trailer would be easier and MAYBE cheaper than extending your van. It could be a second sleeping area, plus carry the "extra" load too.
My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN IIâ€
Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
| | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 267 enthusiast | enthusiast Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 267 | An extended van bone yard in south Georgia. There were bunches of these sitting in the weeds. The state of Georgia sold all their extended Fords and Dodges at auction.
One word: lawsuits Yep. The 250 and 350 chassis had a much higher center of gravity, especially if it was loaded with 15 passengers. All that weight up high plus bad driving (i.e. speeding and turning to quickly) led to rollovers. I used to drive an extended 79 Dodge 250 van that wasn't a passenger model. It was actually a conversion van the former owner had stripped the interior out of. I had no problems with handling or tipping, but it was a "light" 250 in that it didn't have eight lug rims and the suspension wasn't any higher than a 150. My understanding (as an "aggressive" driver of a 3/4T extended body Ford) is that most of the roll overs are caused by three main causes. BAD DRIVING - inexperienced van drivers used to Civics and whatnot AND distracted drivers, 10 passengers all talking to the driver... all this adds up to last second swerves and braking. OVERLOADING - many inexperienced van drivers think that just because something does fit, doesn't mean it SHOULD fit. (I once had a boss ask me to carry a 4,500 pound hydraulic cylinder - UNSECURED - in my van. I refused for obvious reasons) UNBUCKLED PASSENGERS - Passengers are cargo. Unsecured, heavy cargo up high is BEGGING for stability issues. Ten "average" adults is about one ton - or one quarter of the vehicle weight. Whip around a corner or swerve to avoid a squirrel without them being buckled up will cause a dramatic shift in the CG and *boom* on the side it goes. (In naval architecture, this is called "Free Surface Effect" and it can capsize ships in port)
2012 Ford E250 Extended Body. Black, of course. Man, you just can't buy good panelling these days. This new stuff is crap. | | | Re: How difficult is it to extend a van? | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | I have dropped the idea of extending the van. I think it would just bee too much work that is beyond me. I may at some future date add a high top (the taller the better), but for now I will focus on getting the interior better organized to the stufiness and clutter is diminished.
I don't have the space for a van trailer. I might dig out the trailer hitch mounted cargo carrier and try and figure out a way to mount it without the annoying rattling.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | |
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