He says I need a dually??

[PharmGeek]

storing gas in a van or suv for generator? I guess you could get a propane generator?

Seems like I remember reading on here folks having a special storage for the gas in their SUV without it smelling...

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Now you know why I bought a used V10 Ford Excursion for $7000. I don't have $40k+ to spend on a pickup. The running gear is the same as an F250/F350. An E250 or E350 van is not a bad tow vehicle and you have plenty of room. The big problem with those is finding one with seats in it that is not a cargo van. I grew up with vans and you could put just about anything in one. I use to carry my motorcycle around in the back of one when I was in grad school. The Excursion is ok but it is nice to have a van and you can put a bike in the back without taking the wheels off it. Your stuff is also out of the rain and locked up.

Perry

There's a blog out there where they use a GMC Savana Extended Diesel van as a TV - a family of five, they just finished a year long trip. Mali Mish - An Airstream Travel Blog

They had their van converted for passenger use and still had a huge trunk space. From what I've read, they loved this setup.

Here's a direct link to the van page: http://malimish.com/blog/2009/02/04/...na-diesel-van/

[PharmGeek]

cool...ill have to check that blog out when I get time later

[PharmGeek]

im not crazy about the aesthetic of a utility type van...not that this precludes selection of it as a TV per se...but it is a factor I will admit

[Zigidachs]

Not long ago, we owned a dually, purchased as a TV for our 15,000# fifth wheel. MPG was atrocious towing or not! We now own a '13 Ram 2500 SB and it tows the same wt. as the dually (!) with obviously better gas mileage. There seems to be little difference between driving one or the other, given that we have a ProPride hitch properly readjusted for the 3/4 ton Ram, however it is rewarding to achieve ~20 mpg when not towing! Dually? Nah....just over kill. And we have easily "redistributed" all that "stuff" in the dually truck bed into the SB.

[PharmGeek]

20mpg when not towing...you talking mixed city/highway miles? "get outa here?!"

oh, what does "SB" stand for?

[perryg114]

Ugly but functional = GEEK what more could you ask for in a van.

Perry

[PharmGeek]

"geek" is a relative term....

we geeks like to try and look cool from time to time...we fake it as best we can...

[perryg114]

You want UGLY get one of those new Nissan vans. Get a van a paint it to look like the Mystery Machine.

2012 Nissan NV 3500 HD Passenger Van First Look - Motor Trend

Perry

[switz]

Short Bed, on 2012 Dodge Ram diesel it is 6' 4" inside length.

[PharmGeek]

im serious, that van is so ugly/functional...its beautiful...wow..is that a prototype?

[perryg114]

No I think it is in production. The ceiling height is so low I would say it is an SUV as opposed to a van. It looks like it is about the size of my Excursion in volume. They are that ugly in person. I passed one the other day.

Nissan NV Passenger Van - Full Size 2013 NV3500 | Nissan Commercial Vehicles

Perry

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

im not crazy about the aesthetic of a utility type van...not that this precludes selection of it as a TV per se...but it is a factor I will admit

I like the idea of the van - but the aesthetics of a work van leave something to be desired. A modern pickup in one of the higher trim levels is a very pleasant place to spend some time on a road trip.

I don't think you can get heated/cooled seats in a cargo van...

[Zigidachs]

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

Not long ago, we owned a dually, purchased as a TV for our 15,000# fifth wheel. MPG was atrocious towing or not! We now own a '13 Ram 2500 SB and it tows the same wt. as the dually (!) with obviously better gas mileage. There seems to be little difference between driving one or the other, given that we have a ProPride hitch properly readjusted for the 3/4 ton Ram, however it is rewarding to achieve ~20 mpg when not towing! Dually? Nah....just over kill. And we have easily "redistributed" all that "stuff" in the dually truck bed into the SB.

20 mpg , at 62 mph, with two 17' sea kayaks mounted on roof racks, on 200 mile journey, loaded with aux. gear. Driving around town= 16-17 mpg. Check it out!

[PharmGeek]

@ zigidachs...going to test drive on monday

What is SB?

[janeinthemtns]

You can haul almost anything with an F250. I used to haul 8 tons of hay out of the mountains with an F250 Powerstroke. I use 10 ply Cooper tires which cost about $900 for 4. A dually requires 6 tires. If you are in mud a dually will always have flat inside tires. It's a drag and unnecessary unless you are hauling a huge load of hay or horses.

[janeinthemtns]

Now I have a 2000 F350 Powerstroke. 18mpg on the highway without a trailer.

[Airstream Dad]

Originally Posted by perryg114

An E250 or E350 van is not a bad tow vehicle and you have plenty of room. The big problem with those is finding one with seats in it that is not a cargo van.
Perry

I love the idea of the E350 as an option (I believe the tow rating is north of 10,000 lbs with the beautiful V10). The awesome rig might be to find a panel van version of it, but customize it with windows for a second row, consisting of two captain's chairs for ride comfort. Behind that is a cargo bay wall/bulkhead of some kind separating the passenger "compartment" from a rear-entry cargo spot, either for hauling toys or as a great spot for generators, chairs, bikes, grills, and other outdoor gear that you don't want cluttering up the Airstream interior.

Airstream Dad

[Zigidachs]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

@ zigidachs...going to test drive on monday

What is SB?

SB= short bed. We decided to go with the SB because the Ram has such a comparative short turning radius to begin with, and the SB has even a shorter turning radius. ( CG maneuvering, etc)

We easily moved all our "stuff" from the dually to the SB truck.

The new Ram is redesigned for '13 with much better tow ratings than ever before. e.g....the 3/4 ton is rated to pull 17,300# which is as much as our dually was rated!

With the SB, the key, and very critical component is the hitch. The WD properties of the ProPride enabled us to "dial" in the proper tensioning on the WD bars to return the front axle to its pre-hitch weight (on the scale), and thus we experienced no real change in towing ability from the dually.

Currently, we average about 14 mpg while towing, but the truck only has 2100 miles on it, and the mileage will improve with time. Our dually finally peaked at 12.5 mpg towing or not towing after 36,000 miles.....

PM me if you wish, and I can send you my phone #.

I researched this project extensively. I have driven / owned other brands, and I have no "skin in this game" as far as brand loyalty. I just analyzed the data.

Love my truck....and so does my wife, who drives / tows without any reservation. In fact, she "fights" me for the privilege!

[PharmGeek]

the van's utility aspect is quite attractive.....wonder if they are lower cost too....