enclosed trailer vs moto van to haul bikes

Ob917
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Cardiff, CA US
12/10/2022 7:13pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2022 7:14pm

Do post randomly disappear with the update?  My post was too early in the day for me to say anything offensive lol……..I think

Mr. Ted
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Atoka, TN US
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12/10/2022 7:47pm

I've had just about every kind of toy hauler or trailer. 5th wheels, bumper pulls, 20-40 ft, open flatbeds and one promaster v6 high roof extended van. I will take the van any day. We installed a backseat that electrically reclined into a bed. It was great, especially when we would hotel it. Now if you're planning on camping for days, it probably wouldn't work. But otherwise I found it more convenient.

MaxPower
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NJ US
12/11/2022 9:07am
xracerphx wrote:
Ford extended high roof transit        

Ford extended high roof transit

 

 

 

 

You did a great job building your van. I think the sliding deck is an amazing idea. What kind of slides did you use on the bed?

The Shop

Schleinj
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Tucson, AZ US
12/11/2022 1:40pm
Spooner wrote:
Like others have said, lots of pros and cons.  Currently I have a 2011 extended Express and its working well for me.  I probably have 14k...

Like others have said, lots of pros and cons.  Currently I have a 2011 extended Express and its working well for me.  I probably have 14k in it now after 3 years but its set up pretty nice now.  To me, a decent truck which I don't need otherwise is 30k or so, plus you need a trailer and a place to keep it.  I'm a sales rep so I drive a ton so I need a car with good fuel mileage so its always going to be a second vehicle for riding.  I wanted to keep the cost down but utility high and the express has been great.  The prices for used transits are coming down though so I could see making the jump up to one next year just for the extra head room.  Also my little dudes are riding more so I would like a little more room in the back.  

 

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The express is super nice.  What lift and wheel/tire size are you running?

Farmer J
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Steelville, MO US
12/11/2022 2:33pm
49weasel wrote:
Let me share my moto vehicle journey.  For longest time just bike and truck. Made it to Loretta’s in 14 and bought a 6x12 enclosed...

Let me share my moto vehicle journey.  For longest time just bike and truck. Made it to Loretta’s in 14 and bought a 6x12 enclosed , hated the hassle of backing-sold it.   Back to a truck in 2015. 2016 bought a new mid roof Ford transit, loved it but had nothing but issues- late 2016 back to a truck.  Fast forward to  early summer of 18 I bought a small toy hauler since my son was racing now -Hated it. Couldn’t store at my house and didn’t really like sleeping at the track- sold it.  Early 19 bought another 6x12, used it quite often but with all the 50s I had I for my son and my 450 it was too small- sold.  Late 19 my son was going pretty good and we decided to make Loretta run in 2020.  Bought 34’ toy hauler in March of 2020 and used the hell out of it.   Minus my family loving it I hate everything thing about it- still have it.  Bought a gas hd truck in 21 to tow the TH, hated it sold it mid summer.  Bought a diesel 1500 Sierra loved towed phenomenal.  We were riding a ton , so I bought 2006 e350 high top van - hated the hassle of loading sold it late 21.  Early 22 I bought a 7x16 enclosed and like it a lot.  Job situation changed so I bought a diesel 2500 for the write off late summer this year.  Tows the enclosed and toy hauler great but the price of diesel sucks.  
 
I met a guy at Daytona Sx that had the big Sprinter and a mid size camper.  He said it towed like a dream and was getting 15-20 mpg while towing since the van roof was taller than the camper.  
I’m leaning towards that setup currently.  

Sprinters don't tow very well especially if there is a hill.  5000 pound capacity does not get you far.  Probably fine in FL, but the GVWR...

Sprinters don't tow very well especially if there is a hill.  5000 pound capacity does not get you far.  Probably fine in FL, but the GVWR is not very good once you actually load the van itself....especially if you outfit the van.  

This exactly. People don't understand gvwr or axle ratings. I can promise that sprinter was overloaded. Then if you happen to run into a dot cert cop that pulls out the scales, you're leaving the camper where it sits until you get something suitable to tow it. Plus some hefty fines. 

Bauer
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Corona, CA US
12/11/2022 2:44pm

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Can't go wrong with this sweet setup!  1977 Dodge Tradesman 360, Pro-Trac trailer and a nappy-haired mechanic. Next thing you know, you're breaking bones and taking names at Nats and stadiums across the country!  

 

Spooner
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Kansas City, MO US
12/11/2022 3:09pm
Schleinj wrote:

The express is super nice.  What lift and wheel/tire size are you running?

Thanks man!  It’s just leveled in the front and 265/70-17’s. 

2
dave6
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Richardson, TX US
12/12/2022 7:05am

if i do get a sprinter it will be a daily driver.

Ob917
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Cardiff, CA US
12/12/2022 8:08am

I’ve had all five (econoline, express,pro master, sprinter, transit)  I’d recommend the new transit all day. 

xracerphx
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Phoenix, AZ US
12/12/2022 9:44am
xracerphx wrote:
Ford extended high roof transit        

Ford extended high roof transit

 

 

 

 

MaxPower wrote:
You did a great job building your van. I think the sliding deck is an amazing idea. What kind of slides did you use on the...

You did a great job building your van. I think the sliding deck is an amazing idea. What kind of slides did you use on the bed?

Just found some heavy duty sliders on the internet.  Slides out to a queen size bed.  I used 3 of them.  Extends over the sink.  Bikes are in backwards so it does not feel like a coffin up there.   Slides back and you have a small kitchen area.  

1
piscokid
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OH US
12/12/2022 10:35am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2022 10:36am

I have a High Roof Extended Ford Transit and use it for for my daily.   I love driving it.  I have the 6 cylinder Eco-boost.  I average about 18 mpg.

 

I still have my 6x10 trailer and it pulls that easily.  I sometimes take that to the track also if we are camping for a long weekend.

DEMONDAVE
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9/6/2013
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
12/12/2022 11:16am

there's pros and cons to both.

van cons  : insurance costs , smog's , license fees (all expensive if you live in calif)

van pros : slab side van everything's hidden for sight, can use for other things than moto, easier to maneuver in traffic and parking lots/gas stations etc.

trailer cons : harder to maneuver in parking lots / gas stations , can't use carpool or fast lane

trailer pros : can unhook and drive vehicle, large ramp to load & unload, items hidden from sight, no smog's,less license fees ,cheap insurance.

i have both truck and trailer but trailers 30 foot so not often in  use , a van would suit my needs better than a truck due to security etc but ins / license / smog's as stated before.

12/12/2022 7:21pm
Timo wrote:
I'll say 30-75k plus full coverage insurance for a van pays for lots of gas pulling a trailer with your daily driver SUV or pickup. Sounds...

I'll say 30-75k plus full coverage insurance for a van pays for lots of gas pulling a trailer with your daily driver SUV or pickup. Sounds like a lot of people don't like having to back up a trailer, never been an issue with me. On my uncle's farm when I was 10 he taught me to back horse trailer around a S curve for multiple afternoons. When my wife and I got our first wave runner we went to a low traffic boat ramp and I did the same with her until she could back the short trailer starting with it perpendicular to the ramp. She's actually helped people out at the lake by backing their rigs up after watching them struggle. Most of the time they expect me to do it and I just get out of her way!

Find a big empty parking lot, set up some cones, and practice for a couple of afternoons. You'll be surprised how easy it is once you get the hang of it.

This trailer was my brother's and now mine, 11 years old and still going strong!

That’s my favorite setup I Love c class rv,s. I hv 2 g20 vans a few bolt ons like billet alum under drive pulley kit, 2 tbi spacers, hotter coil,kn, converter was cut off when I bought it, turbo muffler. Basic tune up good wires, plugs, cap. I hv to match the timing to the other 1. Then it should get better hp and mpg. I didn’t drive it much but I got 17&18 hwy &  city. Fun to drive and looks cool. But race fuel in a van is bad and there’s not much room. A mechanic that maintains a fleet of every van made said the ford 4.7  is the most Reliable and mpg was the best. They do a lot of stops at stores and idle a lot so mpg is not great. The worst was the diesel sprinter he has to force a regen often and they break down a lot . Alum block, heads and a plastic intake not good. 

1
yz763
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Altamonte Springs, FL US
12/14/2022 4:46am

I was in the same boat a year or so ago. At the end of the day, I didn’t want to daily drive a sprinter cargo van that had fuel and dirt in it. 
The way I looked at it, I can buy a well equipped half ton or a sprinter for the same price. I needed something that could pull double duty. Which would be the best option? I would get more utility and comfort out of the half ton so I settled on a 1500 Silverado with the 3.0 liter Duramax and a 16 foot box trailer. The “Minimax” gets 30 mpg at 72 mph with out the trailer and 14-17 with the trailer (5 bikes and a lot of tools). Sure the trailer sucks if I want to use a drive through but that’s less than 1% of my driving. Other days, I can toss a bike in the back of the truck and go or we can cruise to the local MTB trails with bikes in the back and not have to drive a big empty tin can. 
When we’re done with a race weekend, we back the trailer up in the back yard, unhook and leave it. I don’t have to worry about unloading a van to keep the smell out or cleaning it right away. The trailer sits until I’m ready to mess with it. 

1

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