Topic: I want a van
I want a van but don't know anything about vans. I think a van will solve these transportation problems for me:
1. Dedicated race car tow vehicle. We tow primarily from Los Angeles to the west coast races;
2. Lockable storage so that we can lock the race car stuff in the van while we are traveling allowing us to attend races more than a day's drive or allow us to stay near the track on Sunday night and drive home early Monday morning;
3. Family trip transportation. Water skiing (boat in tow); Snow skiing; etc.
4. Weekend warrior work: home depot runs, etc.
So, I am thinking about a used, 15 passenger van. Towing capability is obviously of primary concern. We use a U-Haul trailer. That and our car together weigh 5500#. For the snow skiing trips, 4 wheel drive would be very desireable as it would for launching the ski boat on a slippery launch ramp. It will have to have great AC because our water skiing trips are to the Arizona desert with temps hitting well over 110.
To date, we have used a 4x4 Ford Expedition for the family/weekend uses and rented a U-Haul pickup for the race car. I tried using the Expedition to tow the race car but that didn't go well for two reasons: rear suspension is not really setup for towing and the wife wasn't thrilled with tool boxes and fuel jugs in the back of her car. The Expedition is my wife's everyday driver, it is approaching the end of its useful life and she wants something smaller.
This will not be a new purchase. I have been focused on a crew cab 4x4 pickup but the security of our junk in the bed is a problem although that could be solved to some degree with a shell. But the van idea came to me so I am asking the question.
If I had an unlimited budget, I would buy one of those turbo-diesel converted 4x4 Ford E350 based vans. But those, even used without much in the way of accessories are pricey. Too pricey for me for a part time use vehicle.
Swedish Knievel Skycycle('90 Volvo 740 Wagon)