Hey There

 

Just wanted to let you know that I have been driving a van for about 10 years. Not only for my work GMC Safari) but for my personal vehicle (Dodge Caravan) and I have found the van to be the most versitile vehicle overall and have not found very much I can not put in my caravan. I have removed both the rear seats and laid down a tarp and then loaded 1/2 tonn of gravel and slowly drove it home. I have had a load of fire wood in the back just by folding the back rear seat down and have loaded it full to go camping with my Boy Scout Troop for the week end including the boys with the excess on the top in a closed carrier which by the way will allow you to increase you carrying ability greatly depending on the size of the carrier.

 

Most of all I like the ease in loading and unloading a van especially the new ones with the dual sliding doors it seems to be the right level to lift from and place into for most loads. Not sure if a sheet of plywood will fit inside but I am sure it will load to the top of the van ( I made a rig that clamps down to the roof rack and holds a sheet perfectly.

 

The other thing is with a 6 cylinder you can also bring a small utility tralier to put more stuff in ( an old tent trailer is perfect just take out all the stuff and keep the top for a lid.

 

Hope these comments help

 

Jim

I also have a gmc safari.this is my 2nd one[last one had 267,ooo  on it].i haul all my craft show stuff with it,plus a 4000.# travel trailer.it never hesitates.the rear has one door that folds up, 2 that open side to side,with both rear seats out, it can haul almost anything.i have hauled 4 by 8 sheets of drywall with it they go above the drivers seat& i hold them up with my head.i love this vehicle! kim

Probably a little late in replying to your thread scrollhead but don't count out a box trailor. If you like your truck with the running boards just keep it and purchase a tow behind trailor. You can get a very nice one for a couple grand that is light weight and easy to add shelves and such inside. You can still use your truck bed for the larger items you may have like tables and stands. At craft shows you can secure the trailor if they have parking for it and take the truck home or to your hotel.

 Even a used minivan will cost a lot. If not in the initial price in the maintenance down the road.

 Just something to ponder over.

Gary

 

That's strange. My parents LOVE their Caravan and have had it for 5 years. No tranny problems or other major mechanical.

 

I think it's all up to your confidence in Consumer Reports. I bought another Ranger based on the 2004 book.

 

Good luck!

Gee, we've had our 1991 Dodge Caravan SE since it arrived at the dealership Feb of 91---the key to the Caravan is not getting the 4 speed trany, the best combo on the older vans is the 3 speed trany and the 3.0 Mitsubishi-6 cyliner engine.

 

I use the van for my craftshows, loads easily and gets great gas mileage, even though there's 240,000 miles on it.

Just to throw in my 2 pennies worth, I've had a Chrysler Town and Country mini van which was a great. I currently have a Ford Explorer, but over the years I've had mainly cars or station wagons. I can honestly say that I much prefer the cars first and then the station wagons over the mini van & SUV. I have put a full dining room set in a station wagon- 6 chairs,table,hutch,credenza- and moved it in 1 trip over a100 miles.  I've also loaded my motorcycle into the backseat of my Austin Cambridge in my younger daysI guess what I'm trying to say is that what ever you get is matter of personel choice and you should also enjoy driving it.Ron

I know you have probably already got something but for future reference have you considered a trailer? A small enclosed trailer works well and you can lock it up and do not have to unload it between weekends. You can buy the size you need and customize the inside to the product you sell. 

That would allow you to get whatever best suits your wife and you can still use the Envoy for shows if you would like.

John

I am going to recommend the Chevy Astro or GMC Safari as a transport vehicle. I bought a '89 model in "97 for $1500 that had a little rust and have fell in love with it. I have put over 150,000 miles on mine with the only problem being a water pump. It now is set up to pull my boat back and forth to the lake and still runs like new with 232,000 miles on it. You can haul 4x8 sheets if you take the rear seats out (very easy), and lumber up to 10 ft will stack up nice between the front seats. The 4.3 liter 6 cylinder engine will haul waterever you can get in it or hook to it. (This was chevy's 350 engine and they took two cylinders off it, so plenty of power). And I usually get over 20 MPG. I love mine so much that I now also own a Chevy full size custom van and a S-10 pickup all with the same 4.3 liter engine and the auto-overdrive trans.

i,ve got an old divco bread truck with 60,000 miles on it.its yellow,and you can see it coming from a mile away.its not bad on gas,the body is aluminum,and its got a 6 cylinder in it.i also have an s-10 pick-up, with a cap,and a full sized dodge van.

but whatever you use you,ll find some way to fit it to your needs.

my s-10, i cut a sheet of plywood downmade wooden tracks for the bed,so i could slide whatever i load out to the rear so im not crawling to the back of the pick-up bed on hands and knees.the dodge van i keep for hauling wood and such,its on its last legs, but lowes and home depot are only a mile away.

the bread truck i use for the shows locally andwithin a hundred miles.

its also big enough that i can sleep in it if need be.

as far as dodge caravans go,my freinds swear by them,soccer moms,baseball moms,football moms,and such,so if it can survive kids,it can survive anything you throw at it

                                                                                        jerry.