Darrell Henke Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 My old mini-van has 195k on it and let me down the last time I had to leave town, so I got this one. Rent A Center turns its vans every 3 years. They are custom built by Superior Industries, the guys that make BIG trucks. The have a custom solid bulkhead and 2 rows of E-track with carpet on 3 sides. They were all over the country a few months ago after auction, and I found this 2009 on Ebay for a good price. It only had 27k miles on it. I got a shelf off my last show for free, put security screens on the windows, and bought a ramp. It's not as cool as the cube Phil Palmer used to have, but I don't own that much stuff. Here's the before and after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 That's fantastic! I'm looking at a Transit Connect. My tow vehicle is showing signs of age, and I'm considering it as a driving and equipment vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Henke Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 This is a work only van. A storage container with wheels. I just got tired of the "what's next" fear, and the Uhaul trailer for going out of town. My 195k Astro van will keep going for driving around, and I will still deduct all expenses on it. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordi Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Realizing that it is highly subjective and dependent on location within the country. What is a good price for one of these gently used these days? I will be in the market within the next 2 years or so and am trying to figure out which way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Henke Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Search Auto Trader and Ebay for 2009 Express cargo van. Texas Direct Auto in Houston is the largest Ebay seller. I just wanted this van because of the type of bulkhead and track. Those will cost a lot if you do it right, and you can't find this type of bulkhead at all, only the steel ones. There are still a few left all over the country. They were asking 15480.00 for buy it now, then gave me the minimum bid of 14980.00 when I called them. I made them give me a spare tire, spare tire hoist, and jack that is not on these fleet vans. Those cost them about $500.00. Of course, I saw several cheaper ones with higher miles, up to 63K. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Dear Santa... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 For those of you in the know is there a preference for the type of bulkhead and why. I see yours is solid steel, I have a buddy who's van is a steal mesh with a lockable door on heavy duty hinges. I would assume that yours makes a break in through the cab less likely but it is also harder to turn around and check your load if you hear something go thunk after a pothole. PS. nice ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I've also got a 2009 Chevy Express van for location projects, and it's been a workhorse. Actually very smooth and quiet to drive, for a truck (quieter than my Prius at highway speeds!). I added a Kenwood GPS with a backup camera, and both have saved my life on a few occasions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Darrel - those gear cases i can see in your photos - are they still made and available somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 " gently used " I'm not sure I'd apply that term to a rental... but low mileage could be an important indicator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Henke Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Darrel - those gear cases i can see in your photos - are they still made and available somewhere? The gray ones are Thermodyne. They used to be the standard for ENG cameras, and offer different sizes than Pelican. They can be found on the web. They just lost market share after Pelican came out. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Nice van Darrell! Well done, as always. I like how you rigged it up. Very similar to my old van rig. I loved my truck, sad I had to let it go. A trailer is in my future after my current gig. The one they have for me is perfect...if I could just keep it! PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacysound Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 So much for weight distribution Looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsnd Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 SWEET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Osborn Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 +1 on the Ford Transit Connect. Spoke to a Ford dealer recently and he said in 2013 Ford is supposed to add medium and large size vans to the Ford Transit line-up. The current model will be kept intact as the small version. Hoping my current van with 250k makes it until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 The new Ford vans are full sized and not related to the Connect--they will replace the Econoline. (And none too soon, I say.) phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Darrel, thank you for the Thermodyne info. Now to find out how to get them to India. -vin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Darrell, I was just wondering what the make & model # of that ramp is -- and load capacity. I have a pretty nice folding aluminum ramp, but it's showing signs of fatigue. I've been looking for a viable replacement. Nice set-up, BTW -- similar to how I get around (sans bulkhead.) ~tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Henke Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Darrel, I was just wondering what the make & model # of that ramp is -- and load capacity. I have a pretty nice folding aluminum ramp, but it's showing signs of fatigue. I've been looking for a viable replacement. Nice set-up, BTW -- similar to how I get around (sans bulkhead.) ~tt The ramp is an 8 ft trifold by EZ Access with the extensions to work on a van. The limit is 800 but with the extensions it drops to 500lb. You can shop online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 slightly off topic but is there an option on these or the econoline vans to move the bulkhead back and add a bench seat to accommodate a couple of extra passengers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 The ramp is an 8 ft trifold by EZ Access with the extensions to work on a van. The limit is 800 but with the extensions it drops to 500lb. You can shop online. Thanks Darrell, (and sorry about misspelling your name earlier)... I guess the ramp I'm currently using is rated for 1200#'s. I bought it for $75 at Harbor Freight (they now charge almost twice that amount for it... should have bought 2 or 3 of 'em... ~tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmassey Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 What do you mean you don't own that much stuff??? Compared to my three Pelican 1610 and one Storm roll-on?!? My latest gear vehicle is a Prius which holds all nicely, and has made me way more than my payment in mileage reimbursement:) Hope you're busy.... cleve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyChambers Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 +1 on the Ford Transit Connect. Spoke to a Ford dealer recently and he said in 2013 Ford is supposed to add medium and large size vans to the Ford Transit line-up. The current model will be kept intact as the small version. Hoping my current van with 250k makes it until then. Doug, I had the good fortune of working the Ford Fleet show here in Detroit last week. They unveiled both new vans for 2013. They are nice!. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality, I can send you and pics though. I'd say it's worth the wait if you are interested in the transit connect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 can somebody summarize the main differences between the econo line we all know and the transit connect vans, Is it fuel economy is it shape, more headroom, more width or cu footage. I get why ford is making a change to bring its American vans in line with what it produces for the rest of the world. But I am in the dark as to what to expect or not. And yes I know that until they unveil the line officially nothing is set in stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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