My wife and I tend to be avoiding air travel to get to our races due to the hassle of air travel since 9/11.
What do you recommend as the best Mini-Van or similar vehicle for road trips with plenty of luggage, dogs and bikes?
I liked the VW Eurovan and it’s great use of space but they are no longer in production (2003) and they are still up there in price considering most have over 100k miles.
Do any of the Mini-Vans allow you take out the middle row of seats that seems to afford the best use of space?
That new Ford small commercial van looks neat but it’s too small.
We have had Chrysler Town and Country vans since the 1980s. The stow and go seats are the best of the mini’s, as they really do fold flat in any arrangement you want. I currently drive a 2005 and even though I need a new one, I don’t care at all for the new body style. It is ugly (even for a van) and the interior is cheap plastic.
I would look into the VW van, the middle seats do not fold into the floor, but I imagine they could be permanently removed.
We just road tripped from Lubbock (9hours) for Buffalo Springs with three guys, 2 bikes and plenty of luggage. Everyone was comfortable. Love the Element.
not an owner, but i have heard that the Honda Element is pretty roomy & really adjustable in terms of configurations.
I’ve borrowed a friend’s Element for a couple rides, and it was good for gear. I could roll my P2C into the back and use the other side for luggage. That only leaves you with driver and passenger seats though.
not an owner, but i have heard that the Honda Element is pretty roomy & really adjustable in terms of configurations.
been using one of these for years, tons of room, the wife and I even sleep in it on long trips. also, since the back seats flip up so quick and easy, I can just toss my bike in, it’ll hold 4 bikes standing up vertically with both back seats up. tall enough that I don’t have to lower my saddle or remove the front wheel or anything.
I just went through the whole Minivan shopping experience and settled on the 2011 Toyota Sienna. The drive was the best out of the T&C and the Odessey. I also took my sz L Archon C1 to the dealer with me to see how it fit in the back. The bike rolled in standing up with no need to remove the second row of seats (fit in straight behind the second row).
The stow and go seats are really trick, but the engine on the Chrysler was a wheeze bag and I just didn’t like the Honda as much.
I ordered the SE “Swagger Wagon” version of the Sienna with the sport suspension that is supposed to make it drive even more like a car. It hit the production line this morning and we should have it by next week.
check out the Youtube video it’s hilarious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4
Given a Town and Country as a rental in Philly and it was POS. It only had 10,000 miles and probably had the crap driven out of it, but still horrible ride. Loud road sound.
We have a Kia EX with the adjustable pedals (pedal are great as I am under 60 inches and don’t have to sit with my knees near the dash board) and it drives well and is inexpensive. In the Kia, the back seats fold down and the middle row seats can easily be removed quickly. You might even able to take out the very back, too. We often drive with one middle seat removed. Lots of room for bikes, stuff, and the dog. Van only seats six which could be a down fall for larger families.
Go for the Sienna. We had a Dodge Caravan for a few years and upgraded to an 2006 Sienna. Best move we made in reliability, room and comfort.
Best race mobile out there. Really good MPG - way better than SUV’s. Minivan’s have more room than SUV’s too.
With the fold flat rear and roll forward seats my 62cm Tri bike goes straight in with no dissasembly. Also fits an 8x4 foot air bed in the back if you need to use it as a camper.
I may not know anything about training for races, but I’d go with the Sienna or the Odyssey. Our Odyssey is very versatile in terms of seating/storage configurations.
I may not know anything about training for races, but I’d go with the Sienna or the Odyssey. Our Odyssey is very versatile in terms of seating/storage configurations.
+1 for the Odyssey. I’ve never even bothered to take the front wheel off my Tri or Mountain bike. They just fit right in vertically (well slightly tilted since my seat is so high).
If money is no issue go for a custom Dodge Sprinter like the Lopes 55 edition. Fits everything you’ll need and sleeps 2 in style. Unreal how nice that thing is. Even just a normal sprinter rocks, tons of space and upwards of 28 miles to the gallon highway.
I’ve got a cargo Sprinter for event timing and a buddy has a passenger version for his race team. 9 riders and bikes all inside.
The downside is that it is a tad big for an everyday ride but I see soccer moms doing it
One thing to consider: to my knowledge the Sienna is the only minivan that offers an AWD option. If snow driving us a consideration it’s the best option.
Love our 2006 LE AWD. My bike fits nicely between the 2nd row captain’s chair with removing anything.
Step it up and go in style. Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Quad Cab. Plenty of room in the front for you and your wife. Lots of room in the 2’nd row for Dogs. Bikes and luggage fit very safely in the bed. I have put 2+ tons of stone in mine, so I’d say it could carry anything you may need for your race.
I bring wife, kids, German Shepard in mine with all the “other” stuff in the back and everybody is very comfortable.
Just traded in my 2007 Chrysler T&C for a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan.
NOTHING touches the stow and Go seats.
2 things on the Powertrain, Chrylser has an adaptive transmission, that learns your driving habits and shifts accordingly… however it makes rentals a potential nightmare.
As for wheezy engine I’m guessing you did not try the 4.0l LOVE it.
You can fit several bikes in one with the wheels on. Depending on how many seats you want to leave up. The best thing… No leaving seats behind. So once your at your destination and unload your bikes you can still take 7 people out to dinner.
Nope. But when I need to, its nice to have. I prefer to be on my nice light Jamis, but the wife makes me work on some weekends.
As for the Ram, its very safe (comes with side airbags) and my bikes are very safe inside the bed. Helps I’m running 35" and a small lift kit, so if some-one does hit me from behind, they should slide right under and keep all inside the truck safe.
I (OP) already have a Dodge 2500 Cummins but with the extended cab, just can’t afford to sell it plus I need it for towing my 5th wheel.
I can certainly see your point on the advantages of a pickup with a “mega cab”.
Took a look at a Kia Sedona the other day not a bad van with a good price point …just not an easy climb between the front buckets to get to the back. And the 2nd row seats have to be unbolted to get them out of the way.
