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Gear hauler, used van??


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Guys, I've got a lead on a used Dodge Grand Caravan(1999), and I'm wondering how much gear you can haul in one of these things. I've never owned a van, so I haven't a clue.

 

I've known the owner for many years, and lemme tell ya, this guy is METICULOUS insofar as maintenance is concerned. This is a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, with a 3.0L engine. Air/tilt/cruise,,,,all the goodies. Two sets of almost-new tires (summer/winter) on rims. New battery, brakes, exhaust, and timing-belt. The vehicle has been undercoated (oil) every year since he's owned it, and has zero rust. Air-conditioning is a bit "iffy", but that's the only issue.

 

Whaddaya think? He wants $1500.

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Thanks Chaff67,

 

I should point out that I'd be using this vehicle solely for transporting gear. My everyday vehicle is an Acura RL. Basically, this van would be parked most of the year. It doesn't have a towing package btw.

 

Typically, I'll haul a very modest system to the majority of my gigs,,,, lighting, a small mixer, a couple of NX55p's, and maybe a sub or two. From time to time there could be more gear, but that's rare. I have six NX55p's, four EF500pb's, and a pair of LS720p subs.

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Interesting. I've got 3 1/2 hours to make up my mind (5:00pm today, another buyer wants it also).

 

I'm also thinking of buying a closed 5'x8' trailer, and possibly hauling that with this van. Hmmm. Apparently, it's not expensive to put a transmission cooler and a hitch on this van. We're probably talking 1500-2000 lbs. gross weight (trailer and cargo)

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Yeah, you're probably right. With no factory-installed towing package, I'd probably be looking at a considerable expense, to use this for van for hauling 2000 lbs+. (electric brakes, tranny-cooler,etc) That's not really what I'm after anyway. As I said earlier, this would be for transporting a small rig locally, and only several times a year. I may use it from time-to-time, to pick-up large/bulky items at a store. (example; patio furniture or a Bar-b-q at Costco, etc). Mind you, I already have a 1-ton 4'x8' utility trailer.

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Another thought;


This vehicle apparently has three rows of seats (seats 7). If I remove just the last row of seats, would I be correct in assuming there would still be ample room to transport two LS720p's and a pair of NX55p's, and a few acoustic-guitars?

 

 

I'm sure that is plenty of room. When I used to do acoustic gigs I took just the 3rd row seat out. I loaded it with 2 JBL EONS, 2 Roland AC90s, small mixer, 2 speaker stand bags, 1 light stand bag, lights, 3-5 other bags for cables etc., 4 space SKB rack case and 4 acoustic guitars.

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I have a long Chevy Venture and without all the seats in it it's capacity is larger than many straight cargo vans. I can carry our whole show (lights, guitar amp, guitars, PA, 2 18 subs and top boxes, cord box, mixer, stands, drums) basically everything except the bass amp and bass player. If you get the van a trailer is ideal to go with it, that way the sensitive gear can stay in the van, the rest in the trailer, and if you put some seats back in the van the band can also ride in the van. This cuts travel expenses way down. Good luck.

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If you get the van a trailer is ideal to go with it, that way the sensitive gear can stay in the van, the rest in the trailer, and if you put some seats back in the van the band can also ride in the van. This cuts travel expenses way down. Good luck.

 

 

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Grand_Caravan/1999/transmission/

 

This is why it may be a bad idea to put a trailer on that van.

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This is why it may be a bad idea to put a trailer on that van.

 

 

Yeah, that's a concern. I haven't owned a Chrysler product since the mid 70's, and I said, "never again". I'm on my fourth straight Acura Legend/RL, and no problems whatsoever.

 

The advantage of the closed 5'x8' trailer would be that I only put plates on it once, and no further expense. I already have a class 1 hitch on the RL. Decisions,decisions. I've got an hour before taking it out for a test-drive.

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Having that van would be like having a truck for hauling bulky household stuff. It's a decent price. I would FORGET towing with ANY front wheel drive van, a bad idea all around. It would be a decent gear hauler and frontwheel vans typically have lower load floors & lift height, their one big advantage (along with mpg).

 

Boomerweps

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I have loaded a double bass 24" kit with 3 toms, snare, stands, full drum cage, 2 18' subs, 2 SP2, 24 channel mixer and all the cables, etc into a standard Dodge Caravan, it will hold a lot of gear if your good at packing. Most of the transmissions problems I have read about are with the Grand versions. We have owned 5 Caravans over the years and no transmissions issues, we also don't haul a trailer.

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Thanks Chaff67,


I should point out that I'd be using this vehicle solely for transporting gear. My everyday vehicle is an Acura RL. Basically, this van would be parked most of the year. It doesn't have a towing package btw.


Typically, I'll haul a very modest system to the majority of my gigs,,,, lighting, a small mixer, a couple of NX55p's, and maybe a sub or two. From time to time there could be more gear, but that's rare. I have six NX55p's, four EF500pb's, and a pair of LS720p subs.

 

 

If I understand Canadian vehicle licensing procedures correctly, mandatory state vehicle insurance is part of the package deal when licensing a vehicle up there. And if my understanding is correct on this and what I've heard through the grapevine about what all that costs... the purchase price of a 10+ yo. consumer grade van is a drop in the bucket to the total operational cost of the vehicle...factoring in the manditory annual state operational costs... especially if that vehicle is parked much or most of the time. If my perceptions are correct... then that's additional insult piled on injury for my stand of being death on consumer grade passenger vans for hauling band gear. If you can't stand up inside your gear hauler, chances are you'll mess up your back dealing with gear inna gear transportation vehicle without enough headroom... and what's that worth? If you're faced with paying through the nose for any vehicle to legally drive it down your socialistic roads... then the right tool for the job seems to make double sense. I understand your medical system up there is also socialized... to the extent that I understand our workman's comp injury insurance down here is socialized... and if so... putting your back up as collateral against a compromised tool... probably ain't worth it in the long run.

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It's not a bad idea to give some thought to the safety factor whenever you're loading gear into the same compartment the driver sits in (as will be the case with the Caravan). I used to schlep my gear in a Windstar ... until I needed to make an "aggressive" stop with a van load of gear coming home from a gig one night. The feeling of a half ton or so of gear surging against the back of the driver's seat made it pretty obvious right then and there that - while I might survive the crash, the piano that's headed up my butt would no doubt kill me! I ended up with a real cargo van - complete with a steel bulkhead that keeps me in front and the gear in the rear.

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Well, it's a done deal. The condition of this van was simply too good to pass up. There is not a single speck of rust on it; no shakes, no rattles. Drives like a new vehicle. Everything under the hood looks new.

 

I've known the owner for over 20 years, and this guy borders on the maniacal, when it comes to maintenance, and preventative maintenance. In fact, he kept a detailed maintenance log on this vehicle, dating back to 2004. I also know the mechanic who works on this vehicle, and he highly recommended it. It really was a no-brainer for a small-time operation such as mine.

 

I won't be putting a trailer hitch on this van. There's plenty of room for four people, and all our gear, and it should more than serve my needs for the immediate future.

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Well, it's a done deal. The condition of this van was simply too good to pass up. There is not a single speck of rust on it; no shakes, no rattles. Drives like a new vehicle. Everything under the hood looks new.


I've known the owner for over 20 years, and this guy borders on the maniacal, when it comes to maintenance, and preventative maintenance. In fact, he kept a detailed maintenance log on this vehicle, dating back to 2004. I also know the mechanic who works on this vehicle, and he highly recommended it. It really was a no-brainer for a small-time operation such as mine.


I won't be putting a trailer hitch on this van. There's plenty of room for four people, and all our gear, and it should more than serve my needs for the immediate future.

 

 

 

Congratulations then. Gig on.

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If I understand Canadian vehicle licensing procedures correctly, mandatory state vehicle insurance is part of the package deal when licensing a vehicle up there. And if my understanding is correct on this and what I've heard through the grapevine about what all that costs... the purchase price of a 10+ yo. consumer grade van is a drop in the bucket to the total operational cost of the vehicle...factoring in the manditory annual state operational costs... especially if that vehicle is parked much or most of the time. If my perceptions are correct... then that's additional insult piled on injury for my stand of being death on consumer grade passenger vans for hauling band gear. If you can't stand up inside your gear hauler, chances are you'll mess up your back dealing with gear inna gear transportation vehicle without enough headroom... and what's that worth? If you're faced with paying through the nose for any vehicle to legally drive it down your socialistic roads... then the right tool for the job seems to make double sense. I understand your medical system up there is also socialized... to the extent that I understand our workman's comp injury insurance down here is socialized... and if so... putting your back up as collateral against a compromised tool... probably ain't worth it in the long run.

 

 

Mark,

 

We do have no-fault insurance here in Quebec. This is for liability only, and is covered in the cost of the plates. As I recall, the primary reason why this insurance scheme was implemented, was because too many irresponsible and uninsured drivers were on our roads. Innocent accident victims were unprotected after being injured or maimed by these morons, so the Province included an insurance policy with the cost of the licence plates. My annual rate for a licence plate is roughly $240 as I recall.

 

If I store(park) a vehicle for a year, it costs $10. I believe. Any money you have paid for the plate for your car, will be refunded to you, for the unused portion of the remainder of that year. Example; 1 year costs $240, but you "park" the vehicle after the first month of use,,,, you will be refunded $220. for the remaining 11 months,,, and you'll pay $10 for the re-registration of the vehicle as a "parked" vehicle.

 

As for medicare, yes we do have it, but there are lots of private clinics too.

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As for medicare, yes we do have it, but there are lots of private clinics too.

 

I understand.

 

My point was this: My understanding is that you have socialized medical care in your country where everyone (regardless of occupation or financial situation) has medical coverage (insurance). If you screw up your back wrestling around band gear while hunched over in a passenger van... well... you're "covered". I'm self employed, and I'm most certainly not covered for whatever medical situation I get myself into. I've found it's much cheaper for my situation to buy the better tool for the job rather than jeopardize my health trying to make do with a cheaper but less capable tool. Therefore, I own and use a box truck with a lift gate to haul around band gear stuff... which admittedly costs some more to purchase and operate than trying to jam a band's worth of gear in my Astrovan. The would be cost of broad coverage low deductible medical insurance and the potential cost to me of what my down time for avoidable health problems or inefficiencies in using a lesser tool I've judged to be more expensive than the marginally additional cost of using the more capable tool for the job in my case.

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