cOoTeR Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) I need a bike hauler since i sold my truck awhile back. Trucks out here are expensive but vans are pretty easy to come by. I've known a few people who have hauled bikes in cargo vans and others who have hauled dirtbikes in conversion vans. I have found a couple of decent vans around $1k which seem to be close to nada rough value. The one I'm leaning towards most is a 99 e-150 econoline conversion van with 189,000 miles. Supposedly great condition. It's one of the ones with carpet all over captains chairs and the back seat turns into a bed. Does anyone know how hard it is to remove the seats in one of these? Does anyone know if a sportbike will fit thru the rear opening? I don't mind if I've got to remove the windshield. If not it has a tow package so I can pick up a small trailer. I think it would be convenient to be able to haul the bike and be able to sleep in the same area.Are there any issues that the 99 e150's are know to have? Any idea on what normal gas mileage is for these? Does anyone know how hard it is to mount the pitbull tie down system(i think its called the trs) in a van? Any advice about using a van for hauling a bike? Edited November 21, 2013 by cOoTeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 The gas mileage is 12mpg. They chew up ball joints pretty frequently. Hard on brakes. If you can find an E250 or 350 they are much better units for racking up trouble free miles.Chevys 1/2 tons eat brakes and transmissions like crazy. Don't know a thing about dodges except the starters sound weird and they are the #1 choice of creepers, unless said creeper is gnome-like, then it's Astro all the way. The beds in most conversions I believe are typically bolted in. I may be wrong as most of my experience is with cargos. The bike should fit no problem. My buddy used to haul his super chicken to mi and back in an astro with bins by folding up the mirrors and pulling the windshield. I hauled a katana in a ford cargo and don't think I took the windshield off. They are a bitch to work on. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 What ever you get, mount some E track on the floor and walls. Very handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) I used a enterprise e150 to haul my XX home when i bought it in Jersey. Fit no problem, even had room to sit on it and pretend i was riding it...I averaged about 18 mpg for the trip across pa.Seats and stuff should be as easy as unbolting...I'd drop some d rings in those holes for strapping down the bike... Edited November 21, 2013 by magley64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I'd be willing to sell my 1997 E350 van. It has been so damn great to own that I am wanting a newer one with a diesel. So, I may sell this one. I have a couple of options. 1) I sell it as is and would be asking about $10k. Pretty fair as the components on this thing are NOT just springs and spacers. It is a legit lift that was well designed and looked to as being the best pre-runner setup you can buy. Specs are below. Again... maybe less... 2) buy it as stock with the new components from the new van I buy and essentially take it back to stock. I would sell it for $6k OBO. Specs: -130k miles-Auto-SCT Tuner for mapping-Pre-runner (NOT 4x4 like it appears)-Action Van lift that has control arms, blocks, springs, bushings, Bilsteins, brackets, and Bilstein steerin damper. Kit cost $3k-Teflon coated American Racing 17" wheels wrapped in Hankook tires with a full size spare.-Bushwhacker fender flares-Aluminess rear spare tire carrier-Aluminess front brush and light bar-Curtis tow package-full exhaust with Magna Flow muffler-Limo tint all the way around. NOBODY can see inside what you are hauling.-Removed carpet in back and replaced with 1/2 marine grade plywood that has been stained black to avoid chips and visible gouges.-Rubber truck bed mat to protect the wood and provide sound deadening.-E-Track front and rear to haul bikes-Pit Bull removable front wheel chock-Pit Bull trailer Restraint base for TRS-Kenwood DVD/stereo with iPod connect, Navigation and movie play on the go setup Had the following done recently: -Plugs replaced at 100k-New battery at about 120k-New transmission lines (T-line at side of tranny) replaced about 5k ago-New brake lines replaced about 10k ago-Transmission fluid and filter change at 5k ago Basically, she is solid and runs great. HAS SOME RUST as all these vans do. You will not find a pre-2000 without the rust where this one is showing it. Several 2000-2004s are rusted to hell and back actually. It's tough finding them... Anyways, if you're interested. If not, take a look at the pics below and at least you will see what I did. All the seats are still here, but I remove them in order to use the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Um Cooter don't live around here. .lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Um Cooter don't live around here. .lol Um, people travel all over to buy things like this... I bought a car in NC, bought another in NJ, one in CA... Doesn't matter where it is being sold... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cOoTeR Posted November 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I'd be willing to sell my 1997 E350 van. It has been so damn great to own that I am wanting a newer one with a diesel. So, I may sell this one. I have a couple of options. 1) I sell it as is and would be asking about $10k. Pretty fair as the components on this thing are NOT just springs and spacers. It is a legit lift that was well designed and looked to as being the best pre-runner setup you can buy. Specs are below. Again... maybe less... 2) buy it as stock with the new components from the new van I buy and essentially take it back to stock. I would sell it for $6k OBO. Specs: -130k miles-Auto-SCT Tuner for mapping-Pre-runner (NOT 4x4 like it appears)-Action Van lift that has control arms, blocks, springs, bushings, Bilsteins, brackets, and Bilstein steerin damper. Kit cost $3k-Teflon coated American Racing 17" wheels wrapped in Hankook tires with a full size spare.-Bushwhacker fender flares-Aluminess rear spare tire carrier-Aluminess front brush and light bar-Curtis tow package-full exhaust with Magna Flow muffler-Limo tint all the way around. NOBODY can see inside what you are hauling.-Removed carpet in back and replaced with 1/2 marine grade plywood that has been stained black to avoid chips and visible gouges.-Rubber truck bed mat to protect the wood and provide sound deadening.-E-Track front and rear to haul bikes-Pit Bull removable front wheel chock-Pit Bull trailer Restraint base for TRS-Kenwood DVD/stereo with iPod connect, Navigation and movie play on the go setup Had the following done recently: -Plugs replaced at 100k-New battery at about 120k-New transmission lines (T-line at side of tranny) replaced about 5k ago-New brake lines replaced about 10k ago-Transmission fluid and filter change at 5k ago Basically, she is solid and runs great. HAS SOME RUST as all these vans do. You will not find a pre-2000 without the rust where this one is showing it. Several 2000-2004s are rusted to hell and back actually. It's tough finding them... Anyways, if you're interested. If not, take a look at the pics below and at least you will see what I did. All the seats are still here, but I remove them in order to use the back. I appreciate the offer but that's more than I'm looking to pay I'm just going to use it to haul a bike or 2 a handfull of times a year. Plus getting that from you to me is easily going to cost a grand in gas. But have you ever fit a bike inside the back? If so do you have any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I've hauled numerous things. Diavel with mirrors, hyper, 1199, RC8, two dirty bikes and three brand new dirty bikes. Take some thought, but the first time you haul your bike and it's raining or snowing? Sold!!And even with the van lifted 6", it is still lower than a stock pick up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cOoTeR Posted November 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Awesome thanks man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owndjoo Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 that's pretty much what i'd love to have, healea.... just way outta my price hahahah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnone Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm hoping for a sprinter van before next spring. Diesel, long and decent highway miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 I'm hoping for a sprinter van before next spring. Diesel, long and decent highway miles. Be cautious. Once they click 100k, they tend to start eating turbos and parts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnone Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 Be cautious. Once they click 100k, they tend to start eating turbos and parts...Damn that sucks as they all have 100k-300k. What else fails and why does the turbo fail so soon? Figured Mercedes engine would be more durable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 The turbos need to be replaced a good bit. I had a couple of friends that had them since new and ran them to those miles and had some turbo issues. I think the newer ones are OK, but they are a lot more. I think it was all turbo related. I will ask them and maybe tell you what I find out for you to know. They are certainly bad ass and I want to do one with a lift look or maybe big tires and racks, etc. But, couldn't find one with decent miles and not white... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnone Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 I did some reading and found a lot of emissions related equipment failures too. Maintenance history would be critical. Thanks for promoting me to investigate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmutt Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 We sell Sprinter vans.....beware.....premature failures galore. IF you're lucky, the major components will take a dump under warranty. We get these in the shop constantly with EGR valve issues, intake manifold issues, injection system issues, transmission/tc issues, driveline issues, differential bearing failures, electronics etc.....you name it and we've likely had to replace/repair it. The earlier Sprinters ( the older VA model ) with the I-5 are better if they've been babied with young miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 E350. Best van you can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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