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Matt,
1) Did you sleep inside your van? If you did, how did you stay cool on a hot summer night?
I did sllep in it with the windows open. I had 60/40 w/pop out windows, same in rear. These had screens that I probably got from JC Whitney
2) How do the Chevy or GMC .75 ton vans compare and contrast with the Ford Econoline?
Can't say. I never had an issue with the Chevy/GMC so never had reaso to consider switch. I had three from '80 - '98 when I moved to Oz.
3) What kind of highway gas mileage did you get?
I actually didn't pay that much attention to it. I just refer to the stats from the maunfacturer.
4) About how many miles did your odometer read before you moved to Australia?
First van was about 150,000, bought it used.
Second was about 110,000, had for 10 years.
Last one I only had for 3 years before I moved, around 70,000 I think.
5) Last van I had customized up front. The day I went to the dealer, a rep from a conversion place was there and overheard me describing the type of customization I was looking for and he said he could do it for me. Front was all custom, carpet, captain's chairs, etc. Eterior had custom sport package, running boards and all. The back was wide open and I built racks myself mostly from PVC. I got floor liner from JC Whitney. I'd do it differently today but still do it myself. Boards Magazine, UK Windsurfin' mag, has ads for some pretty slick racks made of metal that attach to the side of the van, check www.vehicle-racking-systems.co.uk/pages/plans.
Hope that helps.
Tom
1) Did you sleep inside your van? If you did, how did you stay cool on a hot summer night?
I did sllep in it with the windows open. I had 60/40 w/pop out windows, same in rear. These had screens that I probably got from JC Whitney
2) How do the Chevy or GMC .75 ton vans compare and contrast with the Ford Econoline?
Can't say. I never had an issue with the Chevy/GMC so never had reaso to consider switch. I had three from '80 - '98 when I moved to Oz.
3) What kind of highway gas mileage did you get?
I actually didn't pay that much attention to it. I just refer to the stats from the maunfacturer.
4) About how many miles did your odometer read before you moved to Australia?
First van was about 150,000, bought it used.
Second was about 110,000, had for 10 years.
Last one I only had for 3 years before I moved, around 70,000 I think.
5) Last van I had customized up front. The day I went to the dealer, a rep from a conversion place was there and overheard me describing the type of customization I was looking for and he said he could do it for me. Front was all custom, carpet, captain's chairs, etc. Eterior had custom sport package, running boards and all. The back was wide open and I built racks myself mostly from PVC. I got floor liner from JC Whitney. I'd do it differently today but still do it myself. Boards Magazine, UK Windsurfin' mag, has ads for some pretty slick racks made of metal that attach to the side of the van, check www.vehicle-racking-systems.co.uk/pages/plans.
Hope that helps.
Tom
On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 6:43 AM, Raymond Blivin <rblivinx@...> wrote:
Tom, thank you for your response. If you can, could you please answer the following, not just for me, but for any one else who is or may be considering getting a van:
1) Did you sleep inside your van? If you did, how did you stay cool on a hot summer night?
2) How do the Chevy or GMC .75 ton vans compare and contrast with the Ford Econoline? 3) What kind of highway gas mileage did you get?
4) About how many miles did your odometer read before you moved to Australia?
5) Did you build yourself or did you have a professional install a rack inside your van for your boards?
Thanks.
Matt
--- On Wed, 9/10/08, Thomas Burley <tburley12@...> wrote:
From: Thomas Burley <tburley12@...>
Subject: Re: [bw_windsurfing] new car for windsurfer
To: bw_windsurfing@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 8:24 PMHi Matthew,
Before I moved to Sydney, Australia 10 years ago, I had either Chevy or GMC .75 ton vans with long wheel base. They are fantastic, mileage may suck but all your stuff fits INSIDE. I used them for 15 years before the move. If I moved back to the US the first thing I'd do is get a new one.
Cheers
Tom BurleyOn Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 8:34 AM, Matthew Lestina <windsurfresource@...> wrote:
Folks, I am in the market for a new car. My Tercel is terminally ill in that it will not be able to pass emissions in 2010, so I would like to buy a new car sometime between now and then. Any suggestions for a make and a model. It must be able to carry my gear, including boards, either within or by use of a rack. Reliability and longevity are critical, and I am thinking long term, and am cradle to grave type of person. Fuel economy and low maintenance are also factors. Any suggestions?
Honda fit, Toyota RAV 4, ??? What would be a good choice?
Matt
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