Thinking of a Full-Size Van...
 

We bought the minivan when my oldest was 1 year old. It worked well with one kid. It worked well with two kids. Now, with three kids, we're feeling cramped sometimes. Sure, there are enough seats for everyone. But the booster seat in the far back (not to mention the car seats in the middle seats) basically takes up 1.5 seats.

It's hard to pack for three children--including a stroller--for long trips. When we get to our destination, we can take, at most, one guest with us.

My two older kids play hockey. The van basically holds two sets of gear, five family members, and nothing else. Need to swing by a store on the way home from hockey? Probably out of the question. We are constantly running home on Saturdays to drop stuff off at home and pick up new stuff.

We've been playing with the idea of a 12 passenger van. They are cheap new (cheaper than a minivan), and they can be picked up a year old for half price. Seems like we could use the extra cargo room and the extra seats when family visits or when visiting family.

Am I high on crack?

Fifteen passenger van was "home" for about half the year when I was a youngin'.

So lets just say lots of good memories, places all over the country, working in different states.

So I say go for it.

It will not be as luxurious as a new mini-van, but my observation of other's new mini vans is with kids involved the mini van doesn't look very new for long...

The van is built tough, it will ride tough. The rear suspension is stiff for loading heavy objects without collapsing. Probably doesn't matter to kids, and the front rides much smoother.

We built a half high platform with a mattress on top, work equipment/luggage under. Still had two seats and the floor under the two seats.

I am not sure how fuel consumption will compare. It will also vary a lot with the driving.

Visibility is pretty good, large mirrors, and when it comes to parking there is a lot of steering angle. The box shape gives you a good idea of where you are as well.

A buddy of mine bought a Ford Transit with a bunch of bench seats. Thing drives like a dream with the eco boost motor. He has 6 kids and drives cross country to in-laws 2x yr. My son got a stripped down new one last year to convert to an RV. Gotta say they are quite impressive.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1553486145.jpg
here's a transit after extra duty got done with it.
That thing was cramped for full sized adults, but the damn thing took a lot of abuse.
Not sure how it would hold up compared to the cheb full size vans after 100k miles. But they're more efficient.

Ford Transit (full size) with the ecoboost. Three different heights. An adult American can stand up inside of the tall one. Surprisingly good handling, light years ahead of the older full sized vans.

angela

I’ve been down this road as well. 3 kids in an SUV sucks, and modern minivans are a just too dang small. When I was a kid our Aerostar could easily fit adults in the third row. Vans 3rd rows today are glorified jump seats.

Have you checked out the Mercedes metris at all? Size wise it slips somewhere between the big vans and minivans. It reminded me of the Aerostar in size. Has good towing capacity as well. Cons are new price is steep but they deal pretty hard on them, used can be decent too. They also aren’t as tricked out nice as the current minivan lineup. Everything is a freaking option on them too. Doug demuro hammers the weak spots in his video on it. But he really skips over the strengths of size and towing capacity. It’s a work van first and a passenger van second. The radios are a joke though. Like they came out in 2003 and haven’t been updated since.

Mercedes sprinter can be had in 4wd but they are HUGE, and also are work trucks first and passenger vans second. My Dad has a 4wd sprinter. I love driving it, but it is really really big.

Ford transit is supposed to be coming out in 4wd this year as well. I’ve nevr driven one, but they do have to pay Mercedes royalties when they sell them so I’d guess it’s close to sprinter and metris.

If your wife doesn’t need the fancy gps, and 12 pop our screens for the kids I’d go the van route too. We’re on a tight budget so we haven’t purchased anything yet.

I bought a Ford Club Wagon new a long time ago. Sold it a long time ago. Having the windows all around was a really nice feature that would give the kids the chance to look out at the scenery. I guess they still make them. I took the back seat out and could haul lots of stuff and sleep in it when camping. I loved it.

Rent a full-size van every year to drive from VA to NC for the beach with my family and extended family. I’ve had just about every brand and I like the Ford the best. Seats are not that hard t9 remove and with a few of them out they hold a TON of crap.

I’d say go for it.

I haven't driven one, but you might have a look at the Fiat-Chrysler Ram vans. Since they are built on a front wheel drive platform, the load floor should be lower and the ride might be less truck like.

Good hunting
Les

We have a 2005 Ford Excursion, which will comfortably seat 6 adults with thier luggage. It has two leather captain's chairs, with two leather bemch seats along with a DVD system, rear seat heat/air, and windows all around. Ours has the 6.0L diesel with 4x4, and pulled down 17.5 mpg on the highway fulled loaded with a car top carrier, a 2 place bike rack, and 6 adults.

I know nothing about their quality but Nissan has a full size van that looks nice to my eye .

wouldn't a roof top carrier address 99% of the issue 99% of the time?

The kid that gets out of line... goes in the carrier! :D