best transportation van or truck

[Jay Barracato]

Re: best transportation van or truck

So a truck can use a wider variety of trailers than a more aerodynamic van body built on the same chassis? And fuel economy tends to be pretty similar between models built on the same platform, in my experience.

I didn't look at why, but all of the ford trucks have a greater towing capacity than the same sized ford van.

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[Rob Gow]

Re: best transportation van or truck

I didn't look at why, but all of the ford trucks have a greater towing capacity than the same sized ford van.

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A truck is pretty handy too. You always need to throw something in the box to take somewhere.

 

[Simon Coffin]

Re: best transportation van or truck

Hey Folks,

Having lived in Germany for many years and been amazed more than once at the efficiency and driving comfort of the European style vans, I was really excited to see that Dodge is now selling the Fiat Ducato van, they are calling it the Ram ProMaster, with a diesel (sadly a V6) and the double clutch self shifting manual transmission. If this van isn't Americanized too much, it could be a fantastic stuff hauler.

For what it's worth, the average Ford van is a dinosaur - heavy, annoying as hell to load, irregularly shaped and inefficient. Compare its outside cubic volume to inside cubic volume then do the same thing with a Sprinter. The Sprinter can carry significantly more volume for its size, has a lower lift-over height, is much more efficient, has a better ride quality, build quality and driver comfort.

If the Dodge ProMaster is anything like it's Fiat Ducato cousin, the Mercedes Sprinter may finally have some competition in the US.

Ciao
Simon

 

[Dave Barnett]

Re: best transportation van or truck

Hey Folks,

Having lived in Germany for many years and been amazed more than once at the efficiency and driving comfort of the European style vans, I was really excited to see that Dodge is now selling the Fiat Ducato van, they are calling it the Ram ProMaster, with a diesel (sadly a V6) and the double clutch self shifting manual transmission. If this van isn't Americanized too much, it could be a fantastic stuff hauler.

For what it's worth, the average Ford van is a dinosaur - heavy, annoying as hell to load, irregularly shaped and inefficient. Compare its outside cubic volume to inside cubic volume then do the same thing with a Sprinter. The Sprinter can carry significantly more volume for its size, has a lower lift-over height, is much more efficient, has a better ride quality, build quality and driver comfort.

If the Dodge ProMaster is anything like it's Fiat Ducato cousin, the Mercedes Sprinter may finally have some competition in the US.

Ford US will be replacing the ancient Econoline vans with the Transit vans before long.

 

[Matt Vivlamore]

Re: best transportation van or truck

Overall, I would say that a truck would be better. It depends what you are looking for. The trucks have the greater ability of being able to use a wide variety of trailers, while the van is much more fuel efficient.

I can slap a tow hitch on my van and tow what ever I want to... well up to 9600 lbs GVWR with a 18,500 lbs GCWR.