mikes68charger

My Feedback: (34)

So my daily driver is a 2014 townandcountry only because it can haul a good amount of planes, gets 23mph empty, and gets 14 pulling my trailer

but im out of space. I got some really big toys this winter and there is no more room in my garage for my 1968 charger, motorcycle, Ziroil P38, Airworld GeeBee R3 (Moki 250)

I tend to leave a few jets in my trailer, but now I finished a 160in C130 that takes 1/2 the trailer and it's to big for me to carry up from the basement by my self so it needs to stay there.

thought of getting a bigger trailer, but there such a pain. In Columbus Ohio and Houston TX were we live you can't have a trailer at your house unless it's behind the front door of the house

So with my small budget of 10k or less I was thinking of buying a 2006 or so Sprinter van. This way I can keep the c130 in it and others jets.

( if you leave your jets in your trailer or van it's covered by my home owners insurance)

Wife thinks I'm crazy 

what you you guys think?

im in the Army so I plan on renting this house in IL once I move so no exstra building will work

any of you you use the Sprinter van to haul your jets? What's your thoughts?

or should I just get a cheap 3k chevy work van?

Any others ideals?

bcovish

My Feedback: (8)

At a jet rally this weekend in Houston, a fellow rented a Ford Transit. It really fit the bill for hauling large models including the Havoc which is a super large sport jet.

marc s

Ali Machinchy ran a large silver Sprinter for as long as I knew, packed in some serious big kit, kinda like a Tardis so if it were me I'd go for it.

marcs

BlueBus320

My Feedback: (57)

I've been looking at Sprinters, but I want to use it as a family vehicle/camper also. I'm thinking of most likely getting the passenger 144wb medium roof. I like the crew vans, but they don't come with the rear AC, or interior insulation/finish-panels, so I think I'll buy the passenger version, then take some seats out.
Jay

mikes68charger

My Feedback: (34)

The issue I'm having is my flying buddy was the only authorized sprinter van service center in the QuadCities were I live for 6 years. He says Don't buy a sprinter between 2003 through 2005, 2006 and newer your best bet. As the older ones have major issues. He said the average service bill for a 2006-2012 Sprinter is in the $1500 range, that the glow drive control box gose bad $600 from Mercedes with only a three month warranty. They tend to have the glow plugs go bad which it stuck in my head which means you have to remove the head from the engine one with normal oil change cost of about $400

Even so in my $10k rang there is nothing that has the same size capacity of the sprinter the new Ford 250 or 350 transit vans are amazing but they're 42,000 new which is way too much for an airplane toy hauler.

Anyone have pictures of how they have their sprinter van set up to haul planes ?

Springbok Flyer

Hi guys,

When I turned 65, I decided it was time to stop taking so much to the flying field and sold my big trailer. It had also become too much to handle and manoeuvre around the place. I decided to buy myself a dedicated van. I needed the right inside measurements so that it would accomodate any one of my models - the longest being a SM F-104. I bought a Fiat Ducato, medium wheelbase, mid roof - very similar to the Sprinters being mentioned. It was the best thing I have done for myself in a long time....



I customised it, inside and out....



Basically setup to carry only two models (and a big turbine heli, sometimes), model stands, fuel and all my flying field luxuries like shade, chair and solar panel...



I wanted it heigh enough so I could walk inside as well as next to my models in case I wanted to work on them inside the van.

Get a van, it is fantastic.

Jan

GULDUKAT

I am in the same boat. I got a used comcast ford van free with my last purchase of of an S class from the local MB dealer. Its now too small for my needs. I need something that can also hold 150" aircrafts.

I have a car garage that is 10' high and 10' wide and 22' long. Trailers out of the way as they are too much trouble for me. Looking at the MB sprinters but want to maximize the size.

I have about 260" of length, and 115" height and width.

The 144" wheelbase is 233.3" X 95.5 X 108.6~ 113.5) (it fits but I want to maximize and get something bigger)

170" wheelbase is too big ( 274" X 95.5 X 108.6~ 113.5).

Ford can be considered. Any others - not too sure. Any suggestions.

marc s

Don't VW do a similar van to the MB, think in the UK its called a Crafter, also big vans from Fiat, Citroen etc but not sure I would trust the engineering.

You could finance a new one, not always the best 'use' of cash but do you need it forever, and a new one would give you all the warranty etc to give you piece of mind - just a thought.

marcs

spaceman 01

My Feedback: (44)

I got the 128 cabin Sprinter and it's the best thing that I did I get five Jets as long as 140 inches to 150 inches with all the supporting equipment and the whole thing slides out in two stages

Ad Clark III

My Feedback: (8)

During my Army/RC plane career I just used a trailer. I started with a 7x14 trailer to store and haul planes to meets etc. When I out grew that, I went and bought a bigger trailer. I stored the trailer in the base housing storage lot when we lived on base. Prices on trailers is alot cheaper than a sprinter van and holds alot more stuff, provided you have something to tow the trailer with. I loved the ease of simply hooking up to trailer and heading to the field. I also dont like assembling jets at the field and my trailer allows me to store them with the wings on. My wife and kids dont like the smell of Jet A inside the vehicle when traveling to meets so a trailer was my only option. If you live off base, and it sounds like you do, storing the trailer might be a bigger problem. My $.02 cents

BlueBus320

My Feedback: (57)

Here's some things I've looked at, with a pic of I guys setup that I got from FaceBook.
Jay

mikes68charger

My Feedback: (34)

Wow thanks guys, I love my little van, but Im ready to have a car for a daily driver, something fun vs a family van, but the sprinter would be all rc. Im currently stationed in Rock Island IL, and all the vans in my Price Range are rusted. So the same vans in Houston TX are the same price with no rust, I got to fly down to Houston to vist some family anyways, I may by one down there and drive it back to IL

DrScoles

My Feedback: (18)

love the sprinter... can't handle the looks of the transit...
Built a custom drawer and rack out of 1" tubing... 500 pound slides go out (I think) over 4') I got the crew version because of kiddos... 8' from the back of the back seats. The big planes go above the kids ;-) Diesel was attractive as well. These things can last 700K miles... and that I put about 2K a year on it, it will last a while LOL

If you get one, gray is tough to find as is the crew version. white high tops with no seats or side windows are easy to find.

Slowly modifying it. Added an awning, and working on a dual battery set up with solar and inverter...

BlueBus320

My Feedback: (57)

Love it! Do you feel like you need the roof mounted AC, or do the front vents do a good enough job?
i was all ready to get a 2017 when I found out the were redesigning it for 2018 & possibly offering a 4cyl diesel FWD.
Jay

DrScoles

My Feedback: (18)

Jay, I live in Seattle, hot for us is 75... LOL I did go flying/camping last summer when it was 105 and it was fine. My main regret is not getting a 4x4... used ones are made out of unobtanium... In two years, I might pull the trigger on a new one that is 4x4. I need it for skiing.
Really nice to be able to stand up and change clothes, hang out in van and let kids play in the back.

BlueBus320

My Feedback: (57)

Those are some beautiful lil ones that you have! Maybe I'll give the crew 4x4 a shot. I don't know why, but I really like the look of the crew the best. Thanks
Jay

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

I have not driven any of the current crop of vans but back in 2000 - 2006 The Sprinter was regarded as the best driving van which is why they were used as the base for many small RVs.

This does not matter if you are only driving 10 miles to your local field but I know you US jet guys sometimes do serious miles so comfort may factor in.

2walla

My Feedback: (10)

Have you thought about getting a trailer that would fit inside the garage? a buddy had a manufacturer build him what he wanted so it would fit inside the garage to comply with the home owner sassociation.. one advantage is he had them use lightweight axles and materials and shave some weight off and get a better ride for his planes. most trailers with the small loads we have with planes ride like crap and beat the heck out of everything inside...

dubd

Very timely thread for me as I was hauling a trailer with a Yukon XL Denali, but recently sold it in favor of a Tesla Model X. My Model X has a tow package, which I was planning to use to pull my trailer to my local flying field. For long distance, I would use my wife's SUV to haul. However, after more than a decade of hauling a trailer I've become tired of it. In California the speed limit is 55mph on freeways and it's a PITA on the windy road I have to travel on. I'm now looking at the Sprinter Crew and Transit 350 Crew as a dedicated RC vehicle that can also carry my small kids to the field. The trick is for is to carry my SM F-104 and other planes in that size as well as two car seats.

GULDUKAT

Thx a bunch for the ideas. Trailer is out of the way - I have 2 of them already for work and just not convenient enough. The longest monthly drive for the hobby is 210miles (roundtrip). The daily drive is 56 miles for the turbine field (round trip) and 4 miles (round trip) for the 35% gasser (non turbine) field.

I'll look into the passenger MB sprinter 144" wheelbase.