I know there's no correct answer

[crokett]

but gonna ask anyway.

Current situation:
95 Pontiac Vibe, just completed 1st yr of 3yr interest free loan, ~33 mpg, daily driver, kid hauler
98 Nissan Pathfiner, paid for , ~18MPG, daily driver, kid hauler, util trailer hauler

I posted that previously that a friend wants to give me a 95 Dodge Dakota sport. I can haul anything with it that I can haul with the trailer, so I would sell the trailer which would cover the 1st yr of taxes, tags, inspection, etc. Supercab, so could be a kid hauler but is not as comfortable, convenient or safe as the Pathy. It will cost another 18 bucks a month to insure - trailer is free. Gas would be even-steven since I either drive it or the pathy+trailer. I figure a V8 is rough equiv to a V6+trailer. Most weekends I seem to be hauling stuff and this is more convenient than dragging a trailer and keeps miles off the Pathy. It would also be a 3rd car if one of the other 2 needs to go to the shop.

Eventually the Pathy will be replaced by a minivan. I'd rather not use the van to drag a trailer around but could. With a truck, do not need to worry about that. Current thinking is take the truck, sell the trailer, drive the Pathy till the Vibe is paid off (and hopefully some after that) then get a van.

Am I missing anything?

[lkazista]

95 Vibe?

I assume you meant a 2005 Vibe.

Anyhoo... I picked up a 2003 Town and Country Minivan last year for $12,000. The thing easily accepts 4 x 8 sheets of whatever. I made a 'tray liner' for it as well, just a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood, with some 2 x 4 sides all the way around. This way when I need to 'haul' stuff I just drop in the base to protect the carpet. When I need to fit the family, the seats pop back in.

As far as trailers go, i very RARELY need this, so I generally just 'borrow' something with a hitch from a buddy.

I know this does not quite answer your question, but I know that I did NOT want a minivan, but I now have no idea how I ever got along before it.

BTW - airbags galore, lots of safety features (no 4 wheel drive), and even juice box holders in the back for kids.

22 mpg, cheapest vehicle I have ever insured.

Lee

[gtokarski]

The thing easily accepts 4 x 8 sheets of whatever. I made a 'tray liner' for it as well, just a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood, with some 2 x 4 sides all the way around.Lee

just to make clear, 4x8 sheets lay flat, at an angle or vertically?

[lkazista]

just to make clear, 4x8 sheets lay flat, at an angle or vertically?

I can actually fit 49.5 inches across and 8 feet deep, flat. I can also fit a 10 foot step ladder as well by going between the front seats.

My buddy owns a short bed pick up truck, and borrows my van for sheetrock hauling.

Lee

[offthemark]

Almost all medium size vans (Ford Freestar, Dodge Caravan, etc.) are specifically designed to lay a 4x8 sheet in the rear with the seats either folded or removed. There won't be much clearance, but it will most likely fit. Turns out the designers are doing a little thinking.

[jziegler]

Almost all medium size vans (Ford Freestar, Dodge Caravan, etc.) are specifically designed to lay a 4x8 sheet in the rear with the seats either folded or removed. There won't be much clearance, but it will most likely fit. Turns out the designers are doing a little thinking.

Is this a recent thing? My parents have had a couple vans (late 80s caravan and 2001(I think) windstar). In both cases, the 4x8 sheet doesn't fit completly. The old caravan was maybe a foot too short. With the windstar, it's only a couple of inches. It's just enough that doing anything other than a short trip with a few sheets in back isn't a great idea. Of course, it doesn't stop me from borrowing the van, or getting my dad to visit, when I need some sheetgoods.

-Jim

[gmack5]

I have a '96 Town & Country LXI that will haul 4 X 8 sheets, flat, with the two back seats yanked out.

The only problem is those seats are darn HEAVY! Takes two people to remove them and re-install them after I get done hauling Sheet Goods.

I also have a 16' X 8' Utility Trailer that will haul quite a bit of wood, if the need arises (3500# capacity).

[DaveW]

Interesting - I have a 2005 Town and Country (long wheel base since it's got the stow-n-go seats) but a 4x8 won't fit in there - it's a shade too narrow (47"?) and not long enough (I don't remember the exact length, but I want to say it's a foot short). I end up having to cut the sheet length-wise and sliding it between the front seats.

(don't get me wrong - I love how this thing hauls just about everything I need).

And I love the stow-n-go seats - much nicer than pulling out seats.

[jziegler]

I have a '96 Town & Country LXI that will haul 4 X 8 sheets, flat, with the two back seats yanked out.

The only problem is those seats are darn HEAVY! Takes two people to remove them and re-install them after I get done hauling Sheet Goods.

I also have a 16' X 8' Utility Trailer that will haul quite a bit of wood, if the need arises (3500# capacity).

What, the sheet goods aren't heavy enough that you need a hand with them too? Sure, the 1/4" stuff is pretty easy, but a 3/4" sheet is a bit much for me, and forget MDF. Just the weight of the 3/4" ply might be ok, but it's too awkward.

Of course, I agree, help usually is needed with the seats too.

-Jim

[lkazista]

Interesting - I have a 2005 Town and Country (long wheel base since it's got the stow-n-go seats) but a 4x8 won't fit in there - it's a shade too narrow (47"?) and not long enough (I don't remember the exact length, but I want to say it's a foot short). I end up having to cut the sheet length-wise and sliding it between the front seats.

(don't get me wrong - I love how this thing hauls just about everything I need).

And I love the stow-n-go seats - much nicer than pulling out seats.

That is shocking to me. Mine is a 2003, no sto-n-go, but the salesman demo'd a 2005 for me with a 1/4 inch piece of hardboard, I wonder if he had it cut down to 47 inches for the demo.

Anyhoo, the 2003 allows it to fit like a champ.

[JSUPreston]

I had a '92 Dakota Extended Cab with the Magnum V-8. Drove horribly (had to drive to the airport to turn the thing aroung), and the gas mileage sucked! Literally! I could turn the thing on and hear the gas going into the intake. I was lucky to get 12.5 to 13 mpg in the city, with nothing in the truck but my fat hindquarters. You'd probably be better of keeping the Nissan. Just my $.02 worth.

[gtokarski]

Almost all medium size vans (Ford Freestar, Dodge Caravan, etc.) are specifically designed to lay a 4x8 sheet in the rear with the seats either folded or removed. There won't be much clearance, but it will most likely fit. Turns out the designers are doing a little thinking.

hmm, I'll have to investigate this further. Minivans always seemed a bit tooo narrow. I did just run across a cheap beater toyota pickup that is going to be my sheetgoods/engine/etc hauler for the time being.

[vaking]

I have 1990 Chevy Lumina APV. It is a great minivan and still works like a champ but you cannot fit a full sheet into it. 4' will fit accross but not at the floor level (it gets narrower towards floor), so you have to keep seets and fold them down. 8' is too long unless you can fit between front seats. I want to see those thinking designers.