Re: [Paddlewise] Caravan as Kayak rig

Shawn Baker wrote:
 
> "Gary J. MacDonald" <garyj_at_ncf.ca> wrote:
> >I miss my 93 Caravan.  I miss raingutters, too.
> >I found that the regular 93 had pretty good ground clearance, esp with
> >the shorter wheelbase.

Bottoming in the middle.
 
> Why--rear bumper drag?  I think the chassis is still the same height
> under the vehicle.

They say it is, but comparing with my next-door-neighbour's 92 Grand we were
both convinced mine was higher.
 
> >(I have a Grand now, and it has the same or tighter turning circle,
> but is otherwise not nearly the paddling vehicle.)
 
> Aw, c'mon.  Why not nearly the paddling vehicle?  (new body Grand vs.
> old Caravan?)

No gutters, and limited spread for roof bars on factory rack.  (I am looking for
a forward bar I can rig.)  (Of course the competitors were much worse.)
Narrower interior at rear.  (This also cuts the ability to move bicycles
crossways inside.)
Much worse rear and side visibility.
And it doesn't have the same feeling of mobility over rough put-ins and the
like.  I never worried about bottomiong the 93 but this one (2002) I worry all
the time.  

> At 6'-6", I love the extra interior length.

I'm 6'2" and find the newer model to have less headroom.  (Of course the
competitors were worse, some much.)
 
> > 92 was the same basic model, but IIRC a few more problems.
> 
> Interior layout is better in the new vans.  My brother has a 91, and I
> don't like the dash.  It's a decent rig, but at 140k is having some
> tranny problems.

Interior is better in many ways, but a few utterly clueless things too.
Lucky if he got the tranny that far.  I had an overhaul at 110k 6.75 yrs into a
7-yr 115000 PT warranty.  (Happiness!)
 
> Avoid the 3.0 (Mitsubishi) V-6 like the plague.  They die earlier and
> cost $4,000 to replace.  

Agreed.  Give one to somebody you don't like.

> The 3.3 V6 is great, though.

Yup, with 4-sp Auto.
 
> Shawn

GaryJ
-- 
Director, Family Canoeing Centre
Recreational canoeing courses for the whole family.

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