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. +--------------------------------+ | /"\ | | \ / | | X ASCII RIBBON CAMPAIGN | | / \ AGAINST HTML MAIL & NEWS | +--------------------------------+ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I used to use a Plymouth Voyager, and then used a Chevy Tahoe. I much prefer my SportsRig trailer. I can pull it behind my Honda del Sol, or the Tahoe. I usually use the Honda for fun driving and the gas mileage, but if I need hauling ability I still have the top of the Tahoe and the inside, and I don't have to lift the kayaks and take a chance on dropping it and/or banging the car. The trailer uses regular roof rack hardware and can carry bikes, boats, small stuff in big Rubbermade boxes, etc. It "drafts" behind your vehicle and doesn't effect mileage the way the boats on the roof do. Fair winds and happy bytes, -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dave Flory, San Jose, CA. daflory_at_pacbell.net Go Sea Kayaking!! ©2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Speak softly and study Aikido, then you won't need a big stick. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'll throw this into the van discussion: 2000 Ford E-150 conversion van. Sure only gets 15 mpg but full 8 ft racks (who knows how many 'yaks you could fit up there), dual in-dash CD players with headphones, 15" TV/VCR, 110v power inverter, 3 12v power outlets, 4 swivel captains chairs (think LazyBoy), folding bench seat (folds into actual queen-sized bed), can sleep 4 adults very comfortably (2 on bed, 2 on floor), window blinds for those shy about boat ramp clothing changes, 2" hitch + cargo platform with lockable full-sized pickup toolbox for gear you prefer to keep outside. All makes for a pretty inviting place after an outing. Keith *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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