budo675 Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 (edited) Hi everyone, Started browsing this forum in the last few days to get some ideas. I think I'm pretty set on trading in my beloved car for a TC Cargo in the following months. Been looking at peoples ideas when it comes to converting the cargo van into something of a minimalist camper/hauler. I plan on putting in some simple storage shelves for camp gear, a small bed platform to fit a camp pad that either folds away or is completely removable, and will keep bit more than half of the van space for my motorcycle. It'll be a tight build but I think it should work fine as I don't plan on having the motorcycle with me all the time, and I don't plan on going full camper van with a sink/pantry/couch/etc... Looking forward to checking out more build ideas here. Edited November 17, 2022 by budo675 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 The guys here who haul motorcycles, do it inside of the van. I don't recall if anyone tows their motorcycle with a trailer. The Transit Connect could easily tow a motorcycle trailer. If I want to go anywhere with my bike; I ride my bike. But that's a personal preference. I have a road bike. It's meant to be ridden. But I can see the benefit of having a small motorcycle or scooter in the back of the van. Then you can comfortably drive in an air conditioned van, and have your bike when you get there. If you get a motorcycle trailer, that leaves the inside of the van for other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted November 17, 2022 Author Share Posted November 17, 2022 I get your point but my use cases for the van, based on the travel that I like to do are: - 45% Headed for a backpacking/camping type trip and it's base camp at the trailhead or overnight sleep en route to destination. - 45% Road trip for urban destinations and visiting friends, it'll mostly serve as a hauler and someplace to sleep while en route from location to location. - 10% Traveling with the motorcycle to a destination for whatever reason (shop visit, possible summer trip so I can skip riding through the miserable TX heat, etc...) The scenarios above may change over time and I may decide to fit the van with a more permanent camper type amenities, but time will tell. Onto the motorcycle, I generally enjoy traveling on my bike as well. Earlier this year I did a combined ~7000 mile trip from Houston, to San Diego, back to Houston, to Virginia, then back to Houston. Glad to see someone is like minded First trip on the new bike Camp spot at the Grand Canyon The riding around here is pretty epic! So so road conditions though. Got a bit chilly in CO at one point... Rode through a super soaker in GA Got to hit some twisty bits in NC and TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 (edited) I ride my bike as a "city bike". Running errands. Going to The Bar. Commuting. Especially if my destination is a part of town where parking is difficult. Downtown. City Hall. But I don't identify as a "biker". I don't live the lifestyle of someone who identifies with the subculture. It just makes sense for me to own a bike. I also own a bicycle and a bus pass. It just makes sense to ride a bicycle to the gym or take the bus sometimes. Obviously, I can't go to Costco on my motorcycle. And I don't ride in the rain. If I am going to Los Angeles or Las Vegas, or any destination where I will want to ride the bike around, then it's a motorcycle road trip. The luggage is minimal. Only extra t-shirts, underwear, socks, and toiletry kit. I'll be wearing my jeans, a Pendleton, leather jacket, and boots. Not every trip is a bike trip. Sometimes it's nice to have the luxury of an air conditioned environment, refreshing beverages, an entertainment system, and luggage. Sometimes I actually want to bring along different changes of clothes. Not to mention that motorcycle trips are kind of weird, if your traveling companions are following along in a minivan. Or flying in and they'll just meet you there. My last trip to Las Vegas was like that. We were attending an event. I rode my motorcycle. My girl flew in. She checked in 2 bags full of all kinds of girly things like heels, makeup, cabana wear, her evening gown, and my dinner jacket. Her helmet was carry on luggage. I told her to wear the helmet whenever the seat belt light came on. I sort of felt out of place wearing a tuxedo with my boots. But nobody noticed. If they did, they probably just assumed that I was being trendy. Her Dad kept asking, "so she flew in, and you rode the motorcycle?" Edited November 17, 2022 by Fifty150 budo675 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted November 17, 2022 Author Share Posted November 17, 2022 If time (or money) was of no concern, I'd spend my entire summer just riding my motorcycle throughout the Northern US and Canada... But it is, and I don't want to just pound miles on the interstate with a motorcycle because that's a lot less fun. That's where the van comes in. Plus I do a fair amount of backpacking and I've yet to figure out a great way to load my backpacking gear onto the motorcycle and secure all my motorcycle gear while I go galivanting around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 Welcome. You will enjoy the relative luxury and security of these vans. The cargo versions upfit nicely but the passenger versions (wagons) have more creature comforts and options. budo675 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 Not sure why it's such a pain, but I finally found a dealership in Houston where I could walk in and place an order for a LWB XLT Van with 180 rear doors. I guess now I'll just wait for 5 - 7 months (or more). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 I'm surprised that they didn't have a van on the lot. Surely, a Ford dealer would have a few white vans, with nothing in them, in inventory. They should have been able to find a stripped down van on the lot, and offer to add accessories to your liking. What did you order for the van? Did you get rear window defrosters? Side mirror defrosters? A heated windshield? The most modern Ford Sync system? My van is a 2016. So I've driven it for 6 years. Those are the things that come to mind for me, as being useful. But only for me. I've found myself in snow, where the defrosters and heated windshield could have been useful. I still made it without all of that. Sure, there was frost , but the wipers worked okay. The front windshield defroster was good enough to warm the windshield and maintain a safe degree of visibility. The rear windshield, for me, was less than important. After years of driving trucks, I learned to use the side mirrors more. But if you are used to having a rearview mirror, and looking into it, then the rear window defroster could make all the difference. I just installed an aftermarket radio with Android Auto. The latest Ford Sync has Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Ford offers updates to the Sync system. Even back in 2016, I knew that better technology was coming and that the top of the line 2016 radio would be antiquated in a few years. For me, cost was a factor. I knew that I could install an aftermarket radio for a fraction of what they charge for a factory stereo. But the modern Sync systems are pretty comparable, dollar for dollar, to a high end radio. The one thing that I noticed over the years, is that Ford trucks seem to have really good heaters. Just a personal opinion of course. Compared to other small cars I've driven, the trucks and vans from Ford feel (to me) like they get real hot and do it real fast. When you walk out in the morning to a cold car that's been sitting all night in the winter, and you start the car to warm it up....... you notice things like that as you sit there in the cold. Even in the middle of winter, the inside of the truck is comfortable with just a t-shirt. I do that. Take off my jacket when I get in the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted December 2, 2022 Author Share Posted December 2, 2022 There are a few carmax lots in Houston that have the passenger model XLT connect, most with pretty high mileage and still costing $32k+. I have had some negative experience buying used cars with higher mileage that I'm wary and would rather dish out the cash for a new car for the peace of mind. Any cargo model is in and out within a day or two and I'm not fussed to go stalking dealerships all over Houston for it. I have time and am willing to wait for the right van. The main things I wanted added to the van is the tow package, LTE delete, and HID headlights. I didn't opt for the Sync 3 with navigation as I almost always rely on google for nav, plus the XLT already comes with the non nav Sync 3. Being in Houston, defrosters are rarely useful for us lol. I do travel to Wyoming to visit my sis once in a while and during those times I carry a scraper with me. Anyways, the waiting gives me time to plan my minimalist build by lurking around the forum a bit more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_beast Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 I placed an order for a 2023 but recently bailed on it. I found a new 2022 silver LWB XLT cargo van in Indiana (customer order that they gave up on since it took over a year). I picked it up there and drove it back to Arizona. They were only asking $1500 over MSRP (the few others I found in different states wanted $10K over MSRP) which was less than the 2023 price increase. Didn't have all the options I wanted, but was close enough. budo675 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, jeff_beast said: I placed an order for a 2023 but recently bailed on it. I found a new 2022 silver LWB XLT cargo van in Indiana (customer order that they gave up on since it took over a year). I picked it up there and drove it back to Arizona. They were only asking $1500 over MSRP (the few others I found in different states wanted $10K over MSRP) which was less than the 2023 price increase. Didn't have all the options I wanted, but was close enough. Glad you got the van you wanted without having to wait. The wait to get a custom order is crazy long and lots of uncertainty in the process. But, the concept of having to pay over MSRP or a premium for anything because of supply/demand is hard for me to accept. I understand why it's done in a free market economy, but it's just plain wrong for a retailer to take advantage of consumers in doing so. Pure greed. Car dealer sales departments are already bottom feeders in my view and this act only reinforces that. Bunch of undeserving rat bastards. ? The talk that Ford will switch to a direct to consumer business model for future EV sales is a smart move. Same as what other auto co's have done. Leave the sharks and vultures out of the equation and keep your brand respectable and make the sales process fair. https://fordauthority.com/2022/05/ford-dealers-will-likely-switch-over-to-new-business-model-by-2023/ "Selling EVs at fixed prices is a critical move as markups continue to tarnish the brand’s image. Most recently, the automaker itself expressed frustration over dealers selling the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning for over sticker price, though the vast majority are moving the new EV pickup at MSRP. Additionally, the automaker is looking to overhaul its dealer experience after ranking below average in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study and the 2022 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness (ILE) Study." Edited December 2, 2022 by windguy grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_beast Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 I hadn't heard that Ford was going to go direct on EV sales in the future (like Tesla and Rivian). I have a friend who's F150 Lightning (base model that's ~$41K) order is being delivered in a few weeks. He just plans to flip it, so I guess as long as demand outpaces supply somebody is going to get more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 5 hours ago, windguy said: the concept of having to pay over MSRP or a premium for anything because of supply/demand is hard for me to accept. I understand why it's done in a free market economy, The MSRP is a built in markup, all on it's own. Huge difference between what the dealer pays for the car, and the MSRP. There's even a difference in what the dealer pays for the car, and the invoice. Not even the invoice is the real price the dealer pays for the car. That's why they used have those sales where they sold cars for thousands under invoice. That's what gives you room for negotiation. 5 hours ago, windguy said: Pure greed. Car dealer sales departments are already bottom feeders in my view I think the finance department is the real algae slime sucker. They take advantage of people who can't afford to buy the car. Rig finance "deals" to where someone can "afford" a certain amount monthly. Then charge them some usurious interest rate for 120 months. Then on top of that, sell them the extended warranty, and finance that as well. 5 hours ago, windguy said: Leave the sharks and vultures out of the equation Unless they allow someone to drive the car off from the factory, like Tesla, the dealership will be involved. Those cars will be delivered to a dealership for dealer prep. There will be a fee for that. Receiving fee, dock fee, handling fee, top off the electric charge fee........ Someone has to pay for all the coffee and donuts that they give away. As you may be able to guess - I do not like car dealers. windguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 57 minutes ago, Fifty150 said: Unless they allow someone to drive the car off from the factory, like Tesla, the dealership will be involved. Those cars will be delivered to a dealership for dealer prep. There will be a fee for that. Receiving fee, dock fee, handling fee, top off the electric charge fee........ Someone has to pay for all the coffee and donuts that they give away. As you may be able to guess - I do not like car dealers. Agree with all points. I can see I got your dander up as well. Those fees should be paid by Ford in this case. You already get soaked for a delivery fee. Let it come out of that or they will probably just hike that amount. From what I've been told, those delivery fees include National and regional advertising. I've never seen an ad for a Transit Connect in print or TV, has anyone? Just another bend over fee you have no control over. At least with a buying service like Costco, you have some advocate and buying power in your hip pocket. It's been over eight years since I used their service so I have no idea how effective it is anymore, especially with the current market. Maybe someone that has used them recently can report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 Well, late last November I placed an order for a 2023 Transit Connect Cargo with some options... I got the email that says the order has been placed, but haven't heard back since. I knew it was going to be a wait... in the mean time I kept scanning the new and used market in the case that a model pops up for a reasonable price, with the stuff that I want. Fast forward to Tuesday, I searched for it on AutoTrader.com and got a hit at a dealership about 1 hour from me. Sent them an email, and the next day the sales guy got in touch with me and told me it was actually available... on the lot... Which is damn near a shock to me because I've inquired to ~20 dealerships in the past 3 months (in and out of state) and every single one of them either has outdated inventory online, or has a model that is special ordered and for some reason still shows up on the inventory. Well, I drove up and test drove it. All seems good. Negotiated a decent trade in deal for my Subaru, and secured my own financing through my credit union. The next day I drove up again and picked her up, total was ~$38k out the door with all fees. Considering that the 2023 I ordered is $40k+ and used late model TC's with 30k miles are going for 30-35k I'm fine with the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budo675 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 Driven in ~600 miles over the past 3 days, slept in the van one night to give it a test... Moderately comfortable, need to fine tune the workflow on that part. It's a bit of a mess in the pictures since I just threw everything into the van for an impromptu trip to a nearby state park. A few things I've noticed... - Seats are comfortable enough (I have the manual seats), lumbar support is decent. - AC is cold! Kept having to finagle it to get to the point where my hands aren't freezing - Sync 3 system is quite smooth for my experience. Digging it so far. - Cargo LED is bright AF and I'll probably remove it. - Seems to make a slightly strange, barely perceptible buzzing noise when driving very slow speeds. Like under 10 mph. Had to do it a lot while driving through some campground roads and thought it was odd. The operation seems fine so I tried not to fret about it. - Interior is spacious... but less spacious than I expected for some reason. At 5'7" I'm not a tall guy, and I can barely sit up in the cargo area when using a small chair. If I build some sort of bed/sofa combo it'll need to be a squat-sit height. - The stock stereo is pretty decent to be honest. I was quite shocked at how passable the audio quality/loudness is. Initially planned on doing an audio upgrade immediately, but I think I'll push that plan back a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 18 hours ago, budo675 said: f I build some sort of bed/sofa combo it'll need to be a squat-sit height. Get a small folding pad. They are good enough for camping, and you won't have to do anything to the van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 18 hours ago, budo675 said: The stock stereo is pretty decent to be honest. I was quite shocked at how passable the audio quality/loudness is. Initially planned on doing an audio upgrade immediately, but I think I'll push that plan back a bit. I think Ford Sync is good enough for a lot of people. If you upgrade anything, changing the speakers should be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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