Another owner of the coolest van ever

[bikehauler]

Hello everyone,

Just joined the forum; bought my TC in September, and it's also the first Ford I've ever owned. I have the 5-seat passenger wagon XLT in silver. I don't have photos, but it looks just like PRIORITY_driving's. My wife and I both love this thing. We both ride recumbent trikes (see avatar) and this is the perfect transport for hauling these bulky and expensive bicycles (can't use conventional bike racks). We were stuffing both of them into a Jeep Cherokee, until we heard about the Transit Connect last summer. I drooled over the brochure and website photos for weeks until we finally found one (which wasn't easy when we started calling around back in August--a few dealers had cargo vans and that was it). One thing I wasn't expecting but which really impressed me was how roomy and comfortable the cab area is. Even now it turns heads and I still get questions about it.

In some ways I hope it remains one of those best-kept secrets, but it's nice to have found a place for those of us in on the secret.

[Willie]

And it gets even better!

Since I hit 6000 miles my gas mileage has been averaging 28 MPG. On a trip I can see up to 31, if I keep my foot out of it on the hills.

[hardtailcruzer]

Hello everyone,

Just joined the forum; bought my TC in September, and it's also the first Ford I've ever owned. I have the 5-seat passenger wagon XLT in silver. I don't have photos, but it looks just like PRIORITY_driving's. My wife and I both love this thing. We both ride recumbent trikes (see avatar) and this is the perfect transport for hauling these bulky and expensive bicycles (can't use conventional bike racks). We were stuffing both of them into a Jeep Cherokee, until we heard about the Transit Connect last summer. I drooled over the brochure and website photos for weeks until we finally found one (which wasn't easy when we started calling around back in August--a few dealers had cargo vans and that was it). One thing I wasn't expecting but which really impressed me was how roomy and comfortable the cab area is. Even now it turns heads and I still get questions about it.

In some ways I hope it remains one of those best-kept secrets, but it's nice to have found a place for those of us in on the secret.

Hi Bikehauler,

I currently use a Dodge 3500 15 passenger Ram van to haul 5 people and 5 recumbents on vacations and to charity rides. Recently, it's more often just 2 people and 2 bikes.

I have had my eye on the TC for a while as a more liveable alternative for carrying people and recumbents (and I'd already have one if it were available with a 5-speed, but that's another thread).

Do your trikes fit well in the TC? Any special arrangements needed?

Best,

Doug

www.cruzbike.com

[bikehauler]

Hi Bikehauler,

I currently use a Dodge 3500 15 passenger Ram van to haul 5 people and 5 recumbents on vacations and to charity rides. Recently, it's more often just 2 people and 2 bikes.

I have had my eye on the TC for a while as a more liveable alternative for carrying people and recumbents (and I'd already have one if it were available with a 5-speed, but that's another thread).

Do your trikes fit well in the TC? Any special arrangements needed?

Best,

Doug

www.cruzbike.com

Hi, Doug. So I'm not the first to think of using a TC to haul recumbents! We have two Trice T's and they both fit nicely inside the TC (we also have a Hase Kettweisel). Normally, for compact stowage, the Trices fold and break down smaller (seat and rear wheel pops off with quick-releases), which is what I used to have to do. However, with the TC, I can leave seats and rear wheels in place and simply allow the drop fork to fold in and they go right in. Folding the fork down pushes the center of the trike up in the air, and with a head-rest on the seat, a lot of head-room is needed. It's no problem to take the seat off if needed, but with all the headroom in the TC, I don't even have to do that. I can get them in with the rear seats folded up (a somewhat tight squeeze), but with the seats removed, they fit with a little more breathing room. I've even got spare bicycle tires bungeed up into the side panels. I'd eventually like to add some kind of storage modules to keep spare parts and tools. I'll try to get some photos with the bikes loaded.

[BIKE SAG]

Hello everyone,

Just joined the forum; bought my TC in September, and it's also the first Ford I've ever owned. I have the 5-seat passenger wagon XLT in silver. I don't have photos, but it looks just like PRIORITY_driving's. My wife and I both love this thing. We both ride recumbent trikes (see avatar) and this is the perfect transport for hauling these bulky and expensive bicycles (can't use conventional bike racks). We were stuffing both of them into a Jeep Cherokee, until we heard about the Transit Connect last summer. I drooled over the brochure and website photos for weeks until we finally found one (which wasn't easy when we started calling around back in August--a few dealers had cargo vans and that was it). One thing I wasn't expecting but which really impressed me was how roomy and comfortable the cab area is. Even now it turns heads and I still get questions about it.

In some ways I hope it remains one of those best-kept secrets, but it's nice to have found a place for those of us in on the secret.

[BIKE SAG]

Hello Bikehauler,

Are you still loving your TC? I do I only had it now for 6 weeks and have over 8,000 miles on it. I use it for business mostly as we have a new company called BIKE SAG. We are a SAG Wagon service here in the Southeast and will be expanding if all goes well. We travel a lot with our TC. So what recumbent trikes to you and your wife ride? I am see more recumbents every day. Keep On Biking

[BIKE SAG]

Hello everyone,

Just joined the forum; bought my TC in September, and it's also the first Ford I've ever owned. I have the 5-seat passenger wagon XLT in silver. I don't have photos, but it looks just like PRIORITY_driving's. My wife and I both love this thing. We both ride recumbent trikes (see avatar) and this is the perfect transport for hauling these bulky and expensive bicycles (can't use conventional bike racks). We were stuffing both of them into a Jeep Cherokee, until we heard about the Transit Connect last summer. I drooled over the brochure and website photos for weeks until we finally found one (which wasn't easy when we started calling around back in August--a few dealers had cargo vans and that was it). One thing I wasn't expecting but which really impressed me was how roomy and comfortable the cab area is. Even now it turns heads and I still get questions about it.

In some ways I hope it remains one of those best-kept secrets, but it's nice to have found a place for those of us in on the secret.

[BIKE SAG]

Hi Bike Hauler,

How did you hear about the TC and what brand of trikes do you have? I have had mine since last May and put over 27,000 miles on it since. I use it for a SAG Wagon service and you can find out more about us at www.bikesag.com. I have been curious if one or two trikes would fit in and now you answered that question. Thanks![/size][/font]