Greetings From The High Country!

[breknraj]

Hello, all!

I finally joined the family a couple of weeks ago, when I picked up my new Silver TC cargo XLT!

I have been eyeing these vans for about the last 3 years - ever since I first saw them high altitude testing here in Summit County, Colorado. Back then, they were all muled and bra-ed, so I wasn't sure what I had been seeing, until I started searching the web, and discovered that it was a Ford product. I own a pool and hot tub maintenance company, and felt that this van would be a very good fit for what I do. Since I don't sell tubs, I didn't really feel the need for a full size truck or van.

While I still wish we had availability of other engine and transmission options, the overall funtionality of the TC looked like it would suit the way I work my business well. So far, I have not been disappointed in this regard. I love the fact that there is nothing that I put in the back, that I can't reach from a door! I'm beginning to get some ideas on upfits that will make it even more efficeint and capable, but I probably won't be able to do anything about these ideas until next spring, at this point.

Since I do live in an area that is somewhat reknown for snow, the first thing that I did was to get the beasty re-shod with a full set of Bridgestone Blizzacks. I've been using Blizzacks on my cars for 20 years, now, and have always been very satified with them. I also installed the Ford splashguards, and the vent visors on the front doors.

While the color would not have been a deal breaker, I really wanted one in something besides white (since that is the color you almost always see them in). When I came across this one at Glenwood Springs Ford, and it had all the stuff that I wanted on it, I took it for a drive and decided to put money down on it (on Oct 8). I ended up having to get a few business ducks in a row, as well as just doing my regular work, so I didn't get to pick it up until Oct 30. Turns out that it was a good thing that I put the money on it when I did - there were at least 2 other serious offers (including one above sticker) while it was still at the dealer. The salesman told me that he tried to find other silver ones for those customers, but that mine was the last he could locate, until the 2011s start showing up.

Silver was my first choice, and I've been pleased with all of the positive comments that I've gotten from friends and customers. Mine came with the 255* rear doors, which I originally planned to do without, but now that I have them, I'm surprisingly satisfied with them.

The only bit of a gripe that I have, so far, is that the front door detents don't seem to be very strong. If I'm parked on even a minor side slope, they do not hold the doors open very well - even when I'm careful to make sure that they are engaged, and the door motionless.

With only a couple of weeks, and about 400 miles on it, I'm very pleased with the purchase - it is working well for me.

My long range hope is that when they start building them here in the states, there will be some additional drivetrain options available, and I'll pass this one on to my employee. I would be all over a TC with a high output diesel, and a 5 speed - and I'd be just about willing to kill for that combo with all wheel drive!

Take care, and enjoy your TC's, too!

Raj