Best 15 passenger Van for Church?
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Our church has a Ford and we love it.
Back in the day when I hung around our church day in and out as a teenager the Youth Ministers loved the Ford. The Dodge always had issues, including crazy seats that hurt your back on long drives.
Unfortunately the Ford died in Mexico and was towed back by the dodge, a long story in itself, But that was due to an issue caused by the Dealership here in Texas.
I suggest you shop around and get the one with the most comfortable front seats. Long trips on chaperone's are tough and the last thing you need is to be exhausted from the pain the driving arrangement causes you.
There was serious consideration of whether or not to let some of the older kids drive at one point in time due to that Dodge.
All the engines and transmissions seem to hold up well, but due to their precious cargo (kids) they should. As regular preventative service is a must.
Unfortunately the Ford died in Mexico and was towed back by the dodge, a long story in itself, But that was due to an issue caused by the Dealership here in Texas.
I suggest you shop around and get the one with the most comfortable front seats. Long trips on chaperone's are tough and the last thing you need is to be exhausted from the pain the driving arrangement causes you.
There was serious consideration of whether or not to let some of the older kids drive at one point in time due to that Dodge.
All the engines and transmissions seem to hold up well, but due to their precious cargo (kids) they should. As regular preventative service is a must.
Ford Econoline vans!
Our church has a Ford E-350 that I service. It's very rusty underneath. I don't know if this thing was bought used from Canada or what, but it's a train wreck under there. But...it runs good and seems to be solid. Ours is a '98 model with the 5.4L engine. The engine and transmission have been good on it.
I don't think you'll get a 15-passenger Dodge Sprinter for $10K.
You could probably find a 20 passenger E-450 Ford Shuttle bus for that price before you found a 15-passenger Chevrolet. I see the Fords all the time. Rarely see the Chevrolets.
You could probably find a 20 passenger E-450 Ford Shuttle bus for that price before you found a 15-passenger Chevrolet. I see the Fords all the time. Rarely see the Chevrolets.
Our organization just got rid of their Ford. It had around 270k miles on it. The only issues he complained about on the was the steering rack was shot. I drove it a few times and thought it was pretty bad, but it's undergone 4 days/week usage all over the city for several years, so it's understandable.
They just bought another Ford passenger van. The only complaint from the driver and passengers are getting into it is difficult. We've mounted a stepside on the driver's side for him and another step for the passengers was welded on by our welding department at the local college.
They just bought another Ford passenger van. The only complaint from the driver and passengers are getting into it is difficult. We've mounted a stepside on the driver's side for him and another step for the passengers was welded on by our welding department at the local college.
I think both Ford and Chevrolet make good vans. One advantage of the Chevrolet is the longer wheelbase would make for a more stable handling vehicle in an emergency situation. It also comes with side air bags for most of the rows (maybe not the back 1 or 2). I don't believe the Ford offers side air bags but I could be wrong. GM made them standard in '08 I think. One advantage of the huge rear overhang in the Ford is better snow traction since more weight will end up on the drive wheels. If you tow a trailer the longer wheelbase advantage (better stability) of the Chevrolet is countered by the nicer available towing mirrors on the Ford.
I'm thinking of buying one in a couple of years for personal use and I'm leaning towards the Chevrolet, I'll probably wait until I can afford the 2010 or newer models on the used market. They came with 6-speed autos for better fuel economy in that year and after. That new of one is not going to be available for $10k however, not yet.
I'm thinking of buying one in a couple of years for personal use and I'm leaning towards the Chevrolet, I'll probably wait until I can afford the 2010 or newer models on the used market. They came with 6-speed autos for better fuel economy in that year and after. That new of one is not going to be available for $10k however, not yet.
You guys are all getting insurance? I thought companies hated the short wheel base vans. So the Chevys would be the way to go. Or maybe their terrible handling was one of those alarmist fads.
I like the idea of a rental car shuttle type thing on dually wheels, so long as you can drive it with a regular license. (15 passenger max?)
I like the idea of a rental car shuttle type thing on dually wheels, so long as you can drive it with a regular license. (15 passenger max?)
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Originally Posted By: eljefino
I like the idea of a rental car shuttle type thing on dually wheels, so long as you can drive it with a regular license. (15 passenger max?)
15 passenger vans require a CDL too...
Even though I'm a die-hard Ford guy, I like the added stability you get from the longer wheelbase on the Chevy vans. Although a Ford with a dually conversion would also suffice.
I like the idea of a rental car shuttle type thing on dually wheels, so long as you can drive it with a regular license. (15 passenger max?)
15 passenger vans require a CDL too...
Even though I'm a die-hard Ford guy, I like the added stability you get from the longer wheelbase on the Chevy vans. Although a Ford with a dually conversion would also suffice.
The only Church vans I see in Miami Dade County are Ford Econoline vans..I do not recall seeing any Chevy or Dodge vans..The Econoline vans I see are really old but running just fine and have working a/c t-boot.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
You guys are all getting insurance? I thought companies hated the short wheel base vans. So the Chevys would be the way to go. Or maybe their terrible handling was one of those alarmist fads.
Actually, our insurance doesn't allow us to seat a full 15 passengers. Although we have the "extended" version (Club Van or whatever it's called), the insurance/safety video that all drivers have to watch instructs not to seat passengers behind the rear axle. So we have the last row out of our van and use it for cargo.
You guys are all getting insurance? I thought companies hated the short wheel base vans. So the Chevys would be the way to go. Or maybe their terrible handling was one of those alarmist fads.
Actually, our insurance doesn't allow us to seat a full 15 passengers. Although we have the "extended" version (Club Van or whatever it's called), the insurance/safety video that all drivers have to watch instructs not to seat passengers behind the rear axle. So we have the last row out of our van and use it for cargo.
I don't like the 'stability issues' inherent with tall, long-wheelbase vans. I've seen a couple of news stories on bad accidents caused by these becoming unstable in wet, windy conditions and going out of control.
I'd shop around, and try and find as new of a 'bus' as you can - a wider, dual-rear tire small bus, like what an ambulance would be built on....just looks much more stable to me.
JMO....
I'd shop around, and try and find as new of a 'bus' as you can - a wider, dual-rear tire small bus, like what an ambulance would be built on....just looks much more stable to me.
JMO....
The new GM vans have Stabilitrak standard now, so even a dingbat can be safe.
We have run whole herds of GM extended wheelbase Savanas since they came out weighing WAY more than even a 15 passenger model and there are absolutely no stability issues at all.
One of the best inclement weather vehicles we own!
We have run whole herds of GM extended wheelbase Savanas since they came out weighing WAY more than even a 15 passenger model and there are absolutely no stability issues at all.
One of the best inclement weather vehicles we own!
That is good to know. Have to confess, don't know much about big vans....just remember a news story about an overloaded van that crashed, and there was extensive talk about the 'lack of safety' with that type of van....it was an older, Ford 15-passenger van.
Got one you want to sell?
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The new GM vans have Stabilitrak standard now, so even a dingbat can be safe.
We have run whole herds of GM extended wheelbase Savanas since they came out weighing WAY more than even a 15 passenger model and there are absolutely no stability issues at all.
One of the best inclement weather vehicles we own!
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The new GM vans have Stabilitrak standard now, so even a dingbat can be safe.
We have run whole herds of GM extended wheelbase Savanas since they came out weighing WAY more than even a 15 passenger model and there are absolutely no stability issues at all.
One of the best inclement weather vehicles we own!
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